Overview and Aims
Psychology continues to be one of the most popular degrees in the UK, and demand for places on professionally accredited courses is particularly high. The BSc (Hons) Psychology course, offered by the Psychology Group at Leeds Beckett since 2001, has consistently recruited well and is distinctive and highly praised in terms of our
enthusiastic research-informed teaching
commitment to developing our students’ transferable and employability skills and the Leeds Beckett graduate attributes of digital literacy, enterprise and global outlook
depth of support provided in developing a sound and critical understanding across the core areas of psychology
expertise in the teaching of both quantitative and qualitative research methodology
emphasis on applications of psychological knowledge and real-world, problem-solving teaching and learning activities and assessment
specialist laboratory resources
range of option modules focussing on applied areas of psychology and current staff research expertise in areas of international excellence
The course aims to teach you how to analyse and explain thoughts, feelings and behaviour in a systematic and reproducible way. It shows the importance of the relationship between theory, empirical data and application of knowledge to real world issues. The core curriculum we offer is clearly benchmarked to the QAA/BPS core subject areas, providing a sound basis for your professional development.
Support for employability and career planning is embedded throughout the degree programme and is based on developing your ability to reflect on, recognise and articulate the general and subject-specific skills developed. In this refreshed and refocused curriculum our psychology degree programme fully supports the development of the graduate attributes of digital literacy, enterprise
54 and global outlook.
Psychology is distinctive in the rich and diverse range of attributes it develops, drawing, as it does, on skills that are associated both with studying the humanities (e.g., critical thinking and essay writing) and the sciences (hypotheses-testing and numeracy). These include effective communication skills, data analysis skills, computer literacy, the ability to retrieve and organise information from a variety of sources, problem-solving and scientific reasoning, the ability to make critical evaluations of issues, and the ability to conduct independent research and manage projects.
The BSc (Hons) Psychology Course aims to develop:
6. a sound, critical, scientific understanding of historical and contemporary issues and theoretical approaches to studying the mind, brain, behaviour and experience, and of the complex interactions between these.
7. your ability to critically evaluate and synthesise psychological concepts, theory and research findings from multiple theoretical, ethical, cultural and global perspectives.
8. your understanding of the applications of psychological knowledge and interventions and your creativity in real-world problem solving.
9. your research skills in employing a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistical analysis and measurement techniques, culminating in the ability to conduct research independently.
10. your professional and transferable skills, including the Leeds Beckett graduate attributes of digital literacy, enterprise and global outlook, as preparation for a range of career opportunities and/or for further postgraduate study and training.
Course Structure Level 4
Level 4 - Semester 1 Core (Y)
Level 4 - Semester 2 Core (Y)
Introducing Psychology Y Mind, Brain & Behaviour Y
Foundation Research Methods Y Intermediate Research Methods Y
Growing up in a Social World Y Psychology & Mental Health Y
Level 5
Level 5 - Semester 1 Core Level 5 - Semester 2 Core (Y)
55 (Y)
The Person and the Social World Y Advanced Research Methods Y
Behavioural Neuroscience Y Individual Differences & Work Behaviour
Y
*Psychology of Appearance Psychological Development Through the Lifespan
Y
*Drug Addiction
*Identity & Prejudice
*Psychology of Women
*Real-World Psychology
*Organisational Psychology
*Social Influence
Level 6
Level 6 - Semester 1 Core (Y)
Level 6 - Semester 2 Core (Y)
Final Project (40 credits) Y Final Project (40 credits) Y
Critical & Philosophical Issues in Psychology
Y *Forensic Psychology
Cognitive Psychology &
Neuropsychology
Y *Clinical & Counselling Psychology
*Health Psychology
*Educational Psychology
*Communication Through the
56 Lifespan
*Consumer and Buyer Behaviour
*Biopsychology of Stress and Health
*Investigative Psychology
*Individual & Collective Emotions
*Psychology of Sport
Language: An Integrative Behavioural Approach
*We will ensure we offer an attractive and varied programme of option modules at levels 5 and 6, but are unable to commit to offering the full programme of validated options in any one academic year. All option modules are based on staff research expertise and the nature of the option programme offered will take into account the planned research commitments of individual members of staff. The number of options offered will be determined by the number of students requiring options within the limits imposed by having a minimum of 25 students and a maximum of 50 students registered on any one option.
