Graduate Diploma in Psychology

Duration of programme: Full-time: 9 months. Part-time: Up to 5 years 
Start date: September

Deadline to apply for September 2013 entry is Friday 2nd August 2013.

Distance learning available: No
Intake: Approximately 15 per year.

• Prospective students must possess a good honours degree (minimum of 2.2 degree classification) from a UK or overseas institution. The honours degree should include a minimum of 60 psychology credits and the grades should be equivalent to a 2.2 level. We also require GCSE mathematics (grade C or above).  

• International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate a satisfactory command of English language. They should meet our minimum English language requirement by taking one of the following tests:

  • IELTS. Minimum requirement - 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each area.

  • TOEFL IBT. Minimum requirement - 100 overall, (21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking).

  • Pearson Academic. Minimum requirement - 61 overall, 59 in each area.

  We do not accept a Password test.

• Prospective students who lack 60 credits of psychology can complete the outstanding credits via the Aston Diploma/Certificates in Psychology.

Fees for 2013 entry:
UK/EU students: £6,780
International students: £12,054

Apply for this course online

The programme has the following compulsory modules:

• Thinking and Reasoning
• Child Development
• Brain and Behaviour
• Social Psychology
• Psychological Research Methods
• Advanced Statistics
• Personality and Intelligence
• Language and Communication
• Project

Candidates who can show prior learning ina module may, under certain circumstances, take an elective module in its place. The availability of elective modules currently includes:

• Nutrition and Behaviour
• Therapeutic Intervention,
• Health Psychology
• Drugs and Behaviour. 

Download the course flyer PDF >

The programme is delivered via lectures, seminars, group practicals and individual supervision.  Assessment takes the form of coursework (essays, poster presentations, practical reports, on-line quizzes, research proposals) and examinations (multiple choice, essay and short answer formats).  A substantial element of the programme is the project (25%).  Students receive individual supervision, together with lectures and seminar support, on a topic agreed with their supervisor.  Previous projects have covered a range of topics, including:

• Impulsivity as a risk factor in binge-drinking
• Transition from independent living to sheltered housing
• Change blindness in dyslexia
• Children’s recognition of mood in music.

The programme is aimed at graduates who wish to pursue a career in psychology but who lack the necessary background of honours level study in psychology which would give them eligibility for Graduate Basis Recognition by the British Psychological Society.  Graduates typically go on to further postgraduate study (e.g. Masters in health or forensic psychology, Clinical Doctorates in psychology) though some students choose to pursue relevant employment (e.g. assistant psychologist in the NHS) before further study.

By successfully completing the programme, students will acquire the following:

• Good oral and written communication skills
• The ability to work effectively in teams, reacting appropriately to contextual and interpersonal factors.
• The ability to undertake self-directed study and project management
• Competence in the use of information technology for word processing, data handling, communication and information gathering.
• The ability to identify a research question and from this, design, execute and report an empirically-based research project.

Course director: Dr Olivia Longe

Find out more about our Psychology teaching staff.

For further information please contact:

LHS Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel:  +44 (0) 121 204 4161       
Fax: +44 (0) 121 204 4187
Email: lhspgt@aston.ac.uk