Master’s in Psychology in the UK: Top Universities, Course Fees, Eligibility, Job and Salary

The United Kingdom is home to several prestigious universities offering master's degrees in psychology. These programs allow students to explore the science behind human behaviour and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective practitioners in the field. So whether you want to become a clinical psychologist, a research psychologist, or pursue a career in a related field, a Master’s in Psychology in the UK will equip you with the tools to achieve your goals.

Through this article, you will gain insights on the top reasons to pursue a Master's in Psychology at UK Universities. Besides, you will learn about the eligibility to study MSc in Psychology at the top UK universities, the cost of studying, the job prospects, and much more.

Why Study Master’s in Psychology in the UK?

Whether it is studying in a world-class education system, getting an internationally recognised degree, or studying in an all-comprehensive learning environment, the United Kingdom offers it all in spades. With a long history of research and teaching and access to well-equipped libraries, laboratories, and specialised facilities, when you choose the UK as your study destination, you find no dearth in opportunities ahead of you. The list below highlights the main reasons for any student to show interest in pursuing a Master’s in Psychology UK:

Mental wellness is becoming a priority among humans across the globe; and with that the need of understanding psychology and human behaviour is escalating. A degree in psychology educates you with various aspects of mental and behavioural studies through research and practical skills. Aspirants willing to study a Masters in Psychology choose the UK as their study destination for the following reasons.

1. Top-Class Universities: The prime reason for students to show interest in pursuing MSc in Psychology in the UK is the presence of top-class universities in the country. Some of the world's high-ranked universities and colleges offer master's in psychology in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, Cambridge, etc.

2. An Array of Course Choices: UK universities offer great flexibility regarding course structure and duration. This allows students to customise their degrees to their individual needs and interests. For a Master's in Psychology in the UK, students can opt for a MA, MSc, or MPhil.

3. High Demand for Qualified Psychologists: There is a high demand for qualified psychologists in the various healthcare facilities and institutions in the UK. Therefore, studying Master's in Psychology in the UK makes way for a bright career for any international student.

4. Lucrative Job Offers: The higher the demand, the higher the pay for a postgraduate in psychology in the UK will be. Some top recruiters offer job offers with handsome salary packages to those with a master's in psychology in the UK.

Also, if you are pursuing a degree in a leading UK University, say a Master's in Psychology at London University, you get to benefit from the guidance and support from the faculty members who are mostly renowned experts in the field.

Course Curriculum for MSc Psychology in the UK

Master's in Psychology in the UK are one to three-year duration course. The students are introduced to various subjects associated with psychology and neuroscience. The top degrees offered to international students keen to pursue a Master's in Psychology in the UK are as follows:

1. MA in Education Psychology

2. MSc in Health Psychology

3. MSc Psychology

4. MSc in Psychological Research

The course curriculum for Master’s in Psychology in the UK for international students comprises subjects like:

1. Brain Behaviour and Cognitive Neuroscience

2. Statistics

3. Research

4. Social Psychology

5. Developmental Psychology

6. Clinical Psychology

7. Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology

8. Perceptual Psychology.

Eligibility Criteria for MSc Psychology in the UK

It is vital to learn eligibility for a master's in psychology in the UK to fulfil your dream of having a career in psychology. You must adhere to these eligibility criteria to clear your admission procedure to study MSc in Psychology in the UK college of your choice. You must have,

1. Bachelor’s Degree in any of these subjects: Psychology, Science, or Social Science with 60-70% marks

2. Honours Degree in Psychology or any other similar subject

3. 7.0 band in IELTS scores

4. Grade C or 4 scores in mathematics at GCSE

5. Work experience in some particular courses

6. A valid UK student Visa and passport

Documents Required for Master’s in Psychology Courses in the UK

Interested students who wish to pursue a Master’s in Psychology in the UK will need to submit the following documents to fulfil the admission procedure:

1. Recent passport-size photograph

2. A valid passport

3. Duly filled application form

4. Updated resume or CV

5. Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

6. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

7. Original academic transcripts

8. Original transcripts of Bachelor’s degree

9. Score sheets of English Language Proficiency Tests such as IELTS test

10. Proof of work experience, if applicable

Cost of Studying Master’s in Psychology in the UK for Indian Students

The UK is one of the best countries to live and study in, and studying in the UK does come at a price. It is best to familiarise yourself with the estimated costs when you plan on studying MS in Psychology in the UK-

1. Cost of Studying: The average cost of studying in the UK to pursue a postgraduate course in Psychology is approx. 20,000 to 50,000 GBP.

