Psychology—Conversion (HDip)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
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Course Overview

Watch course video presentation here.

The HDipPsychology (Conversion) is a one-year, full-time programme designed for students who have completed the BAin Psychological Studies at University of Galway, or its equivalent. By combining the HDipPsych (Conversion) with the BA with Psychological Studies, students will have covered the course content equivalent to that of University of Galway’s BSc in Psychology programme.

The HDipPsychology (Conversion) in combination with course content covered by the University of Galway Psychological Studies degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). As such, the course satisfies the requirements specified by PSI for graduate status in Psychology. The programme thus qualifies graduates for entry to postgraduate professional programmes in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Please note, if you have a psychology degree that is not a University of Galway Psychology degree and have an interest in taking this Higher Diploma, you need to consider whether or not (i) your existing degree has covered content exactly equivalent to the content covered by the Psychological Studies degree according to the PSI; and (ii) whether this content, or modules covering this content are recognised by the PSI. If neither of these conditions are met, it is recommended you consider the two-year HDipPsych (Full), also offered by the University of Galway. You should enquire with the PSI concerning recognition/accreditation of your existing degree or courses/modules.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Who Teaches this Course

Dr Olive Healy BA, PhD, BCBA-D
Dr Padraig McNeela BA, PhD

Dr Annmarie Groarke

BA, MA, HDipED, PhD, AFPsSI, CPsychol

Deputy Dean, College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies
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Dr Ian Stewart

BA, PhD.

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PROF BRIAN MICHAEL HUGHES

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DR. DENIS O'HORA

Ph.D., B.A.

LECTURER BAR/COLLEGE LECTURER
School of Psychology
Room 1032
Arts Millennium Building
NUI Galway
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Dr Caroline Heary

PhD M.Psych BA

Senior Lecturer
School of Psychology
University of Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment on the HDipPsych (Conversion) programme includes a variety of forms of continuous assessment, examination and minor dissertation across two semesters.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Places will be allocated on the order of results awarded at the first sitting of the final year of Psychological Studies at University of Galway or an equivalent course (see above). If your background is not from the University of Galway, please provide evidence of PSI recognition of course equivalents. Students must achieve honours in both their degree subjects, except in the case of pass-level mathematical subjects where a ‘commendation’ level is required.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Please note, if you have a psychology degree that is not a University of Galway Psychology degree and have an interest in taking this Higher Diploma, you need to consider whether or not (i) your existing degree has covered content exactly equivalent to the content covered by the Psychological Studies degree according to the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI); and (ii) whether this content, or modules covering this content are recognised by the PSI. If neither of these conditions are met, it is recommended you consider the two-year HDipPsych (Full), also offered by the University of Galway. You should enquire with the PSI concerning recognition/accreditation of your existing degree or courses/modules.

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

June 2024

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

HDIP-PSYC

Course Outline

Students on the HDipPsych (Conversion) programme undertake selected modules from the BSc Psychology second and third 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. Finally, a recent innovation allows students to choose their final module from a selection of available ones.

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

Curriculum Information

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

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This programme provides an excellent foundation for further postgraduate courses of study and careers in a variety of domains. Completing this degree will enable a graduate to gain access to further training to become a professional psychologist (e.g., a clinical, counselling or occupational psychologist) or to undertake a research degree in psychology (e.g., a PhD in Psychology).

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€7,000 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€17,500 p.a. (€17,640 including levy) 2024/25

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). 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.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

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