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Embark on our thrilling four-year MSci journey in applied psychology! Blend BSc and Masters-level study with hands-on placements. Accredited by the British Psychological Society, it’s your exciting first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. We provide a specialist experience through placements and projects, giving you a competitive edge for Assistant Psychologist posts and postgraduate training. Gain hands-on experience and enhance your career prospects in clinical, educational, and forensic psychology.
The modules are so varied – we cover every area of psychology.
Discover more about your chosen subject at one of our Open Days or by asking us a question.
Join our Four-year programme comprising of core (compulsory) and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in different ways depending on the topic you're studying.
In Year 1, you'll build a strong foundation in psychology, developing essential research skills, understanding the complexities of the human mind and behavior, and exploring how we grow, learn, and interact. You'll also dive into the ethical aspects of psychology and neuroscience, while honing key skills to ensure your success at university. This year is all about laying the groundwork for your academic journey, preparing you to tackle deeper and more specialized topics ahead.
in the World
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In the fourth year, you’ll spend six months working three days a week at an external placement, gaining hands-on experience in professions where psychological principles are key.
Supervised by a qualified professional, you’ll engage in direct and indirect client work, learning about psychological assessment, intervention, and reflective practice.
Alongside this, you’ll attend lectures and seminars on applied psychology, with regular contact with a qualified psychologist. This immersive experience will develop your skills as a reflective scientist-practitioner, setting you on the path to a career in applied psychology or related fields.
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Our course combines theoretical learning with practical placements, offering hands-on experience in various psychology-related fields. Choose from placements in the Probation Service, educational services, or the NHS to tailor your learning to your career goals. For those aiming for clinical, educational, or forensic psychology, additional postgraduate experience and training are essential.
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
Get ready for an engaging learning experience with an average of 12 contact hours per week! You will take part in dynamic lectures, interactive tutorials, stimulating seminars, hands-on workshops, and immersive lab sessions. Each week is designed to keep you excited and fully engaged in your studies.
Psychology uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, including exams, essays and dissertations. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular area of study.
Our BSc and MSci Psychology programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society, ensuring you earn Graduate Membership with the Graduate Basis for Registration, an essential stepping stone for your career in psychology.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LC Research Methods (Assessment Block 1) | 20 | Semester 2 |
LC Research Methods (Assessment Block 2) | 20 | Semester 1 |
LC Research Methods (Study Block A) | 0 | Semester 1 |
LC Research Methods (Study Block B) | 0 | Semester 2 |
LC Developing Skills for Psychologists/Neuroscientists 1: Making it Work at University | 10 | Semester 1 |
LC Ideas, Concepts, and Ethics in Psychology and Neuroscience | 10 | Semester 2 |
LC Cognitive Psychology | 20 | Semester 2 |
LC Introduction to Psychobiology: From Ion Channels to Behaviour | 20 | Semester 1 |
LC Lifespan Psychology A: Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 10 | Semester 1 |
LC Lifespan Psychology B: Social Psychology of the Person | 10 | Semester 2 |
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
A*AA including Chemistry / Biology / Human Biology / Physics / Psychology / Maths / Further Maths / Statistics
7,6,6 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: A*AA
A*AA including one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics/Further Mathematics or Statistics.
We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society, Use of Maths and World Development.
Applicants who take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for the programme, plus an alternative offer, which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ.
Please note that due to a very limited number of places on the MSci programme, we are not able to consider applications for deferred entry. If you are made an offer and subsequently wish to defer, you can retain your offer for the BSc Psychology programme.
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 7, 6, 6 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher level subjects need to include the required subjects as defined for the A-level qualification, where applicable.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Our graduates are highly regarded among employers in the UK, as evidenced by the fact that we’re the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2024’ report). Our courses are committed to your future career, and university is just the start.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
I completed a six month placement in my final year with a physical health psychology team which I really enjoyed and found really valuable.
While it does not directly lead to postgraduate professional training in clinical, educational, or forensic psychology, it positions you advantageously in the competitive job market. With two or more years of postgraduate experience typically required, your time on the MSci will significantly enhance your prospects—whether you're aiming for Assistant Psychologist posts or Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training.
For clinical psychology, this programme gives you a competitive edge when applying for Assistant Psychologist roles, a crucial step toward securing a place in the highly competitive ClinPsyD programme.
In educational and forensic psychology, the MSci allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, which is highly valued when applying for postgraduate training. The practical experience you gain will serve as clear evidence of your capability to work within these areas, demonstrating your readiness to contribute meaningfully to service delivery under supervision. With its strong foundation, the MSci programme helps you stand out and move closer to your professional psychology career.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.