Applied Psychology MSc

Why you should study this course
 

• Aimed at graduates who have previously studied psychology and want the opportunity to further their knowledge to an advanced level.
   

• Option to follow a ‘professional experience’ opportunity2 route, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.
   

• Taught by a team of dedicated, experienced professional staff, some of whom have worked as professional psychologists (staff may be subject to change).
   

• We offer excellent facilities and equipment such as that for eye-tracking and brain monitoring, the latter using an electroencephalogram (EEG).
   

• Opportunity to gain a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice1, upon successful completion of the relevant module.

What you'll study

This postgraduate course centres on the study of psychology at an advanced level, incorporating: quantitative and qualitative research methods, ethics in psychology, professional practice and areas of applied psychology.

Modules
 

• Research Methods in Psychology 1 - 20 credits
   

  This module aims to provide direct practical experience involving exploring how to analyse and report quantitative psychology-related data. The module will progress from considering the conceptual understanding of research design to exploring the skills and knowledge required to summarise, analyse and present research findings.
   

• Child Psychology - 15 credits
   

  The main aim of this module is to introduce you to the discipline of Child Psychology. The module will present the major psychological theories and research underpinning child psychology, and the opportunity to evaluate evidence of their effectiveness and consider cross-cultural differences. You will have the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key principles of child psychology and how these relate to the practices in child psychology.
   

• Counselling Psychology - 15 credits
   

  This module aims to introduce you to the discipline of Counselling Psychology through a skills-based understanding of the fundamental principles of counselling practice. The module will also explore the core conditions underlying the counselling relationship and apply theories of counselling to the psychological processes observed. You will be presented with the main therapeutic modalities underpinning counselling psychology and have the opportunity to critically evaluate the evidence for their effectiveness, as well as consider the variety of counselling interventions currently available. In addition, key practice issues, including professional ethics, diversity and difference, will be examined.
   

• Research Methods in Psychology 2 - 20 credits
   

  The aim of this module is to provide you with a firm grounding in qualitative methods and techniques commonly used in applied psychology. Firstly, the module will focus on providing you with the opportunity to develop critical knowledge and understanding of different selected qualitative designs and analytical approaches used in applied psychology research. This module will focus on qualitative epistemology, thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, discourse analysis, and grounded theory. To this end, you will have the chance to learn how to analyse, report, interpret and write up qualitative research.
   

• Ethics and Professional Issues in Practice - 10 credits
   

  The aim of this module is to provide you with the chance to develop a sound understanding of professional practice in applied psychology including ethical and legal issues such as codes of ethics, identification of ethical issues in practice, and statutory responsibilities. The module will provide you with the opportunity to critically examine the range of methods and approaches that are used in professional settings. The module will examine a range of different issues that arise in working different applied psychological settings. You will be encouraged to be evaluative and reflective in your examination of these topics, to provide you with the chance to develop your skill as a future reflective practitioner.
   

• Educational Psychology - 15 credits
   

  The main aim of this module is to introduce you to the discipline of educational psychology. The module will present the major psychological theories and research underpinning educational psychology and provide you with the opportunity to evaluate evidence of their effectiveness. You will also have the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding of educational psychology practices and the role of an educational psychologist in assessment and remediation of Special Educational Needs.
   

• Clinical Psychology - 15 credits
   

  The aim of this module is to introduce you to the specialist discipline of Clinical Psychology through relating theories, models and knowledge to clinical practice. The module will provide you with the opportunity to critically analyse and evaluate your understanding of the major psychological theories underpinning clinical psychology. You will be introduced to the core principles of clinical practice and the core conditions of the clinical relationship and therapeutic interventions for a range of mental health issues.
   

• Global Professional Development – Leading Diverse Workforces - 10 credits
   

  This course includes the Professional Development module. Each of the participating postgraduate courses have an individually tailored version of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Professional Development module. Please see Accreditation and Professional Recognition section.
   

• Applied Psychology MSc only
   

  Project Planning and Ethics in Psychology - 10 credits
  
  The focus of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in project planning and ethics relating to your dissertation project. This includes considering topics such as developing a sound research proposal, ethics in practice, how to ensure good quality data, importance of collaboration, and the journey to publish in a peer-reviewed journal.
   

