University of Birmingham - College of Life and Environmental Sciences
MSc in PsychologyBirmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
29 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 30,370 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international full-time | GBP 15,185 - for international part-time | GBP 10,900 - for UK full-time | GBP 5,450 - for UK part-time
Visit our Postgraduate Open Day - Saturday 28 June 2025
Introduction
Embark on a MSc in Psychology and contribute to thrilling, internationally renowned research into the human mind and behaviour. Gain skills and experience in psychological research, more and more in demand across a wide range of different industries.
Whether it's finding your niche or diving deeper into a chosen specialty, this course will equip you with the tools to navigate the complex world of psychological sciences and emerge as a professional ready to make a significant impact.
Our Psychology Masters degree is taught by research active, internationally renowned researchers who work at the cutting-edge of psychological science based in the Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH) and Centre for Developmental Science (CDS) with access to outstanding research facilities.
- Study in one of the largest, most active psychology schools in the UK;
- Choose your research project from a broad range of topics in social and cognitive psychology and neuroscience;
- Collaborate with academics in the Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH) with access to outstanding research facilities;
- Lay a strong foundation for the next phase of your career, whether that involves pursuing an academic PhD position, enrolling in an educational or clinical doctorate program, or securing a professional role in the workplace.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student, you can take advantage of our wide range of University-run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Curriculum
The course comprises a series of taught core and optional modules. The core modules are designed to promote development of skills in experimental design, analysis, and scientific writing.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Module Breakdown
The following must be taken:
- Data Science for Brain and Behaviour
- Research Methods & Skills in Psychology
- Research Review in Psychology
- Proposing Research in Psychology
- MSc Research Project
If you are a transferring University of Birmingham undergraduate student and have completed Data Science for Brain and Behaviour, you have the option to choose between:
- Cognitive Neuroscience Methods and Applications
- Modelling Change and Diversity: An introduction to structural equation modelling
- Neurodiversity
You must choose 40 credits of optional modules:
- Translational Cognitive Neuroscience
- Different Minds: Child and Animal Intelligence
- Sleep and Health
- What Motivates You?
- Application of Electrophysiological Approaches in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology and Developmental Diversity
- Different Minds: Child and Animal Intelligence
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience
- Mental Health 2 - Youth Mental Health
Research Project Titles
This is a non-exhaustive list of recent titles submitted for the MSc Research Project.
- The effects of language experience, modality, and depth of processing on word memory;
- Investigating the role of reading and empathy on Theory of Mind;
- Will being exposed to post-meal distraction increase later snack intake?
- A cross-cultural investigation: the mediation of race and age in the gaze cue effect;
- Documenting sexual and gender-based violence in Kenya: Evaluating the efficacy of an innovative training package in improving lay people’s adherence to best-practice interviewing;
- A British understanding of racialised gaze cueing with the context of implicit racial bias, explicit racial identity, and self-esteem;
- An experimental investigation of online and behaviourally informed interview tools to preserve the accuracy of eyewitness memory recall over time;
- Co-occurring psychotic and eating disorders: a UK population-based study;
- Intuitive Alignment of Mindreading in Visual and Verbal Coordination Games: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Reasoning;
- The effects of text alignment on users’ visual attention to banner ads: An eye-tracking study.
Rankings
- 13th in the UK for Psychology - QS World University Rankings 2025
- 12th in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) - out of 93 UK universities
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
An MSc in Psychology opens up diverse career opportunities in health, education, and consumer research. Gain analytical, statistical, and communication skills, making you a versatile professional. This degree also paves the way for PhD studies, providing a strong foundation for academic and research excellence. Start your journey into the human mind and unlock impactful career paths!
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
- One-to-one career guidance from our college-specific advisors;
- CV and job application advice to help you stand out to employers;
- An annual programme of careers fairs on campus to meet employers and find out about a range of opportunities available;
- Employer presentations and networking sessions;
- Careers workshops to improve your interview skills and help you find work experience;
- Skills training for postgraduates;
- Graduate mentoring;
- Support and advice on setting up your own business;
- Online career action planning tools and self-enrolment career development courses to use in your own time and support your career planning;
- Specific support for postgraduate researchers, including events, workshops, advice sessions, socials and wellbeing events.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode. There is also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis. While the exact content may change, in the first term you will typically complete the compulsory modules while in the second you will be able to choose from a range of optional modules. This is based on a full-time Masters course. For part-time students, we will devise a study plan in the first weeks, tailoring your studies to your non-academic commitments.
From developing health and education programs to conducting consumer research, the analytical, statistical, and communication skills honed during the course are invaluable. Our diverse teaching methods ensure a well-rounded educational experience, with assessments preparing you for the real-world challenges and choice of optional modules allowing your to tailor your own journey.
- Taught modules – Our 20-credit modules are delivered through diverse teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, and journal clubs, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
- Research-based modules – Work on your own and in groups whilst you study 20-credit research modules. You’ll enjoy regular supervision and directed research work coupled with a 60-credit dissertation.
- Assessments – include formal and summative coursework and include essays, scientific reports, clinical case reports, scripting and oral and poster presentations.