MA in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)
University College Cork
Course Handbook
2015-2016
Course Director
David O’Sullivan
School of Applied Psychology
Enterprise Centre
North Mall
Cork
Contents
WELCOME .............................................................................................................................. 1
The Contribution of Positive Psychology ......................................................................................... 2
The Role of a Coach ................................................................................................................ 2
Where to find us .................................................................................................................... 7
Academic and Support Staff ..................................................................................................13
School Facilities............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Parking .................................................................................................................................14
Keeping in touch ...................................................................................................................14
Student Responsibilities ........................................................................................................15
Resources and services for students ......................................................................................18
Name ....................................................................................................................................18
Service ..................................................................................................................................18
Website ................................................................................................................................18
Phone ...................................................................................................................................18
PASS (Peer Assisted Student Support) .....................................................................................18
students provide information and support to first year students .............................................18
http://www.ucc.ie/en/pass/ ..................................................................................................18
Student Counselling & Development ......................................................................................18
Professional and confidential counselling service. Regular workshops on study and life skills ....18
http://www.ucc.ie/studentcounselling/ ..................................................................................18
Nite Line................................................................................................................................18
Listening service operating 21.00 – 01.00 on Tues-Thurs in term..............................................18
http://www.ucc.ie/en/pass/niteline/ ......................................................................................18
UCC Chaplaincy .....................................................................................................................18
Open to student of all religions offering a variety of activities. .................................................18
http://www.uccchaplaincy.com/ ............................................................................................18
Disability Support Service .......................................................................................................18
Practical supports and counselling to students with disabilities. ...............................................18
http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/ ....................................................................................................18
UCC Careers Service ...............................................................................................................18
Careers advise, work experience ............................................................................................18
http://www.ucc.ie/careers/ ...................................................................................................18
Students’ Union .....................................................................................................................18
clubs and societies .................................................................................................................18
http://www.collegeroad.ie.....................................................................................................18
This handbook is intended for students on the MA Degree in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)
and 2015-1016. It should be read in conjunction with the College Calendar* and the appropriate entry in
the Marks and Standards **. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information
contained herein is accurate and up-to-date, it should not be construed as imposing any legal obligations
on UCC or the School of Applied Psychology.
* http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/postgraduate/Masters/arts/page107.html
** http://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/marksandstandards/
1
“ if opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”
WELCOME
Welcome to the MA in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)!
People undertake this masters for various reasons. Some use it as a pathway towards becoming a
professional coach. Others, who have become experts in their field, find that they need to develop
leadership skills, while others are not sure of their pathway, but are confident that it will emerge
during the period of their study.
Whatever your motivation, we cannot guarantee that opportunities will come your way, however
our aim is to build that door so that there is something to knock on.
There are many conceptions of coaching, one useful working definition would be that it is a
structured conversation that supports change by building a pathway between where a person is
and where they want to be. One could go further and describe it as a questioning conversation.
In undertaking this masters you will want to go from A, where you are now, to B where you
envision the masters taking you. The chasm between A and B can be stress inducing, and can lead
to niggles and frustrations. Although it is important to acknowledge A, our approach is to focus on
B, and how you get there. Change can be exciting, but stressful, albeit that this stress ultimately
leads to positive outcomes. Our purpose will be to focus on that positivity.
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The Contribution of Positive Psychology
“L' essenza della felica' e': qualcosa da fare, qualcosa da
amare, e qualcosa per cui sperare.”
Italian proverb.
The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do,
something to love, and something to hope for.
Psychology, as it developed as a science, set itself three major tasks. These were to cure mental
illness, help people live productive and happy lives, and to identify and nurture talent. As a
discipline we have over focused on ameliorating the distress people experience in their lives to
the exclusion of the latter two aims. There are understandable reasons why this should be so.
From an evolutionary perspective we are particularly alert to problem situations, our societal
norms dictate that we should be modest in the face of our strengths, and culturally we believe
that tackling weaknesses provides the basis for personal growth.
