Course content
The course is designed to cover the core areas of psychology equivalent to the British Psychological Society’s qualifying examination:
• Research design and methodology
• Practical work
• Cognitive psychology
• Biological bases of behaviour
• Developmental psychology
• Social psychology
• Personality and intelligence
The research design and methodology content includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative methods will involve statistical analysis and the use of SPSS software. The qualitative methods will consist of semi-structure interviews and thematic analysis.
Additionally, you can choose one option module at Level 6, allowing you to learn more about a specialist area within psychology.
Professional body accreditation
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Successful completion of the course will enable you to register with the British Psychological Society for Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is required for entry to professional applied psychology training courses.
Modules
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.
Steps To Success Msc Psychology
This module will act as one of the main support mechanisms during your course. You will be assigned a L7 supervisor/academic mentor who will support you in your developing your careers/life plan action plan in preparation of seeking employment or further PG or PhD course applications. You will have the opportunity to present your action plan to your supervisor and receive feedback on your presentation. Course support sessions will be provided in taught sessions.
Module code: PSYC70829
Psychology Of Oppression And Empowerment
The module will consider a number of contemporary socio-political issues at national and global level and will evaluate the contribution of psychological theories, research and practice towards addressing and influencing such issues, including those of oppression and empowerment in society. The areas/issues may vary from year to year, according to socio-political developments, but will include mental health, poverty, gender/sexuality, war, politics and law, in a variety of contexts such as the workplace, media, education, welfare, or health. The module will address issues of representation, theorisation and research in psychological applications to these areas and will evaluate the ethical and professional consequences and implications thereof, as well the impact of these challenges on professional and discipline development in psychology.
Module code: PSYC60807
Developmental And Biological Psychology Across The Lifespan
The module takes a life-span perspective covering a range of typical and atypical developments from prenatal to ageing. You will learn about cognitive, emotional and socially typical and atypical development. Special attention will be given to the biological underpinnings of development including sensation and perception, learning and memory, and neurotypical and atypical development.
Module code: PSYC70825
Exploring Difference: A Quantitative Approach
How do psychologists explore how people differ? How can we analyse and understand patterns of behaviour? This module will continue to advance students' knowledge of quantitative research methods in psychology as well as build knowledge and experience in applying these to topics within the area of the psychology of individual differences.
Module code: PSYC70826
Psychology Dissertation
This module provides students with the opportunity to conduct, under supervision, independent psychological research in one of a broad range of areas.
Module code: PSYC70827
Health Psychology
This module will provide an overview of the core issues and debates within health psychology. Topics may change annually to reflect the debates at the forefront of the discipline, but illustrations of topics include models and theories of health behaviour, long-term conditions, communication issues in health-care settings, health promotion, and health inequalities.
Module code: PSYC60799
Theory And Application Of Qualitative Research Methods
This module will introduce you to the theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research approaches and provide you with experience of conducting and analysing qualitative research.
Module code: PSYC70830
Becoming A Researcher In Psychology
This module introduces you to some of the quantitative and qualitative methods psychologists use to conduct research. You will learn how to: develop research questions and hypotheses; analyse data; and write up your findings in an academic report.
Module code: PSYC70824
Society And The Mind
Learning about psychology is one thing
learning how to use psychology is quite another! In this module you will explore how key theories and ideas in social and cognitive psychology are used to tackle important issues in society. For instance, what tools does psychology offer us for combating prejudice and discrimination? How can we use psychological theory to prevent fatalities in car accidents? You will have the opportunity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will not only help you understand how and why we behave as we do
but will be key for employability following your degree.
Module code: PSYC70828
Children And Pictures
How and why were pictures first created by our historical ancestors? What are the variety and functions of pictures in our modern world? A study of children's picture making and understanding of pictures gives us insight not only into childhood but also the development of our pictorial world that we live in. The module shall examine questions within children's making and understanding of pictures, which will be approached from various perspectives: developmental, cognitive, clinical, aesthetic, educational, and cross-cultural. Where appropriate, we will also make links more generally to the child's development. The contact will be through 2-hour interactive lectures, plus a series of seminars. The assessment is a 2,500 word literature review in which you will choose one title from a list. You will be given guidance on understanding what a literature review is and how to approach it.
Module code: PSYC60797