Date: 2 July 2026 

Speakers: Peter Ludgate (Senior Student Recruitment Advisor), Prof. Rebecca Knibb (Psychology Programme Director), and Declan Meagher (current psychology student)

 

Introduction to Aston University Online Psychology 

Peter Ludgate: Hello everyone, and welcome. Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on where you're joining us from. Thank you for being with us for today's webinar, where we'll introduce Aston University Online's BSc and MSc psychology programmes. 

Before we begin, I'd like to introduce today's speakers. My name is Peter Ludgate, although I usually go by Pete. I'm only called Peter when I'm in trouble! I'm the Senior Student Recruitment Advisor at Aston University Online. 

Joining us today is Professor Rebecca Knibb, Programme Director for Psychology. 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: Thank you, Pete. Hello everyone, and welcome. I hope you're all doing well and, if you're joining us from the UK, staying cool. It's certainly very warm here at the moment! 

Peter Ludgate: We're also delighted to be joined by one of our current psychology students, Declan Meagher. 

Declan Meagher: Hi everyone. Thank you for having me. I'm currently in my first year of the psychology programme, and I'm looking forward to speaking with you later in today's session. 

Peter Ludgate: Thank you, Declan. Before we begin, just a few housekeeping points. Everyone apart from the speakers is currently on mute. If you have any questions during the webinar, please feel free to raise your hand or use the chat. Rebecca, Declan, or I will be happy to answer them during the Q&A session. 

Today's session is being recorded, and we'll also send you a copy of the presentation afterwards, so feel free to sit back, relax, and enjoy the session. 

Before Rebecca takes you through the psychology programmes in more detail, I'd like to introduce Aston University Online and explain why so many students choose to study with us. 

Aston University Online offers a flexible, student-centred learning experience designed to fit around your existing commitments. Because the programme is delivered asynchronously, you can study at times that suit your schedule while working towards fixed assessment deadlines. We typically recommend dedicating between 15 and 25 hours per week to your studies, although this may vary depending on your workload and personal commitments. 

Aston University has been awarded a Triple Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, is ranked among the top 5% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings, and was recognised as University of the Year for Student Success in the Daily Mail University Guide. 

 

Why study psychology at Aston Online? 

Peter Ludgate: If you're considering studying psychology, Aston University offers a number of advantages. 

Both our BSc and MSc psychology programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society, providing a recognised pathway for those wishing to pursue careers within the field of psychology. 

Aston University is also ranked seventh in the UK for graduate prospects in psychology. Throughout your studies, you'll combine psychological theory with practical, real-world application, helping you develop the knowledge and transferable skills required across a wide range of people-focused professions. 

Studying online with Aston also gives you access to extensive student support. You'll receive guidance from expert tutors, personalised one-to-one feedback, and ongoing support from our dedicated Student Success Team. Whether you need academic guidance or pastoral support, there will always be someone available to help you throughout your studies. 

You'll also have 24/7 access to our digital library, online learning resources, and complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud, ensuring you have everything you need wherever you are studying. 

Another key benefit is the flexibility of the programme. Our asynchronous learning model allows you to study around your work, family, and other commitments. Whether you prefer studying for a few hours during the week or dedicating more time at weekends, you have the freedom to create a schedule that works for you, provided you meet your assessment deadlines. 

For students who are self-funding, tuition fees can be paid monthly or in instalments, and a range of funding opportunities may also be available. 

All you'll need to study successfully is a reliable laptop and a stable internet connection, allowing you to access your course materials anytime and from anywhere in the world. 

That concludes my introduction. I'll now hand over to Professor Rebecca Knibb, who will guide you through the psychology programmes, including the entry requirements and programme structure. 

 

Programme overview 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: One of the questions you're probably most interested in is what you need to apply. For our BSc Psychology, the standard entry requirement is three Bs at A level for UK applicants. If you're applying from outside the UK, or if you've completed an alternative qualification, we'll assess your qualifications individually to determine whether they are equivalent to our entry requirements. 

For our MSc Psychology, the programme is designed as a conversion course for students who already hold a degree in a subject other than psychology. Applicants should normally have a lower second class honours degree, or an international equivalent. On completion of the programme, you'll gain British Psychological Society accreditation, enabling you to progress to further professional psychology training if you wish. 

 

BSc Psychology 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: Psychology at Aston has an excellent reputation. Our on-campus academic staff develop all of the learning materials that you'll study online, while experienced online tutors, who are also qualified psychologists, guide you throughout each module. 

Our department has particular strengths in health psychology, cognitive psychology, and neurodevelopment. Aston is ranked among the UK's top seven universities for graduate prospects in psychology. 

The BSc psychology programme is studied part-time over four years, with total tuition fees of £22,000, payable in monthly instalments. Compared with studying part-time on campus, which typically takes six years, our online programme allows you to complete your degree more quickly by studying continuously throughout the year with short breaks between modules. 

Throughout the programme, you'll develop a deep understanding of human behaviour alongside essential psychological knowledge and research skills. Psychology graduates also gain a wide range of transferable skills that open doors to careers across many different industries, even if they decide not to become practising psychologists. 

 

MSc Psychology 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: Our MSc Psychology is designed specifically for graduates who want to transition into psychology from another discipline. The programme is studied part-time over two years, following the same flexible online structure of one module followed by a short break. 