Martin Seligman argued, in launching the Positive Psychology Movement in the 90s, that the
discipline of psychology should re-concentrate on those early tasks and focus on what is right in
peoples’ lives; and by doing so gain an understanding of the underpinnings of what makes
people happy. He argued that Positive Psychology rested on three pillars: positive subjective
well-being, positive strengths and virtues, and positive institutions. From this perspective what
psychology as a discipline has to offer Coaching Psychology is a concentration on positive
outcomes, the use of empirical interventions to achieve these outcomes, as well as the concept
of measurement.
Work Ethic is one of the strengths and virtues that Seligman identified, and most adults devote
more time and energy each week to this single activity than any other activity. It is more than a
simple transaction where individuals give their time, and receive financial rewards in return.
Although this aspect is important, work can also be a way in which individuals gauge their worth
to society, as well as fulfil personal goals. In this respect work can encompass a wider set of
concerns that just the day-to-day requirements of a job. It is more than just being productive.
The Role of a Coach
The essential role of the coach is to support people in creating their own success at work and in
life, in order to reach their potential and live a more satisfying and healthier life. This is achieved
by challenging beliefs, harnessing positive emotions and using coaching techniques to help
individuals set goals and overcome barriers, while providing standardised measures to evaluate
the effectiveness of these tools.
The professional coaching alliance is client-centred, dynamic, goal oriented, and forward
focused. This course will help you develop your relationship, listening and questioning skills,
which are core in any coaching conversation. The coaching toolbox includes evidence-based
coaching skills including Strengths Coaching, Solution Focused Coaching, Mindfulness, and
Health and Wellness Coaching.
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We aim to educate you in the knowledge and skills necessary for practice as a coach. Achieving
these aims will require a lot of commitment and hard work on your part, but fun is not
excluded! The class is small and there is a great deal of staff-student and student-student
contact. We hope that you will find working intensively with us and with each other to be
rewarding.
Core Principles
Our coaching process is based on the following core principles:

People are active agents in their lives, they have all the resources needed to live
the ‘good life’. Coaches can facilitate them in harnessing these resources. Our
coaching approach is underpinned by the following approaches:
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Positive Psychology interventions
Evidence Based practice
Person Centred philosophy
Solution Focused
Goals Setting and Outcome focused
Clean Language
Motivational Interviewing
Positive Psychology provides a scientific backbone to coaching
The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right
Positive Psychology underpins the scientific study of happiness
We can increase our levels of happiness and wellness through intentional
activities which focus on
o Increasing positive emotions
o Increasing engagement
o Fostering Relationships
o Striving for meaning in our lives
o Maximising our achievements.
There are scientifically validated activities that can increase levels of happiness
The negative is not ignored, however when viewed in the context of the positive
a more holistic picture emerges
Focusing on psychological strengths is a validated approach for personal
development.
The Team
We are a diverse, opinionated, and committed group of people. Take from us what works for
you as you develop your individual approach to coaching.
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Anne Boylan http://ie.linkedin.com/pub/anne-boylan/12/758/aa1/
Peadar Crowley Reg. Educ. Psychol. A.F.Ps.S.I.
Zelda Di Blasi, M.Psych.Sc., Ph.D., C.Psychol
Tom Hennessey: MoB, MMII, PGDTLHE www.alivecoaching.ie
Sharon Lambert: http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/A011/sharonlambert
Julie McCall: LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/juliemcccall
Anne O’Reilly-Trace, MSc Counselling Psychology, Reg. Couns. Psych
David O’Sullivan, Ph.D., C.Psychol
Mary Slattery www.maryslatterycounselling.com
Benefiting from Coaching
We believe strongly in the value of coaching. One manifestation of this is that, like all
professional coaches, we receive coaching. You should too. We recommend at least 10 sessions
during the course of the academic year. Who should coach you? It is important that whoever
coaches you operates to a code of ethics, so use the professional body you are a member of as a
source. Some coaches do pro-bono work, or operate a sliding scale for students. Do make
enquiries about this.
Professionalism
This course is an academic qualification. In order to work as a professional coach you need to
subscribe to a Code of Ethics that underpins your work. Coaching is a self-regulated profession.
By tradition, people who graduate from courses such as this term themselves Coaching
Psychologists if they have a background in psychology, and Psychological Coaches if they do not
have such a background. Coaching is not recognised as a profession within psychology by the
Psychological Society of Ireland, however, there is a Coaching Psychology Group, and the
establishment of such a group is often a step in the direction of being recognised as a Division,
and therefore a profession or recognised speciality.
