This course offers a conversion route into Psychology for students who hold an honours degree in a subject other than Psychology.

On completion, students should be equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate research at M.Phil or Ph.D. level in the area of psychology or to go on to a clinical training programme. In addition, we also want to facilitate conversion to psychology from business and economic backgrounds to improve employability for a wider range of job opportunities. The programme will provide a detailed knowledge of the core areas of psychology and principal theoretical and methodological issues in the field. The programme will also provide students with the statistical and methodological skills necessary to undertake research in psychology.

Please note that the MSc Conversion to Psychology is currently not accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Curriculum core modules

Compulsory modules

Quantitative research methods; Methods of Data Analysis in Psychology, Review Essay; Conceptual Issues and Theoretical Perspectives; Assessment in Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology - 10 credits

Optional Modules - Choice of 2 modules with restriction

Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience; Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology; Perception; Cognition

Research Project (compulsory)

Students carry out an independent research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Through the research project, students have the opportunity to exercise the skills gathered through other components of the programme.

How to apply

Admission requirements

Good 2.1 honours degree in any subject from a British university or equivalent qualification standard from an overseas university and English language proficiency - IELTS 7.0 or above including 7.5 or above in writing skill component.

Students are required to apply using the University's online application form found on the How to apply page. The School requests that the following information be attached to the online form.

1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae including research interests
2. A recent example of your written work (for example, an essay of approx. 2,000 words)
3. Two referees' reports
4. A transcript and evidence of existing qualification (for example, a copy of your degree certificate).
5. Overseas applicants whose first language is not English are also asked to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (for example, an IELTS or TOEFL score, see above). (e.g., IELTS >=7.0 (incl. >= 7.5 writing skills)).

Funding

Candidates are asked to make their own financial arrangements, either privately or with the help of UK or overseas government agencies. The university provides a guide to tuition fees and the level of expenditure a student might expect to incur during a year of postgraduate study.

Further information on other sources of funding for home and overseas students is available from the University of St. Andrews Prospective Students pages and from Prospects, the definitive guide to postgraduate funding provided by Higher Education's official database.

Deadline for applications

Applications will be considered throughout the year. The deadline for applications to start the course in September 2011 is the 31st of May 2011.

Contact details

Helen Sunderland
School of Psychology
University of St Andrews
St. Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
Fife
Scotland, UK
KY16 9JP

Tel: 00 44 (0)1334 462157 | Fax: 00 44 (0)1334 463042 | Email: pgsecpsych@st-andrews.ac.uk