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An image to illustrate the MSc in Psychology (Conversion)
This masters programme enables you to become eligible for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) by developing a comprehensive and critical understanding of key concepts, theories, methods and debates in all areas of psychology. You’ll critically examine how psychological theories and different kinds of evidence are applied in real-world settings, and gain an awareness of the importance of ethical issues in the practice of psychological research, including your own independent dissertation study. By completing this rigorous masters degree, you’ll build your numeracy, literacy, communication, presentation, observational, cognitive and organisational skills as appropriate to the discipline.
This course is accredited by:
The British Psychological Society accredited conversion award logo
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits. You'll study two compulsory 90-credit modules. You must pass part 1 before progressing to part 2.

ModulesCreditsNext start
You'll study the following:
Critically exploring psychology 1 (D810)
This module focuses on social, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods.
Next start date: 05 Sep 2026
See full description
9005 Sep 2026
Critically exploring psychology 2 (D811)
This module focuses on individual differences, developmental psychology, research methods and completing an independent research project.
Next start date: 05 Sep 2026
See full description
9005 Sep 2026

By studying the MSc in Psychology (Conversion), you’ll:
You’ll be supported by expert tutors, high-quality resources and online activities.
You’ll be awarded a Master of Science in Psychology (Conversion) upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc Psych Conv (Open) after your name.
Your masters degree may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You’ll study the MSc in Psychology (Conversion) part-time, completing 90 credits per year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 20–25 hours of study per week.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

You must complete the MSc in Psychology (Conversion) within 10 years.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
The MSc in Psychology (Conversion) is only open to students who don't already hold an undergraduate degree which gives eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS).
You must hold a UK honours degree (2:2 at least) or equivalent to be accepted for the MSc Psychology (Conversion). As your primary degree won't be in Psychology, your educational achievements should demonstrate that you can master the skills expected of a psychologist over the course of the MSc. These include being able to:
This qualification has a required study order and the modules and assessments build on one another systematically. All students will begin with the postgraduate module, Critically exploring psychology 1 (D810). This module equips you with the requisite skills needed to undertake postgraduate-level study. However, it does not offer remedial training.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.
If you’re in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications or previous experience, please contact us before you enrol.
You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£9,100*
Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.
There are some additional costs that aren’t included.
Further information is available in the module descriptions.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
Learn more about postgraduate loans and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.
You may be eligible for:
This degree fulfils the requirements for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of the BPS. As such, the MSc Psychology (Conversion) allows you to advance your career as a professional psychologist in any of the applied areas of psychology regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council in the UK.
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulated titles include:
As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying this masters degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:
Our curriculum is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as delivering the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
The British Psychological Society accredited conversion award logo
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, a website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
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