Brain

Psychology (Conversion)

MSc

Apply now – no fee
Enquire now Download brochure
  • Next start date: Sep 2025
  • Study: Full-time
  • Duration: 1 year

Overview

This practical course opens doors to a wide variety of careers and can serve as the next step in your training to become a qualified psychologist.  

Designed for both psychology and non-psychology graduates, it offers a thorough grounding in the field of psychology and its research methods, to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to begin a career in your chosen area – with a qualification recognised by the British Psychological Society. 

You’ll be introduced to the core branches of psychology (cognitive, biological and developmental) and debate opposing views, before specialising in applied areas such as social and cultural psychology, motivational psychology and psychopathology – delving deeper into fields that interest you. 

Working in our campus laboratory, you’ll learn to design studies, conduct experiments, evaluate evidence and communicate your findings – improving your knowledge of statistical, empirical and qualitative measures, as well as your statistical analysis of data. 

In your final term, you’ll undertake a research project – considering ethical implications, research techniques and evidence evaluation.

Graduate job-ready

Graduate with the deep industry knowledge and transferable skills to apply to a wide range of careers – from professional psychologist to forensics, marketing, advertising, HR, education, counselling and psychotherapy. 

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), granting you eligibility for Chartered Membership (Graduate Basis) in the society – a requirement for any professional BPS postgraduate training course in psychology in the UK.

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

  • A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
  • Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
  • A 500-700 word personal statement (view guidance)
  • If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency

Credit transfer

If you’ve already studied part of your degree elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join your new course at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, you'll need to state this clearly in your application and provide us with the certificates, transcripts and module descriptions for your previous course.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days. We'll assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of our decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. They can take the form of a one-to-one interview, a group interview or a portfolio review, which may be conducted by telephone or online. Arrangements of these are made between you and the Admissions department.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply.

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies. For more information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fee: 

  • £26,000 for the intake starting in September 2024 or January 2025
  • £27,000 for the intake starting in September 2025 or January 2026

Non-refundable advance deposit:

UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000

Read more about tuition fees.

What do fees include?

If you receive an offer for a course, you’ll receive a pro forma invoice. To accept your offer and secure your place, pay your deposit payment as soon as possible.

The remaining portion of your first year’s tuition fees will be due when you enrol. At this time, you’ll receive your invoice for the full year. You can choose to pay for the year in full before the start of your first academic year or in two instalments, spread out across the academic year. The dates of these instalments will be determined by when your course starts.

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms. 

What other costs should I budget for?

You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of your course.

The library holds a limited number of copies of core textbooks and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own textbooks and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your course.

How you'll learn

At Regent's you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a supportive and nurturing environment with interactive classes, regular one-to-one contact with tutors, specialist facilities, industry opportunities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to succeed.

We centre our teaching around your individual goals, identifying the support you need to thrive. You’ll be part of a collaborative environment, that brings all the nuances of psychology to life in the classroom as you learn to predict, and potentially even alter, human behaviour.

You’ll pair deep industry knowledge with hands-on experiences, taking part in a blend of learning formats to give your studies context:

  • Seminars and lectures
  • Practical workshops and masterclasses
  • Live briefs and consultancy work
  • London-based field trips 

And, with access to a laboratory on campus, you’ll be able to work on experiments with classmates – testing theories, analysing data and perfecting your research skills: 

  • A dedicated laboratory with testing cubicles  
  • Lab computers with industry software: SPSS, NVIVO
  • Qualtrics, ePrime and MATLAB software
  • Eye tracker, olfactory testing and diffusion equipment  
  • Systems to record EEG, GSR, ECG, EOG, blood pressure, pulmonary response  
  • Recording and analysing psychophysiological data (BIOPAC)  
  • Test library with all major measures, batteries and questionnaires
  • Video recording and editing facilities

Based in London, you'll also have opportunities to meet employers through guest lectures, live briefs, field trips and industry visits – giving you insights into the world of psychology and enabling you to put theory into practice.

Teaching staff 

You'll be taught by academics who work as professional psychologists, marketers, researchers and data analysts alongside teaching – and frequently publish papers, journals and speak at international conferences. Their extensive knowledge and experience ensure your classes are shaped by the most current insights, theories and practices. 

