Skip to main content

Psychology (Conversion)

MSc

Book open days Get prospectus Contact us

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026 | January 2027
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this MSc Psychology conversion course is designed for non-psychology graduates or graduates with a non-accredited psychology degree. It provides you with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS which is essential for pursuing career paths in a range of recognised psychology professions. 

  • Why choose this course?
    • This rigorous course will equip you with critical skills and knowledge in psychology and its specialisms including neuroscience, perception, memory, as well as developmental and social psychology.
    • It offers you the chance to gain valuable insights into a wide range of scientific theory and practice, from behavioural experiments to brain imaging, to clinical assessments in healthy and patient populations.
    • Birkbeck's School of Psychological Sciences is internationally renowned for its research excellence, so you will be taught by world-leading academics who bring their cutting-edge expertise to the classroom.
    • It has a dedicated learning team who provide tailored support, helping our students realise their full potential.

  • What will I learn?

    You will learn the key principles of psychological theory, including:

    • neuroscience
    • developmental psychology
    • attention and performance
    • learning memory and cognition
    • individual differences and social psychology.

    You will also develop practical skills in research methodology, including the formulation of hypotheses, designing and reporting experiments, qualitative methods and subject-specific IT skills.

    We equip you with a range of transferable skills too which are valued by employers across a range of professions, from clinical or counselling psychology to media and marketing.

  • How will I learn?

    This MSc Psychology conversion course is available to study either full- or part-time. You can choose to start this MSc in either October or January. If you start in October, your timetable is evening study only with classes taking place in the evenings. If you decide to start in January, your classes will take place in both the daytime and evening.  

    Our teaching is supported by a dedicated learning support team and is delivered via a comprehensive and flexible programme, including on-campus practical group sessions bringing topics to life in the lab, online seminars and lectures that may be available on campus and online.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time October start: Four evenings a week, October to September.

    Full-time January start: Two days a week, each consisting of an afternoon class and an evening class, January to December

    Part-time October start: Two evenings a week, October to September.

    Part-time January start: One day a week, consisting of an afternoon class and an evening class, January to December

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

Modules and Teaching

School of Psychological Sciences

One of the oldest academic schools of psychology in the UK, and a world-leading centre of innovative psychological research and training.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above from a UK university, or overseas equivalent. You will also need to ensure your application is complete with a transcript of your previous degree and GCSE Maths/equivalent.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Fit a master's around your schedule
Choose Birkbeck today

Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in January 2027

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,555 per year
Full-time home students: £13,110 per year
Part-time international students: £11,115 per year
Full-time international students: £22,230 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this MSc Psychology, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • written and oral communication skills
  • research skills
  • psychological and scientific literacy
  • teamwork
  • critical thinking.

Graduates can pursue career paths in areas including psychology, education, human resources and management. Possible professions include:

  • clinical psychologist/counselling psychologist
  • user experience (UX) researcher
  • education lecturer
  • market researcher
  • human resources officer
  • academic or business researcher.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Psychology (Conversion) (MSc)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time

Starting in January 2027

Full-time

Part-time