The student journey through the three levels ...
Your first year, at level 4, serves as a foundation and is designed to enable you to make the transition to university degree study whilst starting to prepare you for the world of work. You will be introduced to the areas of knowledge central to the study of psychology and will be fully supported in developing a range of core skills, both practical and intellectual, including more generic skills such as essay writing, referencing and report writing.
57 Level 4 - Semester 1 Core
(Y)
Level 4 - Semester 2 Core (Y)
Introducing Psychology Y Mind, Brain & Behaviour Y
Foundation Research Methods Y Intermediate Research Methods Y
Growing up in a Social World Y Psychology & Mental Health Y
In your first year, you are expected to have a good understanding of the basic principles underlying the theories and methods of psychology. The emphasis here is on you developing a thorough grounding in the core ideas and skills appropriate to the study of psychology. This means that assessments are designed to give you a chance to demonstrate that you have acquired a good grasp of relevant fundamental concepts and skills. You are expected to have a clear understanding of different perspectives in psychology and their applications to particular issues within the discipline.
In order to achieve a good grade on a first year module you must show that you have a sound understanding of the basics and are able to communicate clearly about those basics. There is significant input from tutors at this level and you are, for example, often directed to key texts.
Although the emphasis is on getting the basics right you are nevertheless strongly encouraged and supported to develop critical thinking skills relevant to evaluating theories and methods. In brief, you are expected to get the basics right.
Your second year, at level 5, builds on your achievements in the previous year and involves a deeper exploration of issues, concepts, ideas and debates within psychology, increasing both the depth and the breadth of your knowledge and understanding across the major domains of
psychology. In addition to the five core modules covering the BPS core curriculum essential to the accreditation of your degree, you will also have the opportunity to select an option module.
Level 5 - Semester 1 Core Semester 2 Core (Y)
58 (Y)
The Person and the Social World
Y Advanced Research Methods Y
Behavioural Neuroscience Y Individual Differences & Work Behaviour
Y
Psychology of Appearance Psychological Development Through the Lifespan
Y
Drug Addiction
Identity & Prejudice
Psychology of Women
Real-World Psychology
Organisational Psychology
Social Influence
At Level 5 in your second year, you are expected to build on the basic understanding of Level 4 by developing critical skills. The emphasis here is on you engaging in critical analysis and evaluation of theories and methods in psychology, often involving the capacity to demonstrate an
understanding of the differences and similarities between two (or more) competing explanations or approaches to investigation. You are expected to demonstrate an awareness of the general and specific debates between and within different perspectives in psychology.
In order to achieve a good grade on a second year module you must show that you have acquired the ability to construct coherent critical evaluations of theories and methods. In order to facilitate this critical approach, tutors will direct you to a range of texts presenting differing perspectives and encourage you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each. Although the emphasis is on critical evaluation of theories and methods, you are nevertheless encouraged and supported to develop independent learning and to think in terms of exploring your ability to contribute to ongoing debates on theory and methods, often supported by scrutiny of primary sources. In brief,
59 you are expected to be critical.
Your final year, at Level 6, is characterised by the synthesis of knowledge and skills and
independence of judgement and critical evaluation that you are expected to demonstrate at this level. The Final Project module enables you to explore a topic area that you are interested in and requires you to apply the skills developed through the research methods modules. The two other core modules – Critical & Philosophical Issues in Psychology and Cognitive Psychology &
Neuropsychology – and the two option modules that you select, similarly provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate synthesis of your knowledge, skills and critical evaluation with respect to specialist and applied topics in the discipline.
Level 6 - Semester 1 Core (Y)
Level 6 - Semester 2 Core (Y)
Final Project (40 credits) Y Final Project (40 credits) Y
Critical & Philosophical Issues Y *Forensic Psychology
Cognitive Psychology &
Neuropsychology
Y *Clinical & Counselling Psychology
*Health Psychology
*Educational Psychology
*Communication Through the Lifespan
*Consumer and Buyer Behaviour
*Biopsychology of Stress and Health
*Investigative Psychology
*Individual & Collective Emotions
60
*Psychology of Sport
Language – an Integrated Biological Approach
At Level 6 you are expected to consolidate, develop and build on the critical orientation fostered in Level 5 modules. You will be expected to develop the capacity to judge the adequacy of theories or methods in relation to identified criteria of evaluation and to make increasingly more sophisticated judgements about what kinds of evidence are and are not relevant to evaluating complex problems and debates. The emphasis here is on the development of deeper knowledge as a result of your greater independent learning. You are expected to demonstrate an
understanding that while some debates in psychology might be resolved by further data collection, some might not.
