BSc (Honours) Psychology: pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin Stage 1 with one of three options. All provide a sound foundation in psychology, with a choice of related subjects:

1. Introducing the social sciences (DD101)Introducing the social sciences::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DD101,,1 (60 credits): a broad, fascinating introductory module covering psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology.   
2. Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131)Introducing the social sciences - part one::This key introductory Level 1 module provides an approachable and contemporary introduction to the disciplines and subjects that form the social sciences, as well as the questions and issues that social scientists investigate and explore. It tackles everyday issues in an appropriate way, so that you can build on what you already know and gain a solid grounding in study techniques and social science skills and debates. Combining this with another 30-credit course – such as Discovering psychology (DSE141) – is an excellent choice if you want a gradual entry into the social sciences.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DD131,,1 (30 credits), a shorter version of DD101, with Discovering psychology (DSE141)Discovering psychology::Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory Level 1 course provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering psychology explores the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and shows you how psychological research addresses real-life issues. You will be provided with a textbook and access to a website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DSE141,,1 (30 credits), which explores how psychologists investigate our thinking and behaviour – and how academic research can be applied in real-life settings.
3.  Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125)Introducing health sciences: a case study approach::This introductory Level 1 course explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological, chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes and personal and societal consequences. You’ll develop skills in: evaluating evidence; understanding and using key scientific terms and concepts; handling numbers; and interpreting graphs and tables. You’ll also learn to study using ICT – including interactive DVDs, internet and online resources.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,SDK125,,1 (30 credits) – an investigation of the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context with Discovering psychology (DSE141)Discovering psychology::Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory Level 1 course provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering psychology explores the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and shows you how psychological research addresses real-life issues. You will be provided with a textbook and access to a website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DSE141,,1 (see above).

Next, the compulsory 60-credit module Exploring psychology (DSE212)Exploring psychology::How humans think, develop, and experience the world around us has been fascinating psychologists for over 100 years. Using a historical and biographical framework, this course introduces you to a wide range of psychological approaches, including biological, social, and cognitive psychologies. It looks at areas such as identity, learning, memory, and language. But you won’t just learn about psychological theories, you’ll learn how to do different types of psychological research too. You’ll undertake practical work using quantitative and qualitative research methods and learn to analyse data using statistical software. All in all, Exploring psychology will give you a thorough overview of psychology, relevant to your daily life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DSE212,,1, considers the wide range of approaches psychologists take to the subject of the individual. You’ll find out how different perspectives – such as biological, cognitive and social – complement or oppose each other, and how they’re used to investigate areas such as perception, memory, identity, language, and gender. You’ll learn about major figures and schools of thought that have influenced psychology over the past century.

Stage 2

You’ll begin Stage 2 with project work, which you will study either online (Exploring psychology on-line project (DZX222)Exploring psychology on-line project::This course, which builds on Exploring psychology (DSE212), covers a range of approaches and methods in psychology – developing your research skills (including use of SPSS) and your understanding of the practical and ethical issues involved. The principal part of the course involves group work, designing, conducting and analysing a psychological study in small groups. This study will be conducted in the broad areas of memory or communication. The course is a Virtual Residential School conducted entirely online, using online forums for tutor support, group discussions, activities and project work. Regular internet access (logging on at least three times a week) is required throughout the duration of the course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DZX222,,1) or at a residential school (Exploring psychology project (DXR222)Exploring psychology project::This short course, with a week-long residential school at its core, provides an opportunity to develop your practical skills in psychological research. It builds on the associated course Exploring psychology (DSE212), using materials from this course – alongside other resources – to help you prepare for the residential school. During the residential week, you will engage in activities that demonstrate the practical and ethical issues involved in conducting research. You’ll also design, conduct and analyse one project as part of a group, using either quantitative or qualitative methods. Register early if you have a preferred date and venue in mind as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DXR222,,1), carrying out an experiment and a qualitative study and learning to analyse and present your data.

You will then branch out into a range of specialist and applied areas of psychology, starting with the early psychological development of children and young people in Child development (ED209)Child development::This course shows how psychological enquiry can help us to improve our understanding of the development of children and young people. It is organised in four parts: Psychological development and early childhood introduces children’s early development from a psychological perspective; Children’s personal and social development follows development in a social context; and Cognitive and language development in children explores the development of cognitive and linguistic understanding and the developing child as an active agent. Finally, Developmental psychology in action presents areas in which developmental psychology plays a part in education, remediation, health psychology and the legal system with children of all ages.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,ED209,,1 (60 credits). You’ll follow development through the formative social elements in children’s lives in their families and communities, focusing on such topics as children’s early attachments, the development of the self, and the origins of disturbing behaviour. You will also examine two interlinked themes within cognitive and linguistic approaches: how children learn language, and how knowledge and thinking develop.

You’ll also have a choice of modules in applied areas of psychology that are central to psychological issues in everyday life, including the autism spectrum, human biology, health psychology, and the theory and practice of counselling. (Please note that if you aim to complete your degree within four years and also study the online version of Level 2 project, you must study this 30-credit Level 2 option alongside the compulsory module at Stage 1, before you study the project module.)

Stage 3

You’ll complete your degree by taking two advanced 60-credit modules in psychology.  

Cognitive psychology (DD303)Cognitive psychology::How does memory work? How do we understand language? How do we think? These are just some of the questions related to everyday experience you’ll address on this course. Beginning with core topics – perception and attention; categorisation and language; and memory, thinking and reasoning – you’ll then explore wider issues, such as emotion and consciousness, topics that have presented a challenge to the cognitive approach. Throughout, you’ll be asked to examine theories, evidence and arguments as well as the methods of cognitive psychology, including neuropsychology and neuroimaging. Using a computer, you’ll also be guided through techniques of data analysis and experimentation, and will engage in your own project work.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DD303,,1 focuses on theories, evidence and methods, raising questions relating to everyday life including: Why do we forget? Does language influence thought? Can anyone become an expert? Beginning with core topics – perception and attention; categorisation and language; and memory, thinking and reasoning – you’ll then explore wider issues such as emotion and consciousness, which have presented a real challenge to the cognitive approach. You’ll also consider areas of applied psychology, such as eyewitness testimony and measuring intelligence. This module includes a residential school during which you design, develop and run a supervised experimental project.

In Social psychology: critical perspectives on self and others (DD307)Social psychology: critical perspectives on self and others::This Level 3 course uses traditional and cutting-edge social psychological theories to explore some of the most exciting and pressing issues we face in our complex, fast changing world. Topics in the course include emotions, conflict, relationships, the body, personality, prejudice and group processes. Working with multimedia materials, you will develop advanced academic skills of critical evaluation and argument and will have the opportunity to conduct your own independent research project – consolidating and deepening your understanding. The course will also contribute to your personal development by encouraging you to reflect on your life in the light of social psychological evidence.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q07-1,module,DD307,,1, you’ll explore how social psychologists have accounted for the construction of our sense of self in relation to others. You’ll consider how key social psychological perspectives – cognitive social, phenomenological, discursive psychological, and social psychoanalytic – inform our understanding of topics such as personality, emotion, prejudice, and conflict, as well as exploring group processes. Focusing on the qualitative analysis of data, you’ll carry out a substantial research project that consolidates and deepens your understanding of what it is to be a person in a social context.

By the end of your studies, you'll be an independent thinker with a range of critical and analytic skills that you can use to evaluate contemporary debates and undertake research in psychology. You’ll have experience in analysing both qualitative and quantitative data and presenting empirical findings in a conventional and professional style.