Psychology (Conversion)

Module details: This module helps you develop and execute an independent research project or industry-focused study, culminating in a dissertation. Over two terms, you will gain expertise in research design, ethics, qualitative and quantitative methods, and data analysis, concluding with writing up your research report. The structured teaching ensures mastery of research methods, critical data analysis, ethical adherence, and effective communication of research plans and findings. By the end, you will demonstrate competence in conducting rigorous, ethical, and impactful psychological research using primary data.

How you will learn: Lectures introduce key research concepts, philosophies and methods, while seminars offer experiential learning through practical tasks, supported by asynchronous digital content and dedicated supervision throughout both terms.

Assessment: The assessment includes an Ethics Task outlining the research plan and ethical considerations, and a research dissertation demonstrating research design, execution, and evaluation. Formative assessments involve peer feedback on an anonymised Ethics Task draft and group-level staff feedback, helping students refine their approach. Additionally, each student receives supervisor feedback on a dissertation draft to assess progress, identify areas for refinement, and guide further development.

Module details: This module introduces key historical and conceptual issues in psychology, from its scientific beginnings to modern applied topics, integrating foundational knowledge with personal and professional development. You will critically examine psychology’s evolution, assessing its impact on contemporary research and methodologies. Through case studies in individual differences, social, and health psychology, you will explore theoretical, methodological, and ethical dimensions. Emphasising evidence-based practice, the module fosters critical evaluation, ethical conduct, and professional identity, equipping you with essential skills for diverse psychology careers.

How you will learn: Lectures cover historical paradigms, ethics, practice, and individual differences, while seminars focus on applying theories through experiential learning, supported by asynchronous digital content.

Assessment: Assessment includes an audio presentation on either power and obedience in psychological paradigms or the ethical implications of psychometric testing, and a critical review with a reflective conclusion. Formative assessment involves seminar discussions with peer and tutor feedback.

Module details: This module explores key psychological subfields in relationships and identities, focusing on how individuals interact with the social world. It examines their development, research, practical implications, and potential interventions. Identity and social development are central to psychology, offering students essential theoretical and research-based knowledge. By critically evaluating research and applying insights to practice, students develop transferable skills for further study or professional settings. The module fosters analytical thinking and practical understanding of identity and social relationships in psychology.

How you will learn: Lectures will cover key theories, research, and recent studies on identity, relationships and the social world, development of the self and identity, attitudes and social cognition, while seminars offer experiential learning through discussions, debates, and practical applications, supported by asynchronous digital resources, including pre-recorded videos, linked materials, or exercises.

Assessment: This module is assessed through an infographic summarising theory and research on a social development topic and a qualitative lab report focused on self and identity.

Module details: This module provides essential skills in scientific research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis, preparing you for your research project and future careers. You will gain expertise in data analysis and relevant technologies, enhancing employability across various fields. The module integrates quantitative and qualitative research methods with a focus on methodological rigour and reproducibility. You will conduct literature reviews, identify research gaps, and apply psychological research to real-world issues, culminating in a research report and proposal to develop persuasive, evidence-based arguments.

How you will learn: Lectures will cover key research methods focusing on quantitative approaches, while seminars provide experiential learning through practical applications like data collection and analysis. Additionally, there will be asynchronous digital support, including recorded materials and online forums.

Assessment: Assessment includes a quantitative lab report on data collection and analysis, and a group poster presenting a qualitative research proposal, covering research paradigms and methods. Formative assessment involves class discussions on research paradigms with peer and tutor feedback linked to the summative assessments.

Module details: This module focuses on mental health, encouraging critical thinking about current conceptualisations of mental health and ill-health, as well as issues related to diagnosis and treatment. You will explore factors affecting individual and societal experiences of mental ill-health, covering biopsychosocial perspectives on the causes and maintenance of common disorders. The module aims to develop mental health literacy through the critical evaluation of various perspectives while enhancing practical research skills, including assessing the effectiveness of different treatments.

How you will learn: Lectures will cover models, theories, and frameworks in mental health through research-informed learning including the history of mental illness and its treatment, classifying psychiatric disorders, disordered eating and substance abuse while seminars offer experiential activities such as practical skills, debates, and applied cases, with asynchronous digital support, including online testing, learning journals, reflection, and short talks.

Assessment: This module is assessed through a Digital Information Pack on a psychopathological condition, aimed at service users or carers, and a Case Study essay analysing a real-life case, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Formative assessment involves group work critiquing clinical trial designs, with peer and tutor feedback aligned to the summative assessments.