Psychology and Psychological PracticeMSci

• Integrated BSc and Masters: Study both undergraduate and Masters level modules in a seamless four-year programme.
• Accredited by BPS: Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society, a step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
• Pioneering Programme: First UK university to offer dedicated MSci psychology programmes, leveraging extensive training and research expertise.

Gain Specialist Work Experience

In the fourth year, you’ll spend six months working three days a week at an external placement, gaining hands-on experience in professions where psychological principles are key.

Supervised by a qualified professional, you’ll engage in direct and indirect client work, learning about psychological assessment, intervention, and reflective practice.

Alongside this, you’ll attend lectures and seminars on applied psychology, with regular contact with a qualified psychologist. This immersive experience will develop your skills as a reflective scientist-practitioner, setting you on the path to a career in applied psychology or related fields.

• Lectures and Seminars: Engage with diverse academic knowledge through lectures and interactive seminars led by professors, doctors, and postgraduates.
• Tutorials and Practical Classes: Gain hands-on experience and personalized guidance in small group tutorials and practical sessions.
• Enquiry-Based Learning: Develop independence and critical thinking skills through an enquiry-based learning approach, encouraging self-motivation.
• Academic Skills Centre: Enhance your learning with workshops and support in math, writing, and presentation skills, fostering effective and independent study habits."

Support during your studies

You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.

• Personal tutors - will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
• Wellbeing Officers - provide professional support, advice and guidance to you across a range of issues. They can discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond.
• Student Experience team - will help you get the most out of your academic and social experience, including research opportunities, study skills support and preparing for your post-university careers.

Contact hours

Get ready for an engaging learning experience with an average of 12 contact hours per week! You will take part in dynamic lectures, interactive tutorials, stimulating seminars, hands-on workshops, and immersive lab sessions. Each week is designed to keep you excited and fully engaged in your studies.

Assessment methods and feedback

Psychology uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, including exams, essays and dissertations. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular area of study.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

Required subjects and grades

Typical offer: A*AA 

A*AA including one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics/Further Mathematics or Statistics.

General Studies

We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society, Use of Maths and World Development.

Extended Project Qualification 

Applicants who take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for the programme, plus an alternative offer, which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ.

Deferred Entry

Please note that due to a very limited number of places on the MSci programme, we are not able to consider applications for deferred entry. If you are made an offer and subsequently wish to defer, you can retain your offer for the BSc Psychology programme.

International Students

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 7, 6, 6 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher level subjects need to include the required subjects as defined for the A-level qualification, where applicable.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

The MSci programme offers you invaluable, practical experience working within high-impact organisations like the Probation Service, NHS, and educational services, equipping you with the skills to excel in the psychology field. 

While it does not directly lead to postgraduate professional training in clinical, educational, or forensic psychology, it positions you advantageously in the competitive job market. With two or more years of postgraduate experience typically required, your time on the MSci will significantly enhance your prospects—whether you're aiming for Assistant Psychologist posts or Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training.

For clinical psychology, this programme gives you a competitive edge when applying for Assistant Psychologist roles, a crucial step toward securing a place in the highly competitive ClinPsyD programme.

In educational and forensic psychology, the MSci allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, which is highly valued when applying for postgraduate training. The practical experience you gain will serve as clear evidence of your capability to work within these areas, demonstrating your readiness to contribute meaningfully to service delivery under supervision. With its strong foundation, the MSci programme helps you stand out and move closer to your professional psychology career.

Graduates from this programme have gone on to work for organisations including:

University of Birmingham
NHS
King's College London
UCL
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Priory
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
University of Oxford
Shout UK
MBDA
Your World Recruitment Group
Loughborough University
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Their job roles include:

Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Assistant Psychologist
Research Assistant
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner
Trainee Educational Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Chief Executive Officer
Tutor
Board Trustee
Education Mental Health Practitioner
Teacher
Support Worker
PhD Student

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.