Psychology (Conversion)
Learn more about psychology – and get Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society.
in the region for postgraduates progressing into senior roles.
Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2026
Develop a scientific understanding of the core areas of psychology, and the relations between them.
You’ll learn how psychology is influenced by factors such as physiology and external influences; how different languages change the way you look at the world; and the importance of childhood development.
You’ll also learn how to design research projects, before conducting your own.
No psychology degree? No problem. We welcome all students to this conversion course, whether you've studied psychology before or you're new to the field.
Study with us in Cambridge or by distance learning.
Our course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It provides you with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, which is essential for pursuing careers in a range of recognised psychology professions.
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Written by and starring British Psychological Society members, this short film shows what brings psychologists together in one profession and one BPS.
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![Man wearing a suit and glasses and holding a coffee cup]()
Written by and starring British Psychological Society members, this short film shows what brings psychologists together in one profession and one BPS.
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Study in Cambridge or by distance learning ‐ achieving the same professionally recognised qualification
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Build the scientific understanding and practical skills to apply psychology to a range of careers
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Explore the biological, social and environmental factors that shape people’s lives
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Learn from academics whose teaching is informed by the latest discoveries in psychological science
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Develop practical research skills by designing and conducting your own psychology project
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Gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Develop analytical, research and communication skills that employers value.
Accredited by the British Psychological Society, this MSc gives you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, the essential first step towards many professional psychology careers.
You'll also graduate with practical research experience, ready to apply your understanding of human behaviour in a range of roles.
Teaching and modules
Develop a scientific understanding of the core areas of psychology and how biological, cognitive, developmental and social factors shape human behaviour.
You'll explore topics including mental health, language and childhood development.
Throughout the course, you'll learn to evaluate evidence, think critically and conduct research ethically. You'll also build practical skills in research design, data collection and analysis.
You'll bring everything together in your Psychology Dissertation, where you'll design, carry out and present your own independent research project.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Research in Action: Statistical Thinking (15 credits)
- Social Psychology, Development and Difference (30 credits)
- Contemporary Issues in Psychology (15 credits)
- Research in Action: Qualitative Methods and Psychology in Practice (15 credits)
- Brain, Body and Mind (30 credits)
- Diagnosis and Formulation in Mental Health (Level 7) (15 credits)
- Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)
- Into ARU
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as MSc/MA students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students. For example if the MSc/MA course takes one year, you can expect to study over two years, though for some courses this may vary.
- Research in Action: Qualitative Methods and Psychology in Practice (15 credits)
- Diagnosis and Formulation in Mental Health (Level 7) (15 credits)
- Into ARU
- Research in Action: Statistical Thinking (15 credits)
- Contemporary Issues in Psychology (15 credits)
- Brain, Body and Mind (30 credits)
- Social Psychology, Development and Difference (30 credits)
- Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Lewis GoodingsSenior Lecturer in Psychology
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Dr Lesley StoreySenior Lecturer
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Dr Matt BristowPrincipal Lecturer
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Professor Mick FinlayProfessor of Social and Applied Psychology
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Dr Débora Vasconcelos e SáSenior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Facilities
Study at ARU in Cambridge and use our dedicated Science Centre, home to specialist teaching spaces and research facilities.
Here, you'll find psychology labs for EEG, perception, neuroscience, biomarker analysis and social behaviour research. These facilities support practical learning and independent research, helping you develop the scientific skills for careers in psychology and related fields.
You'll also benefit from extensive library and IT resources.
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Study psychology in our state-of-the-art Science Centre in Cambridge.
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Use specialist equipment and learn more about the brain mechanisms involved in perception, attention and inhibition in the EEG lab.
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Examine how the body responds to a variety of stimuli or tasks using equipment such as wearable eye trackers.
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Observe participants’ behaviours through a CCTV monitoring system in the Social Behaviour Lab.
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![Atrium area in the Science Centre at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge]()
Study psychology in our state-of-the-art Science Centre in Cambridge.
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![An EEG procedure being conducted]()
Use specialist equipment and learn more about the brain mechanisms involved in perception, attention and inhibition in the EEG lab.
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![Tobii Pro 300TX eye-tracker equipment]()
Examine how the body responds to a variety of stimuli or tasks using equipment such as wearable eye trackers.
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![Person wearing an EEG cap in a psychology lab]()
Observe participants’ behaviours through a CCTV monitoring system in the Social Behaviour Lab.