Graduate Conversion Diploma in Psychology University of Winchester

The Graduate Conversion Diploma in Psychology is designed for existing graduates of any discipline who are now seeking to pursue a psychology-related career. Applicants with appropriate experience of studying psychology as part of their previous degree will be accepted directly onto the Graduate Conversion Diploma. Entry requirements: Normally a first or second class Honours degree of any discipline. Applicants are also expected to have 60 credits in psychology from previous degree study. Those with less than 60 credits can be admitted conditionally – they will take 60 credits from the BSc Psychology programme at Winchester on a part-time basis before being formally accepted onto the Diploma programme. If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 (including 6.0 in writing) or a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or equivalent Programme Content The Graduate Conversion programme is based on the highly successful undergraduate programmes operating at Winchester. It focuses on the core knowledge domains, such as personality, social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology. Students gain hands-on, practical experience of conducting psychological research, culminating in an extended research project. Although psychology is an empirical science, the programme appeals equally to arts, humanities and science graduates, and develops a diverse range of generic skills that will prepare students for employment and further study. Those who obtain an average mark of 65 per cent or more will be awarded the Graduate Conversion Diploma with a Distinction. Students with no previous experience of studying psychology must first successfully complete 60 credits at Level 4. In this, students will be introduced to different approaches within psychology – personality, social, developmental, cognitive and biological – illustrating how they lead to distinct perspectives on key research questions. Students are also introduced to the methods psychologists use to answer these questions, gaining hands-on experience of practical work. Graduates who have previously taken the equivalent of 60 credits in psychology may proceed immediately to the 12 month fulltime/24 month part-time Conversion Diploma. Modules Modules include: Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality and Individual Differences Psychobiology Qualitative Methods of Analysis Social Psychology Statistics and Applied Statistics Empirical Project for Conversion Diploma Exploring Psychology Introduction to Research Methods and Practice Assessment Consonant with our teaching practice, and the range of psychological skills students will develop, students also experience a wide variety of different forms of assessment, including examinations, assessed essays, practical reports, multiple-choice tests and critical evaluations. Students also complete a research project, normally an independent, empirical project reporting on a substantial piece of research. Careers Due to the wide range of generic skills and the rigour with which they are taught, a training in psychology is widely accepted as providing an excellent preparation for many careers. In addition to subject skills and knowledge, graduates also develop skills in communication, numeracy, team work, critical thinking, computing, independent learning and many others, all of which are highly valued by employers. The Conversion Diploma programme at Winchester is accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), provided the minimum standard of qualification of second class Honours has been obtained. This is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Graduates wishing to pursue careers in clinical, educational, forensic, health, counselling or occupational psychology therefore gain the professional recognition necessary to allow them to continue the required further study and training. In addition to these, students are also well-prepared for careers in teaching, immigration, probation, human resources and marketing, among others.

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