Masters Degrees (Biological Psychology)

Our innovative MSc Health Psychology programme applies the theories, methods and techniques of psychology to issues of health and illness.

These are integrated into the psychological processes related to the maintenance of health, the promotion of the psychological wellbeing of the physically ill, and the normal and pathological responses to ill health and stress.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Our MSc Health Psychology programme will equip you with a sound knowledge of theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology.

You will consider the psychological and physiological responses of the individual to ill health, as well as the social and community contexts of health-related behaviours and healthcare systems.

The programme will equip you with a sound knowledge of theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology, in addition to a solid understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.

The programme, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), provides the academic component (Stage One) on the route towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time over two academic years. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation. The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
-Conducting Health Psychology Research
-Chronic Conditions
-Psychological Aspects of Health Care
-Maintaining Health Throughout the Lifespan
-Dissertation
-Qualitative Research Methods
-Quantitative Research Methods
-Preparation for Academic Research in Psychology
-Aspects of Experimental Psychology
-Crafting Research: Linking Theory and Methods
-Ergonomics and Human Factors
-Inquiry and Design
-Psychological Neuroscience: Psychophysics and fMRI
-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Health Psychology
-Psychology of Sustainable Development

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The aims of the programme are:
-To provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of theory and practice in Health Psychology in accordance with the 15 competence requirements pertaining to Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society criteria for achieving Chartered Status in Health Psychology
-To train students in the informed and systematic application of the research-practitioner involving problem analysis and formulation, intervention design and evaluation
-To enable students to harness relevant theory and evidence in the integrated formulation of a wide range of commonly encountered health problems and issues
-To produce students equipped with the basic interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of health problems, and for the effective design, implementation and evaluation of health interventions
-To prepare students for professional work pursued in a highly responsible, self-regulated, self- efficacious and politically sensitive fashion
-To facilitate self-reflection in support of personal and professional development via constructive feedback

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
-Health psychology as an applied science
-The relevance of theory to professional practice
-Theory and evidence pertaining to the core areas as detailed by the british psychological society: context and perspectives in health psychology, epidemiology in health psychology, biological mechanisms of health and disease, health-related behaviour, health-related cognitions, individual differences, stress, chronic illness/disability, lifespan, gender and crosscultural perspectives, health care contexts, applications of health psychology, research methods, empirical research project, measurement issues and professional issues
-Basic and advanced research design and methods of investigation (qualitative and quantitative), data analysis principles and techniques
-The contemporary economic and political context of health care work
-Place and value of health psychology within an interdisciplinary framework

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Critically assess and comment on both published and unpublished sources of research and commentary on health psychology issues
-Critically weigh up the contributions and limitations of health psychology in addressing various problems and issues
-Analyse and theoretically formulate various problem scenarios and issues pertinent to the practice of health psychology using a range of models and theories consistent with the principle of integrative practice
-Design, conduct and evaluate health psychology research and researchbased health psychology interventions
-Analyse and take into consideration the economic and political context of a health problem or issue in the process of designing and implementing tailormade interventions
-Reflect on particular case examples (hypothetical and real) with a view to informing theory development/elaboration in an iterative fashion

Professional practical skills
-Select, design, implement and evaluate a wide range of research techniques pertinent to research and research-based practice in health psychology
-Acquire some preliminary skill in designing research-based health interventions
-Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data in a competent and critical manner
-Present/communicate their work in a professional manner for both academic, non-academic and business audiences, in both written and verbal (one-to-one, group) formats
-Apply problem-solving strategy and techniques
-Prioritise work, multi-task and manage time under pressure

Key / transferable skills
-Communicate ideas, principles, theories and problem formulations by oral, written and visual means
-Elicit high quality information and data from field sources
-Operate within a problem-solving research-based practitioner framework
-Conduct oneself in a professional (accountable, responsible), self-regulated and constructively critical fashion
-Use interpersonal and social skills as appropriate
-Apply analytical skill in a problem solving context
-Use information technology
-Pursue continuous improvement via self-reflection and other forms of professional and personal development activity

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

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Our intensive MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme is designed to provide students with a grounding in the theories and research practice of contemporary psychology.

It places particular emphasis on the application of psychology to real-world problems, based on a combination of pure and applied research.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

This competitive BPS-accredited programme is aimed primarily towards people wishing to pursue a career change in any field of psychology. It prepares students for their professional journey by helping them develop a broad knowledge base across the key areas of psychology in a contained period of time.

As a student, you will learn about the core areas of psychology, such as social, developmental and cognitive psychology, biological bases of psychology, and individual differences.

In addition, you will acquire statistical and research methods skills needed to conduct, under expert supervision, your independent research project on a topic of your choosing.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation. The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. All modules are compulsory, there are no elective modules, and modules may be subject to change.
-Preparation for Academic Research in Psychology
-Brain and Behaviour with Research Methods
-Fundamental Concepts in Social Psychology with Research Methods
-Statistics and Data Analysis for the MSc in Psychology (Conversion)
-Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (MSc Level)
-Social and Cognitive Development with Research Methods
-Cognitive Psychology with Research Methods
-Personality, Intelligence, Individual Differences & Psychopathology
-Dissertation

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

-Fundamental scientific understanding of the mind, behaviour and experiences and the complex interactions between these
Ability to present multiple perspectives is a way to foster critical thinking and evaluation of research
-Provide an understanding for real life applications of theory to the full range of experience and behaviour
-Ability to show deepened understanding of the role of empirical evidence in the creation and constraint of theory, and also in how theory guides the collection, analysis and interpretation of empirical data
-Acquisition and knowledge of a range of research skills and methods for investigating experience and behaviour, culminating in an ability to conduct research independently
-Develop scientific psychological knowledge, leading to an ability to appreciate and critically evaluate theory, research findings, and application

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding
-A critical understanding of all elements of psychology and the ability to assess their relevance in the understanding of the contemporary world
-A reflective understanding of the main theoretical perspectives and debates of psychology and their relevance to a range of areas
-An ability to identify, summarise and apply key concepts in psychology to a range of psychology areas
-An ability to distinguish between and evaluate different methodological approaches to the study of mind, behaviour and experiences
-An ability to conduct a research project on the post graduate level.

