MSci – 4 year Integrated Masters in Psychology

 What is an MSci?

• The MSci degree is a new 4 year undergraduate course in Psychology with an ‘Integrated Masters Programme’
• It leads to the award of a ‘Master of Psychology’ degree (MSci)
• The MSci at the University of York is a BPS accredited Psychology degree, providing the ‘Graduate Basis for Chartered membership of the Society’ (GBC)
• The MSci degree will be one of the first to be implemented in the UK
• Integrated masters degrees are already common across other sciences (e.g. MChem, MPhys, MBiol)

How does the MSci differ from the BSc course?

• The MSci course lasts 4 years
• Students take both BSc and Masters level modules
• MSci students choose to specialise in one of a set of 3 “pathways” - areas of Psychology where the Department has significant research strengths. Currently, the Department has defined 3 pathways. They are:
  
  • Neuroscience & Neuroimaging
  • Developmental Disorders
  • Experimental, Cognitive & Social Psychology
  • In the future, additional pathways may be introduced
  • MSci and BSc students take identical modules and will be taught together during years 1 & 2
  • At the beginning of year 3 MSci and BSc courses take different directions:
    
    • MSci year 3 includes a literature survey, 2 advanced modules, pathway specific modules, and modules in Advanced Research Methods and Transferable Skills.
    • MSci year 4 includes 2 further advanced modules, and an extended and in-depth research project.

What are the benefits of the MSci?

• You will have the opportunity to learn more about the most up-to-date thinking in key areas of Psychology
• You will gain extensive practical experience and knowledge by working closely with members of faculty
• You will develop your transferable and interpersonal skills to maximise your employment potential
• You will obtain a valuable masters-level qualification
• You will enhance your chances when applying for a PhD programme

For whom will it be relevant?

• The MSci degree is particularly useful for students who are generally aiming for a scientific career, but it will also enhance skills that are useful in a variety of jobs.
• The MSci gives you a broader and more in depth coverage of Psychology with opportunities to specialise and develop skills relevant for future careers
• The MSci is likely to be useful for a variety of future careers:
  
  • PhD: MSci then PhD
  • Educational Psychologist: MSci then Educational Doctorate
  • If you want to enhance your employability generally
• You may want to remain in the BSc Programme if you intend to follow careers that involve specialist training at postgraduate level:
  
  • Forensic Psychologist: BSc then specialist MSc
  • Occupational Psychologist: BSc then specialist MSc
  • School Teacher: BSc then PGCE
  • Clinical Scientist in the NHS: BSc then specialist MSc
  • Scientist in a non-Psychology discipline: BSc then MSc
  • Enter a non-scientific career

• Currently the DClinPsy at the University of Hull is only accepting applicants who are studying for their BSc. If you want to apply for this course, remain on the BSc. We believe, however, that the MSci will offer advantages for those students who wish to apply for Clinical Doctorates elsewhere.

• If you are an International Student, you will want to consider the relative importance given to undergraduate integrated masters (MSci) and postgraduate masters (MSc) level qualifications in the profession and country you are interested in working in. This will differ considerably depending upon your circumstances. You should also be aware that the terms of your visa may prevent you from transferring between programmes once registered, or may require you to reapply in order to transfer. 

Are there any academic requirements for transfer to the MSci course?

• Transfer from the BSc to the MSci course requires an average mark of at least 55 over year 2 of your course. This is the standard transfer requirement to integrated masters courses at the University of York.

How much will it cost?

• Annual MSci fees will be the same as those for the BSc.

Can I get a loan to cover fees?

• Yes - 4 year undergraduate courses attract a 4-year loan (whereas a stand-alone masters programme must be paid for).
• Information about applying for a 4-year loan will be available from Mo Onyett, Student Welfare Adviser (mo.onyett@york.ac.uk). Students who wish to transfer should apply for their student finance as if they are continuing on exactly the same course they started on.

I am a year 2 student - what steps do I have to take to get onto the MSci?

• Week 6 Autumn Term – discuss options with personal supervisor.
• Week 2 Spring Term – decide whether you want to transfer to the MSci, and indicate which pathway you want to follow.
• Late Spring Term – make module decisions at the same time as BSc students.

What decisions will you need to take?

• You should talk carefully with your personal supervisor about which options would be best for your future career.
• Before week 2 in the Spring Term, you will need to decide whether you want to transfer to the MSci, or remain on the BSc course.
• In Week 2 of the Spring Term you will have to make a firm decision, and if you decide to transfer to the MSci you will also then decide which pathway you want to specialise in.

I want to remain on the BSc, will I be disadvantaged?

• No. The BSc degree will remain the same prestigious degree that it has always been, and will be taught in the same way, by the same staff.
• BSc and MSci students will compete on equal terms for places on all modules, where they are limited.