Compulsory modules

Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology

You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought from expert staff with experience of working in these areas.

Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology

You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought. Typical topics could include the structure and function of the brain, neuronal impulses, how we make sense of sensory stimuli, memory, higher level cognitive processes such as problem solving, and the ways in which genes and hormones influence our behaviour. 

Answering Questions with Quantitative Data

This module will introduce you to the world of psychology research with quantitative data. You will cover a host of topics from what we consider knowledge to be, to how do we propose and test hypotheses. As you progress in the module you will learn a host of different analytic methods which allow you to draw conclusions about the world and behaviour around you.

Answering Questions with Qualitative Data

In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.

Childhood, Policy and Education

This module aims to encourage you to think critically about the concept of childhood as a social and historical construction.  It explores a range of institutional and other discourses in which childhood is encoded including media, literature, art and the law but there is a particular focus on state policies and education.

Understanding Learning

Is learning a matter of conditioning or making impressions on a blank sheet, or is the mind itself active in exploring the world around it? This module will introduce you to contemporary and historical theories of learning. You will explore educational practice at various levels and reflect on your own learning in the context of higher education. 

Education in Britain: Past, Present, Future

This module will cover the period of compulsory state education in Britain (but concentrates mainly in the period 1940s to the present day) and will be historical and sociological in its approach. The emphasis will fall on contemporary educational issues, in school and higher education, and will seek to draw in part from your own educational experiences.

Too Poor to Learn: Poverty, Education and Social Policy

You will explore the main debates around defining poverty, and the controversial nature of welfare systems designed to address the problem.  You will examine the ways in which poverty impacts on educational achievement and explore education policies designed to combat (and compensate for) poverty and social exclusion.

Compulsory modules

Developmental and Social Psychology

Classes in developmental psychology will cover topics such as parenting, emotional development, peer relationships, language development. Classes in social psychology will cover core topics, such as attitudes, social identity, group and intergroup behaviour.

Biological and Cognitive Psychology

This module builds upon and extends your knowledge and understanding of key issues in the study of cognitive processes and the biological basis of behaviour. Cognitive topics include processes such as perception, attention, human learning, and memory. Biological topics are related to the central nervous system in normal and pathological conditions.

Qualitative Research Methods

This module aims to advance your understanding of qualitative research methods and analyses used in Psychology and builds on the content of the first-year research methods modules. You will gain an understanding of a variety of methods, such as interviewing, focus groups, world cafes, etc. as well as a variety of analysis techniques, such as thematic analysis, discourse analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, etc. 

Statistics for Psychology

This module will cover commonly used advanced research methods in psychology, ranging from classical tests through to statistics at the forefront of Psychology. These include factorial ANOVA, regression, and an introduction to Bayesian analysis. Additionally, you will be provided with hands-on experience working on your own research projects.

Play, Power and Pedagogy

This module encourages you to examine play as a core method of learning. You will explore contemporary theories and practices surrounding the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how these are reflected in historical and contemporary policy debates.

Education Matters: Contemporary Issues and Debates in Education

This module provides a detailed and critical overview of significant processes of educational change, and the thinking (political, ideological, and economic) behind them.  All the issues covered in this module are of contemporary relevance and highlight the fundamental re-positioning of educational systems, structures and processes in society and economy.

Special Education: introduction to theory and practice

This module introduces you to key debates, issues, and concepts in the field of inclusive/special education. Rooted in a US context, the module critically explores current and past theories and philosophies that provide the basis for current special education practice.

Research Strategies and Methods in Education

This module is concerned with the enquiry into educational issues. It relates to issues of theory, focus and method. Our aim is to provide you with an introductory experience of education research - of the questions it asks, the practices that it employs and the methods by which it seeks to find answers.

Compulsory modules

Final Year Project (Double) - ISP

During your Final Year Project, you will conduct an independent and substantive piece of empirical psychological research under supervision. You will also have the opportunity to develop a research question and hypotheses, design a research project, and submit an application to gain ethical approval.

Grand Challenges in Psychology

In this module you will extend your appreciation of the ways in which psychology and psychological science have developed culturally and historically to get us to where we are now. The topics covered invite you to think critically about current debates and future challenges in a wide range of areas of Psychology. Indicative topics include consciousness and cognition in human and non-human animals, the use of psychology for manipulation and control and community action and change.

Psychology in Education

Psychology in Education is designed to develop your understanding of psychological theory, research and practice in education. The sessions will introduce theories and research and then ask you to put this into practice in a variety of ways for a variety of audiences. Indicative topics may include Bullying, Social skills training and Diversity in the classroom. 

Inclusive Education

This module offers insights into many different aspects of inclusive education. Indicative topics include Past and current developments of an ‘inclusive’ education, Educating children with learning ‘disabilities’ and the historical/social context. 

Education, Work and Identity

This module explores changing patterns of education and work, the dynamic relationship between these two institutions, and how this has developed over time. It will examine the wider social, cultural and economic contexts that shape both educational and work institutions, and how these affect the lives and identities of those involved in them.

Optional modules

Health and Disease

In this module indicative topics include prevention of illness, health promotion, behaviour change and community approaches to health. In the second half of the module, indicative content includes patient and health care professional perspectives regarding becoming ill and diagnosis with diseases such as cancer.

Models of Cognition

This module will develop not only your understanding of key issues in cognitive psychological models but also your capacity to reason and evaluate as a scientist. Indicative topic areas include models of attention, memory, task switching and judgment and decision making.

Psychology of Climate Change

Taking a historical and contemporary perspective through a psychological lens, this module will provide an in-depth understanding of human areas impacting the climate negatively, as well as discussing short- and long-term human impacts fighting the climate change.

Investigative Forensic Psychology

Explores some of the psychological processes relevant to eyewitness testimony. How effectively are people able to describe or recognise a suspect? How accurate is our memory for details of a crime and how can psychological research help us improve the testimony witnesses provide? These questions and more will be considered during the module.

Cognitive Development

When do new-born infants recognise their mother? Can chimpanzees take others' perspectives? Are human infants moral creatures? This module will advance your understanding of key areas of cognitive development. You will discuss studies focusing on developmental populations in human and non-human primates.

Illness and Coping

This module will give you knowledge and skills in health psychology, focusing on illness and how people cope with a range of health conditions. You will cover the psychological effects of these conditions on all those living with them, including patients, family and carers.

Race, Politics and Education

This module will introduce you to key concepts such as race, nation and ethnicity and to some of the ways in which these have been theorised. It will explore political issues in the recent (1945-present) history of immigration in Britain including state responses to and public debates about immigration during this period.

• Education developments around the world
• Education professionals: Identity and Practice
• Gender and Sexuality
• Independent Research Project - ISP
• History Beyond the Curriculum
• Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System
• Neurodiversity in Society
• Morality, Justice, and Society: Debates in the social and moral psychology