QUALIFICATION LEAFLET
BSc (Honours)
Psychology
Distance learning degree qualification
GLOBAL
STUDY
GLOBAL
RECOGNITION
QUALIFICATION LEAFLET
BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07)
Entry requirements
Career relevance and
employability
Psychology graduates gain an impressive breadth of
knowledge and skills that make them highly employable
across a wide range of careers. These include:
advertising, marketing, career counselling, education, the
health professions, human resources, management and
police and social services.
As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying an
OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and workrelated skills that are highly valued by employers. These
include skills in: communication, numeracy, effective
team-working, independent and critical thinking, IT and
There are no formal entry requirements to study this
degree, although you will need to have a proficiency in
English as all course material, exams and tutor support is
in English.
Credit for previous study
elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at
higher education level at another institution you may be
able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards
an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to
transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and
before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are
awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may
find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete
your qualification with us.
Course duration
Typically it takes four to six years study to complete this
qualification, but you can take up to 16 years. You can
also choose to vary the pace at which you study.
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
Stage 1
On this fascinating journey you’ll gain knowledge and
understanding of the different areas of psychology; develop
valuable analytical and communication skills; and enhance
your ability to work both independently and collaboratively,
all of which will put you very much in the frame when it
comes to employment opportunities. You’ll also explore
how psychologists use evidence derived from research to
contribute to debates on matters such as ageing, crime,
education, employment, forensic science, mental health,
relationships and much more.
120 credits
data handling, analysing and evaluating diverse sources
of information, including qualitative and quantitative
data, designing and carrying out research projects, and
presenting their findings, problem-solving and reasoning,
application of learning to real world problems and
situations and independent learning.
Stage 1 offers a broad range of study options depending on whether you wish to focus your studies on
particular subjects, or opt for a more general coverage of subject areas.
Stage 2
Studying our BSc (Honours) Psychology
degree course (accredited by the British
Psychological Society) gives you a window
into the workings of the mind – why we do the
things we do and how we interact with others.
To complete your degree you need to achieve 360 credits; 120 credits at Stage 1, 120 at Stage 2, and 120 at Stage 3; with
each module being 30-60 credits.
120 credits
Psychology pervades just about every aspect of our personal and
professional lives. The frequent query, ‘What do you have in mind?’ quite
literally captures much of what psychology – the science of human behaviour
– is all about.
As part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways are different sets of module options, allowing you to
specialise in certain subjects to complete your degree.
Stage 2 introduces more compulsory modules depending on the pathway chosen.
Stage 3
Qualification details
Modules and pathways
120 credits
1
Stage 3 is the final stage and can include a compulsory project.
BSc (Honours) Psychology
The following pages list the different modules you can study depending on the pathway chosen.
To see the pathways available and the modules within each pathway please go to OpenUniversity.edu and click on the
Courses section to find your degree, and then select from the list of pathways shown to view the module options available.
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
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3
QUALIFICATION LEAFLET
Modules
BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07)
introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering
psychology explores the different ways in which
psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour,
and shows you how psychological research addresses
real-life issues.
For a full list of modules available, please refer
to our website, OpenUniversity.edu.
Introducing health sciences: a case study
approach (SDK125)
Assessment key
Credits:
30 at Stage 1
EMA = End-of-module assessment
Assessment:
4 TMAs, 7 iCMAs, 1 Examination
iCMA = Interactive computer marked assessment
Length:
6 months
TMA = Tutor-marked assignment
Stage 1
Introducing the social sciences (DD101)
Credits:
60 at Stage 1
Assessment:
7 TMAs
Length:
12 months
This key introductory Stage 1 course is an ideal introduction
to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and
criminology, geography and environment, politics and
international studies, economics and sociology – through
study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text,
audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range
of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to
the environment, questions of identity and issues of social
order and governance – all considered in their national and
international contexts – that will equip you with a range of
skills for independent study and for your personal and working
life.
Introducing the social sciences - part 1
(DD131)
Credits:
30 at Stage 1
Assessment:
4 TMAs
Length:
6 months
This key introductory Stage 1 module provides an
approachable and contemporary introduction to the disciplines
and subjects that form the social sciences, as well as the
questions and issues that social scientists investigate and
explore. It tackles everyday issues in an appropriate way, so
that you can build on what you already know and gain a solid
grounding in study techniques and social science skills and
debates.
Discovering psychology (DSE141)
Credits:
30 at Stage 1
Assessment:
2 TMAs, 1 iCMAs, 1 EMA
Length:
6 months
Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic
pieces of psychological research, this key introductory
Stage 1 course provides an accessible and engaging
This introductory Stage 1 course explores the scientific
and social aspects of disease and disability in a global
context through seven case studies: water and health in
an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast
cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and
visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological,
chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health
statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes
and personal and societal consequences.
