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Master of Psychological Science

MPsychSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The focus of this programme is on acquiring basic applied psychology skills to equip you for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational or organisational psychology, or for progressing to a PhD in psychological research. Over the course of the year students work with a staff member to complete a research project.  In keeping with the skills-based focus of the programme, the research is written up as a journal article that conforms to the publication style of an identified journal.  Applicants are invited to review the research areas of the School's Academic Staff. In most cases, students work on one of their supervisor's ongoing research projects.

  • One year full-time taught masters in basic applied psychology skills
  • Emphasises acquisition of skills for professional practice
  • Equips you for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational or organisational psychology or for progressing to a PhD in psychological research
  • Research project, supervised by a member of staff and written up as a journal article
  • Includes a psychometric assessment module that meets requirements to obtain BPS certification

About This Course

The focus of the programme is on professional skill acquisition and this is reflected in the active nature of the learning environment in the modules.  The programme uses a range of approaches to teaching, learning and assessment including traditional faculty-led seminars, student presentations, experiential learning, classroom role-play and case studies.  An integral part of the research training is staff supervision and, usually, membership of a collaborative research team.  In addition, students are expected to undertake self-directed study for all of the modules and are advised that they need to set aside time for study each week. Assessment strategies include both traditional and innovative as appropriate to the specific skill set that is being assessed.

  • On successful completion of the programme the students should be able to: understand and apply a range of professional skills rooted in the principles and concepts of psychology
  • apply advanced analytic methods to address psychological questions through independent data collection and/or analysis of existing data sets;
  • communicate and explain psychological research to diverse audiences, including both specialist and non-specialist;
  • critically reflect on experiences and apply those in a cycle of self-improvement
  • demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competence in professional practice with diverse groups of people.
  • understand, and apply principles of ethical conduct of research;
  • work collaboratively with groups of peers to achieve mutual goals

Equips students for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational or organisational psychology or for progressing to a PhD in  psychological research.

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.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40430 MPsychSc Research Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  30
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40440 Advanced Research Methods & Stats Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40940 Research Skills & Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
EDUC40130 Inclusion and Equality in Education Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
PSY40420 BPS Certificate in Educational Testing Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
PSY40450 Basic counselling and clinical skills Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
PSY40580 Foundations in Mindfulness Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
PSY40910 Embodied & Social Cognitive Neuroscience Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 2 modules from these options in Trimester 1.
SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
EDUC43250 Wellbeing of Children and Youth Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40400 Managing Change Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40490 Person Centred Programme Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40650 Psychological Interventions Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40790 Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40860 Topics in Psychological Sci Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students should select a minimum of 1 modules or a maximum of 3 modules from these options in Trimester 2
PSY40920 Psychology & Health: Population-level perspectives Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
If students have chosen only 3 options across tr1 and tr2 then select 1 module below for tr3.
PSY40870 Multielement Behaviour Support Summer  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
If students have chosen only 3 options across tr1 and tr2 then select 1 module below for tr3.
PSY40880 Identity Sexuality & Mortality Summer  10

The course includes a psychometric assessment module that meets requirements to obtain British Psychological Society (BPS) certification.

The course equips you for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational, or organisational psychology, or for progressing

to a PhD in psychological research.Many of the supervised research projects result in a publication.


Caoimhe McManus
M.Psych.Sc. Graduate, 2021

Studying the Masters in Psychological Science was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The course teaching allowed me to develop a deep theoretical understanding of the concepts underlying fundamental areas of practice, whilst also allowing the opportunity to connect with experts working at both research and clinical levels. The practical elements of the course helped me develop competencies in psychometric assessment, whilst simultaneously placing a strong focus on building core therapeutic skills. Research components allowed me to further develop my skills and knowledge, particularly the practical research modulewhich provided the opportunity to collaborate with a network of academics in both UCD and across other universities. Overall, this course provided me with a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the application of psychological science which has been hugely beneficial to me when working as both an assistant psychologist and a research assistant.

Master of Psychological Science (W241) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 11790
nonEU    fee per year - € 24870

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that 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.

Candidates may apply for admission to the Masters in Psychological Science if they have the following:

  • At least an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree in Psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the Psychology Society of the country in which the degree was awarded  (minimum GPA 3.4/4.0)
  • At least an upper second class honours Higher Diploma in Psychology (conversion course) recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the psychology society of the country in which the degree was awarded  (minimum GPA 3.4/4.0)
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

Up to 30 students are admitted to the Masters in Psychological Science each year. Applicants in the first instance may contact Mary Boyle mary.boyle@ucd.ie to indicate their interest in applying. 

Letters of offer will be sent to applicants within a month of the closing date for applications. Offers to final year undergraduate students will be made contingent on final degree results. Requests for references will be sent with the letters of offer.

Applicants may apply for the online at www.ucd.ie/apply

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


Candidates may apply for admission to the Masters in Psychological Science if they have the following:




  • At least an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree in Psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the Psychology Society of the country in which the degree was awarded (minimum GPA 3.4/4.0)

  • At least an upper second class honours Higher Diploma in Psychology (conversion course) recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the psychology society of the country in which the degree was awarded (minimum GPA 3.4/4.0)



The School of Psychology welcomes International applications to the Master of Psychological Science programme.  Our basic International requirements for the psychology degree are: 





 





  • An honours degree with Psychology as a major subject with a minimum GPA of 3.4/4.0



  • Completed an independent research project as part of the degree, under the supervision of a member of staff.



  • A reference confirming their suitability for graduate training from a full-time tenured staff member of the University from which they received their bachelor degree.



  • Students whose first language is not English must meet UCD's English language requirements.  Further details are available at http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/ucdenglishlanguagerequirements/


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Master of Psychological Science:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W241
Master of Psychological Science
Master of Psychological Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W241
Master of Psychological Science
Master of Psychological Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page