Intellectual / cognitive skills
-Summarise and apply key concepts in psychology to a range of research areas
-Read psychology research, critically evaluate it and identify the key points
-Distinguish between and evaluate different methodological approaches to study psychology
-Assemble data from a variety of sources, discern and establish connections, and draw well-grounded conclusions
-Evaluate the integrity of evidence and of ‘data’ and to discern the difference between opinion an evidence
-Design and execute psychological research studies, and be competent in the collection, management and analysis of research data and derivation of conclusions
-Form grounded defensible theories, reasoned arguments in relation to evidence, and interpretations of findings. In addition students should be able to compare and contrast different theoretical approaches within the discipline
-Ask questions from a range of different angles and to challenge given views drawing on theory, evidence, and critical insight
-Plan, conduct, analyse and report an individual study to test formulated hypotheses for the dissertation

Professional practical skills
-Demonstrate competence in commonly used psychology research methodology
-Design and carry out psychological research using a variant of psychological research methods
-Gather, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data
-Use information and computer technology to collect, analyse, and report on psychological research
-Collect, evaluate, and utilise information from primary and secondary sources in order to inform psychological questions
-Produce and present a poster
-Write a scientific research proposal and research reports in accordance with guidelines
-Write essays in accordance with guidelines
-Effectively communicate both orally and in writing
-Learn and think independently, as well as part of a group
-Demonstrate good time management and personal organisation
-Plan and execute an investigation/experiment, act autonomously and demonstrate originality

Key / transferable skills
-Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means
-Formulate and solve problems, both individually and as part of a team
-Apply statistical and numerical skills to psychological data
-Execute research skills through the formulation of questions / hypotheses, designing studies that address these questions / hypotheses, collecting and managing ‘evidence’ through various data management techniques, making sense, and disseminating findings
-Acquire and demonstrate a research-based orientation to real world and scientific problems
-Use Information and communication technology e.g. WWW, databases, statistical software, Microsoft Office, and literature search tools, for a variety of generic and subject-specific purposes
-Work effectively and independently on a given project or task
-Work effectively in small groups and teams towards a common goal/outcome
-Work towards targets and deadlines under pressure through discipline and careful organisation
-Demonstrate personal organisation and time management skills through meeting multiple deadlines

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Designed for graduates with an Honours degree in a discipline other than psychology or a non-accredited psychology Honours degree who wish to specialise in psychology.

About the programme

This Masters degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that on completion of the programme you will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS. This in turns offers the possibility of pursuing a career pathway in psychology.

A strong applied focus reflects the teaching and research strengths of the psychology group, with emphasis on the importance of employability. We support students in developing and recognising both generic and transferable skills.

UWS secured investment of over £300k, resulting in new equipment and dedicated teaching facilities to enhance delivery of the psychology programme.

Your learning

Trimester 1
• Individual Differences in the Workplace – introduces the topics of personality, motivation and emotional intelligence

• Research Methods in Psychology – introduces and develops the key topics and issues of research design and quantitative methodologies

• Developmental Psychology – develops your understanding of child development by examining the individual from conception through to adolescence

Trimester 2
• Cognition – addresses topics and concepts of contemporary cognitive psychology

• Biopsychology – examines psychology from a biological perspective

• Advanced Social Psychology – provides in-depth knowledge of the theories and current research in the core areas of social psychology

Trimester 3
• Psychology Research Dissertation – introduces you to independent empirical research in psychology. Under supervision you will design, implement and report on an extended piece of psychology research.

Students choosing not to proceed who have successfully completed three core modules (60 credits), including Research Methods in Psychology, can exit with the Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology. Students who successfully complete the six core modules in trimesters 1 and 2 and who elect not to proceed to the dissertation, can exit with the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology.

Our Careers Adviser says

You will possess the skills that the BPS identify as employment essentials in various sectors including education, business, health and the media. You may continue postgraduate training in educational, clinical and occupational psychology, or consider PhD research.

Professional recognition

Completion of the MSc programme provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS*.

* NB the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma are not accredited by the British Psychological Society

Research excellence

Research carried out by our staff underpins all of our teaching activity, which means you’ll directly benefit from our extensive expertise in a variety of fascinating, relevant areas. Our research outputs span academic publications and a range of contributions to official reports. Our research work is coordinated through a set of interdisciplinary research groups in Applied Psychology, Civil Society and Governance, Health Behaviours and Policy, and Social Work.

We would be interested to hear from anyone who might be interested in pursuing postgraduate studies linked to any aspect of our research work. In addition, we offer a range of research-based modules and short courses for continuing professional development. Our portfolio of research-led taught postgraduate programmes is now expanding across the full range of subject areas.

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Anyone interested in child development, or planning to work with children in the future, will be fascinated by this course. As well as core modules in Social, Developmental, Biological and Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics that will give you a BPS-recognised Psychology degree, you will take a series of specialist Child Development modules in years one, two and three that will give you a chance to study children’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour in great detail. You will be able to do a work placement in a child-centred setting, and you will complete an original research study under the supervision of an active developmental researcher. If you want to see how children play or how they interact with their carers or peers, you will have access to our purpose-built Child Observation Suite. If you want to see what is happening inside their heads, we have a fantastic Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab with a wide range of imaging equipment designed for children of all ages. If you are interested in Educational Psychology, we have lots of links with local schools and other children’s services, providing opportunities to study language development, literacy, peer relations, online safeguarding, antisocial behaviour and bullying.

DBS CHECKS

This course will involve access to children and/or vulnerable adults. You will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB) and we will guide you through this process.

INDUSTRY LINKS

We continuously engage with employers to make sure our curriculum delivers the skills and knowledge industry needs. These include a number of professionals from various sectors, including NHS Trusts, patient groups, medical practitioners, allied health professionals, the Prison Service, police forces, local education authorities, schools and professional sports organisations.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided a minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

You’ll be taught by academics that produce first-class research, which has an impact not just in academia but in our working and everyday lives. Much of our psychological research was rated as ‘internationally excellent’ and ‘world-leading’ in the last research assessment exercise.

