2024/25 entry Applications also open for 2025/26
MSc Psychology in Education
About this course
Explore the transformative field of educational psychology with the MSc Psychology in Education conversion degree at Liverpool John Moores University.
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey into the field of psychology with a focus on education?
Commencing in January 2025, the MSc Psychology in Education (conversion) programme at Liverpool John Moores University is designed for individuals who aspire to pursue a career as a practising psychologist or psychological researcher but did not study psychology at the undergraduate level or studied on a non-accredited programme. This programme offers a unique opportunity to gain foundational knowledge and skills, enabling you to make a significant impact in educational or therapeutic settings through the application of psychological principles.
On the programme you will:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of core areas in psychology, including social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology, as well as individual differences, and historical and conceptual issues in psychology
- Learn to apply psychological methods and approaches to educational policy and practice, enhancing your ability to make a significant impact in educational settings
- Develop advanced research skills essential for psychological inquiry and evidence-based practice, with training in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis
You will cover the essential competencies required by the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), with an educational perspective:
- Social Psychology: Explore how social interactions influence behaviour and learning
- Cognitive Psychology: Study mental processes such as memory, perception, and problem-solving
- Biological Psychology: Understand the nervous system, brain functions, and biological underpinnings of behaviours
- Developmental Psychology: Learn about developmental stages and how they affect learning and behaviour
- Individual Differences: Examine the variations in behaviour and personality among individuals.
- Research Methods and Data Analysis: Gain proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and data analysis techniques
Professional body recognition
The MSc Psychology in Education is working towards accreditation by the UK British Psychological Society (BPS) and aims to provide you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). GBC is an essential requirement for many BPS-recognised postgraduate and doctoral programmes that lead to Chartered Psychologist status.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Completion of this course enables you to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, allowing you to work as a psychologist in a variety of different fields, including education, therapeutics, mental health, clinical, forensic and organisational.
The course offers general training in psychology, making it of value to people with a broad range of aspirations, but also provides the option of specialising in educational, health or clinical psychology.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Cognition, Biological Psychology and Neuroscience in Education
30 credits
This module addresses the core curricular areas of neuropsychology, biological psychology and cognitive psychology. In this module we consider the connection between brain, biological mechanisms, cognitive structures and behaviour including how our experiences and the environment we are in, such as schools influence how we think, interpret information and our perspectives. The module will introduce the broad topic areas and then cover specific themes with links and examples made to the educational context and academic functioning.
Social and Developmental Psychology in Education and the Classroom
30 credits
This module addresses the core curricular areas of social psychology, and developmental psychology. In this module we consider the role of groups, social processes, relationships and human development in relation to our environment and our experiences including education and school. The module will introduce the broad topic areas and then cover specific themes with links and examples made to the educational context and academic functioning.
Learning and Individual Differences
30 credits
This module addresses the core curricular areas of learning and individual differences. In this module we consider how humans learn and individual differences between us as individuals and how both of these concepts relate to the educational context and academic functioning. The module will introduce the broad topic areas and then cover specific themes with links and examples made to the educational context and academic functioning.
Research Methods and Data Analysis in Educational Psychology
30 credits
This module addresses the core curricular areas of research design and ethics and both quantitative and qualitative methods and data analysis in psychology. In this module we consider techniques and approaches to conducting original, empirical research. The module will introduce the broad topic areas and give students a chance to apply specific theories within psychology to original research with an educational focus.
Dissertation
60 credits
This module addresses the core curricular areas of research design and ethics and both quantitative and qualitative methods and data analysis in psychology. In this module we consider techniques and approaches to conducting original, empirical research through a dissertation. The module will introduce the broad topic areas and give students a chance to apply specific theories within psychology to original research with an educational focus.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
The programme is taught by academics with extensive backgrounds in psychology and internationally recognised research in the field. This expert-led instruction ensures that students benefit from cutting-edge insights and methodologies that shape contemporary psychological practice.
By engaging with this programme, you can expect to delve into topics such as attachment, consciousness, the nervous system, vision, the brain, memory, and self-perception. You will be equipped to conduct impactful research and apply psychological principles to real-world educational challenges.
Whether you aim to become a practising psychologist, a psychological researcher, or wish to integrate psychological principles into your therapeutic work, this MSc programme will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessments will take the form of essays, reviews, reports and case studies.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Angela Garden
Programme Leader
Ange has a firm background in Educational and Child Psychology. She has worked in a range of schools as a teacher, in various settings as a person-centred counsellor, worked with children in play and art therapy and as a researcher and lecturer firstly at Edge Hill University and for the past 10 years at LJMU. Ange researched and published in the field of non-directive play therapy for a number of years. A joint project with Barnardos saw the development of support groups for siblings of disabled children, with peer-reviewed publications emerging from it. Her more recent research concerns the psychological impact of a diagnosis of dyslexia upon the individual higher education student with a focus on their self-esteem and self-concept in relation to their diagnosis. This research has implications for practice at university level.
Our team of specialist academics, practitioners and support staff are dedicated to ensure you receive a first-class education.
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
Housed within the School of Education, the programme is situated in a research-informed teaching environment. The School of Education is committed to providing a high-quality learning experience where students are encouraged to critically engage with the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and technological dimensions of educational theory and practice.
As well as close links with Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW), students have access to a cutting-edge sensory resource room designed to support diverse learning needs and enhance sensory experiences. This state-of-the-art facility is a valuable tool for exploring innovative approaches to sensory integration and its impact on educational outcomes.
As part of this vibrant academic community, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of peers and professionals who share a deep commitment to advancing educational experiences. The programme fosters connections with a wide range of partners, including schools, early, further, and higher education institutions, as well as voluntary, public, and private sector organisations. This collaborative approach enriches your learning and provides practical insights into the multifaceted world of psychology and education.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
2:2 award or higher.
Further information
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Extra Requirements
Non-UK students will be required to possess certification of English at IELTS 6.5 level (minimum 6.0 in each component) or equivalent qualification. Applicants who have studied and successfully passed a UK-based degree within the previous 24 months are exempt from such requirements.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.