While here as a student we would want you to join the Coaching Psychology Group in the
Psychological Society of Ireland. Student membership is currently €8.00. It is open to coaches
with, and without a background in psychology. This underlies the principle that the
development of the profession of coaching is a joint enterprise between psychologists and nonpsychologists, but who committed to incorporating psychological principles in their work.
http://www.psihq.ie/page/art/130/0
There are other professional bodies you could consider joining as well. Your decision would
depend on what area you would like to specialise in, what memberships are prevalent in your
area of specialism, and perhaps are there local branches where you can network with likeminded individuals.
The following is by no means an exhaustive list:
Association of Business Psychology
http://www.theabp.org.uk/home.aspx
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Association of Coaching
http://ie.associationforcoaching.com/pages/home/
British Psychological Society: Special Group in Coaching Psychology
http://www.bps.org.uk/networks-and-communities/member-microsite/special-group-coachingpsychology
European Coaching and Mentoring Council
http://www.emccouncil.org/ie/en/
European Network for Positive Psychology
http://www.positive-intelligence.de/enpp-eu/
International Coach Federation
http://icfireland.org
Psychological Society of Ireland; Coaching Psychology Group
http://www.psihq.ie/page/art/130/0
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Assignment Deadlines
Semester One Assignment Deadlines
Module
AP6016 Research
Methods & Data Analysis
AP6016 Research
Methods & Data Analysis
AP6161 Coaching Skills
AP6162 Evidence Based
Coaching
AP6116 Positive
Psychology and Coaching
AP6226 Theory of
Psychological Testing
Assessment
1x 3-5,000 word statistical
analysis report,
1x3-5,000 word qualitative
report,
45 minute recording of
coaching session,
annotated transcript
1x
Date Due
19th Nov 2015, 11.00 am
Practice focused project
report 2,000 words
End of year examination
3rd Dec, 2015, 11.00 am
prepare online resource
To be confirmed
27th Nov 2015, 11.00 am
30th Nov, 2015, 11.00 am
7th Dec, 2015, 11.00 am
Exam period 7-18th Dec
Semester Two Assignment Deadlines
Module
AP6163 Coaching Skills 2
AP6159 Positive
Organisational Psychology
AP6117 Wellness
Coaching
AP6157 The Competent
Coach
AP6160 Private Practice
AP6164 Positive
Psychology in Group
Settings
Assessment
30 minute video recording
of coaching session,
annotated transcript.
1x 2,000 word essay
30 minute recording of
wellness coaching session,
annotated transcript
Learning Journal
Business plan 2,000
words, Class presentation
Work portfolio, 2,000
words
Date Due
Monday 25th April, 2016,
11.00am
Friday 15th April 2016,
11.00am
Friday 22st April 2016,
11.00am
Monday 18th April 2016,
11.00am
Tuesday 19th April 2016,
11.00am
Wednesday 20th April
2016, 11.00am
Time Management
Students consistently say that better time management skills would help them get more from
their university experience. Prioritising to achieve deadlines will be a constant challenge here.
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One of the trainings I have completed is the Five Minute Coach (actually it takes about 20
minutes, but it is an example of laser coaching). It is very well suited to helping people prioritise
and decide on the next action step.
If you are trying to prioritise some academic commitments, why not use it as a training
opportunity and get an experience of the Five Minute Coach.
Use the link below to book a slot, and let me know that's why you are coming.
https://davidosullivan.youcanbook.me/
Also have a look at this resource:
https://alison.com/courses/Introduction-to-Time-Management
Bain (2012) describes three types of learners. Surface learners do as little as possible to get by.
Strategic learners prioritise getting good marks over understanding, while deep learners focus
on developing an informed understanding of the subject.
We hope you use your time with us to become a deep learner.
Bain, K. (2012) What the best college students do. Harvard University Press.
Dissertation
As part of this programme you complete an independent piece of research worth 30 credits
which given the course is 90 credits, is a significant amount. This module is common to a
number of Masters programmes, so it is administrated centrally.