Year 1 is assessed by coursework and Multiple Choice Question exams; Year 2 through coursework, MCQ and essay exams; Year 3 through coursework or essay exams and the project. Percentage of coursework to exams is roughly 50/50.

OPPORTUNITIES

You can get involved in the research carried out by our staff, both as a participant and as a researcher, and not just through your classes and final year projects - there are paid research student internships and part-time research assistant positions available. You can also take part in conference talks, research publications and research grants - our current students regularly publish themselves, or become members of the editorial panel of ‘Diffusion’, UCLan’s own undergraduate research journal.

Some of our graduates pursue a career in psychology by undertaking postgraduate training to become professional psychologists, including our BPS-accredited Master’s programmes. However, UCLan graduates are valued more broadly, and others utilise the skills that our degree encourages to take graduate-level positions in a range of organisations, including the Police, Prison Service, NHS, social and community services, health authorities and in the pharmaceutical industry, and in education and training.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All our Psychology degrees share a common first year, with the opportunity to start specialising from Year 2. You can choose BSc routes in (i) Developmental Psychology, (ii) Forensic Psychology, (iii) Health Psychology, (iv) Neuropsychology, (v) Psychology with Psychotherapy and Counselling and (vi) Psychology and Criminology.

The Psychology syllabus is informed by the professional body, the British Psychological Society (BPS). All core modules are completed by Year 2, after which you can choose your specialism and, if you like, progress straight onto a Master's degree, which can provide stage 1 of your training towards becoming a professional psychologist.

In Year 1 you will attend lectures, seminars, workshops and labs. You will take part in Psychology practicals and develop your skills in statistical analysis and report-writing. Lectures are delivered to large groups, but other classes contain about thirty students. These small groups allow you to develop your understanding of psychology and to practise your communication skills. You should get to know your fellow group members, and learn to use your Academic Advisor as a source of academic advice.

In Year 2, you will study core areas of psychology in more depth, including Social and Developmental Psychology, Cognitive and Physiological Psychology, and Psychological Research Methods. You will continue to develop your skills in psychological research and report-writing but work in smaller groups, and take a role in designing your own studies.

In Year 3, you will complete a double module research project on a Developmental topic. This can be the most exciting part of your degree because it lets you investigate a subject in which you have a particular interest, supported by one-to-one discussions with your supervisor. The rest of Year 3 is made up of a mixture of specialist and general modules including two core Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology modules.

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How can we make the most successful predictions about how humans will behave? How do we measure concepts such as “personality”? In what ways can statistics inform us about the human condition?

Our MSc Research Methods in Psychology develops your awareness of psychological science in relation to its philosophical and biological contexts, and in relation to research in the natural and social sciences. In addition to this research-focussed training, you also study advanced topics in psychology that will extend your theoretical knowledge.

You explore topics including:
-Methods in cognitive neuroscience
-Advanced statistical techniques
-Research management
-Interview analysis

If you intend to pursue a career as a research psychologist, or wish to take a research degree, then our MSc Research Methods in Psychology will give you the advanced research training which provides you with an excellent preparation for a PhD, and enhances your chances of obtaining funding.

Our University is one of just 21 ESRC Doctoral Training Centres, enabling us to offer studentships to psychology students intending to pursue a research degree.

Our research is challenging and ground-breaking, with 90% rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014), placing us in the top 15 in the UK. We are supported by some of the most prestigious funding bodies, including the European Commission and the Leverhulme Trust.

Our expert staff

Our academic staff include award-winning teachers and prize-winning researchers who are international experts in their own research areas.

The Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Group are researching attention, language, decision-making, and memory. Recent projects have investigated the psychology of energy reduction, the enhancement of human memory through technology, and improvements in the usability and design of transport maps.

The Social and Health Psychology Group work on motivations, needs, intercultural contact, and sexual attraction. Recent projects include the impacts of living and studying abroad, and how personal relative deprivation is linked to problem gambling.

The Cognitive and Sensory Neuroscience Group research brain function and human behaviour. Recently they have been working on projects on the neural processes underlying language production, how motivations are communicated through tone of voice, and how the brain performs 3D vision. They previously developed the BioAid mobile phone app that turns an iPhone into a biologically inspired hearing aid.

Our department is expanding, and has recently appointed a number of excellent researchers whose expertise increases the diversity and depth of our skills base.

Specialist facilities

We are committed to giving you the best access to state-of-the-art facilities in higher education, housed entirely within our purpose-built psychology building on our Colchester Campus:
-Dedicated laboratories including a virtual reality suite and an observation suite
-Specialist areas for experimental psychology, visual and auditory perception, developmental psychology and social psychology
-Study the development of perceptual and cognitive abilities in infants in our Babylab
-Our multimillion pound Centre for Brain Science (CBS) contains specialist laboratories, office space for research students, and research rooms and social spaces which foster opportunities for innovation, training, and collaboration

Your future

With the skills and knowledge you acquire from studying within our Department of Psychology, you will find yourself in demand from a wide range of employers.

Our graduates have been employed in clinical psychology, educational psychology, criminal and forensic psychology.

We also have excellent links with the research community; we are recognised by the ESRC as providing excellent postgraduate training and are an accredited Doctoral Training Centre, offering several studentships.

Our recent PhD students have taken up post-doctoral positions in other top UK universities and international universities (in the US, Italy and Australia), as well as being appointed to lectureships.

