Who is this course for?

The MSc in Applied Psychology is designed to offer an advance understanding of core topics and skills in psychology and how they are applied to real-world settings. The course is ideal for graduates of PSI-accredited undergraduate psychology degrees (or equivalent) and is particularly relevant to students aiming to learn more about key professional areas of psychology.

A unique element of the MSc in Applied Psychology is the opportunity to learn how to use evidence synthesis methods, like scoping reviews and systematic reviews, to inform decision-making by policymakers and practitioners across diverse contexts. Students will use these methods to conduct an evidence synthesis dissertation where they answer industry specific questions from our community partners.  

 What will I study?

 The 1-year full-time programme where students take a mix of core and elective modules across the year and will conduct a research synthesis dissertation.

Core modules:

• Advanced Research Methods
• Professional Skills in Psychology
• Evidence Synthesis Methods
• Evidence Synthesis in Policy and Practice

Optional Modules* may include:

• Clinical and Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience
• Applications of Behavioural Psychology
• Health Promotion and Behaviour Change
• Psychological Practice: Assessment and Intervention
• Organisational Behaviour Management
• Psychological Processes in Illness and Healthcare

*Note that modules may change ahead of teaching

• Range of modules: Includes a wide range of modules in psychology such as Research Methods, Cclinical and Experimental Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioural and Health psychology.
  
  
• Community partners: Provides strong connections with community partners who provide industry-informed research questions for the students to use when conducting their research synthesis dissertation.
  
  
• Enhance analytical skills: Build the ability to interpret and analyse psychological data using advanced research tools and methodologies.
  
  
• Develop professional expertise: Develop a further understanding of professional areas in psychology such as clinical psychology, health psychology, child psychology and behaviour analysis.
  
  
• Improve communication skills: Learn to effectively present and articulate findings to a range of audiences, from stakeholders to decision-makers.
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With a focus on real-world applications, the MSc in Applied Psychology prepares graduates for a career in psychology and roles where psychological research skills and critical thinking are valued.

Skills in evidence synthesis (such as scoping and systematic reviews) are fundamental for psychology graduates working in policy and practice nationally and internationally. The research synthesis dissertation will equip graduates with the knowledge and experience of working with non-academic partners (e.g., NGOs, government agencies, charities) to answer important questions relevant to policy, service use and interventions.

Graduates will also be in a strong position for further study in the professional areas of psychology such as Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis. The MSc in Applied Psychology is ideal for graduates of PSI-accredited undergraduate psychology degrees (or equivalent) as it provides a supportive pathway to gaining work as an Assistant Psychologist, a Research Assistant, or in similar roles in the public sector, the community sector, or in industry.

Mairéad Foody

Chris Noone

The MSc in Applied Psychology combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops led by expert faculty with experience across diverse areas of psychology.

Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments and the final dissertation will help you develop independence and critical thinking.

Throughout the programme, you will have access to cutting-edge resources, including industry-standard software and real-world datasets, to support your learning and professional growth

How Will I Be Assessed?

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 traditional assessments such as essays and presentations, and authentic assessments such as policy briefs, peer reviews, and CV and cover letter writing.
2. Examinations — Written exams take place before Christmas and in May.
3. Dissertation — You will write a 7,500-word dissertation based on your conduct of a systematic or scoping review that answers a research question from a community partner.

Course queries:
mairead.foody@universityofgalway.ie  or chris.noone@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):

Dr Mairéad Foody & Dr Chris Noone, 

Lecturers in Psychology, 

School of Psychology

College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies

E: chris.noone@universityofgalway.ie

T: 091 494459

E: mairead.foody@universityofgalway.ie 

T: 091 494458

Q. I did Psychology as part of my undergraduate degree but it was not a Bachelor of Science, can I take this course?

If you studied psychology as part of your undergraduate degree and you would like to continue to the MSc Applied Psychology, you will need to have a degree which is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) – this can be a BA or a BSc. If your degree was not accredited by the PSI, the HDip Psychology (Conversion) is a one-year, full-time programme designed for students who have completed the BA in Psychological Studies at University of Galway, or its equivalent in other universities. By combining the HDipPsych (Conversion) with the BA with Psychological Studies or its equivalent, you will have covered the course content equivalent to that of University of Galway’s BSc in Psychology programme. Once you have this accreditation, you will be able to apply for the MSc in Applied Psychology.

Applicants who do not have the required academic qualifications for entry purposes, but have relevant work experience in applied psychology or related fields, may also be entitled to apply under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. Further, students may apply for exemption(s) from some programme courses based on equivalent courses already completed. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website

Graduates of the MSc in Applied Psychology will be able to:

• to critically evaluate psychological research and apply it across different settings.
• perform and interpret qualitative and quantitative research methods
• understand key ethical and professional issues in psychological practice, as well as in service design and evaluation.
• conduct evidence synthesis, including scoping and systematic reviews, to answer practical questions in applied settings and for community partners.
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Minimum Entry Requirements 

Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology at National Framework of Qualifications Level 8 (or equivalent) accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or an equivalent qualification. Applicants who have achieved at least a 2.1 (or equivalent) in their primary psychology degree are offered a place on a programme, with applicants who have achieved a 2.2 result added to the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants are offered a place pending availability.  

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here. 

English Language Entry Requirements (replace/edit the text below)

All applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate language competence at the level of IELTS (or equivalent qualification) of 7.0 overall, with not less than 6.5 in any component. Tests must be taken within two years of the start date of the student's programme. More information here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/global-galway/studyinireland/entryrequirements/

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.

You must include a Statement of degree accreditation or equivalence with your application. All applicants must complete this form to demonstrate that they meet the admission requirements. You should upload it with your application to the programme.

 How to demonstrate equivalence to an undergraduate degree accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland?

If an applicant does not hold a qualification in an undergraduate degree accredited by the PSI or the BPS, the following are requirements for equivalence of a PSI accredited Psychology degree courses :

1. Psychology should be the main subject: Psychology modules should make up >50% of the course.

2. The degree should include a relatively broad range of psychology courses including the core curriculum components of:

1. Biological psychology
2. Developmental psychology
3. Social psychology
4. Individual differences
5. Cognitive psychology
6. Research methods: Research methods are integral to psychology and students must obtain a sound knowledge of, and a proven ability to use, a range of methods appropriately, including both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Applicants must demonstrate research competence in practical work and in the completion of a supervised empirical research project. This project should include carrying out an extensive piece of empirical research and would normally involve the collection and analysis of original empirical data and completion of an ethics review process. The project requires students to individually demonstrate a range of research skills including planning, considering and resolving ethical issues, analysis and dissemination of findings. Typically, these projects are at least 5000 words and are written in the style of a peer-review publication. The project must be passed and cannot be compensated for.

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

28^th February 2027.

 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. 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if:

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2027 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2027. Full details available here.

Global Scholarships  (standard text for all courses)
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.