Psychology Undergraduate courses
Psychology offers courses designed to help students realise their career and personal development goals. At The University of Northampton, Psychology can be taken as a Single Honours or Joint Honours Degree.
The following courses are available:
A distinctive feature of the provision is its flexibility. As long as students take the appropriate modules in their first year, movement between courses and/or between part time and full time modes of study is very straightforward.
The Psychology Modules
Contact Details
If you would like to know more about studying psychology at The University of Northampton, please contact:
Graham Smith - Admissions Tutor for Psychology
Telephone: (01604) 892393
Email: graham.d.smith@northampton.ac.uk or study@northampton.ac.uk
BSc (Hons) Psychology Degree
Special features
- Course accredited by the BPS for the next five cohorts (from 2008).
- Modular programme offering flexibility and choice at all levels of study.
- Training in research methods and data analysis.
- Practical experience of designing and conducting research projects, including an independent project in the final year.
- Access to excellent research facilities, including an on-site observation suite and sound attenuated laboratories.
The course
The BSc (Hons)Psychology course provides a broad understanding of all aspects of the discipline and will appeal to those who are seeking a relatively focused approach to their studies. The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for five cohorts (from 2008) and successful completion confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS.
Students can expect to study six modules per year for three years on a full time basis. Some modules are compulsory, whilst others can be selected from a range of options including those not psychology based. The first year comprises an introduction to major theories and research methods in psychology, whilst years 2 and 3 enable students to develop their knowledge of psychological theory, research and methods of enquiry. In the third year, students will focus on aspects of psychology that are of particular interest to them and/or that are of relevance to their chosen career. Current examples of final year modules include those in Forensic Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Child and Adult Development, Health and Counselling Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Parapsychology. In addition, students conduct an independent project under the supervision of a member of psychology staff.
At all levels of study, a variety of teaching and assessment methods are provided, all of which are designed to enable students to enhance not only their subject knowledge but also their transferable skills.
Course content
The course is modular. Some modules are compulsory while others can be selected from a range of options,including those not psychology based. In the first year,students are introduced to the "Core" knowledge areas of the discipline and also receive training in a range of research techniques. In the second year, students study biological, cognitive, social, developmental and personality psychology, and also carry out a number of projects which support the acquisition of more advanced research skills. During the third year they choose four from the array of psychology modules on offer. Current examples include modules in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health and Counselling Psychology, Neuropsychology with Visual Perception and Parapsychology. In addition, a dissertation has to be completed, and this has a weighting equivalent to two taught modules. The dissertation affords students the opportunity to build on and develop the foundation of the formal knowledge base of the first two years and the techniques of research such as data collection and statistical analysis. It is the platform for students to demonstrate their ability to carry out an independent piece of empirical work on a topic of their choosing, and to present their findings in a polished format.
Career opportunities
The broad skills base developed over three years of study insures that many career avenues are open to psychology graduates,including those in human resources and management, marketing and advertising, media and communication, administration, teaching and social work. Alternatively, graduates of the course may, with further training, pursue career opportunities in the field of professional psychology, including clinical, educational, health, counselling and occupational psychology.
BA/BSc Joint Honours
Special features
- Major pathways accredited by the BPS for the next five cohorts (from 2008). Modular programme offering flexibility and choice at all levels of study.
- Training in research methods and data analysis.
- Practical experience of designing and conducting research projects, including an independent project in the final year.
- Access to excellent research facilities, including an onsite observation suite and sound attenuated laboratories.
The course
The BA/BSc Joint Honours course is designed for those who want a programme characterised by breadth and depth. Students on this course typically study psychology along with two or three other subjects such as Sociology, Health Studies, Criminology, Law or Business Studies, but many other subject combinations are available.
On the Joint Honours degree, students study psychology as a major, joint or minor subject, the choice depending on the proportion of time they allocate to each of their subjects. Students majoring in psychology typically take four psychology modules in each year of study, whereas those on the Joint and Minor pathways take three and two psychology modules in each year respectively. The programme is flexible, however, and other combinations are possible, as is movement between major, joint and minor status.
In the first year of study, students are introduced to a variety of approaches to the study of human behaviour and experience and are actively involved in a range of research projects. Knowledge and skills are further developed in the second year, and third year students are able to select modules in the final year which reflect their personal interests and/or career aspirations. Final year Major students also design and carry out their own research project under the supervision of a member of psychology staff. Major students who successfully follow a specified pathway over their three years of study and obtain a minimum of a 2:2 degree are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society.
At all levels of study students can expect to experience a wide range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, small group work and practical classes. Assessment strategies are equally varied and include essays, seen and unseen examinations, multiple choice and short answer questions, practical reports and critical reviews of journal papers.
Course content
The Joint Honours course has been designed to develop in the students the necessary conceptual, theoretical and methodological skills to understand and analyse human behaviour at all the varying levels of explanation employed within the academic and applied discipline. The major theories and methods are taught across three academic levels.