Example structure

-Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
-Quantitative Data Analysis
-Research Management
-Research Project (MSc)
-Interviewing and Qualitative Data Analysis
-Cognitive Neuropsychology of Language (optional)
-Critical Literature Review (optional)
-Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience (optional)
-Special Topics in Social Psychology (optional)
-Psychology at Work and in the Real World (optional)
-Special Topics in Individual Differences and Developmental Psychology (optional)
-Special Topics in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology (optional)
-Special Topics in Perception and Cognition (optional)
-Visual Attention: From lab to life (Advanced) (optional)

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Course Overview

The MSc Forensic Psychology is the only BPS accredited programme in Wales, offering a unique opportunity for students to study Forensic Psychology in Wales. Working collaboratively with NOMS Cymru (National Offender Management Services, Wales), helps keep the programme up to date with strategy development and policy decisions. Regular contributions from practitioners within the Principality enable students to understand more about services within Wales and their impact on our society locally. We also have many national contributors who share their extensive knowledge and experience.​

Due to the popularity of this programme you should submit your application at the earliest opportunity, and at the very latest by 29th July. ​

See the website https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/courses/Pages/Forensic-Psychology---MSc-.aspx

​Course Content​​

Forensic Psychology is the practice and application of psychological research relevant to crime, policing, the courts, the criminal and civil justice system, offenders, prison, secure settings, offender management, health and academic settings as well as private practice.

It looks at the role of environmental, psychosocial, and socio-cultural factors that may contribute to crime or its prevention. The primary aim of Forensic Psychology as an academic discipline is to develop understanding of the processes underlying criminal behaviour and for this improved understanding to impact on the effective management and rehabilitation of different groups of offenders in all settings within the criminal justice system.

The first aim of the programme is to provide students with a thorough and critical academic grounding in the evidence relating to environmental, cultural, cognitive and biological factors that may contribute to a wide variety of forms of offending. The programme will encourage students to consider the role and limitations of causal explanations for offending in the development of offender treatments, services and policy.

The second aim of the programme is to introduce students to the basic professional competencies for working in the many settings where forensic psychology is practiced, including skills related to inter-disciplinary working, risk assessment, ethics, continuing professional development, report writing and differences in practice when working with offenders, victims, the courts and the police.

The programme aims to produce Masters degree graduates with the ability to understand the limitations of the conceptual underpinnings of interventions and assessments used in forensic psychology and who are able therefore to engage in critical evaluation of the evidence base upon which their own practice will eventually be based. The programme will specifically avoid providing any formal supervised practice. Its aim is to produce reflective scientist-practitioners who will be ready to engage with the next stage of training (i.e. BPS Stage 2 or HCPC route) towards registration as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Students will complete the following taught modules and will also be required to conduct a novel, supervised research dissertation with participants preferably drawn from a forensic setting:

Research Methods and Design (30 credits)
The aim of this module is to extend students knowledge and experience of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Topics covered include: randomised control trials, ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, Power analysis, Regression, Non parametric methods, interviews, discourse analysis, grounded theory, reflective analysis and psychometric evaluation.

Forensic Mental Health (20 credits)
This module aims to provide students with a critical examination of the relationship between mental illness, personality disorder, learning disability and criminal behaviour. The module will encourage students to view the mental health needs of offenders in the broadest possible context and to appreciate the inter-disciplinary nature of services available to mentally disordered offenders, difficulties in accessing those services and problems for custodial adjustment presented by specific psychiatric diagnoses

Professional Practice and Offender Management (20 credits)
The focus of this module is the professional practice of forensic psychology. The module builds on the groundwork laid by earlier modules and covers professional skills and the types of interventions that a practicing forensic psychologist may engage in. The topics covered by this module include ethics, report writing, working with other agencies, and working with offenders and victims.

Psychological Assessments and Interventions (20 credits)
This module covers psychology as it may be applied to the reduction of re-offending by convicted criminals. The central focus of the module is the 'what works' literature. A range of topics will be covered demonstrating the broad application of psychology to offender rehabilitation in the Criminal Justice System, and within Wales particularly. These topics include: (1) Offender assessment: risk, need and protective factors (2) factors affecting response to treatment; (3) ethical issues of compulsory treatment; and (4) interventions for a range of offending behaviours.

Theories of Criminal Behaviour (10 credits)
The module aims to examine the contribution made by biological, psychodynamic, evolutionary, cognitive and socio-cultural perspectives to our understanding of the aetiology of criminal behaviour. It will explore psychological theories of a variety of offending behaviours such as: violence, aggression, domestic abuse, sex offending, vehicle crime, fire setting as well as gangs and gangs membership.

Legal Psychology (10 credits)
This module covers psychology as it may be applied to the law, and the central focus of the module is evidence. A range of topics will be covered, demonstrating the broad application of psychology within the legal system. These topics include the interviewing of suspects and witnesses, vulnerable victims, offender profiling and the detection of deception.

Addiction and Psychological Vulnerabilities (10 credits)
This module informs students about different factors that may contribute to psychological vulnerability in offenders and victims. A variety of topics will be covered, including issues around the concept of addictive behaviours, vulnerability and the protection of vulnerable adults, including factors which may increase vulnerability to offending and victimisation.

Learning & Teaching​

​Teaching on the MSc Forensic Psychology Programme is predominantly conducted in small groups and adopts an interactive approach. The Research Methods and Design module and the Dissertation workshops are the only part of the programme which is taught in a larger group of around 40 to 50 students as opposed to between 10 and 20 students on the core modules. As a result teaching involves a range of discussions, activities, evaluations of papers, case studies and role play exercises. The focus within the programme is on both content and key skills to develop specialists in the field of forensic psychology with flexible generic skills. These experiences also help to foster student development and confidence as independent life-long learners.

Student learning is promoted through a variety of learning and teaching methods. These include: lectures, workshops, online learning through the virtual learning environment, Moodle, as well as self directed learning. Each student will have an allocated personal tutor to support them through their period of study.

As this programme is accredited by the BPS, there is a requirement for students to attend at least 80% of the taught sessions for the programme.

Assessment

The MSc is assessed by a range of different coursework assignments – e.g. presentations, reports, essays, reflective reports, academic posters, research proposal. There are no examinations.

Employability & Careers​

An MSc in Forensic Psychology is the first step (stage one) in gaining Chartered Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and Registered Practitioner status with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). The MSc in Forensic Psychology will provide the knowledge base and applied research skills that will provide the foundation for stage two of the chartered process that requires a minimum of two years of full-time supervised practice with an appropriate client group.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Find out how to apply here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply

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Programme description

This is a professionally accredited new programme that offers you the opportunity to study psychology to graduate level and become eligible for graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society.

