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What is an MSc in Psychology?

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Psychology MSc: Quick Summary

  • An MSc in Psychology builds advanced knowledge of human behaviour – you'll study how people think, feel, develop, interact and make decisions.

  • A conversion MSc can help you move into psychology from another subject – it gives graduates from other disciplines the academic foundations needed for psychology-related careers, further education, or further training.

  • You’ll build research, analysis and critical thinking skills – from evaluating evidence and interpreting data to designing research and applying psychological ideas responsibly.

  • A BPS-accredited MSc can support future psychology training – if the course gives Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), it can help you take an important step towards further professional psychology routes that require further training.

  • Career routes are varied – graduates may use psychology in research, education, wellbeing, HR, user research, policy, behaviour change, charities, public services or further study.  

An MSc Psychology gives you the opportunity to look beneath the surface of everyday experience and ask better questions about people, behaviour and the world around us. For those coming from another discipline, it offers an exciting route into a subject that is scientifically rigorous, practically relevant and equips graduates with skills that are valued across a wide range of psychologically informed professions.

Headshot of Professor Cameron Werner, Academic Lead for MSc Psychology at Walbrook
Prof. Cameron Werner, Academic Lead for MSc Psychology at WalbrookSpecialist in mental health, health psychology and lived experience, with clinical experience in psycho-oncology and chronic pain, and teaching experience across the UK and Europe.

What is an MSc in Psychology?

An MSc in Psychology is a postgraduate degree that helps you build a deeper understanding of how people think, behave, learn, develop and relate to others. It combines psychological theory and empirical findings with research methods, data analysis, ethical thinking and practical application.

Some MSc Psychology degrees are designed for people who already have a background in the subject. Others are conversion courses, which are built for graduates from other disciplines who want to move into psychology or a psychology-related field.

In this guide, we'll explore what you need to know about studying psychology at postgraduate level. We'll delve into the structure of advanced psychology courses, the skills you'll develop while studying psychology at Master's level, and careers options and salaries in the field. Read on to discover if this degree is the right option for you. 

What is psychology?

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and all that entails. Students on an MSc Psychology online course explore why people think, feel and act in certain ways, from how memory works and how children develop to how groups behave, how people make decisions and how identity is shaped over time.

It is also about learning how to evaluate evidence, design research, interpret data and apply psychological ideas ethically and socially. That makes it a useful subject for people who want to work directly in psychology, as well as those who want to bring a deeper understanding of human behaviour into another career. 

 

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Why is psychology important?

Psychology allows us to better understand human thinking, emotions and behaviour. The subject has a range of real-world benefits, such as:

    • Understanding behaviour change: psychology helps explain why people form habits, resist change, respond to risk and make decisions.

    • Improving education and support: psychological research can shape better approaches to learning, development, inclusion and special educational needs.

    • Supporting healthier workplaces: psychological insight can help organisations understand motivation, leadership, wellbeing, communication and team behaviour.

    • Shaping services and policy: research into behaviour, attitudes and decision-making can support better public services, communication campaigns and social interventions.

    • Designing better digital experiences: psychology plays a growing role in user research, online behaviour, digital wellbeing and how people interact with technology.

    • Contributing to psychological health and wellbeing: psychology can help us understand how people experience stress, illness, identity, relationships and support. Mental health is an important part of this picture, but it is one area of psychology rather than the whole discipline – more generally, most areas of psychology touch on psychological wellbeing. 

Overview of the MSc in Psychology

A typical MSc Psychology degree will provide you with a strong grounding in the theories and applied practices in this field. It's an area of postgraduate study that prepares you for a range of roles within different industries and teams, including healthcare, HR, education, and many more.

Compared to an undergraduate degree, there's a bigger emphasis on research and advanced topics. Courses end with an individual project or dissertation, showcasing your competencies. 

  • What skills will you develop from an MSc in Psychology?

    While the skills you'll develop depend on the specific MSc Psychology course you choose, here are some you could gain:

    • Research skills: you'll learn to collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, which will inform your future practice.

    • Critical thinking: you'll learn how to review gathered research and data, then form evidence-based conclusions and plan next steps.

    • Problem-solving: you’ll learn how to analyse behaviour, evaluate evidence and apply psychological thinking to critically analyse problems and real-world challenges, from research and wellbeing to education, policy and workplace settings.

    • Data analysis: you’ll develop the ability to examine and interpret data, statistics, and research findings.

    • Communication: you’ll develop the essential skills needed to explain complex ideas clearly to different audiences.

