Who is this course for?  

This course is designed for applicants who have sat the entire suite of core Psychology courses available to BA (Psychological Studies) students at the University of Galway, or their direct equivalents. 

Equivalence here refers to course content and, where applicants apply with candidate courses to those sat in the BA (Psychological Studies), an application will be made by the HDip Director to establish these courses as providing a basis for recognition of prior learning. 

Such courses, i.e. those which have not been sat at University of Galway, will also need to be demonstrated by the applicant, at the time of application, to be recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland. 

The HDip (conversion) in Psychology has a limited intake of 15 students per annum. Offers are made on the basis of application and grade point average for relevant psychology courses (i.e. those mentioned above) .

What will I study?

Students on the HDipPsych (Conversion) programme undertake selected modules from the BSc Psychology second and fourth year programme. 

The menu includes modules on the psychology of learning; perception, attention and performance; applied organisational psychology; psychological measurement (theory and practice); advanced research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) and computer skills training (SPSS). Students take part in a series of experimental workshops throughout the academic year and, in addition, are required to complete an independent research project under supervision.  

This programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and thus satisfies the requirements specified by PSI for graduate status in psychology. 

The following core courses are provided:

Semester  1

CODE	COURSE	ECTS
PS220	Psychology of Learning	5.0
PS325	Research Project 1	5.0
PS405	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology	5.0
PS413	Qualitative Research Methods	5.0
PS415	Perception, Attention & Performance	5.0
PS420	Psychological Measurement: Theory and Practice	5.0

Semester 2

CODE	COURSE	ECTS
PS2100	Experimental Psychology Workshop	10.0
PS3104	Professional Skills in Psychology	5.0
PS327	Research Project 2	10.0

With an elective programme in semester 2 that might include the following:

CODE	COURSE	ECTS
PS341	Introduction to Collaborative Enquiry & Applied Systems Science	5.0
PS3114	Introduction to Collaborative Enquiry & Applied Systems Science	5.0
PS345	Applied Developmental Psychology	5.0
PS418	Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience	5.0
PS3106	Language and Cognition: A Contextual Behavioural Approach	5.0
PS4100	Technology and Health	5.0
PS336	Psychology, Society and Human Values	5.0
LW365	Criminology	5.0

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

• Professional accreditation: This HDip enables students with a BA (Psychological Studies) to convert to a degree profile accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Range of modules: The course includes modules covering the full range of psychological science, with major emphasis on health, cognition and behaviour themes.
• Research Project: students will complete a full research project, usually an empirical study, under the supervision of academic staff.
• Master core concepts: Overall, students will develop a solid foundation in psychological science with an emphasis on application to real world issues.
• Develop professional expertise: Students will develop a skills set concerned with ten graduate attributes. Students will be:
  • Subject specialists in the discipline of psychology
  • Flexible and innovative
  • Critical thinkers
  • Digitally and technically literate
  • (Effective) communicators
  • (Effective) collaborators
  • Ethically and socially aware
  • Self directed
  • Problem solvers
  • Skilled scientific researchers 

Psychology offers a wide range of career paths, reflecting the discipline’s broad relevance to human behaviour, mental health, and social functioning. Careers in psychology broadly divide into applied, clinical, academic, and research domains, though considerable overlap exists across these categories. 

Clinical psychology remains one of the most recognised fields, focusing on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Clinical psychologists work in hospitals, private practice, and community settings, applying evidence-based therapies to help individuals manage emotional and psychological difficulties. 

Counselling psychology similarly addresses mental well-being but often focuses on less severe psychological issues, offering support for life transitions, relationship challenges, and personal growth. 

Educational and school psychologists specialise in learning, development, and educational systems, working within schools to assess learning difficulties, developmental disorders, and to support teachers and families. 

In the corporate world, occupational or organisational psychologists apply psychological principles to workplace settings, addressing employee wellbeing, organisational culture, and performance optimisation. This branch is crucial in areas such as recruitment, leadership development, and change management. 

Forensic psychologists work at the intersection of psychology and the legal system, providing assessments for court cases, working with offenders, or advising on criminal investigations. 

Beyond applied fields, academic and research psychologists contribute to advancing knowledge in cognitive, social, developmental, and neuropsychology through teaching and research. Many work in universities or research institutions, influencing public policy and scientific understanding. 

Emerging areas such as health psychology, sports psychology, and neuropsychology reflect growing demand for psychological expertise in health, athletic performance, and brain functioning. 

Overall, careers in psychology offer diverse opportunities to apply psychological theory to real-world challenges, with pathways requiring postgraduate qualifications, practical experience, and often professional registration to practise competently and ethically. 

Accrediting Body 

The course is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a undergraduate-level entry programme in psychology  

Graduate Opportunities  

Accreditation allows our graduates to work in a variety of roles in professional psychology once they have met necessary, additional postgraduate training requirements.  

Dr. Mark Elliot

How will I learn?

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, essays, presentations, and computer assignments. 

1. Continuous Assessment- Regular coursework, including essays, presentations, in-class tests and online MCQs.  
2. Examinations- Written exams take place before Christmas and in May. 
3. Project Work- The research project is probably the most significant work undertaken as part of the HDip:
   1. Students are required to conduct and report on an original research project that addresses a significant psychological scientific question.
   2. The project may be carried out in a psychological laboratory, a school or a community setting. 

The Module objectives are to increase students’ understanding of the stages involved in conducting empirical research; To enhance students’ research design and statistical skills; To improve students’ writing ability, as it pertains to preparing a research paper in the format adopted by most psychology journals 

Under supervision, students will:  Develop a research proposal with feasible aims and testable hypotheses; Submit an application for approval to the School Ethics Committee; Learn to conduct a critical review of the literature; Devise a suitable method for testing specified aims and hypotheses; Collect, analyse data, report and discuss results in accordance with APA conventions. 

Course queries: 
mark.elliott@universityofgalway.ie

Programme Director(s):  

Dr Mark A. Elliott  
Associate Professor 
School of Psychology 
College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies 
E: mark.elliott@universityofgalway.ie 
T: 091 495345 

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

Students will develop a skills set concerned with ten graduate attributes. Students will be: 

• Subject specialists in the discipline of psychology
• Flexible and innovative
• Critical thinkers
• Digitally and technically literate
• (Effective) communicators
• (Effective) collaborators
• Ethically and socially aware
• Self directed
• Problem solvers 

Minimum Entry Requirements  

• Candidates should have sat the entire suite of core Psychology courses available to BA (Psychological Studies) students at the University of Galway, or their direct equivalents.
• Equivalence here refers to course content. Applicants who apply without a BA (Psychological Studies) degree from the university of Galway should provide the following:

1. Module descriptors of all courses (modules) previously sat in Psychology at Level 8. 
2. For all psychology modules equivalent to those sat by BA (Psychological Studies) students at University of Galway, applicants should provide written evidence of their accreditation by the Psychological Society of Ireland
3. Applications that are from individuals who are not sitting or who have not sat BA (Psychological Studies) at University of Galway, and which do not provide details as specified in 1 and 2 above, will not be considered. 

• The HDip (conversion) in Psychology has a limited intake of 15 students per annum. Offers are made on the basis of application and grade point average for relevant psychology courses (i.e. those mentioned above) 

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents (See above)

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.  

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
PG Diploma Full Time	1	€7,250		€18,000	€140		€7,390	€18,140

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Global Scholarships 
University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available.

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for each the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.