Psychology MSc

Postgraduate

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Gain an understanding of human thinking and behaviour, and explore psychology within educational, clinical, counselling, and research settings with this accredited course.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST029

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Explore psychological theories, research methodologies and real-world applications to gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour, cognition and emotion. If you’re looking to pursue postgraduate professional training in psychology, this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course could be ideal to help you advance your career in the field.

Key topics include:

biological and cognitive psychology: understand the physical nature of the brain, its connections and computational models of human thought
social and individual differences: explore key facets of human behaviour (such as personality and relationships) for both the individual and at the group level
human development and diversity: examine human development from conception to end of life, with a focus on diversity
independent research and ethics: develop your skills as an independent researcher. Master research design, data collection, analysis and reporting to create a project that aligns with your research interests.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This BPS-accredited course is your first step towards a career in professional psychology practice. Course content has been designed to prepare you for further study in professional psychological practice (clinical, counselling, forensics, education and sport) or a career in marketing, human resources, artificial intelligence (AI) or computing.

Professional accreditation: successfully completing this course to the required standard of accreditation means you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is necessary for further professional doctoral-level study. See accreditation for more information.

Innovative learning tools and dedicated technicians: access a range of psychology-specific programmes to support your studies, including statistical software and research methods software. Our dedicated psychology technicians are on hand to support you in experiment design, data analysis and use of psychology lab equipment.⁴

Expert teaching staff: learn from experienced professionals and researchers with strong industry links, including local schools, prison services, and clinical and counselling organisations. (Staff are subject to change.) Teaching is designed to reflect current trends and sector debates, ensuring a relevant and engaging learning experience.

Accreditation and professional recognition

British Psychological Society

This course is accredited1 by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2025/26 intake and upon successful completion confers eligibility to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Graduates must pass all modules and achieve an average mark of at least 50% in order to be eligible for GBC membership.

Collaborations

Endorsement: Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Project Planning and Ethics module, you will receive an RSA digital badge.

I’m delighted to say that I was awarded a 12-week internship at Coventry University working with the sigma Centre. The project looked at how to improve support for higher education neurodivergent students in maths and statistics. My internship involved creating the literature review for the research and thematic analysis on the questionnaire responses. The course has given me the breadth and depth of psychological understanding (developmental, biological, cognitive and social psychology) to enable me to understand the research papers I’ve been reading.

I used so many of the skills and knowledge that I learnt on the MSc Psychology course – the MSc Psychology team provide such a valuable course. I felt so well equipped to take on my internship due to the content of the MSc Psychology course.
Andrea Bradley, Psychology MSc student, 2023

Students working in a group around a table with laptops.

What you'll study

Through research and methodologies, explore the mechanisms that shape thought, emotion and behaviour while examining the classic psychological theories that established the discipline. Gain a multi-perspective understanding of human experience, including cognitive and biological psychology, social and individual differences, development and human diversity. Develop your research skills in ethics and methodology, preparing you to pursue your own research interests with the support of a project supervisor.

Modules

Project Planning and Ethics – 30 credits

Developed with the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), this module aims to equip you with the skills necessary to design and implement your independent research project, focusing on both qualitative and quantitative research design. In addition to building research competencies, the module addresses the rapidly changing world of work. As technology advances and the global economy evolves, jobs and required skills shift quickly. Gain practical experience, ethical insights and the tools to thrive in a dynamic workforce, with RSA digital badging upon successful completion.

Compulsory

Research Methods in Psychology – 30 credits

Develop your proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse, report and interpret psychological data. Whether managing numerical datasets or exploring human experiences through text and conversation, this module is designed to equip you with the essential tools and skills for conducting psychological research in academic and applied settings.

Compulsory

Biological and Cognitive Psychology – 30 credits

Develop your critical understanding of the biological basis of human behaviour and human cognition from prenatal development to cognitive decline. Discuss and evaluate theory, methodology and quantitative analysis in neurological psychology while also gaining an understanding of historical developments in the field. Explore neurological deficits and disorders, neuroimaging and computational models of human thought.

Compulsory

Social and Individual Differences – 30 credits

Enhance your critical understanding of individual differences in, and social influences on, human behaviour and interaction, exploring why behaviour differs in both group contexts and in isolation. Explore topics such as personality, intelligence, aggression and social relationships from an individual and group perspective. Review contemporary theory and evidence to explore the relationship between individual differences and behaviour.

Compulsory

Human Development and Diversity – 30 credits

Examine human development across the lifespan from infancy to the end of life. Learn about development in areas such as neurological, cognitive, social and emotional development. Consider key challenges associated with lifespan development such as special education needs, bullying and cognitive decline. Explore the diversity of human experience in topics such as culture, gender, sexuality, age, physical ability, neurodiversity, politics and religion. Discuss key theory and empirical evidence related to development and diversity and look at the role a psychologist plays in identifying challenges in development and providing remediation for these in practice.

Compulsory

Independent Research Project – 30 credits

Lead independent research on a topic you are passionate about, applying the advanced skills gained throughout your course. With expert supervision, you’ll have the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, gaining a deep understanding of ethical, theoretical and methodological complexities. Offering an in-depth, postgraduate-level investigation, enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving and research skills, providing a valuable experience for both your academic and professional career growth.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

Teaching psychology at Coventry University has been the most gratifying life experience. Students love learning about different aspects of human behaviour and can connect their daily lives with the subject area. I have a particular interest and expertise in mindfulness and mental wellbeing. My teaching philosophy surrounds incorporating various elements of the ancient and modern mindfulness movement so that we can achieve the highest learning and life satisfaction.
Dr. Chetak Nangare, Lecturer in Psychology, Mindfulness and Compassion, 2022

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops.

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

presentations
independent projects
essays
multiple choice questionnaires
portfolios
case studies.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any subject.

If you hold an accredited undergraduate psychology degree or have completed an accredited conversion course, you should instead consider one of the following courses:

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any subject.

If you hold an accredited undergraduate psychology degree or have completed an accredited conversion course, you should instead consider one of the following courses:

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,350	Not available
EU	£9,350 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Richard Crossman Building is the primary home of psychology, criminology and social science subjects. Facilities include:

Light and dark multisensory labs

Explore how light and darkness affect behaviour, emotion and cognition. These specialist environments provide controlled yet adaptable spaces to learn about light, colour and perception.

Prison cells

Two furnished cells, one simulating a prison cell, and one simulating a custody cell, allow you to role-play real-life situations and put yourself in the shoes of prisoners and prison/police staff. Prisoner artwork is also on display.

Psychology lab

A suite of rooms with experimental equipment, such as eye tracking and EEG resources, to support neuro-psychological, physiological and biological psychological research for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Specialist software, such as Gorilla, OpenSesame experiment builder, E-Prime, SPSS statistical analysis, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO allow you to develop your digital fluency.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Our Psychology MSc course aims to prepare you for a career in areas of psychology such as practising psychology (Chartered Psychologist), clinical psychology, counselling, health psychology, psychological research and further professional study and training.

In addition to psychology-based careers, you could consider future roles in marketing, human resources and management.

Where our graduates work

Graduates have gone on to work in teaching, human resources, management and a children’s hospital school, as well as roles including performance analysts, psychological wellbeing practitioners, human rights investigators and child development advisors.

Other graduates have also chosen to continue their psychological careers as either trainee educational psychologists, forensic psychologists or clinical psychologists on doctoral programmes. Some have opted to pursue a PhD and advance their academic career as a lecturer or research assistant.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Full-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.