MSc in Psychology in The UK 2022: Eligibility, Cost, Top Colleges & Admission Process

Psychology is a growing profession all over the world as people are progressing towards mental health awareness. The rise in awareness has raised the need for psychologists all around the globe. Completing a master’s in psychology can qualify you to practise as a psychologist in healthcare centres or independent clinics. Read on to know how you can pursue MSc psychology in the UK, what it entails and the other aspects you should know about studying in the UK.

MSc in Psychology

A master’s in psychology or MSc in psychology is a postgraduate degree that focuses on refining your skills as a psychologist. This degree programme is studied to achieve specialisation in a particular field of psychology. The field you specialise in for your higher education decides the field you will build your career in. There are a variety of specialisations in the field of psychology, but the most prominent ones are clinical psychology, psychological research, criminal psychology and counselling psychology.

Why Study MSc Psychology in the UK?

The UK houses a number of prestigious and age-old institutions. Some of these rank highly all over the world. There are more than 100 institutions in the UK that offer psychology in their academic curriculum. Let us look at the reasons for the UK being an ideal choice for studying MSc in psychology:

High-ranking BPS-accredited universities

As per QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology, the UK houses three of the top ten universities in the world in the field of psychology. Along with offering top-notch education, many UK universities are accredited to the British Psychology Society (BPS). This accreditation helps graduates of a master’s in psychology UK programme secure jobs with less hassle.

Excellent job opportunities

The field of psychology has tremendous scope in terms of job opportunities. With so many fields to specialise in, the UK offers various job opportunities to MSc psychology graduate students. This gives students a better chance at building their career in psychology in the UK.

Diverse culture

The UK invites several international students every year. The top-notch education, job opportunities and options of financial aid make the UK an ideal destination for students from different countries. This allows students studying in the UK to experience diverse cultures and gain exposure to varied life experiences.

Specialisations in MSc Psychology UK

An MSc in psychology degree provides students with several fields they could specialise in. These fields help students in securing a specialised job in the UK. A student pursuing MSc in Psychology from the UK can specialise in the following fields:

• Clinical Psychology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Health Psychology
• Psychological Research
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Social Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Occupational Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Organizational Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• Psychology and Education
• Psychological Research Methods
• Social and Cultural Psychology
• Organisational and Social Psychology

Colleges Offering Masters in Psychology in UK

The following is a list of the top-ranked universities and colleges offering a master’s degree in psychology, with the details of the courses they offer and the average tuition fees per year.

The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 3
• Courses offered: MSc in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (2 years); MSc in Experimental Psychology (3 years)
• Average annual tuition fees: £47,010

UCL, London, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 10
• Courses offered: MA in Education (Psychology); MSc in Health Psychology
• Average annual tuition fees: £25,900

King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 20
• Courses offered: MSc in Health Psychology
• Average annual tuition fees: £29,850

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 24
• Courses offered: MSc Social and Cultural Psychology; MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology
• Average annual tuition fees: £22,608

The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 33
• Courses offered: MSc in Psychological Research; MSc in Social Psychology
• Average annual tuition fees: £23,950

The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 34
• Courses offered: MRes Psychology; MEd Psychology of Education
• Average annual tuition fees: £25,000

The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 62
• Courses offered: MA in Psychology and Education; MSc in Psychological Research
• Average annual tuition fees: £27,160

The University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Psychology: No. 66
• Courses offered: MSc Social and Organisational Psychology; MSc Psychological Research Methods
• Average annual tuition fees: £22,500

Programme Entry Requirements

The eligibility criteria for studying psychology MSc in the UK are as follows:

• An undergraduate degree with more than 60% to 70% in related fields of psychology.
• Work experience can improve your application and chances of selection.
• English proficiency test scores like IELTS or TOEFL. The general requirement is a band score of 6.0 in IELTS.

Documents Required

To successfully apply for a master’s degree in psychology in the UK, applicants must submit the following documents:

• Transcripts of your bachelor’s degree or previous academic qualifications. Some universities might ask for transcripts certified by the university you studied in.
• Photocopies of all official documents.
• English translation of certificates and transcripts may be asked for if your transcripts are in a non-English language.
• At least two or three Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
• Letter of Reference
• Personal Statement
• A copy of the passport
• Tier 4 Student Visa
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Cost of living in the UK

The cost of living in the UK varies. It depends on multiple factors like your choice of accommodation, lifestyle, and region in which you live. Typically, the cost of living in the UK can range between £12,000 per year and £18,000 per year. Additional costs might include academic charges, extracurricular charges and leisure activities.

How to Apply to Msc Psychology in UK?

To apply to a master’s in psychology in the UK, you can refer to the following steps:

• Research the university you want to apply to.
• Check the programme’s entry requirements.
• Fill out the application form carefully.
• Upload the necessary documents.
• Pay the application fees online.
• Submit the application.
• If selected by the university, you can then apply for a tier 4 student visa using the offer letter.

Job Prospects After Masters in Psychology UK

To practise in the UK as a psychologist, A Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society is required. With a number of specialisations come varied job opportunities. On average, psychologists in the UK earn an average base salary of £34,802 per year. However, with various specialisations and certifications, this number goes up. An MSc in psychology graduate can work in the following roles with specific specialisations:

• Psychologist – £81,000 per year
• Counselling Psychologist – £63,000 per year
• Clinical Psychologist – £82,000 per year
• Psychologist Counsellor – £64,000 per year
• Health Psychologist – £83,000 per year
• Educational Psychologist – £78,000 per year
• Child Psychologist – £64,300 per year
• Assistant Psychologist – £24,707 per year
• Research Psychologist – £45,237 per year
• Therapist – £35,644 per year
• Further Education Teacher – £32,801 per year

Psychologists can work independently through their private clinics or work under healthcare providers. In terms of employers, these are the highest-paying employers of psychologists in the UK:

• NHS Professionals (Bank) – £55,781 per year
• Sugarman Medical – £52,436 per year
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – £51,937 per year
• Connect Health – £50,730 per year
• Barts Health NHS Trust – £50,452 per year
• Essex County Council – £50,128 per year
• King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – £49,567 per year
• Huntercombe – £48,053 per year
• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board – £47,357 per year

Conclusion

Psychology can be a challenging but extremely rewarding profession in both monetary and emotional terms. Completing an MSc in psychology from one of the top universities in the UK can open up various avenues in your career and help you build an impressive career trajectory. LeapScholar aims to help you build the career you want by getting the right education. Our curated content and services can help pave the way to your favoured university in the UK. Head over to our website for further information and start building your dream life with our help today.