The programme provides detailed coverage of all core aspects of psychology: developmental, social, cognitive, biological and neuropsychology, and individual differences. It also includes conceptual and theoretical perspectives in psychology and psychological research methods.

You will complete a research project on an area of mental health with either adults or children and young people.

This programme is unique in two respects. It is the only British Psychological Society accredited MSc conversion programme that focuses on the psychology of mental health. This focus is particularly suited to those who wish to pursue a career in a caring profession such as clinical psychology. It is also unique in being delivered jointly by a staff team offering unrivalled expertise in both psychological science and clinical psychology.

Programme structure

The programme can be taken full-time or part-time up to 6 years (invoiced at course level).

You will study a combination of compulsory and option courses and complete a research project.

Teaching approaches focus on delivery of psychological science and its application to mental health.

The programme's courses cover classic and contemporary psychology theories and are delivered through a range of engaging teaching approaches. While most classes are face-to-face, there are opportunities to participate in e-learning courses. You are also able to tailor your studies to your interests through a choice of options and research project topics.

Courses:

Developmental Psychology & Developmental Psychopathology
Individual Differences in Mental Health
Social Psychology of Mental Health
Discovering Development
Psychological Research Methods: Data Management and Analysis
Cognitive Neuropsychology
Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Disorders
Psychological Therapies
One course from Psychology's range of optional courses

Career opportunities

Graduates will be eligible to register with the British Psychological Society through graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC). This will create career opportunities where a psychology degree is advantageous or essential. It also creates opportunities for advanced professional training in psychology (e.g. Clinical Psychology or Educational Psychology), which normally require an undergraduate degree in psychology.

You will also develop a range of sophisticated psychological research skills that will open career opportunities in research, including research assistant posts and doctoral research training.

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The Masters in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire is for people who have degrees in other subjects, but who wish to obtain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) [formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society, which is the first necessary step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

About the course

On successfully completing the course, you will:
-Have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of psychological theories and literature to be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society
-Have developed a more detailed knowledge of the literature, theories, and issues relevant to your career ambitions
-Be able to design, carry out, and evaluate psychological research using a variety of methodologies, including the ability to conduct an advanced research project
-Be able to conduct ethically sensitive research

Students enrolled on the MSc programme will study core modules covering the broader psychological principles of developmental, social and cognitive psychology and the biological basis of psychology. This will be contextualised by historical issues in psychology and individual research methods and analysis.

The MSc programme is flexible enough to allow individual tailoring to particular interests or career aspirations. Masters students have to study two additional modules, selected from the following modules (subject to availability):
-Cognitive Neuropsychology
-Advanced Topics in Memory
-Forensic and Criminal Psychology
-Topics in Psychopathology
-Occupational and Work Psychology

Why choose this course?

This course provides an intensive route into gaining a psychology qualification recognised by the British Psychological Society, allowing to pursue a professional career in psychology.

Professional Accreditations

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) [formerly known as Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR)] with the British Psychological Society.

Careers

This course provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society, which is the first necessary step towards becoming a professional psychologist. Having obtained GBC, students can then pursue a career in specialist area such as Clinical, Forensic, Health, Occupational, Counselling, Sport and Exercise, or Educational and Child Psychology with a view to becoming a Chartered Clinical, Forensic, Health, Occupational, or Counselling Psychologist.

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars and tutorials. Students will develop the ability to design, carry out and evaluate psychological research, using a variety of methodologies, including the ability to conduct a research project and ethically sensitive research. Assessment for the programme is by examination, coursework, demonstration of a series of competencies and completion of the research project.

Structure

Core Modules
-Advanced Psychology Project
-Development, Social and Cognitive Psychology
-Individual Differences and Conceptual/Historical Issues in Psychology
-Methods of Collecting Data in Psychology
-The Biological Basis of Psychology
-Using Data to Address Research Questions

Optional
-Advanced Topics in Memory
-Cognitive Neuropsychology
-Topics in Forensic and Criminal Psychology
-Topics in Psychopathology

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This degree programme provides an exciting opportunity for advanced study in Evolutionary Psychology, ie psychological science informed by explicit consideration of the fact that the human mind, like the human body, is a product of evolutionary processes. It is taught in association with the Centre for Culture and Evolutionary Psychology (C-CEP), and the Centre for Cognition and Neuroimaging (CCNI) at Brunel.

The degree programme aims to provide students with an understanding of how evolutionary theory can provide a framework for the study of human psychology and behaviour. Students will acquire comprehensive knowledge of important theoretical issues, research findings and recent advances in evolutionary psychology. You will study concepts, findings and recent advances in evolutionary biology, animal behaviour and behavioural ecology that are critical for research in evolutionary psychology. Moreover there will be the opportunity to take an optional module in either Cognitive Neuroscience or Cross-Cultural Psychology.

The programme team includes, Nicholas Pound PhD (McMaster), Andrew Clark PhD (McMaster), Michael Price PhD (UCSB) and Achim Schützwohl PhD (University of Bielefeld). In addition, there are opportunities for dissertation research projects to be co-supervised by psychologists with expertise in other areas of Psychology (eg cognitive neuroscience, social psychology).

At Brunel we have extensive facilities for human subjects research (including EEG, fMRI, motion capture and 3D body scanning).

Who is this Degree For?
This course is particularly suited to students in the life sciences or social sciences who are interested in finding out how principles from evolutionary biology can provide a framework for the scientific study of human psychology and behaviour.

Course Content
Modules are subject to variation and students are advised to check with the School on whether a particular module of interest will be running in their year of entry. At the time of printing, planned modules are as follows:
Core modules: Evolutionary Biology and Research Methods; Evolutionary Psychology; Animal Behaviour and Behavioural Ecology
Optional modules: Cognitive Neuroscience; Cross-Cultural Variations in Psychological Findings. Check the web for the latest updates.

Assessment
Assessment is by coursework (including term papers and oral presentations), examinations and a dissertation of up to 15,000 words.

