Psychology

Programme highlights

• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society is the minimum qualification for many types of further training in psychology, as well as for licensing as a professional psychologist

Gaining entry for GBC normally requires an honours degree in psychology, entailling 3 years of study. However, through this one-year intensive programme, you will become eligible for GBC, given that you have already obtained a first degree that includes 60 credits of psychology.

Further study, research and employment opportunities

Many psychology students seek further specialised training in the applied sectors of the field (eg forensic psychology, counselling psychology, and organisational psychology). This programme will qualify students for entry into such training programmes.

Furthermore, students completing the programme will gain recognition from the BPS as a chartered psychologist and may enter a number of career paths directly. A recent survey of university graduates in the UK indicated that psychology students enter into a wide variety of professions including marketing, teaching, health and public service.

General programme structure

Drawing on Plymouth's existing British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited programmes, MSc Psychology students will gain access to the curriculum essential for obtaining GBC, a critical step in becoming a chartered psychologist. The programme builds upon BPS-accredited modules by including a number of opportunities for advanced study.

A unique feature of this MSc is its incorporation of student-directed seminar groups, which employ various learning approaches. For example, students may take part in small group discussions in which they explore and critically analyse the literature relevant to a current issue of practical significance.

Building on an initial research experience working on a staff-led research projects, students develop and carry out an independent research project under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Through these experiences, students can exercise the skills they have gathered through other components of the programme.

Students take advantage of the BPS accredited content offered through the school's other programmes. This content is offered in the context of large lectures as well as through regular interaction with members of staff and fellow students, and through independent reading and research. MSc students are challenged to investigate classic and contemporary issues in the field of psychology at an intensive and analytical level.

Mode of Attendance : Full-time