    • Ethical reasoning: you’ll explore how to use psychological knowledge responsibly in research and applied settings.

    • Reflective practice: you'll consider your own learning, assumptions and professional development. 

  • Psychology MSc conversion courses

    Psychology conversion Master’s courses are designed for people who want to move into psychology but do not already have a BPS-accredited psychology degree. That may include people who studied a different subject at undergraduate level, or people who studied some psychology before but did not complete a degree that gives Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

    While many MSc Psychology degrees assume you already know the basics, conversion courses cover the academic foundations of psychology that are required by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in a clear, structured way.   

  • Pathways for online learners

    An online MSc in Psychology may be ideal if you want a more flexible study schedule, with the ability to choose between full-time and part-time study. Since there are no set lecture times, you can engage with the course at a time that suits you. You also won't have to worry about the travel and accommodation costs associated with brick-and-mortar universities, in addition to tuition fees.

    Whether in psychology or fields like data science, online learning opens doors for more learners. You can enjoy flexible study from anywhere, learning at a time and place that best works with your current commitments.

    At Walbrook, our online MSc in Psychology offers  start dates to suit you, with structured weekly content and continuous progress tracking to support you in moving closer towards your future career aspirations.

Is a MSc Psychology degree worth it?

An MSc Psychology degree can be worth it if it supports the next step you want to take. For some students, that means building the academic foundation for further psychology training. For others, it means adding research, analysis and behaviour-focused skills to their existing career.

Advancing your knowledge and abilities

At Master’s level, you’ll go beyond a basic introduction to psychology. You’ll study major theories, research methods and applied topics in more depth, while learning how to evaluate evidence and explain complex ideas clearly.

If you choose a conversion course, you’ll also build a solid foundation of the discipline even if your first degree was in another subject. 

 

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Take the first step towards a psychology career

A BPS-accredited Master’s in psychology can help you move into the field of psychology, even if it’s new to you. It can support applications for further study, research roles, assistant psychologist roles or psychology-related work in non-clinical settings such as wellbeing, HR, education, research, policy or behaviour change, depending on the course, your experience and the role requirements.

If your goal is to work towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist, or to pursue a protected practitioner psychologist route such as clinical, educational, forensic or occupational psychology, you’ll need to check whether your degree leads to GBC and what further accredited training is required after your MSc.

Graduate with a versatile skill set

The skills you gain from an MSc Psychology can be useful in many settings. You may use them to support people, improve services, understand workplace behaviour, design better digital experiences, conduct research, evaluate programmes or communicate evidence clearly.

  • HR and learning development: an understanding of human behaviour can help you create supportive work environments, recruit top talent effectively, and build learning programmes tailored to employees' developmental needs.

  • Organisational development: having psychological insight can help you create a culture within professional settings that fosters employee engagement, performance and retention.

  • Research and analytics: understanding methods for collecting and interpreting evidence can help you create evidence-based strategies that solve problems and improve lives.

  • Marketing and user experience (UX): exploring how people think, decide and interact with products, services and digital experiences can help you better understand consumer intentions and create marketing campaigns that target and resolve key pain points.

  • Policy and behaviour change: using evidence to understand public attitudes can help you design more effective interventions.

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Explore an area of psychology in more depth 

Psychology is a broad subject. During your MSc, you may discover an area that feels especially relevant to your career goals, such as cognition, development, digital behaviour, organisational psychology, education, research or behaviour change.

Your research project can be a useful opportunity to explore one of these areas in more depth. It can also help you prepare for further academic study, such as a PhD, or build experience around a topic you may want to pursue professionally through further training. 

Understand the longer-term earning potential

Salaries in psychology vary widely depending on the role, sector, experience and level of professional training required.

A non-BPS accredited MSc Psychology degree can support progression into non-clinical areas where psychological knowledge is valued, such as HR, learning and development, wellbeing, research, behaviour change, policy and user research. These routes usually depend on your previous experience, the role you’re applying for and the skills you build during and after your degree.

Some regulated psychology careers, such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, or sport and exercise psychology, can offer strong earning potential. These routes require further accredited training after a BPS-accredited degree or conversion course. 

Woman in blue shirt in an office, using skills developed as a psychology MSc student.

What modules will you study in MSc Psychology?

The taught modules you’ll study on an MSc Psychology can vary depending on which degree provider you choose to study with. But a typical MSc psychology degree should include core modules that cover both theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the practical applications of psychology, leaving you with a strong foundation in the subject.