The MSc covers all the core areas required for British Psychological Society accreditation at postgraduate level. Tuition fees are £11,000 in total and can also be paid in instalments. 

Alongside developing a strong foundation in psychology, you'll build advanced research skills and complete an independent research project, preparing you for further professional psychology training or research-focused careers. 

 

Programme structure 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: The BSc Psychology is structured across three academic levels, with each module worth 30 credits, representing approximately 300 learning hours. 

During Level 4, you'll build a strong foundation in psychology by studying core areas including biological, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology, alongside your first Research Methods and Data Analysis module. 

At Level 5, you'll continue developing your understanding through modules covering individual differences, clinical psychology, health psychology, cognitive development, and neuropsychology. You'll also complete a second Research Methods and Data Analysis module, where you'll gain more advanced practical research experience. Throughout the programme you'll undertake practical activities such as designing online surveys, conducting interviews, coding experiments, and analysing data, reflecting the way much modern psychological research is conducted today. 

In your final year, you'll study critical social psychology, global wellbeing, neuroscience in the real world, and complete your own empirical research project. This involves collecting, analysing, and interpreting original data while applying psychological theory to real-world practice. 

The MSc Psychology follows a simpler two-year structure. During the first year, you'll complete three core modules covering all the key areas required for British Psychological Society accreditation. In the second year, you'll undertake a 60-credit independent research project, allowing you to design and carry out your own qualitative or quantitative study using methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or experiments. 

 

Career opportunities 

Prof. Rebecca Knibb: Psychology graduates have access to a wide range of career opportunities. Because both our BSc and MSc programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society, graduates can progress directly to postgraduate professional training in areas such as clinical psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology, or educational psychology. 

Many graduates also choose to enter employment immediately after completing their degree, gaining valuable experience before pursuing further study. Others build successful careers in areas such as human resources, healthcare, education, research, business, marketing, and many other people-focused professions, where the analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills developed through a psychology degree are highly valued. 

 

Student experience 

Peter Ludgate: Thank you very much, Rebecca. That was an excellent overview of the programmes. We're also delighted to be joined today by one of our current students, Declan Meagher, who has kindly agreed to share his experience of studying psychology at Aston Online. 

Declan is currently in the first year of the part-time BSc psychology programme. Before returning to education, he built his career in the electrotechnical industry and currently works as an electrical inspector in the petrochemical sector, while balancing his studies alongside full-time work and family life. 

Declan, could you tell us a little about your background and what led you to study psychology with Aston Online? 

Declan Meagher: My journey into psychology has been quite unusual. I've spent many years working in an unrelated industry and had recently progressed further in my career, but I realised I wasn't enjoying the work or the direction I was heading in. If I was going to invest time in further study, I wanted it to be something I genuinely enjoyed. 

At the same time, I had reached a point where I was thinking about what I wanted to do with the next stage of my career. Psychology had always interested me, but it was during a period of long-term therapy that it became much more meaningful. My psychologist recommended several books, and the more I learned, the more I realised this was the direction I wanted to pursue. 

Peter Ludgate: How has studying online helped you balance your studies with work and family life? 

Declan Meagher: For me, flexibility has been absolutely essential. I have two young children and a job that doesn't always follow a standard nine-to-five schedule. The ability to study whenever I have time is what makes the programme possible. 

I can study for short periods throughout the day, whether that's during a break at work, while travelling, or whenever I have some free time. My laptop comes with me almost everywhere, and even the learning materials are available on my phone. That means unexpected free time can easily become productive study time. 

Rather than leaving everything until the weekend, I spread my study throughout the week, which makes it much easier to manage alongside family life. 

Peter Ludgate: Is there a particular aspect of the programme that you've found especially valuable? 

Declan Meagher: One of the biggest advantages for me is the shorter programme duration. Completing the degree part-time in four years, rather than six or seven years elsewhere, was a major reason I chose Aston. 

I've also found the online learning platform excellent. All the learning materials and textbooks are included digitally, which is incredibly valuable because academic books can be very expensive. Everything is easily accessible through the Digital Campus, making studying much more convenient. 

Peter Ludgate: Finally, what advice would you give someone who's considering enrolling on the programme? 

Declan Meagher: My advice would be to speak to the Admissions Team. When I first made contact, I wasn't even sure if the programme was right for me. I simply wanted more information, and the Admissions Team took the time to answer all my questions and explain everything clearly. 

I'd also say don't be discouraged if you've never studied psychology before. I hadn't studied it at school or university, yet I never felt disadvantaged. The programme starts by building those foundations, so I never felt like I was trying to catch up with other students. 

I'm still exploring which psychology career path I eventually want to follow, and that's perfectly fine. The tutors have reassured me that different modules often help students discover where their interests really lie. For now, I'm simply enjoying the learning experience. 

Peter Ludgate: Thank you to Rebecca and Declan for sharing their expertise and experiences and thank you to everyone who joined today's webinar. If you're considering studying psychology with Aston Online, we'd encourage you to book a conversation with our Admissions Team. We'd be delighted to answer your questions and help you decide whether one of our psychology programmes is the right choice for you. Have a wonderful rest of your week, and we hope to speak with you soon.