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Psychology—Conversion (HDip)
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

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School of Psychology
Room 1032
Arts Millennium Building
NUI Galway
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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
14
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
June 2024
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
60
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)
Required PS405: Advanced Research Methods in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 1Required PS420: Psychological Measurement: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS413: Qualitative Research Methods - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS220: Psychology of Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS325: Research Project 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS3104: Professional Skills in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3123: Exploring Routes to Wellbeing - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional PS3108: Design Thinking - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional PS412: Experimental Psychology Workshop I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional PS3106: Language & Cognition: A Contextual Behavioural Approach - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS418: Issues in the Cognitive Neurosciences - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS4100: Technology and Health - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS345: Applied Developmental Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS336: Psychology, Society & Human Values - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional LW365: Criminology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3114: Introduction to Communication Skills and Counselling - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS341: Introduction to Collaborative Enquiry & Applied Systems Science - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required PS2100: Experimental Psychology Workshop - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required PS415: Perception, Attention & Performance - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS327: Research Project 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3124: Scientific Arts - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS343: Pediatric Clinical Behavioural Interventions - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3110: Vertically Integrated Projects 1 S2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional ED2104: Design Your Life Semester 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS414: Experimental Psychology Workshop 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS329: Service Learning in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3101: Modelling Learning and Decision Making - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3107: Introduction to Psychophysiology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3102: Brain and Behaviour: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS3103: Health and Well-Being: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS339: Behavioural Medicine - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS419: Relational Frame Theory, Language & Cognition - 5 Credits - Semester 2
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
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
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.
Find out More
T: +353 91 495 345
E: mark.elliott@universityofgalway.ie