(Integrated Master in Science:) Integrated Master in Science
Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
Psychology
MSCICA99
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
GCSE: Maths C/4
A-levels: AAB
IB: 33 points or three Higher Level certificates with 665. Either must include Standard Level Mathematics grade 4, or a minimum of 3 in Higher Level Mathematics. We will accept grade 4 in either Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC: Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis. The standard required is generally at Distinction* level.
Access to HE Diploma: 24 level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction* - Entry requirements for students studying T-level qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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.
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 Paula Miles
Director of Teaching, Senior Lecturer
University of St Andrews
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 students with an academic training in the principles of psychology.
- 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 training in transferable skills necessary to meet the current requirements of graduate employers.
- To provide an advanced education in core subjects of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology
- To provide an advanced knowledge of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology research techniques and instrumentation, and appropriate statistical methodology.
- To provide a suitable foundation for graduates wishing to proceed to a programme of further postgraduate study.
- To provide training in transferable skills necessary to meet the current requirements of graduate employers.
- To provide knowledge and skills (critical evaluation and argument, quantitative empirical methods, effective communication) 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.
A101: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of statistics appropriate for cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology
A102: Advanced knowledge and understanding of psychological theory within the core domains of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology
A103: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of functional localisation within the brain and the neural structures supporting cognitive capacity
A104: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods, instrumentation and experimental design appropriate for cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology
A105: Graduates will demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of specialist knowledge, principles and techniques in a substantive area of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive neuropsychology in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
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: 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.
B101: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to evaluate the theoretical issues and experimental techniques of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology.
B102: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to employ evidence-based reasoning to develop coherent research plans and hypotheses
B103: Graduates will show evidence of enhanced ability to analyse and interpret quantitative information in graphs, figures, tables, and determine what the appropriate statistical tests would be
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: 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 related to Cognitive Neuroscience.
C101: Graduates will be able to deploy research skills, including use of scientific databases, referencing packages, and modelling packages
C102: Graduates will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication
C103: Graduates will be able to use a range of psychological tools related to cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, such as specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychological assessment tests.
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
D101: 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
D102: 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
D103: 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.
D104: A graduate will show enhanced ability to problem solve and reason scientifically
D105: A graduate will show evidence of the ability to work with others in a research context
D106: 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
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.