In order to achieve a good grade on a final year module you must show some capacity to exercise independent critical thought to primary sources such as journal articles, edited collections and books reporting original research and theoretical analyses. In order to facilitate this level of achievement you are required to complete an honours project which requires significant student-led work in identifying a research problem, designing an empirical examination of that problem and reporting the findings of the investigation within a recognised scholarly format. While tutors input may be informed by their own research and scholarship, the most important contribution is likely to be in relation to facilitative discussions with you, building on your preliminary
independent reading and analyses. In brief, you are expected to be independent.
Personal Development Planning and Personal Tutor support
Throughout the course the development of your independent learning skills and career planning is promoted through Personal Development Planning, work-related learning activities undertaken in the period over Christmas and the New Year, opportunities to engage in voluntary work and study abroad, together with the timetabled work that you do in your work placement. Reflective accounts of these activities will be incorporated into an e-portfolio, the aim of which is to provide a continuing overview of your achievements, and a record of your personal and professional
61 development throughout your degree. You will be encouraged to keep in contact with your
Personal Tutor to provide support for these Personal Development Planning activities, reflections and monitoring of your achievements and progression, and for pastoral support.
As a reflection of the key nature of this Personal Tutor support to the teaching and learning opportunities provided for our students, all members of staff allocate a significant amount of time for you to make appointments for one-to-one meetings. These additional contact hours include: 6 hours per student at level 4 (which includes the support provided during induction week); 2 hours per student at level 5; and 2 hours per student at level 6.
Course Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
The course learning outcomes described below have been informed by the Psychology Benchmarks and the development of our graduate attributes. The relevant key concepts and specific graduate attributes developed are identified for each learning outcome (in italics) to ensure a clear and distinctive message about what it means to be a student on this course and to develop a strong course identity.
On successful completion of the course you will be able to:
Systematically review, synthesize and critically evaluate a body of psychological knowledge, including new and specialised knowledge, recognising the diversity of psychological functioning and the global and socio-cultural context of human experience.
Key concepts: knowledge, interpersonal insight, problem-solving and reasoning skills Graduate attributes: digital literacy (academic practice, information literacy), global perspectives
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and competence in working independently to design, conduct and report an empirical research project complying with established ethical standards.
Key concepts: research, analysis, handling data and information, problem-solving and reasoning skills
Graduate attributes: enterprise (project management, creativity), digital literacy (academic practice, information literacy, computer literacy) , global perspectives
62 Show competency in the analysis and interpretation of statistical and other forms of data,
including employment of digital literacy skills in accessing, processing and evaluating
information, ideas and evidence from a wide range of psychological and other scientific sources.
Key concepts: research, analysis, handling data and information
Graduate attributes: digital literacy (academic practice, information literacy, computer literacy, digital scholarship)
Demonstrate a sound and critical understanding of the applications of psychology and approach problem-solving in systematic, innovative and creative ways to explain and devise solutions to a range of real-world problems.
Key concepts: problem-solving and reasoning skills, interpersonal insight
Graduate attributes: enterprise (creativity, problem-solving), global perspectives (sensitivity to difference, diversity, global and cultural context)
Structure and effectively communicate ideas and information to a range of different audiences, using professional standards and enterprise skills appropriate to the socio-cultural and global contexts and purpose of the communication.
Key concepts: communication skills, interpersonal insight
Graduate attributes: digital literacy (computer literacy, information literacy, enterprise (creativity, problem-solving), global perspectives (sensitivity to difference, diversity, global and cultural context)
Demonstrate effective, respectful and culturally sensitive team working skills and ability to reflect critically and constructively on the achievement of personal and group
objectives and potential for enhancing performance.
