Psychology and Education Practice

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:In this module, you will undertake a placement in an educational setting, allowing you to apply subject knowledge and practical skills while developing key competencies in line with QAA benchmarks. Through supported preparation, hands-on experience, and reflective practice, you will consolidate academic learning in real-world contexts. You will explore themes such as equity, diversity, and inclusion, and engage with pressing educational challenges. With flexibility in choosing your placement, personalised support, and access to enrichment opportunities, this 30-credit module spans two semesters and is designed to build your confidence, broaden your experience, and enhance your future career prospects.

How you'll learn: Lectures will explore key areas of educational enquiry and practice, including theory, research, and essential training such as DBS, Safeguarding, and the Chancellor’s Award. Seminars will focus on critical thinking and reflective workshops, supported by 30 minutes of weekly asynchronous digital learning, including ePortfolio tasks, discussion forums, guest speaker content, and a range of multimedia resources.

Assessment: This module is assessed through an online ePortfolio, used both as a learning and assessment tool to develop reflective practice. Students will critically engage with theory and apply it to real-world observations from their placement, while also reflecting on personal and professional development. The ePortfolio supports the integration of academic and practical learning, encourages ownership of progress, and helps build skills for future career pathways. Structured tabs will guide students through reflective tasks, enabling them to evaluate their strengths and areas for growth.

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 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: In this module you will explore the vital role of wellbeing in learning and development. Through a holistic lens, you will examine the physical, emotional, social and mental dimensions of wellbeing, drawing on theories, policy, and practical strategies. You’ll engage with approaches such as positive psychology, social pedagogy and SEL, while reflecting on your own growth. The module includes case studies, peer collaboration, and opportunities such as Mental Health First Aid certification to support inclusive, resilient and supportive educational environments.

How you'll learn: Lectures will provide core content, including key concepts, theories and empirical evidence, as well as context for each topic. Seminars will involve small group work, discussion and practical activities, supported by 30 minutes of weekly asynchronous digital learning through quizzes, forums, expert talks and videos with related tasks to deepen understanding.

Assessment: This module will be assessed through a blog or journal entry and a written report. The blog or journal will focus on practice and personal development, while the report will explore the theoretical aspects covered throughout the module.

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.

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.