Psychology (Conversion) induction information

About your programme

Module information

You’ll complete your course one block or ‘semester’ at a time. In each semester you’ll study modules. Some are core modules you have to take – others you’ll be able to choose between when you arrive, personalising the course to your interests.

In your first semester you will study the following modules:

• Discovering Psychology 

Discovering Psychology

This module is designed to introduce you to the study of psychology at postgraduate level. You will be introduced to the key philosophical and epistemological underpinnings of the subject. A historical perspective on the development of the field will form an anchor point for this introduction to the discipline. The position of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in society will be introduced and their role in professional pathways will be explained.

Key study and qualitative and quantitative research skills, specific to Psychology, will be covered in order to enable you to confidently embark on research projects in subsequent modules. With this in mind, your assessment literacy will also be a focus of the module.

On completion of this module you  should have developed a critical understanding of the principle developments in the history of psychology. You should also be able to confidently proceed into further, more in-depth study.

Indicative syllabus

• Psychology as a science
• Publication processes and the replication crisis in psychology
• Ethical issues in psychological research
• The BPS, the HPCP and professional pathways
• Essential qualitative and quantitative concepts
• NHST and Bayesian analysis
• Key study skills in psychology
• Credits: 20
• Development Across the Lifespan 

Development Across the Lifespan

This module is designed to provide you with a deep and far-reaching understanding of the area of developmental psychology. Typical and atypical development across the lifespan from birth to death will be examined. An individual’s experience of age related biological and cognitive changes will be studied. The person’s place in society and culture across their lifespan will also be scrutinised. The development of the field across history will be incorporated into the analysis of research and theory.

This module also provides training in qualitative research methods using naturally found data acquired from sources such as newspapers or internet forums.

On completion of this module you should have developed a critical understanding of the principle theories and concepts within the area of developmental psychology. You should also be capable of evaluating and conducting basic qualitative research.

Indicative syllabus

• Aspects of development throughout the lifespan, including biological, cognitive, social and emotional
• Ageing
• Cultural expectations of life stages
• Constructionist epistemology
• Qualitative data analysis
• Ethical issues pertinent to conducting qualitative research with found data
• Credits: 20
• Cognitive Processes 

Cognitive Processes

This module is designed to give you an insight into the field of cognitive psychology. You will examine empirical evidence which has been used to build models of human cognition. Theories to explain how the mind processes information will be examined from a critical standpoint, highlighting the historical trajectory of the field and the provisional nature of our understanding.

This module also provides training in quantitative research methods particularly focussing on statistical techniques which examine relationships between variables.

On completion of this module you should have developed a critical understanding of the principle theories and concepts within the area of cognitive psychology. You should also be capable of evaluating and conducting quantitative research in the field.

Indicative syllabus

• Spatial processing, object recognition and face processing
• Transient and permanent memory
• Language and concept formation
• Reasoning and thinking
• Ethical issues when conducting research with humans and animals
• Positivist approaches to research
• Correlational research design
• Credits: 20

Further information about the structure of your course can be found within the programme specification document.