Postgraduate. School of Life Sciences. Postgraduate. psychology

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1 Postgraduate School of Life Sciences Postgraduate psychology

2 Postgraduate Programmes in Psychology The Department of Psychology has an excellent reputation for high-quality teaching and research. We provide an excellent learning and teaching experience for our students and they rank as some of the most satisfied psychology students in the UK (in 2011 we ranked sixth in the UK for student satisfaction The Times Good University Guide.) Teaching is underpinned by the latest research carried out in our two internationally renowned research centres: the Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre which looks at the effects of nutritional interventions on behaviour and the Cognition and Communication Research Centre whose research examines how both adults and children communicate and conceptualise about the world in which we live. We have built an excellent reputation for research in the Department with 90% of research in psychology found to be of international quality in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. Our findings and publications are often reported in the international media and conferences. The Health in Action Research Group also based within the Department conducts cuttingedge research and focuses on the interface between varying bio-psycho-states and health action and outcome. The Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research is a state-of-the-art facility conducting research into the pathophysiology of acute and chronic sleep disorders in adults and vulnerable populations. Many of our programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as the first stage of training for Chartered Psychologist status and subsequent registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). These programmes require candidates to hold Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS. Students who do not possess GBC can study the non-accredited routes or alternatively may want to consider completing a one-year MSc Psychology (conversion) course or sitting the BPS qualifying exam. The Department has been completely refurbished in recent years and houses new teaching laboratories and a range of flexible teaching areas. These provide the opportunity for mixed delivery teaching, using specialist hardware and software to support a wide range of psychological experiments including physiological, perceptual and cognitive assessment systems. Designated laboratories with EEG and eye-tracking equipment are also used in teaching and are accessible to students for research projects. A team of specialist technicians are on hand to offer training and advice. We offer a wide range of modern facilities to support students in their work including an Observation Studio, Observation Laboratory, Test Library, Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Applied Psychology Laboratory and a Psychology Learning and Teaching Laboratory. Our specialist equipment includes digital mixing desks, remote cameras, eye-tracking equipment and psychological testing material. In addition, students can utilise our IT suites and student hubs containing independent study/social areas with networked PCs and access to laptop lending through a dedicated support team. Our facilities are complemented by the 30 million Sport Central facility adjacent to the School. The facility houses state-of-the-art sport science laboratories, a swimming pool, climbing wall, a 3,000 seat arena and a host of fitness areas. 2 SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

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4 Psychology MSc Length: One year full-time Two years part-time This course provides an opportunity for graduates from any discipline who wish to become psychologists and acquire Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and pursuing a career in the psychological field. The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive examination of theories, research and practice in psychology. Students develop a sound understanding of the core subject areas of psychology along with an awareness of professional practice, ethical issues and practical applications. Through their taught experience, students gain the knowledge base to employ critical judgement and engage in independent psychological research. The modules studied by MSc Psychology students are designed specifically for, and delivered exclusively to, Masters students in the Department of Psychology. There are no modules where the delivery is shared with modules from undergraduate programmes. The programme aims to: Provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of psychology. Examine the core areas of psychology, including theories, research and applications. Equip students with a range of transferable academic and employment related skills. Equip students with the critical skills needed to engage in independent psychological research. Provide an opportunity for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Successful graduates will be able to: Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and critical awareness of current issues within and across the core areas of psychology. Critically evaluate research methodologies. Acquire a range of transferable academic and employment related skills. Show knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, including methods of gathering, analysing, interpreting and reporting data collected in group and independent research. Use evidence-based reasoning to critically evaluate theories and research in psychology. Show understanding of ethical issues and the ways in which these may be addressed. Carry out an original, extensive piece of independent empirical research. Demonstrate a critical awareness of areas of applications and professional practice in psychology. Modules you may study include: Psychological Research Experience Psychological Data Analysis Biological and Social Psychology Cognitive and Developmental Psychology Individual Differences Research Philosophies and Planning MSc Thesis Careers Successful completion of the MSc programme provides students with the opportunity to acquire the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and subsequent registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). GBC is currently a requirement for entry onto professional practitioner Stage 1 training in clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychology. In addition to working in the field of psychology, research skills obtained will leave graduates well placed to pursue careers within academia, including further study and PhD programmes with a view to obtaining lecturing positions within Further and Higher Education. 4 SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES Entry Requirements Students should normally possess the minimum of a second class Honours degree. If you are an overseas applicant, you should be able to demonstrate competence in the English language to a level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. (For each of the components within IELTS, applicants must not drop below 0.5 of the required level.)

