Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The overarching aim of the Psychology BSc is to provide graduates with the basic skills to be able to begin a career as a chartered psychologist. This is achieved by meeting the programme standards for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Pschological Society (BPS). Psychology programmes, like ours, which have this accreditation, must demonstrate that they equip graduates with the necessary skills to start on the path to becoming a professional in the field.  This means demonstrating that we:

• equip students with intellectual, practical and transferable skills required for a career as a chartered psychologist
• develop and promote independent learning
• develop knowledge of a range of research skills and methods for investigating experience and behaviour
• promote and provide, where appropriate, a multi-disciplinary educational experience

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• British Psychological Society GBR curriculum
• Benchmark statements for Psychology
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core sub fields of the discipline: biological, cognitive, conceptual and historical issues, developmental, individual differences and social psychology.
• With reference to appropriate research designs, describe a range of quantitative, qualitative and statistical research methods and techniques appropriate to psychometrics and psychological testing

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• demonstrate evidence-based scientific reasoning, and make critical judgements about arguments and primary source material in psychology;
• adopt multiple perspectives, systematically analyse the relationships between them and use these insights to make informed critcal judgements and evaluations;
• search for similarities and general principles in order to detect meaningful patterns in psychological functioning;
• recognise the continuous significance and import for psychology of contextual, interpersonal and cultural influences, and have some appreciation of the complexities their recognition raises;
• conduct and report an empirically-based research project under appropriate supervision, demonstrating at an appropriate level the relevant skills associated with personal planning, project management.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Observe, record and give a systematic account of human behaviour in a multitude of settings
• Design an experiment to test the evidence for a specific theory or hypothesis taking into account an appropriate range of relevant variables
• Collect both a qualitative and quantitative data and apply appropriate analytic techniques to each
• Communicate and listen effectively, and be aware of how ethical considerations are relevant to professional psychological interactions.  

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Demonstrate computer literacy with respect to relevant and widely used word-processing, database and analytic software packages and resources
• Use electronic and other resources to search for, identify and organise psychological information in library books, journals, and appropriate online sources
• Work independently and in groups to solve problems including the ability to clarify, find alternative solutions, reach common goals and evaluate outcomes.
• Communicate effectively to a range of audiences on psychological topics using an appropriate medium

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A  - Introductory Modules

4.2       Part B  - Degree Modules

4.3       Part I - Placement (8 semester programme only)

Candidates on degree programmes with professional training will register for the non-credit bearing placement module PSI003.

4.4       Part C  - Degree Modules

Please note: Optional modules are subject to availability and timetable permitting. 

4.4.1    Erasmus Programme

Subject to Programme Director approval, students may be selected to undertake a semester at Maastricht University:  PSC600 Psychology Erasmus 1 (50 credits, Semester 1) or PSC601 Psychology Erasmus 2 (60 credits, Semester 2).  Students taking the Erasmus programme in semester 1, must complete 20 credits of the Project in each semester. Students who take the Erasmus programme in semester 2 must complete 30 credits of the Project in Semester 1 and 10 credits in Semester 2.

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester.  Students who opt for a 50/70 or 70/50 split of credit weightings must have the permission of the Programme Director.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX  will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.