On matters to do with the actual research, you would consult with your supervisor. On
administrative issues to do with module, you would consult with the module co-ordinator of
AP617 in the first instance.
http://www.ucc.ie/modules/descriptions/AP.html#AP6137
Support sessions for this module occurs on Tuesdays from 12-1 in CECG03.
Your first deadline is Friday 18 September 2015. You will need to submit a signed Research
Proposal for your dissertation (AP6171) to the Main Office
Where to find us
Distillery Fields is about 10 minutes walk from the main campus if you use the walkway and
footbridge over the river which is located opposite the main gate. Please note that this walkway
is normally closed during the hours of darkness (at around 16.30 in winter). Alternatively you
can walk along the Western Road and then turn left going towards the Mercy Hospital. The
Distillery Fields Campus is just over the footbridge having left the Mercy Hospital to your right.
You will find a map at http://www.ucc.ie/en/apsych/admin/findus/.
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Programme Content
Students take 90 credits as follows:
Part I (Full-time)
Core Modules
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6116 Positive Psychology and Coaching (5 credits)
AP6117 Wellness Coaching (5 credits)
AP6157 The Competent Coach: Ethics and Supervision (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6162 Evidence Based Coaching: Theory, Approaches and Models (5 credits)
AP6163 Coaching Skills 2 (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological testing (5 credits)
Part I (Part-time)
Year One
Core Modules, 40 Credits
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6157 The Competent Coach Ethics and Supervision (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6162 Evidence Based Coaching: Theory, Approaches and Modules (5 credits)
AP6163 Coaching Skills 2 (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
Year Two
Core Modules, 20 Credits
AP6116 Positive Psychology and Coaching (5 Credits)
AP6117 Wellness Coaching (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological Testing (5 credits)
Part-time students must pass Year 1 before they can progress to Year 2.
Part 2
AP6137 Dissertation in Applied Psychology (30 credits)
Where a student achieves an overall mark which is considered borderline fail a viva voce
examination may be requested by the Programme Director.
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part 1
and opt not to complete Part 2 may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate
Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology). A student who subsequently applies to
undertake the Master's programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) subject to the programme
being on offer.
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Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits
in Part 1 may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied
Psychology (Coaching Psychology). A student who subsequently applies to complete the
Master's programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate
Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) subject to the programme being on
offer
Module Descriptions:
These are available at:
http://www.ucc.ie/modules/descriptions/AP.html
Where a student achieves an overall mark which is considered borderline fail a viva voce
examination may be requested by the Programme Director.
9
Time Table
MAAP Coaching Psychology Term Timetable 2015-2016
Semester 1
Semester one 7 September – 27 November 2015
Time
Monday
Tuesday
09.00-10.00
10.00-11.00
11.00-12.00
12.00-13.00
AP6137
Dissertation
CEC G03
13.00-14.00
14.00-15.00 AP6162
Evidence Based
Coaching
CEC G03
Wednesday
Thursday
AP6226
Theory of Psychological
Testing
CEC G03
15.00-16.00
AP6162
Evidence Based
Coaching
CEC G03
AP6226
Theory of Psychological
Testing
CEC G03
16.00-17.00
AP6161
Coaching Skills
Dist G01/G09B
AP6016
Research Methods & Data
Analysis
CEC 7&8
17.00-18.00
AP6161
Coaching Skills
Dist G01/G09B
AP6016
Research Methods & Data
Analysis
CEC 7&8
18.00-20.00
AP6161
Coaching Skills
Group 2, should there
be sufficient numbers
CEC G20
AP6116
Positive Psychology and
Coaching
CEC G03
There will also be workshops, seminars and lectures associated with AP6137 Research
Dissertation in Applied Psychology that are not listed above. In addition, you need to factor in
consultations periods with your thesis supervisor.