Child development (ED209)
Credits:
60 at Stage 2
Assessment:
6 TMAs, 1 Examination
Length:
6 months
This course shows how psychological enquiry can help us
to improve our understanding of the development of children
and young people. It is organised in four parts: Psychological
development and early childhood introduces children’s early
development from a psychological perspective; Children’s
personal and social development follows development in a
social context; and Cognitive and language development in
children explores the development of cognitive and linguistic
understanding and the developing child as an active agent.
Finally, Developmental psychology in action presents areas
in which developmental psychology plays a part in education,
remediation, health psychology and the legal system with
children of all ages.
Stage 3
Cognitive psychology (DD303)
Stage 2
Exploring psychology (DSE212)
Credits:
60 at Stage 2
Assessment:
6 TMAs, 1 Examination
Length:
6 months
How humans think, develop, and experience the world
around us has been fascinating psychologists for over 100
years. Using a historical and biographical framework, this
course introduces you to a wide range of psychological
approaches, including biological, social, and cognitive
psychologies. It looks at areas such as identity, learning,
memory, and language. But you won’t just learn about
psychological theories, you’ll learn how to do different types
of psychological research too. You’ll undertake practical work
using quantitative and qualitative research methods and learn
to analyse data using statistical software.
Exploring psychology on-line project
(DZX222)
Credits:
15 at Stage 2
Assessment:
1 EMA
Length:
6 months
This course, which builds on Exploring psychology (DSE212),
covers a range of approaches and methods in psychology
– developing your research skills (including use of SPSS)
and your understanding of the practical and ethical issues
involved. The principal part of the course involves group work,
designing, conducting and analysing a psychological study in
small groups. This study will be conducted in the broad areas
of memory or communication.
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
Credits:
60 at Stage 3
Assessment:
6 TMAs, 1 Examination
Length:
6 months
How does memory work? How do we understand language?
How do we think? These are just some of the questions
related to everyday experience you’ll address on this course.
Beginning with core topics – perception and attention;
categorisation and language; and memory, thinking and
reasoning – you’ll then explore wider issues, such as emotion
and consciousness, topics that have presented a challenge
to the cognitive approach. Throughout, you’ll be asked to
examine theories, evidence and arguments as well as the
methods of cognitive psychology, including neuropsychology
and neuroimaging. Using a computer, you’ll also be guided
through techniques of data analysis and experimentation, and
will engage in your own project work.
Social psychology: critical perspectives on self
and others (DD307)
Credits:
60 at Stage 3
Assessment:
6 TMAs, 1 Examination
Length:
6 months
This Stage 3 course uses traditional and cutting-edge
social psychological theories to explore some of the most
exciting and pressing issues we face in our complex, fast
changing world. Topics in the course include emotions,
conflict, relationships, the body, personality, prejudice and
group processes. Working with multimedia materials, you
will develop advanced academic skills of critical evaluation
and argument and will have the opportunity to conduct
your own independent research project – consolidating
and deepening your understanding.
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
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UNDERGRADUATE GUIDE 2013
BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07)
6
FAQs
Can I study in any country?
Please use the Course Finder menu at OpenUniversity.
edu to see what courses are available in your country.
So for a typical three-stage honours degree you would
study:
120 credits at Stage 1, taking modules worth 30 or 60
credits at Level 1
What tutor support will I receive?
The OU excels in its unrivalled support for students. You’ll
have email and online support from a tutor and you will be
able to discuss your study in online tutor group discussions,
using our customised learning environment. Our community
websites Platform and OpenLearn offer a different perspective
on your subject, and a huge range of OU resources on
YouTube and iTunes U can expand your understanding.
In addition, you can tap into a range of enthusiastic and
welcoming OU social network groups on Facebook, Twitter
and LinkedIn.
Are there any entry requirements?
For most undergraduate qualifications you don’t need
any formal qualifications, or to pass an entry test to study
with us. Our undergraduate qualifications are open to
all because we believe anyone who is keen to succeed
should have the opportunity to study.
120 credits at Stage 2, taking modules worth 30 or 60
credits at Level 2
120 credits at Stage 3, taking modules worth 30 or 60
credits at Level 3.
In the example given above, each stage could consist of
two 60-credit modules or one 60-credit module and two
30-credit modules, or four 30-credit modules.
How long does it take?
