Psychology. Further information Admissions and Course Enquiries T: +44 (0) E: 210

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1 After graduating from Psychology with first-class honours, I completed an MSc in Research Methods and am now studying for a PhD that combines with marine biology, exploring the impact of coastal visits upon both the visitors and the environment. One of the key reasons for my academic success has been the quality of the lecturers, who throughout my degree were always approachable, encouraging and eager to help. The School of Psychology invites highcalibre international researchers to present their work, which allows students and lecturers invaluable opportunities to jointly learn about contemporary studies. It was insights such as these, coupled with the exciting research apprenticeships offered by the school, that inspired me to pursue an academic research career. Looking back, I made the perfect decision in choosing which university to attend. Plymouth is top of my list for many reasons including the size and compactness of the city campus, but above all, the staff who genuinely care about the students. Kayleigh Wyles Psychology graduate and current postgraduate student 209

2 The School of Psychology is one of the largest within the UK, providing a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and catering for over 900 students. Our ebooks initiative won the Guardian University Award and we have been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Student Support. Our teaching portfolio consists of BSc (3 year) and MPsych (4 year) single honours courses, alongside BSc combined honours with Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, Sociology or Human Biology. All BSc courses have been accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Our students have excellent career prospects because with a recognised degree they can apply for postgraduate programmes leading to professional qualifications in (for example clinical or forensic) or in other areas (such as education). Research has a high priority, with 85 per cent of our work being rated as of international standard, and our national student scores are also high, with a 92 per cent overall satisfaction rating in Teaching and research are supported by newly-refurbished, dedicated laboratory and teaching space. Specialist facilities available for undergraduates include laboratories for work on vision and hearing; observational laboratories for work in social and developmental equipped with up-to-date video editing facilities; ergonomics, ERP, eye-tracking equipment and numerous computer-based testing rooms. All undergraduates in the School of Psychology are treated as partners and encouraged to work alongside staff in our Research Apprentices scheme to get first-hand experience of carrying out research before they put these skills to practice in their final year project work. Some of our undergraduates publish papers in peer-reviewed academic journals. Many of our students opt to spend their third year on work placement, often working alongside professional psychologists, to gain an additional award of the Certificate of Industrial Experience. We also host placement students within the school each year, providing in-depth experience for those considering a research career or postgraduate study. An innovation this year is the start of our four-year undergraduate masters course, the MPsych (Hons) Advanced Psychology which allows successful students to progress directly onto a final year of specialist study, within the existing student loan arrangements. Further information Admissions and Course Enquiries T: +44 (0) E: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 210

3 BSc (Hons) Psychology is the study of how people think, act, react and interact. It encompasses all aspects of behaviour, thoughts, feelings and motivation. It is a vibrant discipline that is increasingly drawn upon in business, health and government circles. Both the single honours and major pathways are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). To give you a great start, if you are studying as your only or major subject, when you start your first year you will be given a free set of 12 ebooks that cover the main recommended reading for all your core lectures. You will be given another 11, more advanced texts when you enter your second year. The total price of print copies would have been over 1,500. As far as we are aware, no other course offers this. Year 1 Study basic theories of and develop a variety of important intellectual and practical skills Explore core areas of such as social, developmental, clinical, cognitive and physiological Develop skills in critical thinking and in carrying out psychological research Year 2 Develop a deeper understanding of psychological theory, methods and research Gain an understanding of how can be applied in real life Placement year (optional) You can elect to take a placement in an area relevant to professional Final year Develop an advanced understanding of the central areas of by exploring academic debates Select advanced topics in that reflect your specialist interests Carry out a substantial psychological research project under expert supervision Career opportunities Our Psychology students have tremendous opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of work settings, from professional, management and teaching, to social services, health services, probation and marketing. Professional accreditation GBC eligibility of the British Psychological Society provided the minimum standard of second-class honours is achieved. Special features Free ebooks for core teaching in years one and two International exchange and year-abroad scheme The Research Apprentice scheme allows you to develop as a scientist by working alongside leading researchers Optional work placement after year two 3 years full time or 4 years full time with work placement UCAS C800 UCAS tariff: 300 points. IB: 28 points. GCSE: Mathematics and English Language grade C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered. Did you know You can study this course combined with another subject. Please refer to the index for a list of available combinations. T: +44 (0) E: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 211

