UEPSYOGY - BSc Psychology Extended Degree

The Preparatory Year of the four year Psychology Extended Degree Programme is a level three course intended to introduce students to the fundamentals of psychology and general science to enable them to study Psychology at level four. It makes no assumptions about prior scientific study. Students will gain a solid grounding in biology and psychology. Practical sessions in the Science Centre help students gain proficiency at experimental work, and are delivered within PR3001 (Scientific Studies).

The material will be delivered by a range of mechanisms designed to allow the student to maximise the use of their preferred learning style (traditional lecture/tutorial sessions, guided independent learning, use of IT-based material such as VLOs, peer-assisted sessions).

Utilisation of the University’s VLE, Weblearn has become an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. Online progress tests will be used to provide students with formative and summative feedback on their progress. Exams in several modules are delivered as online exams. Feedback will be delivered online and through provision of tutorial question-and-answer sessions and other formative exercises.

Students have access to the Learning Centre which provides specific group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive and regularly reviewed range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources.

The aims of the Preparatory Year are to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of Psychology and Biology to enable them to embark with well-founded confidence on to the second year of the Extended Degree course.
It will provide students with a broad, varied and stimulating experience which allows them to assess their own aptitudes and interests and develop the ability to apply principles learned in the classroom and laboratory in unfamiliar situations. It will help to develop in students the ability to communicate material of a technical nature both clearly and appropriately.

By the end of the course the student is expected to have developed:

1. an appreciation of the fundamental concepts in psychology and biology;
2. competence in accessing and evaluating information independently and making effective use of paper-based and electronic sources of scientific information and data;
3. the capacity to communicate a subject clearly and accurately orally, and/or in writing;
4. an ability to analyse information and make reasoned judgements;
5. an ability to employ a range of responses to well defined but often unpredictable or unfamiliar problems;
6. a sense of responsibility for quantity and quality of output.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including problem solving exercises, in-class tests, practical datasheets, oral presentations, essays and examinations. Formative assessments include regular on-line tests.

The programme includes a 15-credit core employment module [PC5050] taken at Level 5. The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their understanding of the relevance of psychological theory and empirical research to employment issues. Through engagement with a work-based project undertaken as part of a work based experience, this module aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore the application of their knowledge of the psychological material encountered within the curriculum to a question of relevance to their work experience host, and also to develop their skills in time and project management. This module further aims to develop students’ employability skills through the provision of taught sessions of various aspects of employability (e.g., effective self-presentation) and through an assessment pattern designed to develop students’ abilities in effective oral presentation, written communication, and reflective learning.

The course conforms to both the University’s Undergraduate Scheme and the University Academic Regulations.

All modules are core. For intermediate awards; for a Preparatory Certificate, 60 credits must have been awarded, and for a Preparatory Diploma 120 credits must have been awarded and in either case the student is not continuing with study at the university.
To progress to level 4 of BSc Psychology, students are required to achieve marks in excess of 40% in their level 3.

As the programme progresses students will receive feedback from tutors and peers enabling them to reflect on their progress based on the evidence available. This process assists students in developing as independent learners, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This will be of benefit throughout their future studies, and career. Students will also be able to track their performance on-line.

During their course students will learn more about professional aspects of psychology, and about a range of careers which successful graduates can embark upon.

All students are eligible for student membership of the BPS and are encouraged to join. This membership provides them with more general information about the psychology community, student conferences, work experience opportunities, further training and careers advice. The School also hosts a number of external speaker events to which all students are invited, along with the specific expertise and advice relating to careers in psychology which is provided throughout their course and embedded within PC5050 (see Section 25)

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring the Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC), subject to graduates obtaining a minimum of a lower second class honours degree.

Graduates of our Psychology BSc (Hons) degree, with further training, can enter into fields directly related to psychology including clinical, counselling, educational, health, forensic and occupational psychology.

The degree also gives a strong foundation for careers in human resources, marketing, advertising and market research. There is also the option of further study at postgraduate level.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• for entry in the 2016-17 academic year: 80 or more UCAS points, (or equivalent, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• for entry in the 2017-18 academic year: at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Other applicants may have level 3 qualifications such as A level, BTEC Extended Diploma or Access to Higher education qualifications with high UCAS points and grades, but not in the relevant subject areas eg. Biology and Chemistry, which are required to study for BSc programmes in the School of Human Sciences.

Applicants who meet the UCAS points criteria but who obtained a D (grade 4 from 2017) in English and/or Maths at GCSE may be offered a University test in these areas.