Below are some of the key topics you could study. If you would like an overview of the modules we teach at Walbrook, visit our MSc Psychology webpage.  

  • Biological Psychology

    Biological psychology explores how the human mind is governed by a range of biological systems that shape behaviour, emotion and cognition. You may study areas such as the brain and nervous system, genetics, hormones, stress and neuropsychological processes. 

  • Cognitive Psychology

    This topic covers how people process and store information. It can help you understand how the mind is viewed as a data processing system that responds to sensory input, covering attention, memory, perception, language, and decision-making.

    Cognitive thinking is one of the core areas of psychology, and provides you with the essential skills to analyse and understand why brains work the way they do. 

  • Developmental Psychology

    Developmental psychology can help you understand the stages of human development, from birth to old age, and investigate the internal and environmental factors that affect development, like motor skills, health, memory, and more.

    Building your understanding in this area will allow you to empathise with people from a range of age groups and backgrounds by applying the fundamental principles of psychology in any career path you choose. 

  • Social Psychology

    Social psychology is the study of how the presence of others influences our individual emotions and behaviour. Social interaction is an important part of human life, and by studying this topic, you'll learn how everything from cultural differences to communication skills play key roles across different contexts. 

  • Differential Psychology

    This branch of psychology is concerned with the ways people are different from one another, and in some respects are unique, exploring how how these individual differences can affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviour – and many important life outcomes. Within this subject, you'll learn how to classify these individual differences based on personality traits, cognitive abilities, intelligence, interests, values, and more.

    The topic is particularly ideal if you're interested in pursuing forensic psychology as a speciality. 

  • Research Dissertation

    MSc Psychology courses offer a research dissertation or thesis as a key method of assessment. Your research expertise will be put to the test, as you'll be given the opportunity to conduct an independent empirical investigation of your own choosing. You'll choose a topic from the course that most interests you, then carry out a research study.

    An academic supervisor will typically support your progress and methodological choices as you develop practical problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 

What are the eligibility requirements for an MSC in Psychology?

Entry requirements vary by provider, so you should always check the course page carefully before you apply.

Generally, you’ll need to hold an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above), often in psychology or a related discipline like social sciences. However, if you hold a degree in a non-psychology-based subject, you could still be eligible for a conversion course, since these programmes are designed for those who didn't study psychology at the undergraduate level.

International students should be aware of any English language requirements when applying for psychology degrees (such as IELTs score, as Master's are almost always taught in English in the UK). Depending on the provider, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL, ISE, and Cambridge English qualifications are usually accepted when you first language isn't English. 

Our advice when applying for MSc Psychology degrees

  1. Check the requirements of your specific programme, as they can vary depending on the degree provider.

  2. If your undergraduate education isn't in psychology, be prepared to strengthen your profile to make yourself a more attractive candidate (e.g., professional experience). Of course, this doesn't apply to MSc Psychology conversion courses.

  3. If you are a non-native English speaker, book an English language test (such as IELTS/TOEFL) in advance.

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Career opportunities after an MSc in Psychology

Career pathways after an MSc in Psychology can be broad, but the right route will depend on your previous experience, the programme’s accreditation status and whether the role you want is regulated.

Some graduates use an MSc Psychology to build knowledge they can apply in non-regulated roles across research, education, wellbeing, business, policy and behaviour change. Others use it as the first academic step towards a protected psychology career, such as clinical, educational, forensic, occupational, counselling, health, or sport and exercise psychology.

If your goal is to become a chartered or practitioner psychologist, you’ll usually need a BPS-accredited degree or conversion course that gives you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). You’ll then need further accredited professional training, relevant experience and, in many cases, HCPC registration. 

  • Psychology roles that require BPS accreditation, GBC or further training

    Some psychology careers are regulated professional routes. This means you’ll usually need a BPS-accredited degree or conversion course that gives you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), followed by further accredited training, supervised practice and, in many cases, HCPC registration.

    In the NHS, newly qualified psychologists often start at Band 7. Current NHS Agenda for Change pay rates for Band 7 in England range from £49,387 to £56,515, depending on experience and pay point. With experience, psychologists may progress into more senior, specialist, consultant or leadership roles at higher bands, though progression depends on the role, employer, service area and level of responsibility.

    Examples of professional psychology routes include:

    • Clinical Psychologist – supporting people with psychological distress or complex mental health needs through assessment, formulation and evidence-based psychological interventions, usually after successful completion of a BPS-accredited route and further doctoral-level training.