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Semester 2
Semester two 11 January - 15 April 2016
Time
Monday
Tuesday
09.00
AP6137
Dissertation
CEC G03
10.00
11.00
12.00
13.00
14.0015.00
AP6163
Coaching Skills 2
CEC G09B
AP6117
Wellness Coaching
CEC G20
15.0016.00
AP6163
Coaching Skills 2
CEC G09B
AP6117
Wellness Coaching
CEC G20
16.0017.00
AP6159
Positive Organisational
Psychology
CEC G09B
AP6157
The competent
Coach Ethics
Supervision
CEC G20/Dist G02
17.0018.00
AP6159
Positive Organisational
Psychology
CEC G09B
AP6157
The competent
Coach Ethics
Supervision
CEC G20/Dist G02
18.0020.00
AP6163
Coaching Skills 2
Group 2, should there
be sufficient numbers
BB2.24
AP6160
Private Practice
G20
11
Wednesday
AP6164
Positive Psychology Group
Settings
DIST 02
AP6164
Positive Psychology Group
Settings
DIST 02
School of Applied Psychology
Head of School:
Professor John McCarthy
The School is located in the Cork Enterprise Centre about 10 minutes walk from the main
campus if you use the walkway and footbridge over the river which is located opposite the
College Gates on Western Road. This walkway is normally closed during the hours of darkness
(at around 16.30 in winter). Alternatively you can walk along the Western Road and then turn
left going towards the Mercy Hospital. The Cork Enterprise Centre is just over the footbridge
having left the Mercy Hospital to your right. You will find a map at How to get to the School of
Applied Psychology.
Main Office opening hours
09.00-11.00 and 14.00-16.00
Term Dates Academic Year 2015-2016
Semester 1
Semester 2
7 September - 27 November 2015
11 January – 15 April 2016
Review Week: 30 November – 4 December
Review Week: 18 – 22 April 2016
2015
Exams: 7– 18 December 2015
Exams: 25 April – 6 May 2016
Your email address, Blackboard and other means of keeping you informed

You will have been issued with a student number and student email at registration. It is very
important that you check your student email on a regular basis as this is how the School and the
University communicates with you.

Vital information on course content is held on the Blackboard system at:
http://blackboard.ucc.ie and is regularly updated by your lecturers. Also you will be submitting
all of your course work via Blackboard. Details on logging on to Blackboard can be found in the
Learning Technologies Guide to Blackboard at
http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/computercentre/ltu/bbstudentguide.pdf. If you are
experiencing any difficulties please email the Student Helpdesk at sit@ucc.ie.

The School website is at http://apsych.ucc.ie. It has course timetables, and other useful
information.
12
Contacting Academic Staff
In order to ensure that all students are treated equitably, it will not be possible for academic
staff to enter into individual email correspondence about issues of course content, structure or
assessment. If you have a question, your first action should always be to check your handbook.
It is very likely that your question has already been answered there. If you can’t find the answer,
then please bring your query up with the lecturer immediately after the lecture or on
Blackboard—to which everyone has access. If you have personal issues to bring up with a
mentor or tutor then it would probably be best to arrange a meeting during their office hours.
All members of academic staff have student consultation hours. If you wish to discuss your
work then you should arrange to meet them during these hours.
Attendance
Every student is expected to attend all lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes etc. In the case of
absence through illness, a student must, if possible, give notice of each absence in writing to the
Lecturer concerned responsible. In the case of such absence for more than four lecture days the
student must, on resuming attendance, notify the Lecturer concerned in writing and, if required
by the Lecturer to do so, lodge a medical certificate with the main office, who in turn will send a
copy to the Student Records and Examinations.
A student will not be permitted to enter for an examination at the conclusion of a module if
attendance at that module is not considered satisfactory by the Registrar and Senior VicePresident Academic following a report by the Lecturer concerned and/or Head of School
responsible for the module. The decision of the Registrar and Senior Vice-President Academic is
subject to the appeal of Academic Council.
Academic and Support Staff
The School of Applied Psychology administers the course in cooperation with the School of
Education and professional part-time staff.
Course Directors:
Coaching Psychology
Dr David O’Sullivan, C.Psychol
H.Dip Coaching/Coaching Psychology
13
David.osullivan@ucc.ie
Tel: 021-4904601
School Technician
Mr. Pat O’Donovan
Pat.odonovan@ucc.ie
T: 021-4904508
Parking
There is absolutely no parking for students at the School of Applied Psychology, UCC. Provision for
students parking is at the following:

Visitor/short stay car parks at Perrott’s Inch and Perrot’s Avenue. €1 per hour for the first two
hours this then rises to €1.50 for the next four hours and then rises again to €2 for the next 6
hours.