Careers
The MSc will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to go on to do PhD research not just in Evolutionary Psychology, but also in other areas of Psychology and the Biological and Social Sciences. Moreover, students will acquire analytic and research skills that will be useful in diverse areas of employment including governmental and non-government research organisations, and the private sector.

Here is what one of our past students says:

Gillian: "I enjoyed studying for my BSc in Zoology with Evolutionary Psychology at Liverpool University and missed my studies after I graduated. So I took on the Brunel MSc in Evolutionary Psychology part-time alongside my job as a Communications Manager for the Department of Health. The course has deepened my understanding of the subject and I am now considering taking on a PhD. I have also found the learning useful in my work. Many strategic communications campaigns aim to change behaviour – for example to improve hygiene in hospitals or encourage people to eat healthier foods. Such campaigns often use insights from psychology in order to make them more powerful and the MSc has given me a good insight into how and why they work."

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OVERVIEW

Behaviour and social context can have a significant impact on health and it is the role of the health psychologist to examine this impact and identify any links between the two.

The Psychology of Health MSc provides a thorough grounding in the theories, practice and application of health psychology.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

Guest speakers illustrate the variety of career paths open to health psychologists;
uses a broad range of assessment methods;
benefits from strong links with the Applied Research Centre in Health and Lifestyle Interventions.
Visit our Coventry Health Psychology blog.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The course focuses on teaching health psychology as a discipline with real-world application.

Students collaborate with researchers in the Centre in Health and Lifestyle Interventions on their distinctive feature of the course at Coventry University is the focus on the practical application of health psychology. We like to teach Health Psychology as a discipline with real world application, not just as a dry academic subject. This is exemplified by the ‘Professional Skills’ module, which is mainly taught by practitioners who currently work in applied health psychology settings. Our guest speakers help to illustrate the variety of career paths open to health psychologists and as some are graduates of our course. This also highlights the success of our graduates who have gone on to work in careers relating to health psychology.

Indicative course content

Health promotion and behaviour change - an introduction to health psychology as a discipline, biopsychosocial models of health and illness and health promotion,
interactions and outcomes in healthcare practice - psychological aspects of health care contexts, including health professional-patient communication, adherence to treatment programmes, decision making, patient satisfaction, impact of hospitalisation and representations and perceptions of illness and symptoms,
biopsychosocial aspects of stress, health and illness - relationship between stress, illness and health, individual differences in health and illness and the ways in which the impact of stress on health and illness is mediated, biological bases of health and illness, emotion and psychoneuroimmunology,
management of long-term conditions and disability quality of life, adjustment to diagnosis, self-management of chronic conditions, the expert patient programme and care for those with terminal conditions,
advanced research methods in psychology - knowledge and skills in planning, carrying out, analysing and writing about research in applied psychology at a post graduate level, and a sophisticated awareness of problems, issues and ethics in applied research in psychology,
professional practice - theoretical, research, professional and practice issues in health psychology including: ethical codes of conduct and career opportunities in health psychology,
dissertation - supervised but independently undertaken research at an advanced level, which allows students to investigate any area of health psychology of specific interest to them. This module includes the option of placement-based study.

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This Masters degree examines the relationship between lifestyle and health and looks at the ways in which people react to ill health.

Our unique learning environment gives you first-hand practical experience of a range of intervention and measurement techniques that are not normally available on courses of this kind, including biological assessment sessions, and access to a sleep centre and a stress laboratory.

Delivered by a team of leading researchers and expert practitioners and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this course delivers a comprehensive understanding of modern-day health psychology and will equip you with the skills to take you into the workplace.

The Department of Psychology’s world-renowned research centres have delivered more than £5 million of research in the last five years.

This course can also be taken part time - for more information, please view this web-page: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/health-psychology-dtphpy6/

Learn From The Best

The course is delivered by an expert team of researchers and practitioners whose backgrounds range from sleep science to stress analysis. As all members of the teaching team are actively involved in research and practice – including many lecturers who also provide consultancy on a commercial basis – you can be sure all modules are highly relevant to current developments in the sector.

Several teaching sessions are delivered by visiting practitioners, providing you with first-hand accounts of health psychology in practice, whilst broadening your network of professional contacts.

Teaching And Assessment

The MSc in Health Psychology is a careful blend of research-led teaching and practical experience, covering the core areas of Health Psychology, as identified by the British Psychological Society.

While our teaching methods include traditional lectures, seminars and discussion groups, we place a strong emphasis on non-traditional methods including interactive and practical learning sessions. This approach has been developed around the techniques you will need in the workplace after graduation.

In addition to exam and essay-based assessment, we use a variety of innovative assessment methods to develop the skills you will need to progress in the health psychology field. These include ethics and funding applications, peer feedback, media releases and reports for non-academic audiences.

Module Overview
PY0770 - Health Psychology in Theory and Practice (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0771 - Lifespan, Individual and Cultural Perspectives on Health Psychology (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0772 - Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Illness (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0773 - Systems Approaches to Understanding Health and Disease (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0774 - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0775 - Professional Skills (Core, 20 Credits)
PY0776 - MSc Thesis (Core, 60 Credits)

Learning Environment

Our specialist teaching laboratories are designed to maximise practical and theoretical learning. You will improve your analytical and interpretative skills using a combination of advanced statistical software packages, online survey platforms and psychophysiological measurement techniques. You will gain first-hand practical experience of a range of measurement and intervention techniques that are not available on other courses of this kind, and be supported to develop your own areas of expertise in work-based and research settings.

All postgraduate Psychology students have access to the PG hub for group and individual work. It also offers the opportunity for non-assessed group work, such as journal clubs.

Part-time students particularly benefit from online IT facilities which include electronic reading lists, lecture capture and feedback tools to support learning. Northumbria’s eLearning Portal includes discussion boards and a dedicated psychology area which provides a convenient communication forum when you’re off campus.

Research-Rich Learning

The course is delivered by expert practitioners and leading researchers in the field of health psychology who draw from their own experiences and wider contemporary research studies to ensure that you benefit from developments at the cutting edge of the discipline.

You will have first-hand experience of research techniques through case studies, workshops and published evidence. This approach strengthens your analytical skills and allows you to develop your own research interests and areas of expertise.

