University of Bradford
Division of Psychology
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University of Bradford
PG Dip/MSc
Psychology
Full time, one year
N/A
N/A
This course confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for
Chartered Membership with the British Psychological
Society
April 2008
March 2011
The Division of Psychology is located within the School of Social and International Studies and
offers a number of degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Division is also
involved in collaborative arrangements with other institutions Research is buoyant in the
Division and focuses around two main clusters: Applied Health and Social Psychology and a
Bradford Brain and Cognition Group. In this context, the Division places emphasis on both
teaching and research, believing the two activities to be interdependent. With reference to
teaching and learning, the Division aims to:
 provide a supportive, structured environment in which you are encouraged to develop
independent learning skills;
 develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide education in discipline skills to
enable you to pursue further programmes of study or careers in areas where social science
skills are required or desirable;
 develop personal transferable skills to enable a significant proportion of graduates to
pursue further programmes of study or professional careers.
The scientific and empirical study of psychology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
allows the development of skills and knowledge relevant to a wide variety of careers and
professions. Whilst many students study psychology as part of their undergraduate
programmes, not all of these provide eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
with the British Psychological Society. This qualification is currently necessary for most
postgraduate training in professional psychology, for example, clinical psychology, educational
psychology, forensic psychology. Graduates who have not taken an accredited award in
Psychology may undertake what is commonly referred to as a ‘Conversion Award’. Such
conversion awards are normally defined as either Postgraduate Diploma, Graduate Diploma or
Masters, providing an opportunity for Graduates to become eligible for the Graduate Basis for
Chartered Membership provided a minimum overall mark of 50% is achieved.
Aims
This programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to allow you to
progress in further specialist and applied areas of psychology. The programme aims to facilitate
an understanding of the main domains of the scientific and empirical study of psychology, and a
critical appreciation of the contribution of psychology to understanding behaviour and
experience. You will be given the opportunity to engage in advanced theoretical debates
relevant to the understanding of contemporary issues in society. The programme aims to
provide you with eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British
Psychological Society provided a minimum overall mark of 50% is achieved.
Learning outcomes
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Learning outcomes indicate what you should understand and be able to do on successful
completion of our programme. There are currently no benchmark statements for Masters
degrees in Psychology, these have been developed in line with the QAA National Qualifications
Framework and the Qualifying Syllabus for the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British
Psychological Society.
On completion of the PGDip/MSc Psychology you will be able to:
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Knowledge and understanding:
apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues recognizing that psychology involves
a range of research methods, theories, evidence and applications,
critically evaluate the contribution of different paradigms in psychology to an
understanding of behaviour and experience,
integrate ideas and findings from multiple perspectives in relation to contemporary
debates in psychology,
critically consider the role of psychology in contemporary society,
demonstrate independent and original thought in relation to theoretical and empirical
psychology.
critically reflect upon the relationship between psychological theories, models and
methods and practice in application to contemporary social problems, issues and
situations,
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Discipline skills:
critically consider a range of ontological and epistemological positions in relation to
understanding behaviour and designing research,
generate and explore hypotheses and research questions,
design and implement empirical studies,
critically evaluate a range of methods of data collection including experiments,
observations, psychometric tests, questionnaires, interviews, field studies,
analyse data using quantitative and qualitative methods,
use a variety of psychological tools including specialist software and laboratory
equipment,
critically employ evidence based reasoning,
demonstrate an advanced understanding of ethical issues in psychology,
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Personal/transferable skills:
sustain advanced analytical thinking and theoretically informed argument in debates;
summarise and critique theoretical positions;
critically evaluate your own and others’ work;
develop skills of presentation of material and argument, including ICT skills;
design, implement and present an empirical research report.
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Curriculum for the PGDip/MSc
As a student you will study all of the major areas in psychology, as required by programmes
accredited by the British Psychological Society. You will learn how psychologists work and will
acquire knowledge and skills that will enable you to evaluate the claims of other researchers.
You will explore the possible links between biology and behaviour and become familiar with
issues concerning cognitive psychology and neuropsychology. You will study attitudes and
behaviour, attribution theory and critical social psychology. You will consider development
across the lifespan, examine the relationship between language, thinking and cognition, and
look at the theories of personality and the basis of individual differences in personality and
intelligence. You will also study the core compulsory elements of research design, qualitative
and quantitative methods and undertake a practical component of empirical research.
Each successfully completed module provides credit towards your PGDip/MSc.
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If you choose to study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology you will undertake a total of
120 credits, including the 20 credit Psychology Project module. The Postgraduate Diploma in
Psychology confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British
Psychological Society provided a minimum overall mark of 50% is achieved.
If you choose to study for the MSc in Psychology you will undertake a total of 180 credits. You
will not undertake the 20 credit Psychology Project module, but will study one 20 credit optional
module at level three and a 60 credit Psychology Masters Dissertation module. The MSc in
Psychology confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British
Psychological Society provided a minimum overall mark of 50% is achieved.
If you accumulate 120 credits, but not including the 20 credit Psychology Project module you
will be eligible for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Studies. This exit award does not
confer eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological
Society.
If you accumulate 100 credits you will be eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological
Studies. This award does not confer eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
with the British Psychological Society.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review
procedures, as improvements are made each year. More detail, including learning outcomes, is
available for each unit.