Our qualifications are designed to be flexible. So if you
want to vary the amount of time you spend studying, you
can. The table below is a guide on the time required,
but call us today to discuss how you can vary the study
intensity and therefore the time taken to complete your
course.
As part of the registration process, however, you will be
asked to confirm your proficiency in English. (If you are
unsure, you can take a short online test, which you will
find when completing the online registration form.)
Can I count previous study towards
an OU qualification?
Any higher-education level studies you’ve successfully
completed elsewhere may count towards your OU
degree or other qualification. We enable you to do this by
awarding you a certain amount of ‘transferred credit’. By
transferring credit gained from previous study, you can
reduce the amount you need from OU study to achieve
your qualification. For more information please go to
OpenUniversity.edu.
How do you work towards a
qualification?
Credits
required
Time required to
complete1
Certificate of higher
education (Cert HE)
120
1 years full-time study
or 2 years part-time
study
BA or BSc degree
without honours
300
3 years full-time study
or 5 years part-time
study
BA or BSc degree with
honours
360
3–4 years full-time
study or 6 years parttime study
How much will it cost?
If you are studying with us for the first time our standard
fee for 2013/2014 is £5,000 – based on 120 credits of
study – which is equivalent to a year’s full-time study at
a campus-based university. Of course you don’t have to
study 120 credits a year and the price you pay will be
proportionate to the standard fee. So, for example, if you
only study 60 credits a year, you will pay 50 per cent of the
standard fee (£2,500).
We measure the size of our qualifications in credits – an
honours degree is 360 credits, made up of three 120-credit
stages.
Each stage is made up of a number of modules which
cover different parts of the subject. Modules are also
measured in credits and are set at different ‘levels’. Levels
give an indication of a module’s relative complexity and/
or depth of learning. Most modules are worth either 30 or
60 credits and are set at Levels 1, 2 and 3, which roughly
equates to studying in the first, second and third year at a
campus-based university.
Undergraduate
qualifications
Credit studied
each year1
Percentage
of standard
fee
Cost per
year
Time taken
to complete
a 360-credit
honours degree
120 credits
a year
100%
£5,000
3 years fulltime study
60 credits
a year
50%
£2,500
6 years
part-time
study
When can I start?
To give you more opportunities to start, most qualifications
have two intakes a year – October and February. To start
in October 2013, for example, you need to register no later
than 10th September 2013.
Can I get financial support for the
fees?
Your payment options include spreading the cost over
monthly instalments with our own affordable Student
Budget Accounts, OUSBA. Call us today to discuss.
Can I meet and network with other
students?
Definitely – when you start with the OU you automatically
become a member of the Open University Student
Association (OUSA). OUSA also runs a popular student
forum site. For more information, go to www.ousa.org.uk.
Once you have gained your qualification, you can join
the OU Alumni Association, our vibrant and active alumni
community with 280,000 members worldwide. You will
enjoy many membership benefits, including regular
newsletters, good networking opportunities and access to
the alumni website.
How is my privacy protected?
We record your personal information when you contact us
and use this to manage registration, study, examination
and other services. When you register, we’ll tell you more
about how we process and use your personal information.
When should I apply?
Apply as early as you can – particularly if you wish to
claim for credit for previous study. Registration open dates
are shown in the Courses section at OpenUniversity.edu.
I always wondered what it took
to achieve a degree - and now I
am starting to find out. It's a really
exciting adventure.
Sharon Dee, Open University student
For illustrative purposes only – in most cases you can vary the
number of credits taken per year and therefore the time taken to
complete the course. Please note: prices are approximate and
subject to change. Visit our website or call us for latest details.
1
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
7
QUALIFICATION LEAFLET
What do I need to
do next?
It takes just 2 simple steps.
Begin the process to secure your place.
Here's how easy it is.
1. Register now
Go to OpenUniversity.edu, select the Courses section and the
degree you require. You will then be asked to select a pathway
to register. (Pathways are different selections of course modules
to complete your degree.)
Alternatively call us on 0044 (0)845 241 6555.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay anything at this stage.
As soon as you have registered you’ll get an email
confirmation which contains your login details.
2. Choose your first module,
make payment to enrol
Before you start studying you will need to choose and
register on your first modules and arrange payment;
instructions for this will be emailed to you.
Once complete you will officially be an Open University
student – welcome!
For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
All details shown in this leaflet are
correct as at January 2013, but
are subject to change.
Please call 0044 (0)845 241 6555
for the latest details.
The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391),
an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in
Scotland (SC 038302).
While we have done everything possible to make sure the information in
this publication is accurate, it may change due to regulations or policy,
or because of financial or other reasons.
Copyright © 2013 The Open University.