You are in: Home > Courses & Study > Courses > Psychology

Psychology

Graduate Diploma

Key Features
Contact

What it's about

Fact File

Key Features

Ideal for those who have not got a psychology degree and want to continue onto postgraduate training in Psychology and ultimately achieve chartered psychologist status with the British Psychological Society.
Students will be taught alongside single and joint honours undergraduate students, taking a combination of taught modules corresponding to a core undergraduate programme.

The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is intended for graduates who wish to enter professional psychology training courses and ultimately achieve Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS, but do not possess an accredited first degree in Psychology.

The Graduate Diploma helps you to develop the expertise to collect and assess empirical evidence about human behaviour, experience and development. You will learn a wide variety of methods involving observation, measurement, hypothesis testing, experimentation, discourse analysis and the use of statistics. You will be encouraged to use many different perspectives in the explanation of human behaviour.

The course assumes that you have a great interest in investigating, understanding and analysing how humans think, feel and behave. You will not only want to explain people’s behaviour but also to use your knowledge to bring about change for the better. You will develop problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills.

Fact File

Qualification:	Graduate Diploma
Faculty/School:	Faculty of Sciences
Location:	Stoke Campus
Course Start:	The course starts in September every year.
Course Length:	One year full-time or two years part-time
Attendance:	Full-time: two days a week Part-time: one day a week
Entry Requirements:	A first degree (at least second class) in another discipline with enough study of psychology equivalent to half of the first year (60 credits) of an accredited programme OR An honours degree in Psychology (at least second class), which has not been accredited by the British Psychological Society OR An ordinary degree in Psychology OR Successful completion of the Certificate in Psychology. These credits will be assessed on application for their relevance as foundation studies for the diploma programme. Normally we require evidence of foundation work in research methods and design, social psychology and cognitive psychology (i.e. the core subjects of our level 1 undergraduate programme). Compensatory strengths in one area other than research methods are considered. Other qualifications and learning experiences will be judged for their equivalence to this foundation core using the University's APL /APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning/ Experiential Learning) procedures. Applications for APL/APEL should be made at the same time as you apply for entry to the award, and should include as much detail as possible of prior modules studied and credits achieved. Applications will be assessed against the specific learning outcomes of modules in the foundation core. The candidate may only receive credits for those modules where the learning objectives and content of prior learning is compatible with particular modules in this core. In cases where candidates wish to claim accreditation against modules on the basis of uncertificated prior learning or experiential learning, for example, in-company courses, work-base training, substantial employment or other experience, candidates must offer written evidence of the prior learning. No accredited prior learning/experience will be granted retrospectively No accredited prior learning/experience will be granted for modules on the Diploma itself, because of its nature in relation to professional accreditation. Overseas Applicants Applicants with overseas qualifications will be assessed for suitability for the programme on the basis of whether the degree held is from a recognised institution as indicated by publications from the International Association of Universities. For overseas applicants whose degree is judged to be comparable in standard to a British Bachelors degree, the conditions with regard to foundation studies in psychology will apply as outlined above.
Application:	Application is by our online application form, alternatively for a postal application pack please contact our Course Enquiries department. Your application should be accompanied by two references and copies of previous academic qualifications, these can be either be sent by post or by email to scienceadmissions@staffs.ac.uk.
Fees and Bursaries:	Fees and Bursaries
Other Notes:	It is possible for applicants with a first degree in another discipline, but without the appropriate foundation studies in psychology (or equivalent), to attain the necessary foundation credits (60 credits) by completing the Certificate in Psychology by distance learning or part-time univeristy attendance.