Psychology

Module details: This module will develop your knowledge of key areas in psychology, including social psychology, developmental psychology, and individual differences. You will explore how social influences shape thoughts and behaviours, how cognitive, social, and emotional development occurs across the lifespan, and how individuals differ in these processes. By evaluating different explanations for human behaviour, you will consider real-life applications, such as the impact of social media, peer influences, neurodiversity, and identity formation. This knowledge is essential for further study on social and developmental psychology and is valuable for careers in education, healthcare, social care, and community settings.

How you'll learn: This module is delivered through lectures and seminars, covering conceptual, theoretical, cultural, and historical perspectives on behaviour, identity, and individual differences. Lectures will link content to current affairs, while seminars will include interactive activities such as quizzes, discussions, and practical research exercises. You will explore real-world applications, such as identity formation and intelligence testing, while developing teamwork and self-reflection skills. These transferable skills will benefit various career paths, and seminar activities will also support you in preparing for assessments.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a poster and a portfolio, which will enhance your skills in presentation design, communication, and the ability to summarise, synthesise, evaluate, and apply psychological knowledge. These skills are essential for further study and postgraduate education, as well as highly valued by employers, supporting your future career development.

Module details: This module explores the experiences, symptoms, biological basis, and treatment of psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. You will examine epidemiological, genetic, cultural, social, psychological, and neurobiological factors underlying mental health conditions, alongside contemporary theories. Treatment approaches, including pharmaceutical treatments, cognitive enhancement, neuromodulation, and psychological therapies, will also be covered. This knowledge will support your degree, postgraduate studies, and careers in mental health, such as roles in the NHS, counselling, or psychiatric research, while enhancing your ability to contribute to society.

How you'll learn: Teaching will be delivered through lectures and seminars, with lectures covering key information on mental health conditions, including diagnostic criteria, contributing factors, and treatment options. In seminars, you will apply this knowledge to real-life case studies, formulating diagnoses and treatment plans based on individuals' symptoms, while also receiving support for your assessments.

Assessment: In this module, you will complete two assessments to develop your understanding and practical skills. First, you will create a service user leaflet, translating psychological concepts into clear, accessible language—a key skill in mental health work. Second, you will analyse a case study, formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan based on psychological theories and evidence. These tasks will enhance your critical thinking, communication, and reflective skills, preparing you for further study and careers in mental health and related fields.

Module details: In this module, you will explore the fundamental processes underlying human cognition and the relationship between physiological functions and mental processes. Key topics include learning, perception, attention, memory, and language, alongside the neurobiological basis of psychological experiences. Using current neuroscience research, you will develop an understanding of how biological factors influence cognition. Through theoretical study and empirical research, you will gain essential knowledge for further study, postgraduate education, and careers in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, enhancing your academic and professional development.

How you'll learn: In this module, lectures and seminars will explore conceptual, historical, and contemporary ideas in cognitive and biological psychology. Lectures will cover key concepts and theories relating to topics in cognition and neuroscience. Seminars will include practical activities to apply theories from lectures and provide support for assessments, encouraging critical engagement with the material.

Assessment: In this module, you will be assessed through a presentation and a portfolio, enabling you to further develop skills in effective communication, critical handling of materials, and scientific reasoning to explore alternative approaches and solutions—key competencies for your future studies and employment.

Module details: In this module, you will expand your understanding of research approaches and data analysis methods in pPsychology and related fields. You will develop skills in advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis, including ANOVAs, regression, psychometrics, and qualitative methods like interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and discourse analysis. This knowledge will be essential for your degree, particularly your independent research project in Year 3. More broadly, mastering research methods will enhance your ability to evaluate evidence throughout your studies. These skills are also highly valuable for postgraduate study and a wide range of careers that require data analysis and critical thinking.

How you'll learn: This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops, with lectures covering key concepts and theories in data analysis. In workshops, you will apply this knowledge by developing and conducting research studies, analysing data, and engaging in activities that support your assessments.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a qualitative and a quantitative research report, where you will describe the study's background and methods, analyse a dataset, and interpret the findings in the context of existing research. These assessments will enhance your research, data analysis, and written communication skills, which are essential for your degree, postgraduate studies, and a wide range of careers.

Module details: In this module, you will apply your knowledge of psychological research methods and data analysis to design, conduct, and report on an independent research project. You will formulate research questions, collect and analyse data, and interpret your findings in the context of existing literature, considering their implications. The available projects will cover various areas of psychology, allowing you to choose a topic of personal interest. The skills gained in planning, executing, and reviewing research are valuable for postgraduate studies and many careers.

