Welcome to your Psychology course

A warm welcome from the MSc Psychology (Conversion) team here at Staffordshire University! Our Psychology MSc conversion course covers all core areas of psychology as defined by the BPS, and successful completion of the course will make you eligible to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the BPS. You will also be able to choose a specialist option module.

We understand that starting a new course can be both exciting and daunting, therefore, we want to help you prepare in advance and know what to expect when you get on-campus. We have also included some tips to support your transition to the University.

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Dr Louise Humphreys

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Psychological Research Methods. I am the course leader for the MSc Psychology (conversion) course.

Louise's profile

Dr Romina Vivaldi

Senior Lecturer

Romina's research interests are focussed on symbolic development as it relates to pictures and occupational gender stereotypes.

Romina's profile

First activity

Your induction sections will take place on:

Wednesday 25th September, 1pm-2pm. Welcome and introduction to the course.

Wednesday 25th September, 2.15-3pm. Library Induction talk.

Wednesday 25th September, 3pm-4pm. Introduction to the core areas of Psychology and questions.

Thursday 26th September, 10-11am. What to expect from the course.

Thursday 26th September, 11.30am-1pm. Getting started and planning for the year ahead.

Module Options

When you enrol on your course, you will also enrol for the modules that you will be studying in your course (or its first year, if you are a Part-Time student). You have a choice to enrol on a Psychology subject specific module. Your options for this year are: Children and Pictures, Health Psychology, and Psychology of Oppression and Empowerment. You will not need to enrol on this yet, but you will need to decide early in semester 1. Once you have access to our MSc Psychology Blackboard site, please check our introductory materials on these modules (under ‘Resources’) so you can start thinking about what the best choice for you would be.

For more information on module enrolment, please see: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/student/modules/

For more information on module enrolment, please click here

Introductory Reading

Have a look at the first two chapters from the book below. These will provide with an Introduction to Psychology as a field and to Research Methods in this discipline. You are also welcome to check any other chapter that might be of interest.

Martin, G. (2017). Psychology. Pearson Education.

The book is available at our library. Please see: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/staffordshire/detail.action?docID=5561273

Please click here

Free Downloadable Software

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available is;

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Microsoft Teams
  • SPSS and AMOS
  • Maple
  • NVivo
  • Sophos Antivirus
  • Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
  • VMWare
  • Free Training

Free Software: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/digital-services/software.jsp

Ahead of your first teaching week, we would strongly recommend you to download SPSS, Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams.

Please click for free software

Other useful links

Join a Society

Getting involved in a student group can enhance your time at University. It’s a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whilst having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to make it happen! Please check out the Students’ Union website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with the Students’ Union if you have more questions.

Click here for a list of the current clubs and societies run through the Students’ Union

Social Media

Follow the Psychology Department on Twitter and Instagram

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader:

Name and Email Address:

Dr Louise Humphreys

l.humphreys@staffs.ac.uk

Dr Andrew Edmonds

a.edmonds@staffs.ac.uk

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021