Psychology with Advanced Research Methods (Including Year Abroad)

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(Integrated Master in Science:) Integrated Master in Science
Psychology with Advanced Research Methods (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
Psychology
MSCICB99
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: ABB - BBB or 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
  • BTEC: DDM or 120 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: 128 - 120 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: 32 - 30 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655-555. 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: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 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

None

External examiners

Staff photo
Dr John Patrick Rae

Reader in Psychology

Roehampton University

Dr Annelie Josephine Harvey

Associate Lecturer

Anglia Ruskin 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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  PS101-4-AU-CO  Understanding our place in the world  Core  15  15 
02  PS102-4-AU-CO  Growing in the world  Core  15  15 
03  PS103-4-AU-CO  Experiencing Emotion  Core  15  15 
04  PS104-4-SP-CO  Thinking and the Mind  Core  15  15 
05  PS105-4-SP-CO  The Social World  Core  15  15 
06  PS106-4-SP-CO  The Social Brain  Core  15  15 
07  PS118-4-FY-CO  Applied Psychology  Compulsory  30  30 
08  PS117-4-FY-CO  Introduction to Personal Development and Employability  Compulsory 

Year 2 - 2025/26

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  PS421-5-AU-CO  Statistics for Psychology  Core  15  15 
02  PS411-5-SP-CO  Brain and Behaviour  Core  15  15 
03  PS423-5-AU-CO  Psychology of Health  Core  15  15 
04  PS406-5-AU-CO  Developmental Psychology  Core  15  15 
05  PS407-5-AU-CO  Social Psychology  Core  15  15 
06  PS416-5-SP-CO  Personality and Individual Differences  Core  15  15 
07  PS425-5-SP-CO  Cognitive Psychology  Core  15  15 
08    Option from list  Optional  15  15 
09  PS417-5-FY-CO  Enhancing employability and career planning  Compulsory 

Year Abroad/Placement - 2026/27

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  AW120-6-FY-CO    Compulsory  120  120 

Year 3 - 2027/28

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  PS300-6-FY-CO  Psychology Project  Core  30  30 
02    Option(s) from list  Optional  60  60 
03    Option(s) from list or outside option  Optional  30  30 
04  PS492-6-FY-CO  Advanced employability skills and career progression  Compulsory 

Year 4 - 2028/29

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  PS946-7-AU-CO  Fundamental Statistics for Research  Compulsory  15  15 
02  PS912-7-AU-CO  Research Management  Compulsory  15  15 
03  SC520-7-SP-CO  Interviewing and Qualitative Data Analysis  Compulsory  20  20 
04  PS947-7-SP-CO  Advanced Statistics for Research  Compulsory  15  15 
05  PS944-7-FY-CO  Research Experience  Compulsory  15  15 
06    Option(s) from list  Compulsory with Options  45  45 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

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.
  • To provide advanced training in research methods as a suitable foundation for a PhD research degree.
  • To meet the criteria of postgraduate research training specified by the Economic and Social Research Council.
  • To develop a critical awareness of psychological science in relation to its philosophical context, and in relation to its social, computational and biological foundations, and in relation to research in the natural and social sciences.
  • To provide an opportunity for advanced study in cognitive psychology that will extend theoretical knowledge in selected areas of specialisation.
  • To provide knowledge and skills (critical evaluation and argument, quantitative and qualitative empirical methods, communication and presentation) that will prepare students for academic careers as well as a wide range of alternative careers, and will be widely sought by 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.

A5: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative empirical methods to address psychological issues

A6: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of fundamental theoretical issues in the natural, social and cognitive sciences, and the philosophy of mind

A7: Advanced knowledge and understanding of current theoretical developments and empirical evidence within selected fields of cognitive psychology.

A8: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical, health and safety, and legal issues pertaining to research

A9: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of statistics appropriate for cognitive neuroscience

Learning methods

Learning methods The scheme has been designed to incorporate a range of core and specialist topics within Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology.

Understanding of the core topics is provided by modules in core areas both within Psychology and the specialist field of Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology

Deeper understanding of specialist topics is provided primarily by completing an independent research project under supervision.

While lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles outlined in, the department encourages learning through the integration of other teaching activities, including tutorials or discussion groups, laboratory research classes, project research and supervision, and directed reading.

Assessment methods

Coursework essays.
Practical exercises
Statistical examination
Dissertation.

Inclusivity will be maximised by making reasonable adjustments to learning and assessment on an individual basis.

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: Critically evaluate the relative strengths of a range of theories and techniques used in psychology.

B2: Graduates will be able to assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources

B3: Graduates will be able to report, interpret and discuss original research findings

B4: Employ evidence-based reasoning to produce coherent research plans and hypotheses.

B5: Assemble and integrate evidence from a variety of sources, including primary sources

B6: Analyse and interpret quantitative information relevant to psychological research in graphs, figures, tables, and determine whether appropriate statistical tests have been used.

B7: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative empirical methods to address psychological issues

B8: Advanced ability to understand and apply ethical principles pertaining to psychological research

B9: Advanced ability to plan and design an empirical investigation.

B10: Advanced ability to understand and apply ethical principles pertaining to psychological research.

B11: Advanced ability to evaluate a range of contemporary issues in psychology.

Learning methods

Lectures, laboratory classes, guided reading and tutor led discussion groups, research project completed under individual supervision.


Assessment methods

Evaluation and integration skills are assessed through coursework essays

Statistical knowledge and quantitative skills are assessed by practical exercises and an unseen examination

All intellectual and cognitive skills are assessed by the dissertation

Inclusivity will be maximised by making reasonable adjustments to learning and assessment on an individual basis.

C: Practical skills

C1: Use and apply the right terminology and concepts in psychology.

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.

C5: Advanced application of statistical skills, providing the ability to display and analyse empirical data, using appropriate software

C6: Graduates will be able to deploy research skills, including use of scientific databases, referencing packages, and modelling packages

C7: Graduates will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication, and presentation of a research proposal

C8: Advanced investigative procedures, enabling pilot studies, and where necessary the construction and validation of new instruments

C9: Graduates will be able to deploy data collection skills, including the recruitment, instruction and debriefing of participants

Learning methods

Lectures, seminars, practical classes and computer workshops
Class exercises using a range of statistical software and during the supervision of the research project.
Laboratory-based project work
Research project.

Assessment methods

Coursework essays
Practical exercises
Dissertation
Statistical examination
Inclusivity will be maximised by making reasonable adjustments to learning and assessment on an individual basis

D: Key skills

D1: A graduate will show evidence of enhanced ability to communicate ideas effectively. 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: (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

Use of appropriate statistical software and extensive computer laboratory.
Laboratory classes
Tutorials
Practical classes
Supervised research project.

Assessment methods

Coursework essays.
Practical exercises
Statistical examination
Dissertation.

Inclusivity will be maximised by making reasonable adjustments to learning and assessment on an individual basis.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.