In the first year, there are two core psychology modules. The first, Introduction to Psychology introduces students to the major theoretical approaches to the understanding of human behaviour, while the second, Research Methods in Psychology enables students to acquire skills in the design and execution of a range of investigative methods used by psychologists, the analysis and interpretation of data, and report writing.
In the second year, students may choose two, three or four psychology modules, depending on whether psychology is taken as a Major, Joint or Minor subject. There are modules on biological, cognitive, social, development, and personality psychology. Second year students also carry out a number of projects which support the acquisition of advanced research skills.
During the third year, students choose two advanced psychology modules. Current examples include modules in Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health and Counselling Psychology, Parapsychology. In addition, those on the major pathway undertake an empirical dissertation. The dissertation is the platform for students to demonstrate their ability to carry out an independent piece of empirical work on a topic of their choosing, and to present their findings in a polished format.
Career opportunities
Many career avenues are open to psychology graduates, including those in human resources and management, marketing and advertising, media and communication, teaching and social work. Alternatively, graduates of the course may with further training pursue career opportunities in the field of professional psychology, including clinical, educational, counselling and forensic psychology.
Developmental and Educational Psychology - BSc (Single Honours) UCAS code: C891
Course accredited by BPS until 2013
The University of Northampton offers you the opportunity to study a specialist degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology. If you are interested in psychology but would like to focus on child development and educational issues, this would be a good course for you. Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology come together in this Single Honours BSc course to provide a useful experience for those intending to work in a range of career areas such as Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, teaching and research. In particular this course offers a unique springboard for further study or future training. For further information on careers in psychology visit the British Psychological Society website at www.bps.org.uk (careers). The University of Northampton offers a range of postgraduate courses including PGCE, an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and PhDs.
This undergraduate course will provide the development of a range of transferable skills including analytical and research skills. Employers really value the skills that Psychology graduates can offer in the workplace. In particular they are attracted to the high levels of literacy, verbal fluency and reasoning ability that a degree in Psychology develops.
Subject requirements for entry
Offers of places will be made in terms of a UCAS Tariff points score. Typical offers will require 260 points, but attention will also be paid to applicants' relevant experience in this area. You will not need to have previously studied Psychology, although that will be considered an advantage. You will however, need to be open-minded and adaptable, and able to think about issues from different perspectives. Mathematical skills are necessary for some research methods work in Psychology, and the minimum of a grade C at GCSE Mathematics, or equivalent, will be required. Applicants are also expected to hold GCSE English Language and Science at grade C or above, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Course structure and student experience
There are two clear strands to the degree. The first is a general psychology strand underpinning the specialist Developmental and Educational work. Social, cognitive and biological psychology will be included in this strand. The second strand is comprised of specific Developmental and Educational modules. There will be an educational placement in the second year and another in the third year. Students are also encouraged to seek additional work experience through paid employment or voluntary work.
First year students gain an introduction to the subject by studying a range of different psychological areas and different research approaches. The practical applications of psychology are also studied in the first year. In the second year all areas of psychology are studied in much more depth, both in the development of research skills and in the study of social, biological, cognitive, developmental and educational psychology. The third year provides an opportunity to specialise, both in terms of personal research and the selection of course modules. A dissertation based on a student's own research interest in developmental or educational psychology is carried out in the third year.
The course is structured so that you gain a degree in Psychology, whilst making the most of staff experience in the areas of developmental and educational psychology. Specialist modules include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- The Developing Child
- The Developing Adult
- The Psychology of Learning and Teaching
- Educational Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Becoming a Psychologist
- The Psychology of Mental Heath
- Specialist dissertation
Careers
The nature of this subject combination will mean that you would develop a wide range of important generic skills valued by graduate employers. You will be adaptable, and your communication and analytical skills will be well developed. The course is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). On completion of the course, graduates obtaining a 2:2 degree or above will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR), permitting postgraduate training on any of the professional psychological areas such as clinical and educational psychology. This course would also be of interest to those wishing to pursue a career in teaching. Students changing their mind about career choice will still be able to access the full range of careers available to students following a general psychology course.
If you have any questions about a degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology, please do not hesitate to contact either:
Steve Kilpatrick
Division of Psychology
Email:Steve.Kilpatrick@northampton.ac.uk
Telephone: 01604 892428
Dr Graham Mitchell
Division of Psychology
Telephone: 01604 892394
Email: graham.mitchell@northampton.ac.uk
British Psychology Accreditation
The Division has considerable experience in offering BPS accredited degrees having done so since the 1980s. All BPS accredited programmes are subject to regular review by the society and we are pleased to be able to confirm that our Single Honours (BSc (Hons) Psychology) and Joint Honours Degree (Major in Psychology) were recently reviewed by the British Psychological Society and successfully re-accredited for the next five years (from 2008) as conferring the Graduate Basis for Registration. The review involved an analysis of our curriculum, staff and teaching resources to ensure that we can provide an appropriate educational experience for students wishing to go on to undertake further professional training in psychology. The University of Northampton has recently gained successful accreditation by BPS of BSc (Hons) Psychology, BSc (Hons) Developmental and Educational Psychology, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling until 2013.
