Overview

The MSc Psychology of Education is a British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited MSc conversion programme that provides students with an excellent grounding in the psychology of education. It draws on a wide range of theories and methods from across the core areas of psychology and encourages you to consider how they apply to education and educational contexts.

On this programme you will benefit from our longstanding tradition of high-quality research and teaching in this area, and will acquire unique skills in both psychology and research methods. You will learn how research can inform theory, policy and practice, and how to conduct your own piece of empirical research to answer appropriate questions. You will also acquire a range of transferable skills such as communication skills, numerical reasoning, computer literacy and teamwork.

The MSc Psychology of Education is designed specifically for individuals who do not already hold a BPS-accredited degree in psychology and who are seeking to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. Individuals who are already eligible for GBC, having graduated from a BPS-accredited psychology undergraduate programme, will cover similar content to what they have studied previously, but may be interested in this programme because of its applied focus and relevance for pursuing professional training.

The knowledge and skills you will obtain are highly desired by employers and relevant to a wide range of careers in which an understanding of human behaviour or research methods is relevant. Successful students will be eligible to apply for GBC with the BPS and for further professional training accredited by the BPS.

Programme structure

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Psychology of Education (BPS).

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any discipline.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant (minimum of 1 year) relevant work experience in areas such as educational and healthcare settings, schools, youth groups, mental health charities.
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£13,000 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£6,500 per year
UK: part-time (three years)
£4,333 per year
Overseas: full-time
£27,700 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

We offer academic and personal development opportunities to equip you for the intellectual, social and personal challenges you will encounter during your career.

Our overarching goal is to enable our Psychology of Education graduates to display the following characteristics:

  • equipped to demonstrate impact, excellence and distinctiveness in your chosen field;
  • visionary, imaginative, innovative, reflective and creative;
  • with high ideals and values, including a strong sense of social justice;
  • highly employable throughout the world;
  • adaptable, with the potential to be a leader in work and in the community.

Graduates of this route have gone on to careers in educational psychology, clinical psychology, occupational psychology, counselling psychology or neuropsychology and doctoral-level research.

For more information on psychology careers and accredited courses, please see guidance from the BPS. Those interested specifically in pursuing educational psychology can explore the Association of Educational Psychologists website.