5 Juliana Salgado MSc Psychology What was it about the course that particularly appealed? I have always wanted to pursue psychology as a career, but have had many detours along the way. I am really pleased to finally be doing it. The course and University have far surpassed my expectations. How did you feel during your first week at Northumbria? Obviously I was slightly anxious, but also excited. The facilities here are amazing, the staff are extremely welcoming and the other students were nice, so it all felt pretty good. What do you like most about the course? I love how high-tech everything is. The IT services are outstanding; the teaching spaces are huge, open, and accessible with computers everywhere you go so you can always stay up-to-date with everything going on. The course itself is structured really well, I feel like I am learning a wide variety of topics from statistics to philosophy, which I like very much. What do you do when you re not studying? Sleep! I also go to Northumbria s Sport Central, which is brand new and very swanky. I also work as a freelance animator, so I am never really able to relax as I have ongoing work in that area as well. However, my favourite thing to do is to visit Tynemouth and walk along the beach. What would you like to do when you graduate? I would like to pursue a career as a Clinical Psychologist. What three words would you use to describe your time at Northumbria? New, modern, fulfilling. The course and University have far surpassed my expectations. 5

6 Health Psychology MSc BPS accredited route Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Psychology of Health and Wellbeing MSc Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Health Psychology is a rapidly expanding discipline concerned with the application of psychological theories, research and methodologies to the study of health and disease processes and encompasses topics ranging from the biological determinants of health through to the delivery of healthcare to society. We offer two parallel programmes - the MSc in Health Psychology provides the first stage of practitioner training necessary to gain British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation as a Chartered Health Psychologist. As such all candidates must hold a BPS accredited psychology qualification with Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC). The MSc Psychology of Health and Wellbeing is available for students without GBC and does not lead to chartered status. The programmes are delivered by an expert team with a variety of health-related backgrounds and an excellent research record within the field of Health Psychology. This will be reflected in the programme content which will comprise first-hand experience, contemporary research findings and a comprehensive network of experts in the field. Modules you may study include: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Psychological Data Analysis Professional Skills Health Psychology in Theory and Practice Lifespan, Individual and Cultural Perspectives Psychometric Pathways to Health and Illness Systems Approaches to Understanding Health and Disease MSc Thesis Careers The programme will provide students with Stage 1 accreditation towards becoming a Chartered Health Psychologist and subsequent registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). As a Chartered Health Psychologist a variety of careers in the area of health, including healthcare delivery, health promotion, illness management and rehabilitation, would be available. The programme also provides students with a range of skills applicable to a variety of health and health-related research posts. Entry Requirements All students should normally possess a minimum of a second class Honours degree. For MSc Health Psychology all students must possess the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society. If you are an overseas applicant, you should be able to demonstrate competence in the English language to a level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. (For each of the components within IELTS, applicants must not drop below 0.5 of the required level.) 6 SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