How you'll learn: You will be supported by a supervisor with expertise in your chosen topic area, meeting regularly, typically in small groups. In addition to these meetings, lectures and workshops will help develop your research skills and support your work for the module, with lectures covering report-writing and data analysis methods, and workshops offering opportunities to apply these concepts to your own project. These sessions will provide valuable support for your assessments throughout the year.

Assessment: Whichever project you choose, you will need to write a project report and deliver a poster presentation, helping to develop your written and oral communication skills. Throughout the module, your work will also enhance your research and project management abilities, equipping you with a range of transferable skills that are valuable for postgraduate studies and various graduate careers.

Module details: This module will enhance your workplace professionalism and personal development, equipping you with key skills for your career. You will develop communication, reflective, and self-presentation skills while applying psychological literacy to ethical considerations, social responsibility, and self-regulation. Topics include leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and conflict management. You will complete a personal development portfolio, gain at least 30 hours of work experience, and earn certifications in areas such as diversity and leadership. This module will strengthen your CV and prepare you for future career opportunities, integrating theoretical concepts into real-world practice.

How you'll learn: This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. In lectures, you will learn key career skills and explore potential career paths, while workshops will allow you to apply these concepts to your own personal development, reflecting on your strengths and areas for improvement. The workshops will also support your preparation for the assessment.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a portfolio, which will require you to complete the Chancellor's Career Award, at least 30 hours of work experience, and online training. Within the portfolio, you will reflect on your personal development and skills gained from the Chancellor's Career Award and work experience. You will also reflect on a potential career path after your degree and your next steps in personal and professional development. This assessment will enhance your reflective and written communication skills, which are highly valued in various careers and will support your career progression.

Module details: In this module, you will learn about the impact of brain damage on cognitive functioning, developing your understanding and critical analysis of key areas in neuropsychology across the lifespan. You will explore each major lobe of the brain and cover both sustained and progressive neuropsychological disorders. Each week will focus on a specific topic within the field. This module will enhance your knowledge of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, particularly useful if you are interested in a career working with neuropsychological patients or related research.

How you'll learn: You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. The lectures will provide the foundational material for each topic, while seminars will involve activities such as critical discussions of key papers and case study videos on neuropsychological conditions. These in-depth discussions will help you explore theoretical, methodological, and statistical issues, deepening your understanding of current debates in the field. The seminars will also support your preparation for the module assessments, enhancing your overall learning experience.

Assessment: Your knowledge of neuropsychology will be assessed through a presentation and a stakeholder report. These assessments will help you build on the critical evaluation skills developed in previous years. The module will further enhance your oral and written communication, as well as your reflexive skills. These skills are highly valued for postgraduate studies and are essential for employment in a range of careers related to psychology and neuroscience.

Module details: This module aims to develop your understanding of applying psychology to education. You will explore the psychology of learning and teaching, critically examining how psychological theories inform policy and practice across various educational settings. The module will deepen your understanding of child learning, teaching methods, and educational strategies in real-world contexts. It provides a valuable pathway for those interested in careers in educational psychology, teaching, special educational needs, or mental health in education, offering insights into diverse educational challenges.

How you'll learn: Through a combination of weekly lectures and seminars, you will explore contemporary learning contexts, including psychological approaches to educational transitions, the impact of technology on learning and wellbeing, and systemic barriers to optimal learning outcomes. Lectures will cover core concepts and key issues, while seminars will allow you to engage in critical debate and develop transferable skills such as communication and teamwork through practice-based activities. You will also receive feedback and support in designated seminars to help prepare for your assessments.

Assessment: Your assessments for this module will include a presentation and an intervention proposal, designed to showcase your critical evaluation and problem-solving skills in addressing real-world issues in education settings. These assessments will also assess your written and oral communication abilities. Developing these competencies will enhance your employability and provide valuable skills for postgraduate studies and various professional environments.

Module details: This module offers an in-depth exploration of forensic psychology, focusing on the psychological foundations of criminal behaviour and its application in criminal justice settings. You will critically assess theories and research on offending behaviours, considering factors like mental health, socioeconomic status, substance misuse, and life events. Topics such as eyewitness testimony, jury selection, rehabilitation models, and the relationship between mental illness and crime will provide you with a holistic understanding of forensic psychology in real-world contexts.

How you'll learn: Lectures will present core content, including psychological theories and research, complemented by case studies, videos, and insights from forensic professionals. Seminars will be interactive, with group discussions, case study analyses, and debates on key topics, helping you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These sessions are closely aligned with module assessments, ensuring you gain the necessary analytical and reflective skills to succeed.

