PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Social Cognition: Research and Applications
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
n/a
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2014 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences
Parent Department:
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/study/masters/TMSPSYSSCG01
(if applicable)
Method of study:
FULL-TIME and PART-TIME
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
2.1/1st at degree level
Length of the programme:
1 year full-time
2 year part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
This MSc programme has eight taught modules. It consists of six
mandatory core modules and two optional modules. Depending on
the module, the assessment consists of either one written essay, one
written essay and a piece of coursework, or one unseen exam. A
dissertation based on a research project is also mandatory.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Social Cognition: Research and Applications
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This MSc programme prepares students for an academic career in social cognition and related areas, and provides
students with knowledge relevant to careers in marketing, consumer behaviour, political behaviour, leadership, and
intergroup conflict.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
The processes involved in the
construction of the social reality, in
particular the perception and evaluation
of individuals and groups.
The links between social cognition, affect
and motivation;
The neural bases of social behaviour.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars, involving lecture presentations; student
presentation; discussion of key papers; supervised
dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Coursework/Dissertation
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Understanding how basic cognitive and
neural processes constrain social
judgment and behaviour,
Understanding the specificities of
cognitive functioning and the neural
bases associated with the social
behavior;
Ability to create appropriate experimental
designs to answer social research
questions at various levels of analysis
(Intra-individual; inter-individual, and
group behaviour)
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Coursework/Dissertation
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Statistical analysis; computer
programming (Eprime and matlab);
experimental design and implementation
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Practical experimental, statistical and computational
work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Formative: Problem sheets and problem classes;
practical computational mini-projects
Summative: Dissertation
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Learning how to examine social
phenomena; Learning how to evaluate
hypotheses; computer programming; oral
presentation skills; data analysis;
presentation writing; report writing
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Seminars; practical experimental, statistical and
computational work; supervised dissertation
Assessment:
Exam/Essay/Coursework/Dissertation and practical
experimental and computational mini-projects
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr Ana Guinote
Dr Ruud Custers
Date of Production:
29/6/10
Date of Review:
Dec 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Jan 2010
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Dec 2014
December 2014