(MSc) Master of Science
Advanced Psychology
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
None
MSC C80712
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.1 degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science or a related subject .
If you hold a degree in Psychology it would be preferable, though not essential, if this was British Psychological Society accredited.
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
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
1. To provide a masters course that allows students to study at an advanced level across the breadth of the discipline, rather than the more narrow focus that is typical of most masters programmes.
2. To provide significant research training and experience through the completion of a research project,
3. To provide the option for significant team-based practical work through the completion of a number of short-term projects in which psychological research design skills will be used to solve real world problems.
4. To provide a wide range of optional modules within the Department and draw on the overall strengths of the university in social sciences and science and health, by allowing a choice of modules from other departments.
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: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding necessary to address an advanced research questio in psychology
A2: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understainding in specialised and advanced topics in the broad area of social psychology, perception and cognition, neuropsychology and neuroscience, and individual differences and developmental psychology
A3: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding in a range of specialised and advanced options from within psychology, science and health and the social sciences
Learning methods
The course has been designed to cover advanced and specialised topics from across the broad range of domains within Psychology. Understanding of the core topics is provided by core modules in social psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, cognitive sychology, perception, cognitive neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience (A2).
Deeper understanding of a particular research area is provided primarily by completing an independent research project under supervision (A1). The theoretical background underpinning many research project questions will be supported through lectures and seminars (A2).
Students’ interest in a wide range of further options within the Department and from across the university are gained through completion of a choice of optional modules. (A3)
Lectures and seminars are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles outlined in A2. Project supervision is the principal method of delivery in A1, and the department encourages learning through the integration of other teaching activities including lectures, tutorials or discussion groups (A3), and directed reading (A1-A3).
Assessment methods
A1 assessed by the 10,000-word dissertation
A2 is assessed by 2000-word coursework essays and oral powerpoint presentations.
A3 is assessed by varied means, as specified by individual modules, e.g., coursework essays, oral presentations, examinations, coursework tests
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to employ evidence-based reasoning to develop coherent research plans and hypotheses
B2: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the theoretical issues and experimental techniques across a broad area of psychology
B3: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources, especially primary sources.
B4: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the theoretical issues and experimental techniques across a range of specialised options
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures and seminars.
B1 is taught and developed by the research project completed under individual supervision.
B2 is developed through lectures, guided reading and tutor led discussion groups.
B3 is developed in both lecture-based modules guided reading and the project dissertation.
B4 is developed through a variety of methods, as specified by individual modules, e.g., lectures, seminars, guided reading, computer workshops, etc.
Assessment methods
B1 Evidence of enhanced ability to employ evidence-based reasoning to develop coherent research plans and hypotheses will be assessed in the 10,000 word project dissertation.
B2 Evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the theoretical issues and experimental techniques across a broad areas of psychology will be assessed by the 2,000-word coursework essays and oral presentations in the core modules that detail special and advanced issues across a broad range of topics.
B3 Evaluation and integration skills are assessed through coursework essays and the MSc Project Dissertation
B4 is assessed through a variety of methods as specified by individual modules, e.g., coursework essays, oral presentations, examinations, coursework tests
C: Practical skills
C1: Graduates will be able to deploy research skills, including use of scientific databases and referencing packages
C2: Graduates will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication
C3: Graduates will be able to deploy oral presentation skills, suitable for academic delivery of content
C4: Graduates will be able to effectively test research hypotheses using appropriate statistical techniques.
C5: Graduates will be able to use a range of psychological tools related to their advanced research project, such as specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychological assessment tests
Learning methods
C1 and C2. Lectures, seminars, and project supervision meetings are all used to teach research and writing skills.
C3 Oral presentation skills, suitable for academic delivery of content will be taught through oral presentation guidelines and training, and feedback on presentations.
C4 Discussions with and instruction by the project superviser in the research project supervision will provide any necessary training in testing research hypotheses and statistical tests
C5 Training in specialist software and psychological tools related to their advanced research project will be taught within discussions with the project superviser in research project supervision
Assessment methods
Research and writing skills and use of psychological tools are assessed through the coursework essays (C1, C2) and the project dissertation (C1, C2, C4 and C5).
C3 Oral presentation skills will be assessed in the oral Presentations in the core special topic modules
D: Key skills
D1: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources
D2: Graduates will show enhanced ability to be computer literate. They will be able (i) to use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present research reports and essays, and (ii) to use statistical software to analyse quantitative data
D3: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to handle data and be numerate. They will be able (i) to analyse and present numerical data, and (ii) to use statistical techniques in the process of experimental analysis and design.
D4: A graduate will show enhanced ability to problem solve and reason scientifically
D5: A graduate will show evidence of the ability to work with others in a research context
D6: Graduates will show evidence of being able to (i) produce work that is properly presented against strict deadlines, (ii) reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback, and (iii) work independently, and plan work effectively
Learning methods
D1 Oral presentation guidelines and feedback on presentations
D2 (i) Departmental guidelines for presentation of written work, (ii) Discussions with and instruction by project superviser in project supervision
D3 Lectures and seminars and discussions with and instruction by project superviser in project supervision
D4 Lectures and seminars and discussions with and instruction by project superviser in project supervision
D5 Discussions with and instruction by project superviser in project supervision
D6 Induction by MSc Course Director and accompanying handbook
Assessment methods
D1 Oral presentation coursework assignments
D2 (i) written coursework assignments
D2 (ii) MSc project dissertation
D3 MSc project dissertation
D4 Written coursework assignments and MSc project dissertation
D5 MSc project dissertation
D6 Coursework assignments and project dissertation