Applicants whose first language is a language other than English may be required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

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1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Graduate Certificate in Psychology Awarding body: University College London Teaching institution: UCL Institute of Education Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body: British Psychological Society Name of the final award: Graduate Certificate Programme title: Psychology UKPASS code: P Criteria for admission to the programme Applicants are expected to have a UK BA or BSc Honours degree at 2:2 or better, normally in a subject other than psychology; qualifications at an equivalent level will also be accepted. Applicants whose first language is a language other than English may be required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. The Institute of Education is committed to admitting and supporting participants with disabilities and welcomes applications from them. Participants do not need to be registered disabled to draw on these services, though in order to provide services in the long-term we will need to ask for medical or other evidence, as appropriate. Disabilities Support can also support people who have a temporary mobility / dexterity impairment / other difficulty as a result of an accident, injury, illness or surgery. We aim to treat every person as an individual, with needs which may differ from those of other people with a superficially similar disability. We do not therefore have standard procedures for participants with dyslexia, nor standard procedures for visually impaired participants: each person's needs are considered individually. Aims of the programme To provide a broad grounding in psychology that will enable participants to develop and/or advance their knowledge and skills in psychology in relation to their professional and personal interests. The programme aims to:

2 Provide participants with a broad, basic knowledge of theory and research in the scientific study of psychology. Develop the ability to describe and evaluate psychological theory and research. Develop the ability to construct a coherent argument and support it with evidence from research in psychology. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes In 2009, the Graduate Qualifications Accreditation Committee of the British Psychological Society (BPS) approved the programme for Graduate Membership and the Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership (previously known as the Graduate Basis for Registration) with the BPS. Programme outcomes: knowledge and understanding; skills and other attributes a) Broad knowledge of basic, key issues in psychology b) Ability to produce critical and informed arguments about core topics in psychology, as specified by the British Psychological Society syllabus c) Ability to describe and evaluate psychological research in terms of theoretical and empirical contributions to the field d) Understanding of basic concepts in research methods and statistics e) Ability to construct a coherent argument supported by research in psychology Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated With regard to teaching methods, 53% of the programme is delivered in the form of lectures, 33% via seminars, and 14% via mixed-method, lecture plus interactive, taskbased learning. Despite the Western / UK emphasis in programme content (noted above), participants are encouraged, in seminars, to consider key issues with respect to their own experience (personal, professional, and cultural). Our teaching, learning and assessment outcomes are achieved by implementing the following strategies: a) Study skills training which takes into account the needs of students from a range of different academic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. b) The programmes, guidance and online resources available from the Institute s Academic Writing Centre. c) Written feedback on all assessed coursework. d) All work is double-marked blind, with the moderation of an External Examiner. e) Introductory training in research methods and statistics to prepare participants who progress to more advanced study at Master s level. A range of teaching methods (as specified above) is used, to allow participants both to acquire subject information and discuss issues in a critical and informed manner. All programme and module information is available to participants online via Moodle. This facility allows participants to obtain key readings for each lecture and all teaching materials in advance of sessions. It also provides a forum for participants to interact online in a virtual learning environment.

3 Information about assessment regulations Participants must successfully complete all elements of the programme, to achieve the minimum credits required for the award. All coursework is assessed according to the grade-related criteria for the programme level, found in the programme handbook. All assignments are independently marked by two staff members, who meet to discuss and reconcile the marks and comments for each individual. Assignments are graded from A to D, with D being a failing grade. Participants are permitted to re-enter a failed module on one further occasion, within 12 months of the original submission. An external examiner is appointed by Senate and plays an important role in monitoring the quality of the programme and evaluating the effectiveness of the teaching and support provided for the programme participants and the reliability of the judgements made in assessing them. Further details about assessment regulations can be found at ssessment_of_students.pdf In each module participants are assessed by: One 2,500-word essay (50%) Examination questions (50%) Questions for the essay are made available to participants well in advance. Support for learning Students taking the programme have diverse backgrounds and experiences of higher education, and every care is taken to ensure that this diversity is acknowledged and suitable support provided. This support includes: Student handbook Programme handbook Academic literacy and oracy sessions, if required Information services induction and other programmes Extensive library and other learning resources and facilities Personal tutor for each student Critical and supportive feedback on written work Access to the University Careers Service, if required. Induction sessions at the start of the programme, in addition to online inductions for general Institute services (such as the Library) Academic counselling and advisory service Access to Participant Welfare Service A Disability Support Office that provides support and guidance for disabled participants and which liaises with participant programmes via the programme leader. Methods for evaluating and improving the programme Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards include: Module evaluation by participants Annual programme review prepared by programme team and considered by Departmental Quality and Teaching Academic Lead Periodic programme review and revalidation involving external panel member Staff review and development Peer observation of teaching External examiner reports

4 Participant representatives on the Programme Team, plus an online forum for receiving participant views and disseminating information Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards Programme Committee Board of Examiners Teaching and Quality Committee Validation Sub-Committee Equal Opportunities Committee Academic Board Senate Mechanisms for gaining participant feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience Participant module evaluation (sessional and programme) Representation on programme committees Indicators of quality and standards a) The programme was re-accredited by the British Psychological Society in April b) External Examiner report. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards Participants taking the BPS-accredited conversion route detailed above must first complete the Graduate Certificate in Psychology, which comprises the following two modules at H-Level: Introduction to Psychology I: Cognition and Development (30 credits) Introduction to Psychology II: Individual, Social and Biological Psychology (30 credits) Progression to the next part of the conversion programme is dependent on participants attaining an average of Grade B or higher in each module. Participants attaining an average of Grade C or higher in each module are eligible to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Psychology. The theoretical and cultural perspective of this programme tends to be dominated by topics and issues in Western psychology (in particular, the US and Europe). This follows from the future professional and educational aims of our participants, who seek qualifications in psychology that are recognised in a UK setting. To this end, our programme is accredited by the BPS. The Institute of Education uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), as a guide to support periods of study undertaken abroad and to assist student mobility. Currently it is assumed that two UK credits equate to one ECTS. Therefore a module of 30 credits would typically equate to 15 ECTS credits. Mode of study Part-time over two terms, commencing in the spring term. Language of study The Institute of Education teaches and assesses participants through the medium of the English language. Competence in English language is required of all applicants. Programme regulations may indicate the level of competence required of each applicant and may make its achievement a condition of admission.

5 Date at which the programme specification was written or revised. November 2014