7 Occupational Psychology MSc BPS accredited route Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Organisational Psychology MSc Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Occupational and Organisational Psychology is an important and valued profession aimed at understanding how individuals perform and behave within the workplace We offer two parallel programmes - the MSc in Occupational Psychology provides the first stage of practitioner training necessary to gain British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist. As such all candidates must hold a BPS accredited psychology qualification with Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC). The MSc Organisational Psychology is available for students without GBC and does not lead to chartered status. The course covers a comprehensive introduction to all the major aspects of the discipline, skills in critical analysis and enquiry, and an opportunity to develop practical applied skills, providing a qualification which can lead to careers in management, consultancy, training, organisational development, talent management and more. The course covers issues such as: What makes an effective leader? How can organisational structure and culture impact upon performance? How do individuals learn and transfer their learning to the work environment? How can we recruit and retain talent of the future? What factors lead to a healthy and productive workforce? The course incorporates an optional Level A training programme and assessment which is essential for all occupational psychologists wishing to make use of standardised psychometric ability and aptitude tests in the workplace. On successful completion of the Level A training, students will be awarded the Level A Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing recognised by the BPS. Furthermore, students are invited to attend an externally run Level B training programme. Modules you may study include: The Organisation Training in Organisations Employee Selection and Development Work and the Environment Counselling and Personal Development Professional Skills Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Psychological Data Analysis MSc Thesis Careers Typically Occupational and Business Psychologists will be involved in assessment and selection of individuals in the workplace, training individuals and teams, team building, organisational development and effectiveness, design of work environments, human machine interaction, personal and leadership development and leadership development. Recent graduates have taken posts within a variety of fields including: Independent consultancy Test publishing Assessment of police officers Training in organisations Rehabilitation to work Employment coaching and counselling Human factors Management Academia or research roles Entry Requirements Students should normally possess the minimum of a second class Honours degree. All candidates for MSc Occupational Psychology must possess the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society. Students without GBS may apply for the parallel programme MSc Organisational Psychology. If you are an overseas applicant, you should be able to demonstrate competence in the English language to a level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. (For each of the components within IELTS, applicants must not drop below 0.5 of the required level.) 7

8 Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc BPS accredited route Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Psychology and Exercise Behaviour MSc Length: One year full-time Two years part-time Sport and Exercise Psychology is a relatively new field of applied psychology, which is rapidly growing and evolving. Increased media interest in both elite performance and physical activity has drawn attention to the need to understand how and why people engage in sport and physical activity. As such there is an increasing demand for psychologists who have expertise in sport and exercise. In performance sport, most National Governing Bodies now recognise sports science support as an important part of training and competition and many now employ sports psychologists to assist in the mental training of their athletes for world class competition. Similarly, in the exercise domain many primary care trusts are now appointing exercise specialists with expertise in psychology to work in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation and health promotion. Now that physical activity has become part of the NHS national service framework, the demand for exercise specialists is set to increase. Postgraduate study in sport and exercise psychology provides an opportunity to specialise in an exciting and developing branch of sport and exercise science. The programme allows students to study pertinent modules in the areas of performance, from recreational to elite levels, as well as exercise, physical activity and health, thus providing students with a diversity of career options. The programme adopts an applied focus, allowing students to develop their professional skills. Students are encouraged to begin professional body accreditation whilst studying. Two parallel programmes are offered. The MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as the first stage of practitioner training for Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist status and subsequent registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). As such candidates must hold a BPS accredited psychology qualification with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). The MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise Behaviour is available for students without GBC and does not lead to chartered status. Modules you may study include: Psychological Skills for Sport Performance Counselling and Interpersonal Processes in Sport Motor Processes in Sport Exercise Psychology Psychological Data Analysis Professional Skills Qualitative and Quantitative methods MSc Thesis Assessment Teaching will comprise lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals and presentations. Assessment can take the form of examinations, written assessments, practical reports, portfolios, oral presentations and presentation logs. Careers In addition to working in the fields of sport or exercise psychology, research skills obtained will leave graduates well placed to pursue a career within academia, including for example further study PhD programmes with a view to obtaining lecturing positions within Further and Higher Education. Entry Requirements Students should normally possess the minimum of a second class Honours degree. For the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology, all students must possess Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership by the British Psychological Society, which means that they completed a psychology degree that has been accredited by the BPS. Students who do not posses GBC but ultimately wish to pursue chartered status might wish to consider first completing our one year full-time (two years part-time) MSc in Psychology with GBC for non-psychology graduates. If you are an overseas applicant, you should be able to demonstrate competence in the English language to a level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. (For each of the components within IELTS, applicants must not drop below 0.5 of the required level.) 8 SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