Map of the curriculum
Unit code
Unit title
Core Modules
SS-4402D
Social Psychology
SS-4403D
Cognitive Psychology II
SS-4404D
Research Methods in Psychology
SS-4401D
Developmental Psychology
SS-4405M
Psychobiology and Neuroscience
SS-4406M
Personality and Individual Differences
SS-4407D
Psychology Project
SS-4408Z
Psychology Masters Dissertation
Core/optional
Semester
Credits
Level
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core on PG Dip
Core on MSc
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
Summer
20
20
20
20
10
10
20
60
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
20
20
3
3
20
3
20
20
20
20
3
3
3
3
One optional module from existing level 3 modules (subject to timetabling)
SS-3412D
Forensic Psychology
Option on MSc
1
SS-3413D
Psychological Health and Treatment
Option on MSc
1
Interventions
SS-3015D
Social Psychology of Intergroup
Option on MSc
1
Relations
SS-3416D
The Psychology of Health and Eating
Option on MSc
2
SS-3410D
Advances in Perception
Option on MSc
2
SS-3414D
Advanced Issues in Neuropsychology
Option on MSc
2
SS-3416D
The Psychology of Health and Eating
Option on MSc
2
Full time study
As a student studying full time you will complete the course in one year (12 months). You will
undertake your Postgraduate Diploma modules between September and June, and complete
your Masters dissertation over the summer for submission in September.
Progression
Full progression regulations are maintained on the University’s website at:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html#eligibility_for_awards
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Admission requirements
Candidates for entry to this programme may have one of the following prior qualifications, as
recommended by the British Psychological Society:
 An Honours degree in Psychology which has not been accredited by the BPS
 An Ordinary degree in Psychology (not a pass degree)
 A degree in a subject other than Psychology (not a pass degree) with at least 60 credits
in Psychology or an Honours degree, or equivalent
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The teaching, learning and assessment strategies are based on the course and module
learning outcomes and the need for appropriate independent study at this level. Teaching on
the course includes lectures, small group seminars, workshops and laboratory-based practicals.
Modules are assessed by a variety of means including essays, practical assessments,
laboratory reports, case studies and presentations. Formative assessment in every module will
give you the opportunity to reflect upon and develop academic skills. For example in SS-4402L
Social Psychology you will have on line tests and structured sets of questions in the laboratory
classes to enable feedback to be provided or in SS-4404D Research Methods in Psychology
feedback will be provided to you as you complete the workbook over the first semester. In
conjunction with your personal tutor, the module tutor and the course leader you will be
encouraged to reflect on assignment feedback and improve your techniques.
The Psychology Project module, or the Psychology Masters Dissertation, offers you the
opportunity to carry out an empirical piece of research investigating one area in depth, using
the skills developed during the course. This study will help to further develop your skills to work
independently and rigorously, whilst benefiting from the support of a member of staff with
experience in a similar area.
In terms of the Psychology Project or MSc Dissertation you will be able to choose an area of
psychology you wish to research. This will reflect the diversity of the core psychology
curriculum and staff expertise.
You will explore theories in current debates, and develop experience and confidence to make a
considered contribution to an argument. You will develop discipline skills that can be applied to
either your personal or professional expertise. Throughout the course, you will acquire skills in
knowledge acquisition, presentation, discussion and debate that will be useful in your career
progression. Assessment will usually foreground written expression of your skills, through
essays, examinations or journal writing. You will also develop skills in presenting research
findings and in the production of laboratory reports. Assessment criteria are transparent and
published.
The University of Bradford, and the School of Social and International Studies (SSIS), are
committed to the principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) set out in
UNESCO’s definition (see http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.phpURL_ID=23279&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html), which include:
interdisciplinarity; value-driven; critical thinking and problem solving; participatory decisionmaking; and applied learning which is relevant and culturally appropriate to local and other
contexts. In your programme you will find these principles underlie the teaching learning and
assessment strategies. ESD is integrated within the programme aims enabling you to develop
specific skills while also gaining a broad understanding of how values such as equality and
respect are moblised within the discipline of psychology. In addition there are modules in which
the themes and issues of ESD are particularly explored, such as: SS-4406M, Personality and
Individual Differences where you will consider a range of theoretical explanations for difference
and diversity; examining how these both contribute to and come into conflict with the values
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that underlie ESD. You will be expected to think critically about the opportunities and
possibilities for bringing about behaviour change. As part of your research methods training on
SS-4404D, Research Methods in Psychology you will also need to think carefully about the
ethical undertaking of research working with others to negotiate and appropriately resolve
problems that inevitably arise when undertaking research with human participants. We are also
committed in SSIS to giving you opportunities to engage in debates about the meaning and
future of Sustainable Development, as well as in the practice of ESD, for example, through
volunteering on and off campus, by taking action in a series of activities as a School.
Student support and guidance
The University, the School of Social and International Studies and the Division of Psychology
have an excellent reputation in this area. The PGDip/MSc Psychology programme builds on a
successful and developing area of psychology provision which has active links with professional
psychologists and practitioners in the local community. You will be allocated a personal tutor,
who will provide support and guidance throughout your studies. All members of the Department
offer set ‘office hours’ per week, when they are available for consultation and discussion, so
you will be able to find support and guidance without difficulty. A handbook, giving a detailed
programme of study and relevant reading, supports each departmental module. A student
handbook supports the course as a whole. Academic teaching in the Division is supported by a
strong administrative infrastructure, to ensure that assessment processes run smoothly and
divisional information is disseminated.
Where optionality in modules is permitted these modules are approved by the University, head
of the Division of Psychology and the Course Team prior to the commencement of the
academic year. You will be given guidance to the appropriate selection of options by the
Programme Director and/or your personal tutor.
You will also be supported in your studies by access to the Library and Computing Services,
and by a strong University support structure including particularly the disability office and the
careers service. The University also offers the opportunity to receive support from the Learner
Development Unit.
Further information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check the
postgraduate or undergraduate prospectuses. More details about the Division and its courses
can be obtained from the Admissions Co-ordinator, Department of Social Sciences and
Humanities, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP. Tel
01274 233072, email ssh-info@bradford.ac.uk. Further information is also available on the
School’s ’s web pages (http://www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/ssis/).
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