Dennehy’s Cross (PBC Sports Ground, Park & Ride) Parking here is free of charge

Pouladuff (Park & Ride) – Parking here is free of charge
Maps for the location of these parking spaces can be found at http://www.corkcity.ie/maps/.
Further queries about parking facilities for students can be directed to General Services on 021 490
2264 or 490 2265
Keeping in touch
Your email address, Blackboard and other means of keeping you informed

As you know your email address consists of your 9 digit student number with the extension
@umail.ucc.ie (i.e., 109******@umail.ucc.ie ). It is vital that you log in to your student email
on a regular basis and keep it active as it is the School’s principal means of staying in touch
with you (in relation to timetable changes and other important notices and information).

Important information on course content is held on the Blackboard system at:
http://blackboard.ucc.ie and is regularly updated by your lecturers. You will have been
provided with details regarding Blackboard on registration. Further details on logging on to
14
Blackboard can be found in the Learning Technologies Guide to Blackboard at
http://www.ucc.ie/en/staffitservices/BlackboardInformation/Bbstudentguide.pdf.
Please
note that any difficulties you experience with logging on should be addressed to the
Computer Centre Student Helpdesk at sit@ucc.ie. The Blackboard system is managed by
the Learning Technologies Unit which can be reached at blackboard@ucc.ie or on 021 490
3965/3966. The School website is at http://apsych.ucc.ie. It has course timetables, and
other useful information.
•
You will have given your mobile phone number to Central Admin as part of the registration
process. The School will use this when we need to contact you urgently; an example of this
would be where a lecture has to be cancelled at short notice. In this instance you will
receive a text from the main office. Please be assured however that the School never
passes on student contact details to third parties.
•
It is all students’ responsibility to ensure that they provide copies of all required
administrative documents to Ciara (e.g. contact details, placement memorandum of
understanding) and keep them updated as necessary.
•
Check your UCC email regularly – otherwise you may miss important announcements to the
class.
Student Responsibilities
If you have any type of specific learning disability or other health condition or circumstance
that may require attention we ask that you notify the course administrator and course
director as soon as possible so that the necessary support systems can be accessed.
Submitting Course Work
All continuous assessment must be submitted electronically via BlackBoard only. (If there
are exemptions to this, your lecturer will give you alternative instructions.) Blackboard links
for each piece of continuous assessment work will be open two weeks before every
deadline. Full instructions on how to submit your work will be emailed to you. Work
submitted late should also be submitted via Blackboard. Work submitted by email will not
be acknowledged or recorded.
Please ensure that you include a front sheet to your work clearly giving
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
Your name and student number

The code and title of the module

The title or number of your essay/practical

Due date for your essay
You are also required to put the following declaration on this front sheet:
DECLARATION OF ACADEMIC HONESTY: I declare that the content of this assignment is all
my own work. It has not been submitted in respect of any other course/module. Where I
have used the work of others it is acknowledged and referenced accordingly.
A Warning about Plagiarism
It is very important that you acknowledge all sources and quotations used in your work. If
you don’t do this then it could be seen as an attempt to pass someone else’s work as your
own (plagiarism) for which you could face severe penalties. UCC has a policy on plagiarism
which can be found at the following link
http://www.ucc.ie/en/policiesandprocedures/examinationsandstudentrecords/studentreco
rdsregistration/uccplagiarismpolicy/ an excerpt of which states “As regards plagiarism, a
significant number of unacknowledged copying shall be deemed to constitute prima facie
evidence of deliberation. Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work as your own.
When done deliberately, it is cheating, since it is an attempt to claim credit for work not
done by you and fails to give credit for the work others. Plagiarism applies, not just to text,
but to graphics, tables, formulae or any representation of ideas, in print, electronic or other
media”
Useful guides to avoiding plagiarism also available on YouTube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSaQ5-mDRI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptHIA5bMnio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNg94ebLGzY
Please do take time to look at these online resources as they will answer most questions you
16
may have on plagiarism.
Best Practice in Academic Writing
Our aim is to promote best practice, and also of course to help you in developing and
improving your academic writing skills, so please feel free to contact your tutor for
clarification on any issue surrounding writing. There are many excellent student guides
which deal with the issue, including The Good Study Guide by Andy Northedge (OU, 2005).
There are copies of this book in the library.
