Compulsory modules

First Steps in Becoming a Psychology Researcher
You will be introduced to research methods for psychology, including the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative design, as well as data collection, data analysis, and report writing. You will have a combination of in-person and asynchronous active learning, complemented by weekly 2-hour practical labs. The labs are applied in nature and you will get a deeper understanding of how qualitative and quantitative research works.

Understanding People
The core psychological topics in development, social, cognitive, and biological psychology, as well as individual differences, will be introduced. You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought in areas such as cognitive and social development, social influence, group processes, how we understand sensory information, memories, and the ways in which genes and hormones influence behaviour.

Exploring and Applying Psychological Topics
Building on ‘Understanding People’, this module expands on core psychological topics as well as more specialist areas, such as health, forensic, sport, business, educational, and clinical psychology. You will be given opportunities to explore and reflect on different areas of psychology you may not yet be aware of and consider how this could inform your future career routes.

Exploring Business Foundations: Principles and Practices
This module introduces you to the essential concepts and practices in business, including basic economics, management principles, and the roles of marketing and finance. You will learn about the structure of various business organisations and begin to understand the dynamics of the business world. The module allows you to think about the implications of different aspects of business functioning in an industry of their choice.

Compulsory modules

Next Steps in Becoming a Psychology Researcher
Building on ‘First Steps in Becoming a Psychology Researcher’, you will be introduced to more advanced topics in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative topics include data collection skills, such as interviews or focus groups, as well as analysis techniques such as thematic analysis or discourse analysis. Quantitative topics includes factorial ANOVA, planned comparisons, etc. Content will be delivered via in-person teaching and asynchronous active learning and is complemented by practical labs where you can practice your skills. 

Understanding People in Depth
Building on ‘Understanding People’, you will study theory and findings associated with developmental, social, cognitive, and biological psychology and individual differences. Topics on this module may include parenting, emotional development, attitudes, identity, perception, attention, and biological systems underpinning mental processes and behaviour. This module will highlight historical, individual and cultural developments in psychology, as well as integrating psychological sub-disciplines to give a more holistic understanding of human psychology.

Business Psychology Theory and Practice
Like the world of business, business psychology is a dynamic area of study, reflecting the changing world in which we work. This module will provide you with an introduction to the main topic areas in Business Psychology and Occupational Psychology. You’ll explore topics through the lens of evidence-based practice, helping you grasp the crucial role of scientific evidence in psychological practice. You’ll dive into and critically evaluate literature from both psychological and business publications, equipping you with the skills to make informed, impactful decisions.

Management Essentials: People, Processes, and Performance
Building on foundational knowledge, this module focuses on operational aspects of managing business - both small and large. Topics include the management of people and resources, understanding operational processes, and techniques for improving organisational performance. You will explore case studies and participate in simulations to see management theories in action. The module allows you to think how people, processes and performance operate in an industry of their choice.

Optional modules

Psychopathology
"Psycho" translates to "mind" and "pathos" means "illness or disease"; "-ology" means "to study". In this module, we consider what has happened to the brain and the cognitive structure of the mind to cause them to develop conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and depression. The module will primarily offer a biological and cognitive perspective, but you will be encouraged consider other perspectives, drawing on the whole of the psychology curriculum. 

Cyberpsychology - the psychology of technology and the internet
Cyberpsychology is a relatively new sub-discipline, but one that is increasingly relevant in today's online world.  In this module, the effects of the Internet and technology will be examined from a psychological perspective.  We will examine many contemporary issues such as online dating, the use of social media, online advertising, and how we interact with others on the Internet including cybercrime.

Collective Action and Social Change
You will learn about individual and group level processes that energize and sedate social change. You will be exposed to a wide variety of contexts from across the world and work of researchers from these contexts. You will then apply your knowledge to and learning to analyze and understand current events, protests, demonstrations, and larger social movements and provide recommendations to decision makers.

The Psychology of Crime, Investigation, and Punishment
Why do people commit crimes? How are crimes investigated? Is our criminal justice and penal system fit for purpose? Forensic psychology refers to the interface of broad sub-disciplines of psychology with the criminal justice system. This module provides an introductory overview of forensic psychology, covering the causes of crime and victimisation, investigation of crime, punishment of crime, and life after crime, as well as more specialist coverage and discussion of topics, such as criminal justice theory, forensic evidence, false confessions, and alternative dispute resolution.