The thesis is an opportunity to conceptualise, plan and execute research, and to analyse and interpret data with real-world application. To extend the research focus of the course, your thesis will be written as a journal submission, which means you may be able to publish your paper.

Give Your Career An Edge

The course is accredited as Stage 1 training by the British Psychological Society. This, when accompanied by the BPS’ Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), provides the basis for professional development as a practitioner on the completion of Stage 2 training.

A number of research and other work opportunities often arise through staff and their network of contacts. You will have the opportunity to meet a number of these contacts through teaching sessions with visiting industry experts and researchers.

Your Future

This career-focus of this Masters degree means graduates complete the course with a real understanding of research and practice in the world of health psychology as well as a thorough knowledge of cutting-edge issues in the sector and a range of transferable skills.

The course prepares you for careers in the areas of health promotion, healthcare delivery, illness management and rehabilitation. Previous graduates have gone on to work across the spectrum of health-related psychology disciplines locally, nationally and globally. Some work as assistant psychologists in the NHS, charitable organisations and the private sector, some have moved on to research posts, and others are undertaking PhDs. The broad skills-base means that health psychologists are also attractive to consultancy companies looking for expertise in training, research or intervention.

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The University Certificate in Psychology for Graduates (by Distance Learning) course is a 60-credit introductory course for graduates with insufficient, inappropriate or no prior study of psychology at degree level. Satisfactory completion of the course allows entry onto the MSc in Applied Psychology course which confers graduate membership and the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.

More about this course

The University Certificate in Psychology for Graduates (by Distance Learning) course is a 60-credit introductory course for graduates with insufficient, inappropriate or no prior study of psychology at degree level.

Satisfactory completion of the course allows entry onto the MSc in Applied Psychology or PGDip in Applied Psychology course which, subject to accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS), confers graduate membership and the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.

GBC is a pre-requisite for entry onto postgraduate training in applied areas of professional psychology such as counselling, clinical, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sports psychology.

All assessment takes place online. The assessment for Introduction to Psychological Research Methods consists of two practical reports relating to research studies in which the students participate. For all other modules, the assessment consists of a mid-term short-answer exam and end-of-term multiple-choice test.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2016/17 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:
-Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (core, 10 credits)
-Introduction to Developmental Psychology (core, 10 credits)
-Introduction to Individual Differences (core, 10 credits)
-Introduction to Psychological Research Methods (core, 10 credits)
-Introduction to Social Psychology (core, 10 credits)
-Introduction to the Biological Bases of Behaviour (core, 10 credits)

After the course

This course is ideal for students who are not able to attend the university due to work or other commitments, but wish to gain sufficient grounding in psychology before progressing to an accredited conversion course to gain the GBC qualification.

Moving to one campus

Between 2016 and 2020 we're investing £125 million in the London Metropolitan University campus, moving all of our activity to our current Holloway campus in Islington, north London. This will mean the teaching location of some courses will change over time.

Whether you will be affected will depend on the duration of your course, when you start and your mode of study. The earliest moves affecting new students will be in September 2017. This may mean you begin your course at one location, but over the duration of the course you are relocated to one of our other campuses. Our intention is that no full-time student will change campus more than once during a course of typical duration.

All students will benefit from our move to one campus, which will allow us to develop state-of-the-art facilities, flexible teaching areas and stunning social spaces.

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If you have little or no experience of psychology, this is your chance to gain the knowledge, skills and experience to give you the grounding you'll need for a career in this exciting area. Our course has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), meaning that once you graduate with an average mark of 50% or more, you will be able to apply for the BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership.

You'll develop the research skills necessary for designing and conducting quality research beyond that expected of graduates. You will gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology, individual differences and conceptual and historical issues in psychology. We will help build your research skills that you will need for your masters level dissertation.

Our course is relevant to both UK and international graduates, who have not studied psychology before or who have completed an undergraduate degree with a psychology component or an undergraduate psychology course not accredited by the BPS.

- Research Excellence Framework 2014: 40% of our research in the Psychology unit was judged to be world leading or internationally excellent.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/psychologyconversion_msc

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

Successful completion of this course is the first step to a career in one of the chartered areas of psychology, such as health, clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, occupational, or sport and exercise psychology. Employability and career planning is emphasised and supported throughout your course and the research skills you’ll develop also provide an ideal preparation for studying a PhD.

- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Social/ Market Researcher

Careers advice: The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

We have a wealth of experience in providing courses accredited by the British Psychological Society, an excellent reputation for enthusiastic and highly motivating teaching and support for our students, and innovative forms of assessment. All our teaching staff are research active, and well qualified to support your studies.

Our course will provide you with added value in a competitive employment market and in applying for places on courses conferring Chartership, as well as in a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors requiring these research skills. Employability and career planning is emphasised throughout our course with appropriate support built-in to your learning. The research skills that you'll develop also provide ideal preparation for studying for a PhD.

Our course comprises 180 credits (90 ECTS credits) at Level 7: (7 x 20 credit modules, plus a 40 credit Masters research project). Each 20 credit module is the equivalent of 200 hours of student learning of which about 30 hours may be direct contact hours, with the remaining time allocated to student-centred learning. Lectures take place over one or two days per week, depending on whether you are studying part-time or full-time. Your masters project dissertation will be completed over semester 2 and the summer period.

Dr Lydia Windisch

Senior Lecturer

"Having taught psychology across different institutions in three countries, I now have the wonderful opportunity to bring to my teaching at Leeds Beckett the ideas and innovation from a diverse array of cultures and students. Opening up the fascinating world of psychology to my students makes my work meaningful and enjoyable."

A graduate of psychology, Lydia previously applied her expertise to marketing, specialising in consumer psychology, an interest she now brings to academia. She has taught across the world including Australia and Singapore.

Facilities

- Biopsychology Laboratory
In our ‘CogBio’ lab, you’ll find PCs with specialist software to help you learn how to undertake data analysis and cognitive and biological psychology work.