Late Submission of Assignments
Work received after the deadline will not be marked and you will be awarded a mark of 0.
If you feel you have mitigating circumstances (eg illness, accident, bereavement) then you
can submit your assignment to Blackboard and then complete a ‘Late Assessment Form ’
which can be downloaded from our website and submit it along with any supporting
documentation, to the School Teaching and Learning Committee. No penalty will be
imposed in cases of illness or family bereavement as long as appropriate documentation,
such as a doctor’s certificate covering the time specified, is provided. In respect of other
reasons for late work, the committee will consider each lateness application on a case-bycase basis.
Special Circumstances/Long Term Difficulties
Our aim as a School is to provide you with the resources and support to ensure that your
experience of studying psychology is productive and enjoyable. If, for any reason you are
having unforeseen or on-going problems or doubts about your studies, we invite you to let
us know as soon as they arise. We are here to support you in working through personal or
work difficulties in any way possible. Be assured that your privacy will be respected and any
documentation you submit to the School will be treated as confidential. Also, don’t forget
that you have recourse to a variety of support agencies in UCC, details of these are given
below.
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Resources and services for students
Name
Service
Website
Phone
PASS (Peer
students provide information and
http://www.ucc.ie/en/pass/
021 420 5188
Assisted Student
support to first year students
Support)
Student
Professional and confidential
http://www.ucc.ie/studentc
021 490 3565
Counselling &
counselling service. Regular
ounselling/
or Text: 087
Development
workshops on study and life skills
Nite Line
Listening service operating 21.00
http://www.ucc.ie/en/pass/
1800 32 32
– 01.00 on Tues-Thurs in term.
niteline/
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Open to student of all religions
http://www.uccchaplaincy.c
021 490 2459
offering a variety of activities.
om/
UCC Chaplaincy
Disability Support Practical supports and counselling
215 2505
http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/
021 490 2985
Service
to students with disabilities.
UCC Careers
Careers advise, work experience
http://www.ucc.ie/careers/
021 490 2349
clubs and societies
http://www.collegeroad.ie
021 90 3218
Service
Students’ Union
Information on Exams
Resource
Web Link
Exam Procedures
http://www.ucc.ie/en/exams/
Past Exam Papers
http://booleweb.ucc.ie/ExamPapers/applied_psychology.html
Examinations
End of semester exams will be held in December and in May. Details of how each module is
examined can be found in the module descriptions and the examinations office will email
you a timetable of the written exams.
We expect all students to pass the examinations at the first attempt. However, if you fail a
module (from either the Autumn or Spring semester) you will have one other opportunity to
reach the pass standard at the Autumn Supplemental Exams (also known as the ‘Repeats’).
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If you fail a module overall at the first attempt but pass the continuous assessment part,
then the continuous assessment mark will be carried forward to the Autumn and you will
only have to repeat the examination. Failed continuous assessment must be repeated. An
email will be sent to your student email with details and a deadline for submission of failed
continuous assessment. Marks for the Autumn Supplemental Exams are capped at 40%.
Mitigation
If you fail or do not sit exams in December or May, and this is due to medical or personal
circumstance which you feel adversely affected your performance then you can make an
applications to the Examinations Office for Mitigation. Further details and application form
are available at the following link.
http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/recordsandexaminations/documents/MitigationAppli
cationForm.pdf
If successfully, the capping of 40% will be waived for the Autumn Supplemental Examination
and/or for a repeat year.
Boole Library
UCC Library will provide Library Undergraduate Workshops for new students [Essential
Library skills to get started on their Academic work]. These will run from Monday 8th
September to Thursday 2nd October and will last approx. 45 minutes. Further details are
available on the Library website at http://booleweb.ucc.ie/.
Markers may give feedback using the following grade system:
A+ / A / A-
(70%+) 1H
Excellent
B+ / B / B-
(60-69%)
2H (upper range)
Good
C+ / C / C-
(50-59%)
2H (lower range)
Satisfactory
D+ / D / D-
(45-49%)
Pass (upper range)
Poor
E+ / E / E-
(40-44%)
Pass (lower range)
Very Poor
F+ / F / F-
(0 - 39%)
Fail
Unsatisfactory
Fail
No work submitted
0
0%
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