Psychology MSc
It’s an online conversion course for graduates who would like to switch careers and move into psychology, but who don't hold an undergraduate psychology degree. Perhaps you’re a teacher interested in educational psychology, a nurse or other health service professional, and find it difficult to make time for on-campus study.
You will gain a grounding in the core areas of psychology, enabling you to move into more specialised postgraduate training, such as health psychology or sport psychology.
The MSc Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Students who complete either the MSc or Post Graduate Diploma
will be elligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society.
Accrue qualifications as you study – not just at the end
We've designed this course so that it's flexible to suit you. It will take you 2-3 years to study for the full MSc, depending on how much learning you can fit in around your other commitments. You gain a PG Certificate after 4 modules, a PG Diploma after 8 modules and the full Masters after 8 modules and an Independent Study. So if you really can’t complete the full programme, you should still gain an award and recognition for your work.
Interactive and practical learning – surprised?
Despite the fact you’ll study online, we still make sure the course is engaging and that it covers practical aspects. We do this through innovative teaching and learning methods, such as interactive virtual laboratories, online lectures, e-tutoring and discussion forums, where you can meet and discuss topics with other students and staff.
Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed semester or term time, but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.
Course Length:
2-3 years of part time study
Start Dates:
September and April
Entry Requirements:
You will usually need one of the following:
These qualifications need to include at least 60 credits in psychology. If they don’t, you may be offered the opportunity to take the University Certificate in Psychology first – this can be studied online and usually takes about 1 year.
- An undergraduate degree (in any subject) from a UK university – at least a 2:2.
- A psychology degree which hasn’t given you Graduate Basis for Chartership – at least a 2:2.
- An undergraduate degree from an overseas institution that is equivalent to the above UK qualifications. What is the equivalent qualification in my country? However, if you have overseas qualifications, we do advise that you gain the UK equivalent. It is also important that you have a good standard of written and spoken English.
We will consider your reference and personal statement carefully, and we'll normally invite you to come in for an interview.
Fees:
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK | £380 | 12 | £4,560* | Sept/Apr |
| Non UK | £792 | 12 | £9,504* | Sept/Apr |
*Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
Career Information:
During this course you'll study all the core areas of psychology to gain a deep understanding of the subject. From here you can then choose which area you would like to specialise in and continue to further training. For example, you may want to consider our MSc Health Psychology online, which will introduce you to a range of health psychology professional competencies in areas such as teaching and training, research and consultancy.
Course Leader:
Modules Summary:
To complete the full Masters, you must study the core modules listed below (including the Independent Study). You can then choose FIVE of the OPTIONAL modules in the list below.
Modules Summary Stage 1:
To complete Certificate Level you need to complete the 3 core modules below and select one of the core modules from Stage 2 below.
Modules Summary Stage 2:
To complete the Diploma Level you must complete the certificate stage and then go on to complete the remaining four core modules. If you wish to finish at Diploma level, you must complete the Research Project module which is required for Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC).
Optional Modules (for an MSc exit you will select one of the optional modules below and complete your Independent Study).
Modules Summary Stage 3:
For the full MSc award you must complete the Independent Study.
Student Profile:
Career Information
During this course you'll study all the core areas of psychology to gain a deep understanding of the subject. From here you can then choose which area you would like to specialise in and continue to further training. For example, you may want to consider our MSc Health Psychology online, which will introduce you to a range of health psychology professional competencies in areas such as teaching and training, research and consultancy.
Modules
To complete the full Masters, you must study the core modules listed below (including the Independent Study). You can then choose FIVE of the OPTIONAL modules in the list below.
Stage 1
To complete Certificate Level you need to complete the 3 core modules below and select one of the core modules from Stage 2 below.
Core Module
This provides an introduction to studying online and specifically, to studying psychology online at the University of Derby. All students must take this module before they begin the course, and it must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements. It does not carry any credits towards your masters degree.
We will cover:
- Studying online at the University of Derby: an introduction to the learning environment, time management, navigating the site, submitting assignments, plagiarism
- Skills for online learning: using online communication tools, using online collaborative learning, using interactive learning tools, Second Life induction
- Contacting personal tutors: the university email system
- Accessing resources: using ATHENS, searching for online resources and assessing for academic integrity, using digital resources, an introduction to library and support services for off-campus students (InFocus), finding e-journals, joining SCONUL.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 0
Core Module
In order to conduct and evaluate research within psychology, you need to be able to draw upon a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods and assess their relevance, advantages and disadvantages when using them to answer a particular research question. This module has been developed to meet the requirements of the British Psychological Society’s(BPS) GBC curriculum and must be completed to meet BPS requirements.
It’s essential preparation for the Independent Study, which you need to complete to gain the full Masters.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. You will submit a portfolio totalling 4000 words, containing:
- Brief exercises and reports based upon statistical analysis of data, research design and reporting.
- A critical evaluation and discussion of qualitative research studies.
Credits: 15
Core Module
In this module you’ll gain practical experience using ‘virtual lab’ facilities to conduct psychological investigations. The virtual e-lab provides an interactive, 3D simulation of conducting psychological investigations. You will be asked to consider a number of data collection approaches, develop practical skills, and discuss research and analysis issues. This a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. You’ll be asked to work with a group of online students to propose, design and conduct a small-scale qualitative or quantitative psychological study. This will include writing a 4,000 word report.