  Independent Research Project - 50 credits
  
  The aim of this module is to engage you in supervised but independently undertaken empirical research at an advanced level. You will be encouraged to integrate and practice the skills acquired during the course and to investigate in depth at master’s level an area of specific interest. Additionally, you will be expected to demonstrate a critical and evaluative understanding of the research process including the ethics, issues and problems in conducting empirical research in psychology.  
   

• Applied Psychology with Professional Experience MSc only
   

  Research Skills and Methods for Professional Experience - 10 credits
  
  The aim of the module is to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in project planning including those for professional experience projects, conduct background literature reviews, and the chance to develop a complete and approved proposal including ethical considerations for the professional experience project. You will also have the chance to be taught skills in preparation for the professional experience itself including support from the faculty’s Employability and Support Team.
  
  Professional Experience 1 - 0 credits
  
  This non-credit bearing module, together with Professional Experience 2 will provide you with an opportunity to gain substantive professional experience. This will take the form of either an internship with a host organisation, which may include the university, or a campus-based professional experience2. This experience aims to support the development of your personal and professional skills, such as communication, team-working, self-management, project management and critical reflection to provide the chance for you to enhance your future employability.
   

  You will be expected to augment your previous learning and experiences in order to develop your knowledge and skills of professional practice in your chosen discipline upon successful completion. This module will also provide you with the chance to gain necessary experience and focus for undertaking an agreed project in order to complete the dissertation for the Postgraduate Professional Experience Project.
   

  Professional Experience 2 - 0 credits
  
  This non-credit bearing module, together with Professional Experience 1 will provide you with an opportunity to gain substantive professional experience. This will take the form of either a continuation of the internship with a host organisation, which may include the university, or the campus-based professional experience2. This will provide you with the chance to gain further professional experiences, build on knowledge and skills, previously gained, which aims to consolidate and refine their personal and professional skills, theory and practice and the opportunity to further enhance their future employability. You will be expected to augment your previous learning and experiences in order to have the chance to develop additional knowledge and skills of professional practice in your chosen discipline and upon successful completion. As with the Professional Practice 1, this module also aims to provide you with the necessary experience and focus for undertaking the agreed project in order to complete the dissertation for the Postgraduate Professional Experience Project.
   

  Postgraduate Professional Experience Project - 50 credits
  
  This module aims to integrate theory and practice either through undertaking an internship or campus-based project in an area relevant to the subject being studied. This will have involved you working on an organisational issue either within a host organisation or on campus addressing a project brief, as part of the Postgraduate Professional Experience modules.

How you'll learn

The Applied Psychology MSc can be studied for 12 months full-time, or ‘with Professional Experience’ for 18 months. This course is taught in groups in lectures, seminars and workshops. You will have the opportunity take part in, design, conduct and analyse the results of psychological experiments, using specialist equipment and computer software.
 

Where possible, we also invite guest lecturers from professional backgrounds to deliver individual sessions for the applied option modules (subject to availability).
 

If you choose to study the Applied Psychology with Professional Experience MSc you will also have the opportunity to work one-to-one with an academic supervisor on the professional experience modules.

UK

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in Psychology.
 

Applicants holding an equivalent professional qualifications and experience will be considered but must have a degree in either psychology or a relevant discipline, with at least 120 credits of psychology.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component area
If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

UK

£10,600 | £19,350 (with prof. experience) per year

International 

£16,950 | £19,350 (with prof. experience) per year

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship

You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.

Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.

The scholarship application deadline is:

September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

Careers and opportunities

The specialist focus provided within this course aims to be an ideal springboard for Doctoral programmes in educational or clinical psychology. Alternatively, if you decide you wish to enter professional practice, you always have the option to follow up with a BPS-accredited course and work towards Chartered Psychologist Status (additional fees will apply).

The modules are designed to develop your professional skills and knowledge of ethical guidelines and considerations in psychology, and explore and engage in activities that will develop professional and transferable skills. As such, many of our previous graduates have been able to pursue careers in areas other than psychology, such nursing and teaching.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

On successful completion of this programme, you should be equipped with the skills and knowledge, and in the case of the extended course, substantive professional experience, to enter employment in the health services, public health organisations, local and central government, academia or as assistant psychologists.