4 advanced Psychology MPsych (Hons) This undergraduate masters course is one of the first in the UK, and is fully eligible for student loans, unlike postgraduate masters programmes. Register directly for this course, complete the three years of the BSc (Hons) Psychology course, and then progress directly into a fourth year of masters study in one of three specialised pathways, with work-based placements and projects alongside professional experts. Years 1 to 3 In your first three years, you study the same course as students on the BSc (Hons) Psychology, including the optional work placement year if you wish. When you have completed these with a performance equivalent to at least a second-class degree, you progress automatically onto one of the three specialist pathways for your fourth year. You will study seven advanced modules, complete a placement with a professional psychologist relevant to your pathway, and undertake a research project with a personal supervisor from the School of Psychology staff. If, after beginning the course, you decide that you do not want to continue into the fourth year, you can transfer to the three-year BSc (Hons) Psychology. Final year pathways Behaviour Change This pathway examines the rationale and strategies for changing behaviour to help people live healthier, happier and more sustainable lives. It covers methods for encouraging behaviour change at individual, population and government policy levels, and the research tools needed to validate these methods. Topics include environmentally sustainable behaviours, addiction, reducing obesity, educational interventions and quitting smoking. Foundations of Clinical Psychology This pathway examines interventions for helping people with problems in mental health, child development, ageing, learning disability and neurology. The course gives a head-start in terms of hands-on experience and knowledge relevant to careers in mental health, counselling and clinical. Unlike some existing masters programmes in clinical, students will have the opportunity to learn about a range of therapeutic approaches from systemic approaches (for example family therapy) to cognitive behavioural therapy. Special features Masters year eligible for student loan Guaranteed progression route onto masters degree Free ebooks Final year pathways in Behaviour Change, Foundations of Clinical Psychology or Cognitive and Brain Science 4 years full time or 5 years full time with work placement UCAS C801 UCAS tariff: points from three A levels. IB: 30 points. GCSE: Mathematics and English Language grade C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered. Cognitive and Brain Sciences This pathway examines current developments in theory and research in cognitive and brain sciences. It focuses on the neural substrates of mental processes, addressing issues in the measurement of brain activity and how this brain activity is related to psychological functioning. This course will provide hands-on training in a wide range of new technologies available for studying the brain. Professional accreditation GBC eligibility of the British Psychological Society provided the minimum standard of second-class honours is achieved. 212 T: +44 (0) E: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

5 Final year top-up courses Our top-up courses meet the needs of students who need to top up existing studies to honours degree level, and of those who have obtained a degree in subjects other than but who want to study the subject at a postgraduate level. BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies This is a one year top-up course and progression route for those who have already completed a total of 240 credits at levels four and five in Psychology at other higher education institutions recognised by Plymouth University. Our aim is to give you broad coverage of with opportunities to specialise and develop skills relevant to your future. Students on this course have the option to take an all Psychology year, or they can take optional modules in Sociology if they fit with their main Psychology timetable. In addition students who choose Sociology options must have studied at least 40 credits of Sociology at levels four and five. Psychological Studies: 1 year full time (year 3 entry top-up to an honours degree) Foundations in Psychology: Summer course Apply Direct to the University See website for details This course leads to the award of BSc (Hons). Foundations in Psychology This 60-credit top-up course is designed to provide the necessary background to those who have already obtained a degree in any topic other than Psychology, but who are considering studying Psychology at postgraduate level. British Psychological Society accredited masters programmes require applicants to have obtained at least 60 credits of Psychology at an undergraduate level; this course provides that in a concentrated format during July to mid-august, ready for progression on to postgraduate programmes in late September. The material studied is drawn from our BSc (Hons) Psychology course and covers the core areas of social, developmental, biological and cognitive, along with the essential design and analysis in psychological research. The FiP top-up summer school leads to a Certificate in Professional Development. T: +44 (0) E: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 213