- Communicating Broad: An ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear and incisive way. Specific: An ability to communicate and present scientific psychological data in a professional and sophisticated manner, in both written and oral form.
- Integrating Broad: Comprehend, organise and use data in an effective manner, and apply psychological knowledge to real-world issues. Specific: Use a wide range of psychological tools and equipment incl. computer software and psychological tests.
- Knowing Broad: Understanding the scientific process of building knowledge. Specific: A thorough knowledge of core domains of psychology incl. biological, cognitive, social and developmental psychology, individual differences and research methods.
- Managing Broad: Demonstrate effective planning, time-management and project-administration skills. Specific: Carry out an independent research project from formulation of a research question through ethical approval, data analysis and write-up.
- Planning and Implementing Broad: An ability to generate hypotheses and research questions. Specific: An ability to generate a hypothesis around why humans or animals act the way they do, and design a research process to test this hypothesis.
- Thinking Broad: An ability to think critically & reason scientifically. Specific: An ability to appreciate the multiplicity of psychological approaches, and have an awareness of their theoretical, practical, methodological and ethical implications.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Higher Diploma in Psychology is an intensive two-year postgraduate conversion course for graduates with an honours degree in a discipline other than psychology, who would like to take the first step towards a professional career in psychology.
Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Psychology programme must be graduates with an honours degree (typically a 2.1 or higher), or final year students on an honours degree programme in any disclpline. Offers to applicants who are not yet graduates will be contingent on degree results. The programme welcomes applications from mature students. The selection process for the Higher Diploma in Psychology will take account of: 1) undergraduate record and, where relevant, postgraduate record; (2) certified modules or courses in psychology; (3) experience of psychology through work or voluntary activities; (4) employment record; (5) references; (6) applicant's personal statement on the application form.
Course features:
- Psychology conversion course
- Equivalent to Honours BA degree in Psychology
- Two years fulltime or four years part time
- Accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
- Internationally recognised degree
- Enables further postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, health or other types of psychology
The purpose of the Higher Diploma in Psychology in UCD is to foster an evidence-based appreciation of mind, brain, lived experiences, social context, and behaviour, and the nature and outcomes of their complex interactions. Students will learn the importance of psychological approaches to problems in modelling the full richness of mental life, as well as the role of empirical research in shaping and influencing theory. The programme stresses the importance of critical thinking, informed awareness of the multiplicity of levels of understanding psychological phenomena, the significance of building research skills, and of ethics in research and practice.
About This Course
Enables further postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, health or other types of psychology.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY10060 | Brain and Behaviour | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY10080 | Introduction to Social Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY20020 | Child & Adolescent Development | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY20050 | Laboratory Practicals in Psychology I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY20150 | Foundations of Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY20160 | Research Methods & Stats II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY20240 | Language, Perception & Social Cognition | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PSY30110 | Laboratory Practicals in Psychology II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20100 | Introduction to Disability Studies | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20130 | Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20170 | Clinical Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20180 | The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20200 | Psychology for Everyday Life | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20110 | Introduction to Health Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY20220 | Psychology of Ageing | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY30080 | Psychology and Crime | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY30290 | Applied Health Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY30320 | Career development in psych | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)4 of: Select 4 of the following |
PSY30380 | Youth Mental Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30450 | Research Project and Skills | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 20 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30050 | Behavioural Neuroscience | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30340 | Human Intelligence and Personality | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30350 | Research Methods & Stats III | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30040 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
PSY30140 | Advanced Social Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20020 | Child & Adolescent Development | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20100 | Introduction to Disability Studies | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20130 | Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20170 | Clinical Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20180 | The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20200 | Psychology for Everyday Life | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30400 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30410 | Advanced Cognitive Psychology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20110 | Introduction to Health Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY20220 | Psychology of Ageing | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30080 | Psychology and Crime | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30290 | Applied Health Psychology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30320 | Career development in psych | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30380 | Youth Mental Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of: Select a minimum of 3 |
PSY30440 | How to Change Behaviour | Spring | 5 |
The degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as a first degree (equivalent to an Honours BA in Psychology), and confers eligibility for Graduate Membership of PSI. The Higher Diploma in Psychology is an internationally recognised degree that allows graduate membership of relevant psychological societies including the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Higher Diploma Psychology (W014) Full Time
EU Year 1 - € 10450
EU Year 2 - € 8480 aa
Higher Diploma Psychology (W202) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6730
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change
EU Year 1 - € 10450
EU Year 2 - € 8480 aa
Higher Diploma Psychology (W202) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6730
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change
Please note that the part-time option (W202) is not available to non-EU students.
Up-to-date tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
Between 15 and 20 students are admitted to the Higher Diploma in Psychology each year.
Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Psychology programme must be graduates with an honours degree (typically a 2.1 or higher), or final year students on an honours degree programme in any disclpline. Offers to applicants who are not yet graduates will be contingent on degree results. The programme welcomes applications from mature students. The selection process for the Higher Diploma in Psychology will take account of: 1) undergraduate record and, where relevant, postgraduate record; (2) certified modules or courses in psychology; (3) experience of psychology through work or voluntary activities; (4) employment record; (5) references; (6) applicant's personal statement on the application form.
Applications for this program will open on October 1, 2023 and close on March 08, 2024. Applicants may contact : psychology@ucd.ie for further information
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
A number of places on the Higher Diploma in Psychology are offered each year to international applicants. Applications for this programme typically open in October and close in mid-March. International applicants may contact psychology@ucd.ie in the first instance to indicate their interest in applying for the Higher Diploma in Psychology. International applicants may apply for the Higher Diploma in Psychology through the UCD Online Applications homepage.
Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English. All applicants are therefore required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of pass Leaving Certificate standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must meet the minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) specified at the following website: Admission English requirement
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Higher Diploma Psychology:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to | Application Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W014 Higher Diploma Psychology Higher Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W202 Higher Diploma Psychology Higher Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsClosed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W014 Higher Diploma Psychology Higher Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W202 Higher Diploma Psychology Higher Diploma |
Part-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page