Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Overview
This degree deals with the broad themes of individual differences, social functioning, biological and evolutionary issues, cognition and development across the lifespan.
The modules you take will develop your understanding of psychology’s everyday applications, such as studies of mental health and psychological disorders and the rationale for and use of psychological tests.
At each level of the programme, you’ll have some opportunity to learn about the clinical applications of psychological research. You'll have the opportunity to develop your own particular interests by choosing from a wide range of specialist modules, and will carry out a research project on a clinically relevant topic of your choice with guidance and support from a supervisor. This allows you to apply the many skills you have learned throughout the programme to define and address new questions.
This modular system allows considerable flexibility of choice in your final year when you can tailor your study according to your particular interests and ultimate aims. You will choose six option modules, with at least four modules on topics relating to neuroscience. Your final year research dissertation will be on a neuroscience topic supervised by an expert in the field. The precise list changes year by year (for example, a new member of staff may add a module). The current full list of modules offered by the department can be found below.
Year 1 (credit level 4)
In your first year, you will take introductory modules covering the main topics within psychology. You will also receive practical training in the principles, methods and techniques of psychological research.
Module title |
Credits |
The Psychology of the Person
|
15 credits |
Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology
|
15 credits |
Information Processing and Cognition
|
15 credits |
Design and Analysis of Psychological Investigations
|
30 credits |
Practical Issues in Psychological Research
|
15 credits |
Extended Essay in Psychology
|
15 credits |
Essential Skills for Psychologists
|
15 credits |
Year 2 (credit level 5)
Year 2 will provide you with a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and relating to a broad range of psychological topics from social psychology to developmental psychology. You will also explore statistics and laboratory-based research.
Small group teaching activities will give you the opportunity to discuss clinical applications of the core material.
Module title |
Credits |
Biological Substrates of Behaviour
|
15 credits |
Personality and Individual Differences
|
15 credits |
Social Psychology
|
15 credits |
Developmental Psychology
|
15 credits |
Design and Analysis of Psychological Studies
|
15 credits |
Cognitive Psychology
|
15 credits |
Research Methods in Psychology
|
30 credits |
Year 3 (credit level 6)
In Year 3 you will take the following compulsory modules:
Module title |
Credits |
Psychopathology: Cognitive behaviour models and treatments
|
15 credits |
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|
15 credits |
You also complete an individual Research Project (45 credits), which should have a clinical focus. The purpose of the project is for you to gain direct experience of:
- formulating a theoretical question
- translating this into testable hypotheses
- designing an original study which adequately tests the hypotheses
- implementing the research procedures
- analysing the data using appropriate statistics
- interpreting the results in light of both conceptual and practical considerations
- communicating this information clearly in the form of a written report
You will also gain experience of oral presentation of your work during the spring term or early in the summer term, to a small group of your peers and your supervisor.
The project is a piece of original empirical research, conducted under the supervision of one of the academic members of the Department. Pure theorising, a literature review, or an exact replication study are not acceptable.
There are four stages:
- formulation of hypotheses and an ethical and feasible research design
- recruitment of participants/collection of data
- analysis and interpretation of data
- writing the report
You also choose five 15 credit modules (two clinically-relevant options and two free-choice options). Examples that could be selected include:
Module title |
Credits |
Multivariate Statistical Methods in Psychology
|
15 credits |
Applications of Attention Research
|
15 credits |
Anomalistic Psychology
|
15 credits |
Topics in Neuropsychology
|
15 credits |
Psychology and Law
|
15 credits |
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|
15 credits |
Behavioural Genetics
|
15 credits |
Psychological Approaches to Music
|
15 credits |
The Interpersonal Self
|
15 credits |
Psychology and Education
|
15 credits |
Social-Moral Development
|
15 credits |
Cognitive Neuroscience
|
15 credits |
Social Psychology of Social Problems
|
15 credits |
Magic and the Mind
|
15 credits |
Cross-cultural and Individual Differences in Attention and Awareness
|
15 credits |
Psychology of the Arts, Aesthetics and Attraction
|
15 credits |
Teaching style
This programme is taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.
The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
- Year 2 - 15% scheduled learning, 85% independent learning
- Year 3 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, laboratory reports, group work and research projects.
The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:
- Year 1 - 53% coursework, 47% written exam
- Year 2 - 34% coursework, 66% written exam
- Year 3 - 80% coursework, 20% written exam
*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.
Credits and levels of learning
An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.
Download the programme specification.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.