Program Overview

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Applied Psychology – BSc (Hons)

Course Overview

Our BSc in Applied Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). The Psychological Society of Ireland is the national professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland.

On successful completion of your 4-year degree here on the Athlone campus, students can apply for entry into postgraduate programmes in Psychology. Only PSI accredited undergraduate degrees allow you to progress to postgraduate training in Psychology (e.g., Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Educational Psychology). This degree confers eligibility for graduate membership of both the PSI and the British Psychological Society.

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. It examines how we think, feel, act and interact with other people. You will develop skills in research, problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis, communication and professional development.

Our course is an Applied Psychology course meaning we ensure that we have embedded practical elements into our course. We have a semester long work placement in 3rd year as well as a focus on small group workshops (e.g., counselling skills workshops, Applied Psychology Experimental labs, inferential statistics labs and many more). We also have practical assessment throughout the course with a mix of applied continuous assessment and final exams.

The course will be relevant to anyone wishing to pursue a longer-term career in psychology. It is also an ideal stepping stone to post-graduate study either within psychology or in other areas of social science.

Work Placement

One of the unique features of this new programme is its applied nature. TUS’s Department of Social Science has longstanding relationships with service providers across a range of health and social services. It includes areas such as Early Years Care & Education, Social Care, Mental Health Services, Intellectual Disability, Youth Work, Older People and Community Development.

In 3rd year students will embark on a semester long work placement. Here you will undertake working in a psychology-informed environment under supervision where you will gain experience in a work-based setting. Work placement gives our students the chance to apply all of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they have developed since 1st year. We have a dedicated Work Placement coordinator who sources high quality placements for each student covering a wide variety of areas and interests from mental health to research.

Erasmus

As an alternative to Work Placement we also offer a small number of students to study abroad for the semester in the University of Valencia in Spain. In Valencia, you can continue your Applied Psychology studies taught through English while enjoying a new city and culture. You will have the opportunity to learn Spanish in 2nd and 3rd year as additional classes in Athlone to prepare you for your semester abroad before you travel. With the support of our dedicated Applied Psychology Erasmus coordinator and the TUS International Office you are in safe hands to enjoy this once in a lifetime study experience.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Pathway

• Grade H5 at higher level in two subjects, plus grade O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate. Two of these subjects mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

QQI Entry Pathway

• Each year we accept up to 3 QQI applicants into 1st year on our Applied Psychology programme.
• To qualify you must present with ONE of the following awards:
  • 5M2181 Applied Social Studies
  • 5M3114 General Studies
  • 5M4468 Community Health Services
  • 6M3674 Community Development
  • 6M2218 Social And Vocational Integration
• You are required to have Leaving Certificate Mathematics at minimum O6/H7, or alternatively have a QQI Mathematics module 5N1833 included in the award.

Mature Student Entry Pathway

• Mature applicants are not required to meet these minimum entry requirements. However, there are a limited number of places for mature applicants (usually up to three per year)– an interview may form part of the selection process.

International Applicants

• International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Foundations of Contemporary Psychology (10 credits)
• Introduction to Research (5 credits)
• Biological Bases of Behaviour 1: Exploring the Brain (5 credits)
• Personal and Professional Development (10 credits)

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Descriptive Statistics and Computing (5 credits)
• Child and Adolescent Development (10 credits)
• Experimental Design (5 credits)
• Applied Social Psychology (10 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Development in Adulthood (10 credits)
• Perception, Memory, and Attention in Cognition (5 credits)
• Introduction to Inferential Statistics and Computing for Research (5 credits)
• Biological Bases of Behaviour 2: Brain, Body and Behaviour (5 credits)
• Organisational Behaviour (Elective) (5 credits)
• Health Psychology (5 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Personality & Individual Differences (10 credits)
• Biological Bases of Behaviour 3: Applications and Current Issues (5 credits)
• Qualitative Research (5 credits)
• Cognition in Action (5 credits)
• Advanced Inferential Statistics for Research (5 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Psychology of Mental Health and Illness (10 credits)
• Exploring Neurodiversity and Developmental Differences (10 credits)
• Future Career and Work in Psychology (5 credits)
• Applying your Research Skills (5 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Work Placement (30 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 1

• Applied Research 1: Project Design (5 credits)
• Advanced Cognitive Psychology (5 credits)
• Counselling Psychology (10 credits)
• Learning and Educational Psychology (10 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 2

• Applied Research Project 2: Project (15 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Psychology (5 credits)
• Advanced Personality and Social Psychology (10 credits)

Career Opportunities

Graduates who decide not to continue further training in psychology will find that a primary degree in psychology is a valuable qualification. It combines high levels of literacy and numeracy, experience in working both individually and within teams, as well as analysing data and carrying out research.

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere. An undergraduate degree in Psychology provides a fantastic foundation for further postgraduate study in a variety of related areas. It is important to note that, graduates wishing to undertake a professional career in psychology (e.g.in clinical psychology, educational psychology, occupational psychology, counselling psychology or other specialised areas) must pursue further postgraduate study in psychology. To enrol on a postgraduate course in a specialised field of psychology, often beginning with a Masters in a relevant area followed by work experience and/or a professional doctorate.