Key concepts: team-working skills, communication skills, interpersonal insight, learning orientation
Graduate attributes: enterprise (creativity, problem-solving), global perspectives (sensitivity to difference, diversity, global and cultural context)
Level Learning Outcomes 39 Level Learning Outcomes:
On completion of Level 4 you will be able to:
63 1 Accurately describe, explain, compare and contrast specified theoretical
approaches, aspects, issues and practices within psychology and demonstrate an awareness of its impact in different cultural contexts.
2 Demonstrate a basic understanding of some of the methodologies, and ethical standards employed in psychological research, and undertake clearly structured group-based research projects, with guidance.
3 Utilise a range of basic practical and digital literacy skills, with some guidance, in locating and organising information, and in analysing and interpreting statistical and other forms of data.
4 Demonstrate an understanding of some of the applications of psychology and ability to develop basic solutions to address clearly defined real-world problems.
5 Clearly communicate ideas and information to different audiences, and
demonstrate a developing awareness of professionally accepted standards and enterprise skills appropriate to the socio-cultural and global context and purpose of the communication.
6 Demonstrate basic, respectful and culturally sensitive team working skills and ability to reflect on the achievement of personal and group objectives to facilitate future learning and improve performance.
Level Learning Outcomes:
On completion of Level 5 you will be able to:
1. Systematically review and demonstrate a developing competence in critically evaluating a body of psychological and other scientific knowledge, recognising the diversity of psychological functioning and the global and socio-cultural context of human experience.
2. Demonstrate a reasonable understanding of a range of qualitative and
quantitative research methodologies and a developing competence in conducting empirical research, with some guidance, complying with established ethical and professional standards.
3. Show reasonable competency in the analysis and interpretation of statistical and other forms of data, including employment of digital literacy skills in accessing and evaluating information, ideas and evidence from a range of psychological and other scientific sources.
4. Demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the applications of psychology and approach problem-solving in systematic and creative ways to explain and devise solutions to a range of clearly defined real-world problems.
5. Structure and effectively communicate ideas and information, using professional standards and enterprise skills appropriate to the socio-cultural and global contexts and purpose of the communication.
6. Demonstrate effective, respectful and culturally sensitive team working skills and ability to reflect critically and constructively on the achievement of personal and group objectives and potential for enhancing performance.
Level Learning Outcomes:
On completion of Level 6 you will be able to:
1 Systematically review, synthesize and critically evaluate a body of psychological knowledge, including new and specialised knowledge, recognising the diversity of psychological functioning and the global and socio-cultural context of human experience.
2 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and competence in working independently
64 to design, conduct and report an empirical research project complying with
established ethical standards.
3 Show competency in the analysis and interpretation of statistical and other forms of data, including employment of digital literacy skills in accessing, processing and evaluating information, ideas and evidence from a wide range of psychological and other scientific sources.
4 Demonstrate a sound and critical understanding of the applications of psychology and approach problem-solving in systematic, innovative and creative ways to explain and devise solutions to a range of real-world problems.
5 Structure and effectively communicate ideas and information to a range of different audiences, using professional standards and enterprise skills appropriate to the socio-cultural and global contexts and purpose of the communication.
6 Demonstrate effective, respectful and culturally sensitive team working skills and ability to reflect critically and constructively on the achievement of personal and group objectives and potential for enhancing performance.
Learning & Teaching Activities
The learning and teaching methods on our course are designed to align the learning, teaching and assessment strategy with the learning outcomes specified for each level. Each year you will receive a course handbook, which details the course structure at that level and what is expected of you (it also provides other information about the University, course team, regulations and policies etc.). In addition, you will receive a module handbook for each module, providing details about the module, how the module will be delivered in terms of types of teaching sessions and the main topic for each session, how it will be assessed, a reading list and other material relevant to the module. In order to deliver core knowledge, facilitate understanding of theories and concepts and develop practical and applied skills, we employ a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, group work, practical/laboratory classes, presentations, problem-based projects/briefs and tutorials. We also make extensive use of on-line activities including formative quizzes, on-line discussion boards.
Each teaching session is contextualized in terms of its intended purpose, its expected outcomes and
Each teaching session is contextualized in terms of its intended purpose, its expected outcomes and