Master Programme
MSc Psychology (Conversion) - MHW54
An intensive, PSI-accredited conversion course for graduates who have already studied at least 60 credits of psychology but whose degree does not qualify them for Graduate Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland or the British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Registration. It is equivalent to a psychology bachelor's degree and is the first step towards professional training in clinical, counselling, educational or other applied psychology. The course concentrates on psychological research methods and analysis, professional ethics and applied research experience. Places are limited to 20 a year and are awarded competitively, and the course runs only if enough students enrol.
University
Maynooth University
Country
Ireland
Level
Master
Field
Psychology
Duration
1 year full-time (90 credits)
Language
English
Campus
Maynooth (North and South Campus, Co. Kildare)
Degree
Master of Science in Psychology (NFQ Level 9), PSI-accredited
Intake
September (full-time, on campus in Maynooth)
Application Deadline
This course has its own short application window. The course page lists non-EU applications opening on 1 January and closing on 31 January (dates shown for 2026, not yet updated for 2027 entry), compared with May to June for Irish and EU applicants. Apply online through MU Apply (€50 application fee)
Tuition Information
2026-27: the full-time non-EU fee is €17,000 for the year, per Maynooth's 2026/27 Postgraduate EU & International Fees List (18.09.26). EU fees on the same list add a €150 student levy; the list does not say whether the non-EU figure already includes it. Fees rise each year and 2027-28 rates had not been published. Offers are secured with a €1,000 non-refundable deposit within 14 days. Non-EU students on full-time taught master's programmes can apply for Maynooth's international scholarships, such as the International Excellence Scholarship (€5,000 off tuition for one student from each of six world regions, 80% minimum in the primary degree) and the International Merit Award (€1,500 for 25 students); for the 2026 cycle these required the offer to be accepted and the deposit paid by 31 March or 30 June respectively
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) with at least a 2:1, including at least 60 credits of psychology or psychological studies
- Prior study must include introductory coverage of biological, social, developmental and cognitive psychology and personality and individual differences, with post-introductory study of at least four of these areas in named modules
- Application: transcripts for every semester, graduation certificate (if graduated), passport copy, a personal statement of at least 500 words on why you want to take the course, and two academic references
- Country equivalents (Maynooth postgraduate entry requirements for Asia): a 2:2 is treated as 60% overall in a four-year Indian bachelor's degree (55% from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune or Calcutta), a 2:1 as 65% (60%), and a first as 75% (70%). Three-year Indian degrees are considered where the final year includes a project, thesis or internship, and there is a limit on the number of backlogs accepted
- English language (if English is not your first language; certificates must be issued within 2 years of the start date): IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 21 in writing and 19 in the other sections (or 5 overall with 4.5 in each section on the 0-6 scale); PTE Academic 63 with no communicative skill below 59; Duolingo 120 with 110 in each subscore; LanguageCert Academic 70 with 65 in each skill; Cambridge C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced 176 with 169 in each skill; Oxford Test of English 140 with 125 in each skill; or Trinity ISE III with merit in each skill. Graduates of a full English-taught bachelor's in Ireland, the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Ghana or Canada may be exempt, although Irish immigration may still ask for a test