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10 Master of Research in Psychology MRes Length: One year full-time The Master of Research in Psychology programme aims to provide you with a thorough grounding in research methods and associated practical research skills commonly used by research psychologists. The programme will: Provide a broad and practical education in psychological research training which is informed by staff research experience. Progress your research skills and enhance your career potential. Equip you with a range of transferable academic and work-related skills. Provide you with a distinctive specialist postgraduate programme which incorporates professional training and advanced study in psychological research. Equip you with the critical skills to enable you to plan, execute, analyse and disseminate high-quality psychological research. The MRes also offers: Flexible learning An applied context Vocational relevance Practical experience in a range of techniques Highly experienced research staff Modules you may study include: Qualitative and Quantitative methods Practical Research Skills and Techniques MRes Thesis And options from: Employee Selection and Development Work and Environment Research Experience 1 Research Experience 2 Counselling and Interpersonal Processes in Sport Language and Cognition Lifespan, Individual and Cultural Perspectives on Health Psychology Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Illness Systems Approaches to Understanding Health and Disease Assessment Modules are assessed through a combination of written reports, oral and poster presentations, assignments, exams and logs. Careers The programme provides extensive training for any career involving research-orientated activities such as Research Assistant, and especially for those wishing to pursue doctoral training. Entry Requirements Students should normally possess the minimum of an upper second class Honours degree or better in psychology or a psychology related subject. If you are an overseas applicant, you should be able to demonstrate competence in the English language to a level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. (For each of the components within IELTS, applicants must not drop below 0.5 of the required level.) 10 SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

11 International Students Northumbria is a truly international university. We attract more international students than any other university in the north-east of England. We do our best to make our international students feel at home from the moment they arrive. The University has a Meet and Greet service where students are met from Newcastle Airport and brought to their accommodation. Dedicated student advisors are on-hand to provide advice and support on a host of issues including visas and immigration, working whilst studying, and settling into the local area. How to Apply (UK/EU students) Entry Requirements Applicants are welcomed from a variety of backgrounds. Admission onto a postgraduate programme is not always solely based on academic criteria, we also take into consideration work experience and references. Many applicants are looking for a career change after a long period out of education. Our Return to Learning service offers a host of services to support you. More information can be found at returntolearning Contact us Admissions Team Tel: ar.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk Tuition Fees Postgraduate fees vary depending on programme and mode of study. Up-to-date fee information can be found by searching for the relevant course in the online directory. Fees The International Office has specific information on funding and fees visit How to Apply You can apply online or download and complete the University s International Application Form, available from Applicants If you are a UK/EU resident applications should be made via the University admissions service either by completing the online application form or by contacting the Admissions Team. Contact us International Office Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) international@northumbria.ac.uk

12 Living and studying in Newcastle Northumbria University s School of Life Sciences is situated in the centre of Newcastle. With unparalleled nightlife, beautiful architecture and a vibrant city centre filled with shops, restaurants and cultural venues Newcastle is an excellent place to live and study. In fact one-in-six of the population is a student! Northumbria s City Campus is a five minute walk from the city centre and in 15 minutes you could be on the Quayside, the cultural heart of the city, with the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead music venue attracting many visitors from all over the world. The thriving atmosphere in the city also provides opportunities for part-time work and yet Newcastle has one of the lowest costs of living in the UK which will make your money stretch further. Newcastle s extensive public transport network makes travelling around the city simple and inexpensive. It s just as easy to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. In 30 minutes you could visit one of Tynemouth s beautiful beaches and take a surf lesson, or travel out to the rugged countryside of Northumberland or Durham and visit some of the region s world heritage sites. Designed and produced by Northumbria Graphics J/10/11