Assessment: Assessment in this module consists of a presentation and an intervention proposal, testing your ability to apply psychological theories to real-life cases. You will be evaluated on your oral and written communication skills, as well as your capacity to synthesise and critically evaluate research. The assessments will reflect the skills required for postgraduate study and careers in forensic psychology, criminal justice, and related fields, helping you develop valuable competencies for professional settings.

Module details: In this module, you will explore how people interact with each other, examining psychological experiments and real-world observations. You will also learn how insights from linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy enhance our understanding of social interaction. Key topics include turn-taking, opening and closing conversations, and managing communication issues. This module will develop your critical understanding of human interaction from various perspectives, equipping you with valuable interpersonal and communication skills for careers in fields such as HR, sales, and other roles requiring strong social skills.

How you'll learn: You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will cover key theories and research on communication and social interaction, while seminars will involve activities that help you analyse social interactions and apply research findings to real-world situations. These sessions will also provide support as you prepare for the assessments in this module.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a presentation and an intervention proposal, which will help you develop your oral and written communication skills for different audiences. These assessments will also enhance your ability to synthesise, summarise, and critically evaluate knowledge, as well as improve your problem-solving skills and ability to apply theory to real-world settings. As a result, you will gain a range of transferable skills valuable for postgraduate studies and many graduate careers.

Module details: In this module, you will explore positive psychological theories, concepts, and research, critically examining their application in various real-world settings. You will study core topics such as happiness, wellbeing, resilience, optimism, flow, and flourishing. The module also introduces psychometric tools to assess constructs like personal strengths, resilience, and emotional intelligence. It will equip you with knowledge and skills applicable across diverse work environments, while helping you identify your own strengths, values, and motivations. This module is ideal for those pursuing careers in coaching, occupational psychology, or mentoring.

How you'll learn: Through weekly lectures and follow-up seminars, you will explore how different methods and techniques enhance performance in various settings, including educational, organisational, and personal contexts. You will critically examine psychological research on applied positive psychology and relate topics to your own experiences. Seminars will offer opportunities for small group work, personal development activities, and reflective practice, while dedicated sessions provide assessment support and feedback. Asynchronous digital resources will also be available weekly, allowing you to consolidate your learning at your convenience.

Assessment: The assessments for this module provide various ways to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding. You will complete an intervention proposal, where you'll critically evaluate a real-world issue, and a reflective audio diary, in which you'll reflect on your personal development and the broader application of positive psychological techniques. These assessments will help you develop key skills that will be valuable for postgraduate studies, a variety of workplaces, and your personal development.

Module details: In this module, you will explore neurodevelopmental conditions, with a focus on autism. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, you will learn about how autistic individuals process and understand information, as well as assessments and, therapies for autism, and factors influencing the development of autism development. You will also examine other neurodevelopmental conditions, comparing similarities and differences between these. The module will cover current perspectives, future research directions, and societal views on neurodiversity. Emphasis will be placed on applying theoretical knowledge to support individuals, making this module particularly relevant for future careers in related fields.

How you'll learn: You will learn through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will cover key theories and research on autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. In seminars, you will engage in activities to explore how to apply this knowledge in supporting individuals, including assessments and therapies for these conditions. The seminars will also provide guidance and support for your module assessments.

Assessment: You will be assessed through a leaflet and a stakeholder report. The leaflet will help you develop skills in communicating with non-academic audiences and applying knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions to support individuals. The stakeholder report will enhance your written communication, critical evaluation, and ability to synthesise and summarise information on autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. These assessments will help you develop key transferable skills, which are valuable for postgraduate studies and a range of graduate career opportunities.

Module details: This module introduces consulting in organisational psychology and management principles. You will explore the evolution of organisational psychology, from its early foundations to contemporary issues such as motivation, work-related stress, work-life balance, and diversity. By analysing case studies, you will apply psychological theories to real-world challenges, considering ethical and methodological dimensions. You will also examine how AI can be used in organisational settings, comparing it with evidence-based practices. This module will develop skills essential for postgraduate studies and careers in HR, recruitment, consultancy, and organisational psychology.

How you'll learn: This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. In lectures, you will explore key concepts and theories in organisational psychology and management, along with their real-world applications, while seminars will involve activities such as analysing case studies and applying knowledge to practical contexts. These seminars will also support you in preparing for the assessments in this module.

Assessment: The assessments for this module consist of a campaign design and a case study, both of which will develop your oral and written communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills. You will apply theoretical knowledge and research to real-world scenarios, critically evaluate different approaches, and consider ethical issues. Additionally, you will reflect on your own strengths, weaknesses, and professional identity. These assessments will help you develop essential skills for postgraduate studies and various workplace settings.