    • Counselling Psychologist – helping people explore emotional, relational and psychological challenges and opportunities using therapeutic approaches, with further accredited training required to practise under this protected title.

    • Educational Psychologist – working with children, young people, families, schools and local authorities to support learning, development, wellbeing and inclusion, usually after further accredited professional training.

    • Health Psychologist – applying psychological theory to health, illness and behaviour change, often working in areas such as public health, long-term condition management, prevention and health promotion.

    • Occupational Psychologist – using psychology to improve workplace performance, wellbeing, leadership, assessment, organisational change and employee experience, usually after further accredited training.

    What is BPS accreditation, and why is it important?

  • Psychology-related roles that may not require BPS accreditation

    Many psychology-related careers do not usually require a BPS-accredited degree, but still may use psychological knowledge, research skills, data analysis, communication, ethical thinking and an understanding of human behaviour.

    Along with your experience, an MSc Psychology may support your progression into roles such as:

    • Learning and Development Manager: £50,574 (£56,278 in London) – using psychological knowledge to support workplace learning, motivation, performance and professional development.

    • HR Manager: £52,404 (£56,893 in London) – applying an understanding of behaviour, motivation and wellbeing in organisational settings.

    • Research And Policy Manager: £48,606 (£49,365 in London) – applying research, analysis and behavioural insight to understand social issues, evaluate evidence and help organisations design more informed policies, services or interventions.

    • Market Research Manager: £40,683 (£49,664 in London) – using research methods and behavioural insight to understand how people think, decide and interact with products, services or brands.

    • Wellbeing Manager: £31,493 (£31,258 in London) – supporting wellbeing services in workplaces, universities, charities or community organisations. This is different from a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, which has its own training route.

    *UK average salaries listed from glassdoor.co.uk and accurate as of June 2026.

  • The best sectors for MSc in Psychology jobs

    Graduate outcomes data (as shown on Prospects) shows that psychology graduates often move into roles across education, welfare, care, healthcare, research and psychology-related work. These outcomes vary by qualification level, experience and whether the role requires further training.

    Here are some other great career options and industries you may want to consider:

    • Healthcare and wellbeing – including support, research, programme, coordination and non-clinical service roles in the NHS, charities, local authorities and private providers.

    • Education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), learning support, and student wellbeing.

    • Government, local authorities, charities and public policy.

    • Private and corporate organisations – in areas such as human resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), wellbeing, leadership and organisational development.

    • Tech and digital industries – especially cyberpsychology, UX, user research and digital wellbeing.

    • Academic, commercial and public sector research.

  • Further training

    A BPS-accredited MSc Psychology conversion course can be the first academic step towards some protected psychology careers, because it may provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

    GBC alone does not qualify you as a practitioner psychologist. Routes such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, and sport and exercise psychology all require further accredited training, relevant experience and, in many cases, HCPC registration.

    For example, clinical psychology usually requires a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychology often require a specialist BPS-accredited MSc followed by Stage 2 training or a professional doctorate. 

  • Career progression routes and graduate outcomes

    An MSc Psychology can help you build a stronger foundation for progression into psychology-related, research, wellbeing, people, policy or consulting roles. In many cases, this will also depend on your previous experience, sector knowledge and any other skills you build over time.

    A Master's can help you build transferrable skills like data analysis and problem solving that set you up for a wide variety of flexible career options.

  • Research and PhD pathways

    If you want an academic or research-focused career, you may choose to move on to a PhD, MPhil or another research-focused qualification after your MSc.

    A PhD in Psychology is different from professional psychology training. It is usually focused on independent research and can support careers in academia, research, policy, evaluation, behavioural insight or specialist research roles. Entry requirements vary by university and research area. 

Ready for postgraduate study in psychology?

Walbrook’s BPS-accredited MSc Psychology degree gives you a strong foundation in key psychological theories and how they apply in real-world contexts. You’ll explore how people think, behave and interact, building knowledge that can support a range of career paths across sectors. It is 100% online and designed to deepen your understanding of psychology and help you develop practical, transferable skills you can use in your career or future study.

When you successfully complete the programme and meet the GBC requirements, our MSc Psychology degree can also provide eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – an important step if you want to progress towards further professional psychology training. 

MSc Psychology (BPS-accredited)
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We also offer a specialist programme for students who want to focus more directly on mental health, wellbeing and health-related behaviour. The programme has been designed to align with BPS accreditation requirements, and the accreditation application has been submitted and is in progress.

MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing

FAQs: What is MSc in Psychology?

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