You’ll also benefit from regular guest speakers. A recent example is Dr Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez – an expert in language development. 

You'll also be allocated a personal tutor, who'll meet you on a one-to-one basis at various stages throughout the year to provide you with guidance and advice to support your personal and professional development.

We're really proud of the global nature of our psychology courses, and our tutors also reflect this ethos – coming from a wide variety of countries and cultures across the world. In every way, you'll feel part of a global family.

Independent learning

Throughout the course, you'll be expected to undertake extra reading, research, revision and reflection, as well as preparing work for workshops, and working collaboratively with other students in preparation for assessment.

Method of assessment

Your skills and knowledge will be assessed via tests, exams, presentations and group work, as well as research projects, laboratory reports, simulations, data collection and reflective writing. It's important to us that your learning and assessment is:

  • Inclusive – fostering a student-focused approach
  • Engaging – encouraging interaction and participation
  • Authentic – based on real business challenges

Disability support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns, including learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mental health difficulties, autism conditions, mobility difficulties and temporary or chronic health conditions. 

Our Student Support & Welfare team is here to support you. We ask that you speak with us as early as possible to enable us to support you. Find out more about our disability support and contact us.

Academic requirements: Level 7

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and review each application comprehensively on its own merit. You'll need one of the following qualifications:

  • Minimum second class UK undergraduate degree
  • Equivalent international qualifications, as deemed acceptable by Admissions & UK ENIC

English language requirements 

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

QualificationSubjectGrade
GSCE*EnglishC (4)
IB SL or HL*English A4
IB HL*English B5
US HSD (studied in a majority English-speaking country)*Grade 11 and above in EnglishC
IELTS*AcademicOverall score of 6.5, with 5.5 or above in each component
UG degreeFrom English-speaking countries – defined by the UKVISecond class

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

We also offer conditional students a free, online diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

Careers

You’ll graduate job-ready with personalised support from our Careers, Enterprise & Industry team – taking on placements to build connections you’ll lean on throughout your career. After completing your postgraduate training, you could choose to work in the following areas: 

  • Academia – research and/or teaching
  • Clinical – working with clients who have mental health needs
  • Counselling – working in hospitals, schools, prisons or private practice
  • Educational – working with children and families
  • Forensic – working in the prisons, secure hospitals and young offender units
  • Health – promoting healthy behaviour in healthcare and workplace settings
  • Occupational – job selection, vocational training and industrial rehabilitation
  • Organisational – working in HR, consultancy and social services
  • Marketing – working in advertising, communications and PR 

You'll graduate with the transferable skills needed to choose any career that aligns with your interests.

Professional development

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), granting you eligibility for Chartered Membership (Graduate Basis) in the society upon graduation – a requirement for any professional BPS postgraduate training course in psychology in the UK (e.g., training to become a clinical or educational or counselling psychologist).

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work, or look for work, in the UK for up to two years after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately – applying your skills and advancing your career with valuable experiences and industry connections.

Careers support

Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed – our Careers, Enterprise and Industry team are here to provide personalised advice and access to resources for life!

  • 24/7 access to online guidance and resources
  • Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
  • Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
  • Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers

Structure

This is a full-time course, comprising three terms of study.

View your academic calendar.

Please note, all Special Elective modules are subject to availability.

MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Core modules

Module title
Biological Psychology This module will give you a grounding in, and understanding of, the biological basis of behaviour. You will be introduced to the central nervous system and its functions, such as how nerve cells communicate and the role of the brain in behaviours such as sensation, perception, emotional recognition and expression, decision-making and others. You will also learn about the methods used by biological psychologists to understand these functions. The module will critically examine the relationship between biological processes and structures and behaviour. There will also be a practical psychophysiology component to this module.
Cognitive Psychology The module will introduce you to the abstract mental processes involved in human behaviours and abilities. You will be guided through human cognition from the principles of perception through to attention, learning and memory, and then onto higher order issues such as consciousness and thinking.
Individual Differences and Social Psychology This module will focus on, and distinguish between, the overarching social approach and the role of individual differences and variation in social processes. It familiarises you with core concepts and theory relating to group processes as well as psychology of the individual within the greater social context. This module will also cover a broad view of different personality theories including trait theory and humanistic and psychodynamic approaches.
Research Methods 1 This module introduces research methods in psychology. It will train you how to evaluate, design, conduct and report independent research specific to psychology. The aim is to acquaint you with different areas and methods of conducting research and give you the basic statistics and research skills to apply and evaluate statistical, empirical and qualitative procedure at a beginner’s level. It will also introduce you to terminology and theory, as well as lab report procedure and format.
Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology This module focuses on the history of psychology and its emergence as an independent discipline in the nineteenth century. You’ll be introduced to a range of key conceptual areas of debate, which will encourage you to engage in discussions and consider opposing views in relation to key areas of conceptual debate within psychology.
Developmental Psychology Developmental psychology is an important field, which explores all types of human development. It examines how factors such as biological growth and environmental influences can impact upon human development. You will explore all aspects of human development from conception through to the school years into adolescence and early adulthood. It will focus on the development of the brain, cognitive abilities, social skills, gender and identity, and emotional development.
Research Methods 2 This module builds on the content from Research Methods 1. It aims to hone the skills you already have and build new ones through lectures, practical classes and group work. The module will also introduce you to more advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Optional Module* You will be able to choose one of the optional modules from the list below.
Research Methods 3 and Dissertation This module comprises of a research project that incorporates all the skills you have learnt from Research Methods 1 and 2. It is a substantial piece of independent empirical work focused on a research topic of your choice. All research projects are supervised by specific members of staff who has a specialist expertise in your chosen area. You will begin by thinking of potential research ideas in Term 1, with the aim of submitting an application for ethical approval in Term 2. The module also includes a taught component, which introduces you to advanced research methods, including several more advanced statistical techniques.

Optional Modules*

*All optional modules run subject to availability, staffing and student demand.
Consumer Psychology Why do people buy and consume what they do? What informs or influences their choices? This module introduces you to consumer behaviour and the psychological methods, principles and theories used to influence it. You will consider a variety of motivational and possible causal factors, including personality, social influence, neurobiology, and sensory and perceptual properties.
Cross-Cultural Psychology This module introduces you to the major areas of cross-cultural variation in behaviour and thinking, as well as the methodologies used to uncover them. You will explore the issues related to universality and cultural variability in behaviour, emotion, perception, cognition, motivation, identity, and relationships. You will also examine the importance of a cultural, social and communicative contexts and gain a better understanding of how psychological processes and perceptions may differ across cultures.
Occupational Psychology This module aims to develop your awareness of the role of occupational psychologists in modern-day organisational life. The module will examine the life cycle of an employee from entry to exit, considering some of the broader organisational issues that impact upon the employment relationship. In this optional module, you will critically evaluate the theories which have been offered to explain human behaviour in organisations by examining psychological principles in the workplace.
Psychology of Motivation What motivates us to act and think in certain ways? It is believed that complex human behaviour a result of a motivation, but other forces can also influence it too. In this module, you will not only learn about biological, social and cognitive theories of motivation and emotion, but also apply this knowledge to a variety of complex human motivations of interest.
Psychopathology Psychopathology is the study of mental disorders and maladaptive behaviours. It examines the causal processes, the role of psychological mechanisms, and the continuities and discontinuities between typical and atypical behaviours. You’ll be introduced to current research, theories, and treatments of mental disorders, with a particular focus on mental health in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. You will examine both the symptoms and classifications of mental disorders as well as therapies and diagnoses.
Language Module This module gives you the opportunity to learn a language and how it’s used in a professional context. You will have the choice of Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Apply now

MSc Psychology (Conversion)

Photo of the MSc Psychology Student Harley McIntosh
‘The course is very intense yet rewarding. It covers such a broad spectrum of psychology and the issues facing science today. I have been constantly challenged to develop new skills and hone my research techniques.’ Harley McIntosh, MSc Psychology student
Alex Matthews
'The size of the campus and the classes made it feel like a close-knit supportive community that really fostered my development. Regent's not only offered the idyllic campus, but its but its location in the heart of the city was really appealing'. Alex Matthews, MSc Psychology alumnus

Other Psychotherapy & Psychology courses