Master of Science in Psychology (Conversion) (MSc)

Master of Science in Psychology (Conversion)

MSc (Online)

If you are fascinated by human behaviour and looking to pivot into a psychology-related field, our flexible online MSc Psychology programme offers a powerful first step. Designed for learners from any academic background, this part-time degree builds the knowledge and critical thinking needed to pursue new opportunities in psychology and beyond. As a conversion programme, it is specifically designed for those without a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology and is not intended for those who already hold one.

Study fully online with expert support through Aston’s immersive Digital Campus and reimagine what your future could look like.

Why choose this programme

Aston Univ-of-the-Year

No psychology degree? No problem: Whether your background is in arts, sciences, or any other field, Aston Online’s Masters in Psychology lets you transition confidently into psychology and related careers even if you didn’t study it at an undergraduate level.

Join a top-ranked programme with proven career success: Ranked among the UK’s Top 5 for graduate prospects in psychology (Complete University Guide, 2024), this programme is your launchpad to real-world professional roles and rewarding career opportunities.

Sharpen your research and problem-solving skills: Build essential expertise in research methods, critical thinking, and professional ethics to better understand human behaviour and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, workplaces, and communities.

Boost your employability with in-demand skills: Gain the ability to analyse, synthesise, and apply psychological knowledge with confidence. Our programme equips you with practical, work-ready skills, like critical thinking and problem-solving, so you can stand out as a thoughtful, adaptable professional ready to make a meaningful impact both within and beyond psychology.

Study on your terms anywhere, anytime: Enjoy the freedom of fully online learning with no fixed schedules or compulsory live sessions. Focus deeply on one module and assessment at a time, perfectly balancing your studies with work and life.

Become part of a supportive, global learning community: Learn alongside a small, close-knit cohort with personalised guidance from expert tutors. Experience a welcoming, inclusive environment where you’re never studying alone.

Programme overview

Understanding people starts with asking questions. What makes us who we are, and behave the way we do in our relationships, our decisions, our struggles? If you're driven to explore these questions and apply psychological insight to real-world challenges, our online MSc Psychology conversion programme is your next step. This degree is designed for those who want to turn their interest in human behaviour into a new professional direction or deeper expertise.

You’ll explore core areas of psychological science, including cognitive, developmental, social, and biological psychology, gaining insight into both typical and atypical human functioning. With the support of expert tutors, you’ll also complete an independent research project on a topic that matters to you.

As you study, you’ll build sought-after skills in critical thinking, research, and communication, alongside a rich understanding of people and behaviour. These abilities are highly valued by employers and can open doors to meaningful roles in mental health, education, HR, marketing, public services, and beyond.

Delivered fully online and part-time, this programme is designed to fit around your life, meaning you can manage studying around other commitments such as work and family. You’ll learn alongside a global student community and gain access to Aston University’s extensive digital library, featuring leading publications and the resources you need to deepen your knowledge, support your research, and stay current with advances in the field. 

Whether you want to change careers, build on your previous experience, or simply understand people better, this MSc gives you the knowledge, confidence, and flexibility to take your next step in psychology. Psychology touches every aspect of life and this programme gives you the tools to apply it where it matters most.

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What you will learn

Core psychological concepts: Build foundational knowledge across key areas of psychology, including cognition, development, and behaviour.

Research skills and methodologies: Learn how to conduct and analyse psychological research using professional tools and methodologies.

Biological basis of behaviour: Explore the biological and neurological underpinnings of behaviour and mental processes.

Applied psychology in society: Understand how psychological theories apply to real-world challenges across health, education, business and society.

Specialist research project: You will also conduct a research project in a specialist area with support from our expert psychology team.

Flexible payment plans and funding options

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When I discovered a couple of years ago that Aston had created online programmes for those who wanted to continue their education, but needed the flexibility to do so, I was absolutely thrilled. I work full-time so this was perfect me.

Kristal Burnett-Dunkley – Aston Online student
Kristal Burnett Dunkley - Aston student

Career prospects

Our MSc Psychology conversion degree is designed to thoroughly prepare you for a successful career in a wide range of academic, industry, and healthcare settings. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to pursue diverse career paths or continue advancing your research with a PhD for those aiming for an academic career.

This degree also offers excellent opportunities for further professional development. You’ll be positioned to specialise in areas such as health psychology, clinical psychology, occupational psychology, forensic psychology, or neuropsychology, ultimately working towards becoming a practitioner psychologist.

Career prospects you can look forward to: 

Policy advisor/Officer: Apply behavioural insight to shape public policy, improve decision-making, and design services that better meet community needs.

User experience (UX) researcher: Conduct user research to understand behaviour, improve digital experiences, and inform the design of user-centred products and services.

Market analyst: Analyse consumer behaviour and market trends to help organisations make informed decisions about products, services, and strategy.

Careers advisor/Employability coach: Use psychology-informed approaches to help people plan and manage their careers – often in education or local authority settings.

Programme structure

This programme is studied over two years part-time. In the first year, you’ll study three modules, each worth 30 credits. In the second year, you’ll complete one 30-credit module and a 60-credit research module. Each credit is equivalent to 10 learning hours, meaning a 30-credit module reflects 300 hours of learning, while the research module represents 600 hours.

Level 7
Programme aims

*We may update our programmes to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our programme webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Is this programme right for you?

  • You are curious about human behaviour and mental processes and want to apply psychological knowledge to your current or future profession.
  • You are motivated to understand and support others through psychological insight, whether in personal, professional, or community settings.
  • You are seeking practical and research skills that can support postgraduate training or open roles within or beyond the field of psychology.
  • You don’t have a BPS-accredited Psychology degree and want a pathway into the field through a conversion degree.
  • You value flexibility and need a fully online, part-time programme that fits around work, family, or other responsibilities.
  • You are looking to build key transferable skills and expand your career options across a range of industries.

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • UK 2:2 honours degree or recognised international equivalent

International students:

Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. You can check qualifications in your country here, including equivalent qualifications from Africa, Americas, Australia, North East Asia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Western and Central Asia. Contact our Admissions Team for a consultation before applying: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.

Alternative entry requirements:

We adopt a holistic approach in evaluating applications, accepting applications from candidates with relevant work experience. The information on this website outlines the typical entry requirements for this programme. Applicants with alternative qualifications are encouraged to enquire before applying to determine if their qualifications are acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications, acceptance will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Admissions Team. Contact our Admissions Team for a consultation before applying: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.

English language requirements:

You must meet the university's English language requirements to be accepted into our programmes. We aim to make your application process as easy as possible. However, in all cases, we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and/or conduct an interview. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications, including:

IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online
IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL and TOEFL iBT
Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital)
Pearson Academic (PTE)
Password Test
Language Cert International ESOL SELT
Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
Cambridge Advanced Test (CAE)
Cambridge Proficiency Test (CPE)

Tests must have been taken within the last two years from the start date of the programme you are applying to.


Find out if you qualify

If you have any questions about your eligibility or the application process, please get in touch with the Aston Online Admissions Team:

Email: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk

Call: +44 (0) 121 824 6374 

Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00 GMT

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FAQs

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Don’t hesitate to reach out! Our friendly admissions team is ready to answer your questions and offer personalised guidance on eligibility and funding options.

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