Course summary
The MSc Psychological Studies programme is designed to introduce graduates from other disciplines to the study of psychology, as a first step to pursuing a career in this area. Please note that there will be no 2025 intake for the MSc Psychological Studies with Applied Developmental Psychology. Psychologists study the full range of influences that affect behaviour, from the biological to the social. They also study how we perceive our environment; how we think, learn and remember; how we communicate and interact with others; how we differ from one another in personality and abilities; and how these change and develop throughout our lifetimes. The MSc Psychological Studies will introduce you to the study of psychology and provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in psychology or in other areas where a scientific understanding of human behaviour is important. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in an area of psychology best suited to your interests or career aspirations, by choosing from a range of elective courses, some of which can be studied online, including mental health and organisational psychology. Completion of this Psychological Studies conversion programme could act as the first step to a professional career in psychology and will open up various options to you. Completion of a further 1-year masters programme in a specialist area such as health psychology or occupational psychology will enable you to pursue these specialist career paths. Alternatively, you may wish to use the conversion qualification as means to gain a BPS accredited qualification or as the basis for a career in the many areas where a knowledge of human behaviour is beneficial. You may be interested in pursuing a research career in psychology and may choose to go on to complete an MRes in Psychology as the first step to a PhD. The MSc Psychological Studies and programme variants are accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS).
- MSc Psychological Studies with Applied Developmental Psychology
- MSc Psychological Studies with Mental Health
- MSc Psychological Studies with Organisational Psychology
Modules
A variety of teaching methods are used, including lectures, tutorials, group work and practicals. The course also makes the most of digital technology, including the recording of lectures for revision purposes. Students are expected to actively engage in independent study and in group work, to consolidate learning.
Assessment method
There are different types of assessment throughout the programme including written coursework assignments, examinations, and the research project.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Psychological Society
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have at least a lower second class Honours degree - 2:2 - (or equivalent) in any discipline. Some prior study of Psychology at University Undergraduate Level would be preferred, but is not essential.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2025/2026. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2024/25.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX