Program Overview

Psychology

Overview

The Psychology program at Bishop Grosseteste University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific nature of psychology and its wider cultural and social impact. The program covers a range of topics, including research methods, statistics, and the application of psychological knowledge to real-world problems.

Course Structure

The program is structured into three years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a progressive learning experience.

Year 1

• Researching Psychology I: This module introduces students to core areas and methods integral to the discipline and study of psychology.
• Introduction to Psychology across the Lifespan: This module provides an understanding of developmental psychology across the lifespan, exploring physical development, cognitive development, social and emotional development throughout childhood and later into maturity.
• Psychology in the Arts and Communities: This module actively introduces students to the role of psychology in understanding the arts and the therapeutic benefits of engagement in both formal and everyday practice.
• Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology (CHiP): This module will immerse students in the origins of psychology, with respect to early understandings of what psychology is, as well as the development and establishment of Psychology as a discipline in its own right.
• Psychology Group Project: This module offers students the opportunity to engage with real research projects, under the support of an academic supervisor and by working in a small group.

Year 2

• Personality and Individual Differences: This module covers the history, cornerstone theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches of personality research.
• Psychology Placement: This module provides students with an experience of work in the form of a placement in a community-based setting.
• Social Psychology: This module will develop students' knowledge and understanding of social psychology, one of the core areas of psychology introduced in Researching Psychology I.
• Researching Psychology II: This module will build and extend on core methods and statistical techniques acquired at level 4 in Researching Psychology I.
• Evolutionary Psychology: In this module, students will be introduced to the main themes in Evolutionary Psychology such as Sex and Mating; Parenting and Kinship; Group Living, and Life History Theory.

Year 3

• Psychology Dissertation: The Dissertation requires students to work independently in producing a substantial piece of research that demonstrates mastery of academic knowledge and research skills commensurate with Level 6.
• Advances in Clinical Psychology: This module is an extension of the Level 4 module, Foundations in Clinical Psychology, and aims to equip students with a critical knowledge of the clinical psychology literature, as well as techniques relevant to working with specific clients.
• BioPsychology: This module focuses upon the BPS Core domain Biopsychology, covering aspects of the biological basis of behaviours, emotions and mental health.
• Cognitive Psychology: This module develops knowledge and understanding of the BPS core domain of Cognitive Psychology which students will have been introduced to at level 4 in Researching Psychology I.
• Psychological Research Design and Project Preparation: The module provides an opportunity for students to build upon and apply the key intellectual, transferable and practical skills gained at Levels 4 and 5 of the programme in order to design an appropriate research project for their Psychology dissertation.

Optional Modules

• Health Psychology in Action: This Level 5 module will enable students to develop their communication skills through developing resources for public engagement with Psychological research and theory around behaviour change.
• Advanced Statistics: This module will develop students' knowledge and understanding of statistical methods used in psychological research.
• Consciousness: This module provides a critical overview of the broad nature, states, theories and approaches to studying consciousness.
• Psychology in Organisations: Occupational psychology focuses on aspects of human functioning in work environments.

Entry Requirements

• Students will normally need 96-112 UCAS tariff points (from a maximum of four Advanced Level qualifications).
• Students will also need GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (previously C) or above (or equivalent).

Assessment

• Assessments in Psychology take place at the end of each module in order for students to demonstrate their understanding of the objectives covered.
• A wide range of assessment methods is used to support student learning, including portfolios, presentations, displays and examinations and laboratory projects.

Careers & Further Study

• In Psychology, students will develop the knowledge and skills which will make them attractive to an employer.
• Psychology graduates go on to work in a range of sectors including teaching, education or training, local government, health and social work and in areas of industry including human resources management.

Support

• Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience.
• Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community.

Fees & Funding

• A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory.
• At BGU, staff try to give students all the information and support they can to help throughout the process.
• The Student Advice team are experts in helping students sort out the funding arrangements for their studies, offering a range of services to guide students through all aspects of student finance step by step.