MSc / PGDip Psychology at Nottingham Trent University

Our British Psychological Society (BPS) conversion courses are designed for graduates of other disciplines who wish to pursue a career in psychology but whose first degree is not recognised by the BPS. Entry on to the MSc Psychology does not require you to have studied any psychology previously.

This course attracts a range of students including those who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology or a non-accredited degree and also applicants who have come from jobs in the public and private sector, who are looking for a career change. Successful completion of the course provides graduates in other disciplines with a route to becoming a professional psychologist.

• MSc Psychology is a 180-credit qualification which requires no previous experience or study of psychology.
• PGDip is a 120-credit qualification which requires that you have already completed 60 credits of study in psychology.

The PG Dip and MSc students are taught together, with the MSc students taking their additional modules from term two onwards. This means that, assuming you meet the entry criteria for both courses, it's easy to transfer from one to the other at any point in the first term.

Accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Successful completion of either qualification confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. This is the first step towards becoming a chartered Psychologist and provides the basis for further professional training in psychology.

As a graduate member of the BPS you will also receive additional benefits including:

• using the designated graduate member title MBPsS
• creating contacts and other networking opportunities by joining professional and membership groups
• free online access to the Society's academic journals
• reduced rates for our members for conferences and events.

Careers and employability

Your future career in Psychology

With the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS secured, you will be eligible upon graduation to undertake further training as a professional psychologist (in areas such as clinical, forensic, educational, occupational, counselling, or sport psychology).

Alternatively you might choose to pursue an academic and / or research career in various areas of psychology (by working as a research assistant or associate or by completing a dedicated Research Methods Masters or studying for a PhD), or you may choose to exploit the transferable skills you have learned on the course to pursue a career outside of psychology.

Psychology qualifications tend to be very popular with all employers because you have to be able to write essays and reports, you have to have some basic mastery of research and data analysis, and because they assume you know quite a lot about people!

Previous graduates have gone on to pursue careers as a:

• Assistant psychologist
• Counselling psychotherapist
• Care coordinator
• Community coach
• Resident support worker
• Recovery worker
• Health care assistant
• Teacher
• Marketing executive
• Operations assistant

*Data extracted from the latest Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.

Careers and job application advice is available to all our postgraduate students and is provided by a subject specialist within the Department, supported by the university-wide careers service. We're very proud of our conversion record and look forward to helping you achieve a successful career in psychology.

Psychologists may work in settings as diverse as:

• community mental health teams
• prisons
• schools
• large blue chip companies
• research laboratories
• government departments
• the armed services
• hospitals
• premiership football clubs.

Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course.