(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Psychology
BA C802
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Admission criteria
- GCSE: Mathematics C/4.
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Our Maths requirement can be met with either: 4 in Standard level Maths; 3 in Higher level Maths; or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
Note: If you choose a 30 credit outside option which is at a 2nd year level in component 6 of your final year, please note that this means you will only be taking 90 credits at third-year level (level 6). This is the absolute minimum allowable therefore, you must pass all your final year level 6 modules.
External examiners
Dr John Patrick Rae
Reader in Psychology
Roehampton University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide an education in Psychology in core subjects appropriate to gain Graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and the Graduate Basis for Registration as a Chartered Psychologist through BPS accredited courses
To enable students to acquire a broad understanding of psychological science, while also providing opportunities to develop expertise within particular areas of specialisation (cognitive psychology, social psychology, perception, and neuropsychology).
To provide students with a suitable grounding for further study and research.
To provide training in transferable skills necessary to meet the current requirements of graduate employers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Basic psychological theory, research methods and statistics.
A2: Psychological theory within the core domains as outlined by the BPS. These are Biological Psychology; Sensation and Perception; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology; and Research Methods.
A3: Statistical theory and experimental design appropriate for psychological science.
A4: Principles and techniques in those areas in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
Learning methods
The scheme has been designed to be progressive: acquisition of introductory material (A1) is taught in the first year; acquisition of compulsory core courses in psychological theory (A2), and acquisition of knowledge on statistical theory and experimental design (A3), are taught in the first and second years.
Understanding of specialist topics is encouraged in the third year by means of specialist option courses (A4), in addition to a compulsory final year research project (A4).
The compulsory second year courses and the final year project provide the core syllabus required for professional accreditation by the British Psychological Society.
While lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles outlined in A1-A4, the department encourages learning through the integration of other teaching activities, including tutorials or discussion groups (A1-A3), computer-based workshops (A1, A3), project research and supervision (A4), student presentations (A4), and directed reading (A1-A4).
Assessment methods
A variety of methods of assessment are used, including multiple-choice exams (A1, A3), coursework essays (A1), end-of-year examinations (A1-A4), laboratory reports (A1-A3), research project poster presentation (A4) and research dissertation (A3, A4). The knowledge understanding and experience of studying abroad (A5) is acquired through successful completion of a year abroad which occurs in between the second and final year of the three-year counterpart.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Critically evaluate the relative strengths of a range of theories and techniques used in psychology.
B2: Employ evidence-based reasoning to produce coherent research plans and hypotheses.
B3: Assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources, including primary sources
B4: Analyse and interpret quantitative information relevant to psychological research in graphs, figures, tables, and determine whether appropriate statistical tests have been used.
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures and laboratory classes.
B1 is developed in both lecture-based and laboratory-based courses.
B2 is developed in most laboratory assignments, and is central to the final-year project.
B3 is developed through lectures, guided reading and tutor led discussions groups.
B4 is developed in statistics and laboratory courses, as well as the final-year research project.
Assessment methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are assessed primarily through examinations, and also through marked laboratory reports, essays, and project work
C: Practical skills
C1: Effectively test research hypotheses using standard statistical techniques (e.g., t-tests).
C2: Present quantitative data in tabular and graphical form.
C3: Use a range of psychological tools, such as specialist software, and laboratory equipment.
C4: Plan, undertake and report an empirical project.
Learning methods
Practical skills (C1-C4) are developed in laboratory classes, assignments and project work.
C1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of statistical software.
C2 is taught in laboratory-based project work and further developed in the final year research project.
C3 and C4 are developed in laboratory classes and during the supervision of the final year individual project.
Assessment methods
Practical skills are assessed through marked laboratory reports, end-of-year examinations, and the final year empirical project, that includes assessment of both a poster presentation (10%) and a written report of the project (90%).
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas effectively. Produce written reports/essays.
D2: Be computer-literate
i) Use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present laboratory reports and essays.
ii) Use statistical software to analyse quantitative data.
D3: Handle data and be numerate
i) Collect, analyse and present numerical data.
ii) Use statistical techniques in the process of experimental analysis and design.
D4: Problem solve and reason scientifically. Analyse complex problems and design effective solutions.
D5: Improve own learning and performance.
i) Organise activity and time in an effective way.
ii) Study independently.
Learning methods
Students are introduced to statistical software in their first year, and thereafter the development of key skills forms an integral part of their learning activity.
In particular: D1(i) is developed throughout the course in laboratory classes, lecture-based courses, tutorials and the final year individual project.
D2(i) and D2(ii) are developed through the use of an extensive computer laboratory with access to the internet.
These key skills are taught in laboratory courses and statistics courses in both the first and second year and further developed with supervision of the third year project.
D3(i) and D3(ii) are developed primarily in laboratory courses and in the final year project.
D4 is developed in exercises and laboratory classes.
D5(i) and D5(ii) are emphasised throughout the programme and are developed by means of rigid deadlines, feedback on assignments and discussions with class tutors.
Students are also directed to the University’‘s ‘‘Key Skills On-line’‘ package that allows students to work at their own pace.
Assessment methods
D1: Oral communication skills are developed and assessed through a poster presentation in year 1, an oral presentation in year 2, and a dissertation presentation in final year. Other forms of communication include writing lab report an essays are assessed throughout the degree, with variations on these assessments in final year (thought pieces, informatics, learning materials) (years 1 and 2).
D2: Computer skills are taught and assessed throughout the core first year modules in computer lab classes, and assessed further in core second year modules as well as optional second year and final year modules.
D3: Numeracy skills are introduced in all core year 1 modules and are developed and assessed further in second year stats modules. These skills are also used in lab reports through all years of study, including in the dissertation.
D4: Problem-solving skills are developed and assessed in Year 1, where modules are built around how psychologists answer fundamental questions about human behaviour. These problem-solving skills are further developed and assessed through research projects in year 2 and culminating in the Final Year research project (PS300).
D5: Working effectively is introduced and assessed in year 1 through developing time management skills and interaction with all relevant learning platforms. This is a key element with managing assessments throughout the degree.