-
PS-D01
Research Project
The research module will involve constructing and executing a substantial research project, usually conducted in connection with a topic / theme relevant to the overall masters programme. Capitalising the on the links between the course and local services, there may be opportunities to conduct research within partner organisations (e.g. NHS trusts, mental health charities, forensic units) as well as undertaking research based on topics generated by academics based within the department of psychology. We also encourage students who come to the program with connections as a consequence of previous professional experience, to undertake projects that are linked to interests they have already established. For students on BPS accredited masters programmes, the dissertation will take the form of an empirical research project involving primary data collection and submission of an individual ethics proposal.
-
PS-M006
Psychology of Health and Wellbeing: Theory and Applications
This module looks at how physical and mental health is affected by people¿s behaviours, their motivations, and wider social and environmental influences. The module draws on a range of perspectives from the individual through to the environmental (such as personal motivation, civic engagement, and the wider ecological context) and looks at how these shape health outcomes. The course is structured around three themes: intrapersonal (individual), interpersonal (community), and extrapersonal (environmental). Through these levels, students explore health and wellbeing, including chronic illnesses, through the lens of social cognitions, psychosocial interventions, and resilience. For example, it explores how motivation and social-cognitive interventions influence health behaviour, and how health is connected to wider issues like the climate emergency (the latter using an intersectional approach that considers more than just personal or social factors). By combining theory with practical approaches, this module aims to prepare students for careers that deal with the complex links between individual behaviours, community dynamics, and environmental factors in health and wellbeing. This approach offers an in-depth exploration of how behaviours, the broader community and environmental contexts influence health and wellbeing, exploring specific aspects and applications as the course progresses.
-
PS-M011
The Practice of Psychology
Continuing on from PS-M010 (The Process of Psychology), this module continues to provide students with the opportunity to engage with experts in various fields of psychology, to explore the discipline from different perspectives and contexts, and understand how psychologists approach real-world problems. Specifically, this module focuses on communicating psychological theory, research and evidence-based policy development.
The module will involve student-led activities such as seminars, workshops, debates, and case studies, where students will apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems and to critically examine how psychological science is applied, communicated, and taught. The module will foster the development of transferable and employability skills such as communication, teamwork and ethical awareness.
During the module, students will receive orientation in academic presentation lesson planning and pedagogic science. This preparation will not only equip them for the end-of-module assessment but also enable them to identify relevant elements during the masterclasses. This foresight will allow them to critically engage with the lectures in ways that are conducive to developing an effective classroom plan and presenting complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way.
Students will attend a weekly ¿masterclass¿ from an expert speaker who will provide an overview of a contemporary research topic in psychology. Speakers each week will particularly focus on (a) the historical context of their topic, (b) real-world applications of this work, and (c) controversies within the field. During each masterclass, students will develop their critical thinking skills through scaffolded note taking and discussion with the speaker.
Through out the module, sessions wil include a focus on reflection and pedagogical design as students prepare for their two assessments. The first is a reflective account of the development of knowledge and critical thinking skills during the module. The second is a classroom plan ¿ a coursework assignment that sees students design their own plan for delivering a ¿masterclass¿ on a contemporary topic in psychology.
By the end of the module, students will have gained a deeper and broader understanding of psychology as a contemporary science and profession as well as an appreciation of the conceptual and historical issues underpinning it. They will have enhanced their confidence and competence in communicating psychological principles and research findings to diverse audiences.
-
PSY337
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in Mental Health and Wellbeing
This module examines how lifestyle choices and environmental factors impact mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on the exposome¿the cumulative effect of environmental exposures on biological processes throughout life. Students will explore how a variety of factors (such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, hydration, and work patterns) influence mental health & wellbeing, both positively and negatively, aligning with preventative approaches aimed at promoting long-term resilience.
-
PSY364
Independent Research Project I
This module, in conjunction with ¿Independent Research Project II ¿ Conducting and Reporting¿, will see students design, conduct, analyse, and write-up a substantial piece of original psychological research under the supervision of a member of staff. In doing so, they will also consider the ethical issues posed by their research and resolve them and conduct their research in line with the principles of Open Science. Demonstrating these abilities is required to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
In ¿Independent Research Project I ¿ Planning and Development¿, students will begin the research process by:
1. Selecting a research topic in collaboration with their supervisor - typically in an area of the supervisor¿s expertise.
2. Formulating research questions and associated hypotheses/predictions.
3. Designing a research study to answer research questions and test hypotheses/predictions.
4. Considering and resolving ethical issues relating to the study.
5. Writing a Stage I Registered Report of the study consisting of Introduction, Methods, and Data Analysis plan.
-
PSY365
Independent Research Project II
This module, in conjunction with ¿Independent Research Project I ¿ Planning and Development¿, will see students design, conduct, analyse, and write-up a substantial piece of original psychological research under the supervision of a member of staff. In doing so, they will also consider the ethical issues posed by their research and resolve them and conduct their research in line with the principles of Open Science. Demonstrating these abilities is required to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
In ¿Independent Research Project II ¿ Conducting and Reporting¿, students will complete the research process by:
1. Conducting a planned piece of original psychological research.
2. Analyzing the data generated from the research.
3. Writing a Stage II Registered Report of the study consisting of Abstract, Results, and Discussion.
4. Demonstrating in depth knowledge of their project and the research process via a viva voce.
-
PSY366
Independent Research Project for Joint Honours
This module, ¿Independent Research Project for Joint Honours,¿ spans two semesters and guides students through the entire research process, culminating in the production of a substantial piece of original psychological research under the supervision of a member of staff. The module is structured in two parts:
In Semester 1, students will begin the research process by selecting a research topic in collaboration with their supervisor¿typically in an area of the supervisor¿s expertise. They will formulate research questions and associated hypotheses, design a research study to test these hypotheses, consider and resolve ethical issues, and produce a Stage I Registered Report, including the Introduction, Methods, and Data Analysis plan.
In Semester 2, students will conduct their planned research, analyze the data generated, and write a Stage II Registered Report, consisting of the Abstract, Results, and Discussion sections.
The module emphasizes ethical research conduct and adherence to Open Science principles, both of which are necessary for achieving Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