- Library
Our libraries are two of the only university libraries in the UK open 24/7 every day of the year. However you like to study, the libraries have got you covered with group study, silent study, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- Interpersonal Skills Suite
We have plenty of private rooms for your to try out your interviewing and focus group techniques. They come equipped with recording facilities so you are able to reflect on and improve your skills.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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Liverpool Hope’s MSc Psychology is designed as a conversion course and is accredited by the British Psychological Society. It offers graduates from other subjects the opportunity to start a new career in Psychology. In addition, the course is available to Psychology graduates who completed a Psychology degree which did not have accreditation from the British Psychological Society.

On successful completion of the course you will become eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). GBC is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Eligibility to GBC is the prerequisite for entry onto postgraduate and professional training courses offered by the BPS.

The course covers the key topics of Psychology such as Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Personality and Individual Differences and underpins these topics with research carried out in the Department. It has a strong component of Research Methods and Statistics which enables the successful candidates to design and conduct research not only in Psychology but also in other areas of social sciences.

The course is taught at Liverpool Hope’s Psychology Department. The Department is research active with increasing strength in Cognitive Psychology. As a Masters student of Psychology you will be directly involved in ongoing research projects as part of your learning experience.

Curriculum

The course consists of four 30-credit taught modules and an individual research project leading to the Research Dissertation (60 credits).

Brain and Mind (30 credits): Brain and Mind covers the topics in Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience including history of these areas. This includes psychobiological and cognitive explanations to behaviour and communication, perception, attention, memory, learning, thinking and emotion.

Individual and Group (30 credits): Individual and Group includes Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology and Personality/ Individual Differences including history. The module makes students familiar with theories of the development of psychological processes in evolution and lifelong learning.

Research Methods and Data Analysis 1 (30 credits): This module provides a comprehensive overview of a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the necessary practical skills required for their application.

Research Methods and Data Analysis 2 (30 credits): This module introduces students to more advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, and builds upon Research Methods and Data Analysis 1.

Research Dissertation (60 credits): The dissertation module allows students to develop their own research project, including planning, designing, execution and presentation of research findings at postgraduate level. You will produce a report or publishable quality and format under supervision of an experienced member of the Psychology team.

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About the course

The MSc Psychological Sciences conversion course provides a post-graduate qualification enabling students from a range of backgrounds to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership in Psychology of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Moreover, the conversion course provides a sound knowledge of the diverse approaches to the study of behaviour encompassed within the core areas of psychology. Finally, the course emphasises the development of transferable knowledge, analytic expertise and research skills, which will be useful across the diverse areas of employment that attract psychology graduates and as a basis for further advanced study within the discipline (e.g. PhD, ClinPsyD, DEdPsy).

Aims

Psychology is defined as the study of mind and behaviour. Psychology is simultaneously a biological science and a social science, providing an exceptionally broad range of conceptual perspectives and empirical skills that will enable students to compete effectively in the workforce upon graduation.

The programme aims to provide students with:

Coverage of all of the requirements for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership in Psychology within the British Psychological Society (BPS).

A comprehensive understanding, and critical awareness, of how the theories, methods, and research findings of psychology draw upon and contribute to the natural sciences and the social sciences alike.

A comprehensive and systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current issues relating to important concepts, theoretical issues, research findings, historical issues, recent advances, and research methods in psychology.

Comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding of relevant concepts, theoretical issues, research findings, recent advances, and research methods in biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, and social psychology that are critical for research in psychology.

The opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge and systematic understanding of a particular topic in psychology and to conduct an original empirical research project in that area.

The opportunity to acquire important transferable, advanced research skills (e.g. research design, data analysis, report preparation).

Course Content

Compulsory modules:

Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Individual Differences
Social Psychology
Statistics in Psychology
Dissertation
Biological Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Psychology Research Methods in Practice
Research Methods
Biological and Cognitive Psychology

Typical Dissertations

The dissertation is an empirical report (maximum 12,000 words) that enables students to:
Integrate elements of their learning from different parts of the programme
Demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and systematic understanding of a topic
Show an ability to interpret primary source material
Develop an innovative approach to the subject
Work independently of others, consistent with BPS guidelines.

Teaching

Lectures and seminars provide students with in-depth knowledge of historical and contemporary perspectives in psychology.

Formative and summative essays provide reflection on historical and contemporary perspectives in psychology.

Statistics assignments, written research methods tests and laboratory reports will ensure proficiency in analytical skills - required to design research and interpret results.

Statistics assignment and lab reports will provide critical evaluation of the results of empirical research in psychology.

Formative summative essays, exams, and the dissertation will develop effective and critical written communication skills.

Individual meetings between students and dissertation supervisors will enable students to:

(a) Acquire knowledge concerning major theories and results of empirical studies that are relevant to the dissertation topic (including an understanding of the larger, real-world context within which the dissertation topic can be located); and

(b) Develop, analyse, and interpret theory-derived, testable hypotheses (and, perhaps, research questions) concerning links among the constructs to be studied in the dissertation.

Effective and critical written communication will be achieved via formative summative essays, exams, and the dissertation.

Assessment

Coursework essays – demonstration of systematic understanding, critical analysis, and written communication skills.

Examinations – demonstration of comprehensive understanding and written communication skills.

Quantitative reports – ability to analyse and interpret empirical evidence.

Oral presentations – demonstration of knowledge and understanding, critical analysis and oral communication skills.

Dissertation – ability to plan, critically review, execute and communicate an advanced piece of research.

Deadlines are distributed through the year, allowing time for constructive feedback.

Special Features

The MSc Psychological Sciences conversion course will provide a Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) in Psychology, as conferred by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This is an entry requirement for all postgraduate training programmes leading to chartered status and the vast majority of postgraduate programmes accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as a practitioner psychologist.

There is a focus during the programme on developing students' sound knowledge of research methods and statistics - highly desirable skills in many areas of potential employment and so fundamental to the value added by the degree.

A wide range of options are available for students to pursue their own particular research interests (culminating in the dissertation) within the discipline.

Accreditation

BSc Psychology courses accredited by The British Psychological Society
The BSc Psychological Sciences programme at Brunel is accredited by The British Psychological Society.

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