Module details: This module introduces major theories and research in health psychology, psychopathology, and addiction. You will explore psychological processes influencing physical and mental health, disease risk, and treatment barriers, including those in addictive behaviours. The biopsychosocial model will be examined to show how biological, social, and psychological factors interact in health, illness, and substance use disorders. This module will prepare you for careers in health or clinical psychology, including roles in public health, health advising, and addiction support, by addressing challenges in studying behavioural aspects of health.

How you'll learn: This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence for each topic, providing an overview to guide your further reading and discussions. The seminars, which will be research-informed, will focus on the practical and applied aspects of each topic, including interventions, policies, and their implications. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your own research and reading, with the seminars supporting you in preparing for the module assessments.

Assessment: In this module, you will be assessed through a campaign design and a case study. These assessments will enhance your skills in summarising and synthesising knowledge, as well as improving your oral and written communication. They will also require you to evaluate and apply theories and research to real-world issues, helping you develop valuable skills for postgraduate studies and a variety of careers.

30 credits

You will develop your core academic and integrated English language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will become familiar with key academic skills and concepts, such as referencing methods and awareness of academic integrity and tone. You will apply these skills and knowledge to both broad topics and also your chosen subject pathway.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs.

30 credits

You will develop your research, numeracy and information technology skills. You will investigate the difference between primary and secondary research, conduct your own research project and demonstrate your findings through data analysis. You will also develop your awareness of equality, diversion and inclusion in the UK, through a real-world issue; discrimination in the workplace.

Teaching and learning

You will be required to actively engage in on-campus learning for up to 10 hours a week.

You will be taught through a full range of teaching and learning methods, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, group directed tasks and presentations. This will enable you to learn from your peers and tutors in both structured and information settings.

You will be encouraged to think creatively about your approach to learning and discussions with your peers. You will also have access to recordings, resources, links and signposting through Moodle to enrich your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through group and individual presentations, comparative and reflective essays, multiple choice exams, coursework and reports, oral exams, portfolios, case studies and blogs. 

30 credits

This module focuses on an in-depth exploration of applied psychology, drawing on foundational theories and models that explain human behaviour. You will engage with the issues and debates around some of the core psychological concepts, such as prejudice, stereotyping, group dynamics, and conformity, gaining a broad understanding of what influences human behaviours.

The module introduces the bio-psycho-social model within health psychology, providing a holistic framework for understanding health-related behaviours. You will gain a knowledge of how different psychological theories and models can be applied to understand the development of risky health behaviours and can be applied to design effective health intervention strategies.

You will learn the skill of collaborative group work, which is an integral part of the module, encouraging you to apply your knowledge of psychological theories to analyse and present a case study on risky health behaviour. You will also develop the skill of critical analysis, integrating various theories and models in psychology to explain risky health behaviour and suggest intervention programs.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. You will learn through a blend of lectures and interactive sessions, case studies and group presentations.

There will be an additional 30 minutes of online support per week. This will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes, and reading articles or chapters.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a written assessment and a group presentation.

50% - written assessment, composed of two parts; essay and self-reflection. You will write an essay on your knowledge of at least two psychological theories or models to explain why people develop risky health behaviours and propose and evaluate intervention strategies. You will reflect on your experience and learning journey as you prepared for and wrote the essay.

50% - group presentation, where you will apply knowledge from psychology theories to plan health interventions on risky health behaviour.

30 credits

This module focuses on the different perspectives available in psychology to explain human behaviour.

You will get the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning within a Psychology context in an enquiry-based way. Problem-based learning and blended learning (combines online and face-to-face time) approaches will facilitate deep, experiential learning.

You will gain knowledge on what scientific thinking is, how to distinguish this from pseudoscience and how the scientific cycle enquiry can be applied to the various perspectives in psychology.

You will be encouraged to explore how different perspective in psychology can explain human behaviour, scientific argumentation and ethical working practices in relation to current scientific topics as reflected in news reports, recent academic publications and historical case studies. You’ll gain the skill of critical thinking and how to apply concepts from psychology to explain everyday behaviour, as well as poster presentation and public speaking.

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for each module consists of one, one-three-hour lecture and one, two-hour seminar per week. Lectures will introduce the scientific basis of knowledge and research methodologies in the context of Psychology and empower you to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, while seminars will consist of individual and group activities on the weekly topics.

There will be an additional 30 minutes of online support per week. This will consist of individual tasks such as quizzes, posting on discussion forums, watching videos and taking notes, and reading articles or chapters.

Assessment

This module will be assessed using a group poster presentation and written assessment.

40% - group poster presentation, you will compare and contrast any two perspectives on psychology.

60% - written assessment, you will write a critical essay on how pseudoscience differs from science.