Health Psychology
Why do people behave the way that they do around their health? You will learn about key theories and models from health psychology that help us to understand the psychological aspects of health, the main methodological approaches we use to study health psychology, and how we can develop health interventions to promote aspects of health. You will also learn more about the inequalities in health that exist in society, and what we might be able to do to tackle them.

Neuroimaging & Cognitive Neuroscience
One of science’s biggest unanswered questions regards how complex cognition, behaviour, and consciousness arise from the structure and activity of the brain. This module will introduce methods and applications of cognitive neuroscience as a way to study brain-behaviour relationships, how to test psychological theories of cognition, and understand the effects of brain injury and disease. You will learn about brain imaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and EEG, etc. In addition, you will learn to apply each method to theoretical, applied, or clinical issues.

Child Psychology in Practice
Psychology is used in many fields and professions which seek to improve the lives of children. One of the most common ways is in interventions, which are designed to address developmental, social, or educational issues. This module will introduce you to the foundational principles of intervention design and evaluation and how psychology has been applied in a variety of contexts, which may include: how children learn, healthy and unhealthy relationships, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), amongst others.

Wellbeing & Mental Health in the Community
In this module, you will be introduced to different communities and how mental health and wellbeing might vary depending on the community. You'll be taught about the short-term and long-term consequences of mental health and wellbeing for individuals but also society more broadly. You will also start to think about what you can do as a researcher to help your community.

Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)
In a competitive job market, practical skills and understanding workplace dynamics are crucial. This module allows you to gain hands-on experience, enhance your employability skills, and provide valuable insights into the professional world. You will be supported via a range of activities to secure a role and can source your own placement or apply to university-sourced roles. This module has built-in flexibility on when and how you complete your placement around existing demands.

Compulsory modules

Being a Psychology Researcher
The dissertation module, which runs over Autumn and Spring Semesters, offers the opportunity to put into practice all the scholarship and research methods skills developed over the Psychology Course. Successful completion of the Final Year Project is a prerequisite for a psychology degree to confer British Psychological Society Chartership, which is necessary to pursue any professional career in psychology. You will design, conduct and write-up a piece of original empirical work.

Professional Skills for Researchers
Building on the skills developed in previous years, this module will support you in the final steps to being a psychology researcher. The module is designed to enhance your broad employability skills that are transferrable beyond academia, such as using AI ethically, data protection/handling, ethical awareness, science communication, etc. In addition, the module will provide you with advanced skills to support with conducting your dissertation, providing skills around research design, data collection (e.g. advanced Qualtrics skills, PsychoPy skills, etc), and analysis support.

Leadership and Coaching for Workplace Wellbeing
How do we unlock the potential of employees and leaders? In this module, you will discover how to help employees and leaders reach their full potential and create healthy workplaces. Through the lens of work psychology, you will develop the knowledge to understand workplace wellbeing and its implications for businesses. You’ll explore the critical role of leadership and work design in fostering safe environments and engage in practical sessions to develop essential business psychology coaching skills. Practice these techniques in a supportive setting through discussions, debates, and role plays.

Grand Challenges in Psychology
This final year module serves as the culminating and integrative experience of our undergraduate degree programmes. In this capstone module you will extend your appreciation of how psychology and psychological science have developed culturally and historically to get us to where we are now. Indicative topics include: consciousness and cognition; the use of psychology for manipulation and control; the replication crisis and open science; understanding conflict and entrenched beliefs; and psychology in the criminal justice system. These topics will be explored in a way that extends and synthesizes your previous learning from across the breadth of the programme.

Strategic Business Insights: Innovating and Competing
This advanced module focuses on strategic thinking and decision-making within the business ext. You will examine how businesses can formulate strategies to maintain competitive advantage, adapt to changing markets, and innovate. The module includes discussions on global business challenges, sustainability, and the role of technology in business transformation. The module allows you to focus on strategic challenges facing organisations in an industry of their choice.