Psychology (Conversion)
Learn more about psychology – and get Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society – with this one-year course.
Save money on your course fees as an ARU graduate.
See if you're eligible for our Alumni Scholarship
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.
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). You'll acquire the skills to register with them as a Graduate Member.
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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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Learn more about psychology from research-active tutors
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See how psychology is influenced by factors such as physiology, language, and society
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Design and conduct your own research 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 an analytical approach to tasks, an understanding of people, and the underlying management skills associated with project work.
A postgraduate degree in psychology is highly valued by most employers, and our MSc has the added benefit of being accredited by the British Psychological Society.
As a graduate, you'll be able to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society. (To be eligible to register you will need an overall pass mark of 50% in your degree.)
Teaching and modules
Learn how psychology is influenced by many different factors, including physiology, society and childhood development.
During the course you’ll explore diagnosis and formulation in mental health, as well as mental health problems including anxiety, depression, psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder.
You’ll also learn how to design research projects, collect and analyse data, and manage a project ethically and professionally.
For your Psychology Dissertation, you’ll design and conduct your own research project.
If you’e studied psychology before, you may find you'll revisit some topics.
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)
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)
Facilities
Study at ARU in Cambridge and use our dedicated Science Centre.
The Centre features four floors of labs and teaching space, including specialist tissue culture and microbiology laboratories. Learn more about our psychology labs.