(MSc) Master of Science
Psychology
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
None
MSC C80012
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Admission criteria
A 2:2 degree, or equivalent in any subject.
This course is not suitable for applicants who already hold a British Psychological Society Accredited degree.
If you already hold a BSc/BA Psychology and are not seeking BPS accreditation we advise you consider the MSc Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuropsychology or MSc Research Methods in Psychology .
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
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.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
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
None
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 provide additional advanced and critical knowledge in core areas of Psychology.
- To provide students with research skills, including statistical analysis, knowledge of experimental design and practical application of experimental techniques, which will enable them to carry out an independent, substantial research project.
- 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: Critical and advanced knowledge of psychological theory within the core domains specified by the BPS. These domains are Biological psychology, Sensation and perception, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Individual Differences, Social Psychology.
A2: Statistical theory, techniques and experimental design appropriate for psychological investigations and as required by the British Psychological Society.
A3: Advanced knowledge in those areas in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
Learning methods
The scheme is built around core second-year UG courses that provide the syllabus required for professional accreditation by the British Psychological Society.
Each core course consists of 20hrs lectures. Some advanced core courses are supplemented by up to advanced seminars and additional reading to bring the level of instruction to M-level (A1).
Statistics and research methods are taught in lectures, workshops, laboratory research classes, and supervised project research (A2).
Course options are taught in lectures, and/or seminars and workshops, or in the case of the critical review by individual research (A3).
Assessment methods
A variety of methods of assessment are used, including coursework essays (A1, A3), end-of-year closed book examinations (A1, A2), laboratory reports (A2), statistical examinations (A2), and research dissertation (A2 - A3).
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, especially primary sources.
B4: Critically analyse and interpret quantitative information (e.g. in graphs, figures, tables), and rigorously test hypotheses by applying statistical methods.
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures and laboratory classes.
B1 is developed in both lecture/seminar-based and laboratory-based courses.
B2 is a key element of most laboratory assignments and is central to the dissertation.
B3 is developed through lectures, guided reading and tutor-led seminars.
B4 is developed in statistics and laboratory courses, as well as the research dissertation.
Assessment methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills are assessed through unseen closed book examinations, coursework essays and also through marked laboratory reports and project work.
C: Practical skills
C1: Effectively test research hypotheses by applying appropriate and specific statistical techniques.
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 a substantial empirical project.
C5: Effectively research the literature for source material using appropriate databases.
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 industry-standard statistical software.
C2 is acquired in laboratory-based project work and further developed in the research dissertation.
C3 and C4 are developed in laboratory classes and during the supervision of the research dissertation.
C5 is developed through IT workshops, and supervision for the critical literature review and dissertation.
Assessment methods
Practical skills (C1-C4) are assessed through marked laboratory reports, end of year examinations, and the empirical research dissertation.
Literature searches (C5) are assessed by the literature review, coursework essays and the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate ideas effectively. Produce written reports/essays.
D2: Present quantitative data in tabular and graphical form.
D3: Use a range of psychological tools, such as specialist software, and laboratory equipment.
D4: Plan, undertake and report a substantial empirical project.
D5: Not applicable.
D6: (i) Produce work that is properly presented against strict deadlines.
(ii) Reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback.
(iii) Work independently, and plan work effectively
Learning methods
Students are introduced to statistical software in their first term, and thereafter the development of key skills forms an integral part of their learning activity.
In particular, D1(i) is developed in laboratory classes, tutorials, and the dissertation.
D2 (i) and D2 (ii) are developed through the use of an extensive data-processing laboratory with access to the internet.
These key skills are taught in laboratory courses and statistics courses throughout the year.
D3 (i) and D3 (ii) are developed primarily in laboratory courses and in the research dissertation.
D4 is developed in exercises and laboratory classes.
D6 (i) and D6 (ii) are emphasised throughout the programme and is developed by means of rigid deadlines, feedback on assignments, and discussions with class tutors.
Assessment methods
D1 (i) is directly assessed throughout the course.
All coursework must be word-processed (D2(i)).
Laboratory classes and the research project require statistics that are performed with advanced computer software packages, such that students must demonstrate competence in computer literacy (D2 (ii)).
Statistical analyses are assessed in class tests, laboratory reports and end of year examinations, such that students must demonstrate competence in numeracy (D3).
Problem solving is assessed in all courses in the programme (D4) in terms of the ability to generate cogent arguments and answers to novel questions in laboratory reports, course-work essays, the literature review, the dissertation, and end of year examinations.
The ability to generate hypotheses and develop an appropriate experimental design to answer a question is also assessed in the research dissertation (D3, D4).
Improvement of students' own learning and performance is assessed by awarding marks in coursework and examinations for evidence of additional reading (D6 (ii)) and by imposing strict deadlines for coursework assignments (D6 (i)).