Master of Psychology: 2025 Degree Guide

A master's in psychology is a postgraduate degree designed to prepare you for a career in psychology or a related field, including education, business, and criminal justice. The degree may be a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MSc). For some people, it is a terminal degree. Others use it as a foundation for pursuing a doctorate.

Explore what a master’s in psychology is, the type of material you’ll learn, and the specialty areas you can pursue. 

What is a master's in psychology?

A master's degree in psychology can be a step toward a career as a psychologist or academic researcher, depending on your degree type. In the UK, the majority of psychology master’s programmes are Master of Science (MSc), though some Master of Arts (MA) programmes are also available. These typically take one year of full-time study or two years part-time. In some cases, you may also come across MA (Hons) programmes, though these vary in duration. 

When you enter an MSc or MA in Psychology, you will typically work within your university’s Department of Psychology, although it’s common to collaborate with other departments such as computing, cultural, and management departments. Throughout your degree, you’ll explore theoretical approaches to different areas of psychology, including biological, social, cognitive, and developmental influences. 

Why choose a master’s degree in psychology?

You might choose a master’s degree in psychology to explore specialised areas of psychology, learn about cutting-edge research, open career opportunities, or lay the groundwork to enter doctoral studies in psychology. Master’s programmes often offer the chance to work with exciting faculty in the field, helping you explore groundbreaking topics and network with high-achieving professionals who can guide your career journey. 

For students wishing to become eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is a designation that reflects proficiency in core psychological topics. Earning a master’s in psychology is a great option if you did not earn the standard 3-year Bachelor's Honours degree in psychology required for this status. If you don’t hold GBC membership status with the BPS when you enter your master’s programme, most master’s in psychology programmes automatically offer you BPS membership and are known as conversion courses into the field of psychology. 

If you’d like to go one step further and become a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), recognised as the highest standard of psychological expertise, earning a postgraduate qualification in psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) is one way to qualify, following a recognised bachelor’s or conversion course.

Entry requirements

Some programmes require a bachelor (honours) in psychology (or related) degree with a 2:1 or higher, while others accept honours degrees from diverse disciplines. In addition to an honours degree, you may have to provide GCSE grades, a personal statement, references, and a demonstration of your research and work experience, depending on the programme.

It’s important to note that if you don’t have a recognised undergraduate degree in psychology, an MSc conversion programme aims at students entering the field of psychology and is more appropriate. Other programmes are designed for students who have already acquired BPS membership through their undergraduate degree.

Master's in psychology coursework

The courses you take in a master of psychology programme will vary depending on the institution but may include research methods, psychology theories, and human development. Many programmes feature courses in the following key areas:

• Cognitive psychology: Explore the ways concepts like memory, language, learning, and decision-making influence the field of psychology.

• Developmental psychology: Examine how humans develop over the life course, including how psychological processes differ during each stage of life.

• Psychological interventions: Learn evidence-based approaches to behaviour interventions and theoretical approaches to psychological care.

• Research methods: Learn how to collect and analyse data for research.

• Social psychology: Study the ways people interact with each other and the societies in which they live.

You also take courses that relate to your area of study. For example, if you pursue a master's degree in psychology of neuroaesthetics, you may see classes like aesthetic science and creativity. The curriculum for a degree in forensic psychology may include courses that touch on the relationship between behaviour, personality disorders, and law.

Psychology degree concentrations

Compared to undergraduate degrees in psychology, postgraduate psychology degrees often become more specialised. Choose your master’s degree based on your area of interest. Examples include::

• Clinical psychology: The study of the assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and disabilities

• Child and adolescent psychology: The study of the developmental needs of children and teenagers, including how to assess and interact with them

• Consumer psychology: The study of consumer marketing, including perception, motivation, and market research methodology

• Counselling and psychotherapy studies: The study of evidence-based intervention strategies to help individuals, couples, and families improve developmental and mental health issues

• Forensic psychology: The study of the motivations and pathologies of criminals and their victims

• Industrial and organisational psychology: The study of how people interact with and behave in the workplace

• General psychology: You may also choose an MSc in psychology. In this course, you learn research methods, data analysis, and psychological theories that you can apply across disciplines. 

When choosing a master’s programme, consider your career goals and interests. Talking to someone who already works in the field can be helpful. Someone working in the field typically understands the nuances of the work that you may not find in a career guide.

How long does it take to complete a master's in psychology programme?

In most cases, a master’s in psychology takes around one year of full-time study. However, part-time study can extend your time to earn your degree. 

What can you do with a master's in psychology?

A master's in psychology is a versatile degree, and people who have earned this type of degree work in various fields. While you can continue to become a Chartered Psychologist, the skills and knowledge you learn as you work toward your degree prepare you to work in many different professions, including at:

• Financial organisations (e.g. occupational psychologist)

• Human resource departments (e.g. human resources officer)

• Legal firms (e.g. policy officer)

• Local and national government (e.g. advice worker)

• Marketing organisations (e.g. market researcher)

• Media firms (e.g. advisor)

• Health care (e.g. NHS)

• Police and law enforcement (e.g. mediator)

• Social services (e.g. social researcher, counselling psychologist)

• Educational institutions (e.g. further education teacher, education mental health practitioner)

For any job that involves interacting with people and understanding how they behave, your master's in psychology is useful. You have many other options if you have an interest outside of pursuing work as a psychologist.

Learn psychology with Coursera

A master’s in psychology is an exciting degree that can prepare you to enter a wide range of professions, including counselling, advising, market research, and policy. 

Explore whether a career in psychology could be a good fit by enrolling on a course from a top university, like Introduction to Psychology from Yale University, Social Psychology from Wesleyan University, or The Science of Success from the University of Michigan.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)