2. Cost of Living: The cost of living in the UK to pursue any higher study course outside the campus is expensive. The average cost of living in the UK for a postgraduate degree in Psychology is approx. 12,000 – 18,000 GBP per year.

Top Universities for Master’s in Psychology in the UK

You can fulfil your desire to study in the UK by choosing any of these leading Master’s in Psychology in the UK universities. Here are the top-ranked universities offering Master’s in Psychology in the UK as per QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings 2023.

Sources:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/locations/GBR/subjects/3057/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/psychology

Scholarships for MSc in Psychology in the UK for International Students

The top universities offering master’s in psychology in the UK try to encourage international students by providing them with financial aid in terms of scholarships. Some offer partial funding, while some offer full scholarships to meritirious students who wish to build their careers by studying in UK universities.

The list of popular scholarships for MSc in Psychology in the UK for international students is as follows:

Job Prospects After Master’s Degree in Psychology in the UK

The UK psychology job market is very competitive, but some excellent job prospects are available to those with a master's degree in psychology. With a Master's in Psychology, Jobs in the UK open up in various sectors, including mental health, education, human resource, research, and social work. With the right experience, finding work in the private sector in roles like a business consultant and executive coach is also possible.

A chartered psychologist in the UK can earn up to an average salary of approx. 29,000 GBP per annum at the starting level. The average salary of a postgraduate in Master’s in Psychology from any recognized UK university may go up to approx. 90,000 GBP per annum.

Some of the top recruiters who keep hiring qualified psychologists in the UK are listed below, along with the top role offered:

Top Employers

1. Hospitals

2. Healthcare Institutes

3. Schools

4. Government Organizations

5. Private Businesses

6. Human Resource Departments

7. Legal Firms

Top Roles Offered

1. Psychologist

2. Assistant Psychologist

3. Health Psychologist

4. Child Psychologist

5. Educational Psychologist

6. Counselling Psychologist

7. Psychologist Counsellor

8. Clinical Psychologist

9. Chartered Psychologist

10. Life Coach

11. Play Therapist

For more guidance on choosing the right college or university to do a Master's in Psychology in the UK in 2023, contact the IDP International Education experts. They will help you decide on the best career in your respective field.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to complete a master’s in psychology in the UK?

A Master's in Psychology at a UK University may take one to three years to complete. During this duration, the students are taught various aspects of human behaviour and neuroscience.

2. Is a Master’s in Psychology from the UK valid in India?

Any degree from a UK university has international recognition and is valid in India. A person with a Master's in Psychology degree from a UK University can practise as a psychologist in India by adhering to the RCI norms and taking up some examinations.

3. What jobs can I do after a Master’s in Psychology in the UK?

A postgraduate in psychology from a recognized UK university can get various job roles. Some of the top job roles offered to a person after a Master's in Psychology in the UK are Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, and Health Psychologist, amongst others.

4. Why is the UK the best for pursuing a Master’s?

The United Kingdom is home to over 160 top-class universities. As a result, students worldwide prefer studying master's in the UK to fetch world-class education and pave a path for an excellent career.

5. How much can I earn after completing a Master’s in Psychology?

After completing a Master’s in Psychology from the UK, a beginner can fetch a pay scale of approx. 29,000 GB per annum. The salary of an experienced psychologist in the UK may range between approx. 65,000 – 90,000 GBP per annum.

6. How to apply for a Master’s in Psychology in the UK?

Some of the general requirements for admission to a UK university to pursue a Master’s in Psychology are a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR), Work Experience, TOEFL – 7.0 score, IELTS – 100 score, Undergraduate Degree with a minimum 60 – 70% marks, and a valid passport with a student UK visa.

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