What will you study

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Social Psychology	MPSY4250: The module provides students with an opportunity to critically understand the major theories, paradigms, and research methods used within social psychology. As part of this, students explore how social psychology can help us understand everyday behaviour, whilst acknowledging the limits of the discipline and methodological approaches. The learning and teaching activities of the module reflect the advanced nature of study (e.g. students will be required to complete significant amounts of self-directed reading; lectures will act as signposts to key issues).
Developmental Psychology	MPSY4251: The module provides students with an opportunity to critically consider the major theories, paradigms, and research methods used to identify and explain the development of representational ability and identity across the lifespan. The module examines a range of theoretical paradigms (e.g., constructivism; information processing) and how aspects of development are interpreted through the lens of key debates (e.g., nature/nurture; ‘atypicality’; developmental continuities; the influence of early experiences).
Biopsychology	MPSY4252: This module critically considers neuropsychological research methods and approaches to studying human functioning. Key psychobiological models, theoretical perspectives and research findings are explored, together with their application to real-world issues.
Cognitive Psychology	MPSY4253: This module examines cognitive phenomena, models and theories and aims to provide students with an understanding of human perception, language, learning, attention and memory, and how this knowledge is applied in a number of 'real world' domains. Connections with Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Neuropsychology are explored.
Individual Differences	MPSY4254: The module provides students with an overview of the fundamental issues and main approaches to individual differences. The module will focus on the key assumptions of research on normative and non-normative personality development, self, and self-regulation from a range of perspectives (such as psychometric, psychoanalytical, behavioural, social learning, humanistic-existential-phenomenological, evolutionary, genetic, nature-nurture, and some cutting edge approaches such as discursive), and the paradigm tensions implicit in these. The module will also focus on the social and policy implications of individual differences in intelligence, in addition to those in health, education, relationships, and occupational choices.
Advanced Research Methods	MPSY4255: This module aims to equip the student with the skills necessary to undertake Masters level research. Students are introduced to Psychology as an evidence-based discipline, and the principles of psychological research design (including key debates and philosophical assumptions). Students learn about research ethics, data collection techniques, and quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches, moving from foundation to an advanced level of study.
Professional Skills Development	MPSY4256: This module provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and awareness of Chartered pathways to becoming a professional Psychologist and to practice a range of professional skills and competencies that are central to career development in these fields (e.g., awareness of ethics; leadership; teamwork; communication). Students will critically consider models for reflecting on professional practice and explore how to become an effective reflective practitioner by considering their own personal and academic development across the module in relation to the professional skills and competencies they have practiced and with respect to employability.
Dissertation	MPSY4200: Students complete a psychological research project under the supervision of academic staff. The project is focussed on primary data collection and students undertake all aspects of research design and planning, participant recruitment, data collection, management and analysis, and project write-up. All aspects of project work are informed by/consistent with the professional and ethical standards set out by the BPS (British Psychological Society) and APA (American Psychological Association).

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How will you be taught?

The programme adopts a student-centred approach to teaching and learning that utilises theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building on the student’s strengths, interests and experiences. As a distance learning course, teaching, learning and assessment activities are delivered wholly online and supported through the virtual learning environment. A mixture of learning approaches are used (e.g. pre-recoded self-study materials, small group supervision, group discussions, 1:1 tutorials, practical skill-based sessions, etc.) and delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of guided learning activities which you can complete at your own pace, live discussions with tutors and peers, academic skills training sessions and tutorial support. You will be signposted towards activities to help you learn in an online environment.

Our guided learning activities will introduce you to key topics in Psychology through interactive activities (including mini lectures, quizzes, podcasts, reading, online ‘asynchronous’ discussions, etc) using our virtual learning environment.

Scheduled, live sessions offer the opportunity to interact in real-time with your peers and tutors to discuss self-directed learning, develop academic skills and collaborate on assessment work. Live discussion sessions will be simultaneously recorded and accessed online by students at a distance, through our virtual learning environment, and typically include opportunities for recapping and clarifying guided learning activities, question and answer sessions, and small group discussion activities to extend your learning. Skills based training sessions include live tutor-led demonstrations with opportunities for questions (e.g., how to use bibliographic referencing software, using academic databases to perform a literature search, using data analysis tools etc).

You will have regular contact with your Personal Academic Tutor, through our Professional Skills Development module, and through 1:1 tutorial support, to ensure our personalised approach helps to meet your learning needs.

Contact time

Contact time

The programme comprises seven taught modules with teaching and learning activities running across three semesters. Full-time students (starting in September) complete all seven taught modules across two semesters, plus the dissertation within a third semester in one academic year(12 months). Full-time students will be engaged in a combination of asynchronous (self-directed activities) and synchronous scheduled learning activities for around 15 hours per week in semester1 and 2 (across 4 taught modules students will study, on average, 3 hours of synchronous, scheduled sessions and 12 hours of asynchronous guided study per week – see table). In addition to this, students will also be engaged in independent learning (assessment preparation for taught modules and dissertation planning/supervision sessions). In total, it is expected that a full-time student will be spending 37 hours per week engaged in study. Part-time students select which modules and how many they want to complete in each year, with their dissertation in the final year.

Starting the course in January may be a possibility, this will be decided on an annual basis dependent on the size of the group to ensure a positive student experience. Full-time students, starting in January, can complete the same programme over 18 months.

Example weekly study pattern for a full-time student in semester 1 for the MSc Psychology

Module	Asynchronous learning	Synchronous learning
Week 1
MPSY4250 Social Psychology	3 hours	1.5 hours
MPSY4252 Biopsychology	3 hours
MPSY4255 Advanced Research Methods	3 hours
MPSY4256 Professional Skills Development	3 hours	1.5 hours
Independent study (including dissertation planning/supervision)	Up to 22 hours
Week 1 total	37 hours
Week 2
MPSY4250 Social Psychology	3 hours
MPSY4252 Biopsychology	3 hours	1.5 hours
MPSY4255 Advanced Research Methods	3 hours	1.5 hours
MPSY4256 Professional Skills Development	3 hours
Independent study (including dissertation planning/supervision)	Up to 22 hours
Week 2 total	37 hours

Independent self-study

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake up to 20 hours of personal independent learning per week. Typically, this will involve completing further reading, critical reflections, research planning, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, delivered through the virtual learning environment and extensive electronic library resources.

Duration

Duration

One year full-time

Two-three years part-time

Timetables

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Each week, students will be engaged in a combination of asynchronous (self-directed activities) and synchronous (scheduled) learning activities. Whilst you may choose to study the asynchronous materials at a time that suits you, attendance at our scheduled, online teaching sessions is required. These sessions run weekly on Fridays during semester 1 and 2 and are important for developing your academic skills, discussing your learning with others, and for regularly connecting with your peers and academic staff.

Scheduled teaching sessions for full-time study (course completion 12 months)

Semester 1

MPSY4250

Social Psychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16

MPSY4252

Biopsychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17

MPSY4255

Advanced Research Methods

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 11:15-12:45 on weeks: 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17

MPSY4256

Professional Skills

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 11:15-12:45 on weeks: 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16

MPSY4200

Dissertation

Scheduled group supervision sessions Friday 14:15-15:45 on weeks: 9, 13, 16, 24, 30, 32

Semester 2

MPSY4251

Developmental Psychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 35

MPSY4253

Cognitive Psychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 11:15-12:45 on weeks: 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 35

MPSY4254

Individual differences

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 36

Semester 2 scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 11:15-12:45 on weeks: 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 36

Scheduled teaching sessions for Year 1 of part-time study (course completion 2-3 years)

Semester 1

MPSY4250

Social Psychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16

MPSY4255

Advanced Research Methods

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 11:15-12:45 on weeks: 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17

These are the only modules students are permitted to take on this pattern

Semester 2

MPSY4251

Developmental Psychology

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 35

MPSY4254

Individual differences

Scheduled teaching sessions on Friday 09:15-10:45 on weeks: 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 36

These are the only modules students are permitted to take on this pattern

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes principal lecturers, senior academics, HCPC registered professional practitioners with clinical experience, and psychology technicians.

Teaching is research-inspired and our staff are members of the multi-disciplinary

Interpersonal Relationships and Wellbeing Research Group

The School of Psychology have a strong track record in achieving higher education teaching qualifications or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about us by visiting our

staff profiles

Assessment

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or 'formative' assignments. Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

We assess your learning through coursework rather than examinations. Assessment methods include writing a reflective log, a systematic research review, position paper, lab projects and group presentation.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the modules taken, but a typical summative assessment pattern for a student completing the course full time in one year (3 semesters) is:

Semester 1:

data analysis exercises; an essay; a critical review of research papers on a specific topic; a group presentation, a personal development plan.

Semester 2:

designing, running and reporting a small-scale research study; a systematic review; a position paper; reflective logs on professional skills in practice; an independent research project (taken across semesters 1, 2 and 3).

These assessments are research-inspired and designed to equip you with the necessary skills and competencies for taking the next steps in your career path.

Feedback

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please

download the latest programme specification document.

Here at Worcester, we've designed the MSc Psychology curriculum around your busy lifestyle and future ambitions. We will support you in developing the skills that will open doors in a range of sectors, including health, business, counselling, education and doctoral research training. Communication, problem solving, critical thinking, team working, and data collection and analysis are just some of the skills that will increase your appeal to employers.

We work closely with the university's Careers and Employability team and you can also take part in workshops devoted to strengthening your CV for a future career as a Psychologist. And you'll have the chance to talk to guest speakers, as well as getting help to apply for work and postgraduate study.

Program start date	Application deadline
2025-09-01	-

Psychology MSc (Distance Learning)