Credits: 15
Stage 2
To complete the Diploma Level you must complete the certificate stage and then go on to complete the remaining four core modules. If you wish to finish at Diploma level, you must complete the Research Project module which is required for Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC).
Optional Modules (for an MSc exit you will select one of the optional modules below and complete your Independent Study).
Core Module
In this module you will gain a critical understanding of the relationship between brain functioning and behaviour. We will critically examine the biological bases of a range of behaviours and will consider how research in biological psychology can contribute to the understanding of cognitive function, health and illness. This is a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requiremetns. It covers:
- Biological aspects of behaviour: research methods in biological psychology, the biological basis of learning and memory
- Psychopharmacology: drugs and behaviour, addiction and motivation
- Evolution, genetics and behaviour: evolutionary explanations of behaviour, stress and emotion, genes and behaviour, development of the brain
- History and development of biological psychology: the impact of physiology and biology on the development of our understanding of psychological processes and concepts.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: one 2,500 word essay (worth 60%) and one 1,500 word critical summary of a journal article (worth 40%).
Credits: 15
Core Module
Cognition is concerned with the study of mental processes including memory, perception, communication, problem solving and thinking. The purpose of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of research methods, theory and empirical findings for key topics in cognitive psychology. This is a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements. It covers:
- Attention: space and object-based attention, temporal attention
- Visual information processing: theoretical approaches, eg Marr, Gibson and Gregory, neuropsychological and applied aspects
- Memory: working memory, long term memory
- Language: speech perception, word comprehension, sentence comprehension
- Thinking: reasoning, problem solving and decision making
- History and development of cognitive psychology: the impact that the cognitive revolution has had on the development of our understanding of psychological processes and concepts.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. A 3000 word essay worth 70%, and a 1000 word research proposal worth 30%.
Credits: 15
Core Module
You’ll develop a critical understanding of psychological concepts, theories and methods relevant to the study of developmental psychology. This is a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements. You will cover:
- Key themes in developmental psychology: research methods, nature and nurture, theories of development
- Cognition in infancy and childhood: perception, memory, language, theory of mind, number, drawing
- Social development: emotion, self and identity, gender
- Classic and historic perspectives in developmental psychology eg Piaget and Vygotsky.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. You will submit a 4,000 word research proposal.
Credits: 15
Core Module
You will gain a critical understanding of the theoretical knowledge of individual differences, personality and intelligence. This is a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements. It covers:
- Approaches to personality: trait, cognitive, humanistic and biological
- Psychometric testing: validity, reliability, ethics and consequences of testing in applied settings
- Theoretical approaches to individual differences: intelligence, cognitive style, emotion, motivation, mood
- Contemporary debates in individual differences: idiographic-nomothetic debate
- Mental health: including social, biological and cognitive processes.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a 2,500 word essay worth 60% and a 1,500 word research proposal worth 40%.
Credits: 15
Core Module
Social psychology is concerned with the study of how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by the presence of others, whether this is real, imagined or implied.This is a core module and must be completed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) requirements.
You will explore topics including:
- Social cognition: social perception, attitudes, self-regulation
- Inter-group processes: inter-group conflict and prejudice, social identity processes, attribution processes
- Small group processes: groups and group norms, small group dynamics and leadership styles, characteristics of productive and non-productive groups
- Social influence in groups: conformity and obedience, majority and minority influence, bystander effect and prosocial behaviour
- Close relationships: interpersonal attraction, liking and loving, role of culture and gender
- Crisis in social psychology: social constructionism.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. You will be asked to submit a 4000 word portfolio which includes 2 sections: 1) a systematic literature review and 2) applying your findings to a case study.
Credits: 15
Core Module
You can take this module if you intend to finish the course at Diploma stage, and don’t wish to gain the full Masters. Supported by a ‘supervisor’, you will undertake advanced independent research in an area of your choice. You will be asked to:
- formulate meaningful research questions that relate to existing psychological theory and research
- review the relevant literature
- plan and design a feasible and ethical empirical study
- produce a scholarly scientific report of the work.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. You will need to submit a report of 4,000 words, written in a style suitable for submission to a psychology journal.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
You will examine a range of qualitative research issues and evaluate their relevance to your area of psychology. You will also develop an understanding of a variety of qualitative data generation and analysis methods.
We will cover:
- An introduction to qualitative methods: the historical and epistemological context
- Data collection methods such as interviews, focus groups, diaries, internet data and so on
- Data analysis techniques such as thematic analysis, template analysis, discursive and conversation analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis and so on
- Design, sampling and ethical issues
- Evaluating qualitative research
- Writing up qualitative research.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a 4,000 word practical report.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
In this module, you will gain a critical understanding of a range of quantitative research methods and statistical techniques used for each type of research design. You will learn how statistical tests are performed and analysed using the software SPSS and how they are interpreted.
You will cover these areas:
- Quantitative research design, including survey and experimental methods
- Data organisation and management
- Univariate and multivariate analysis
- Regression techniques
- Factor analysis.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a 4,000 word practical report.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical awareness of the role of psychology in the aetiology (cause), onset, progression and management of various chronic conditions. You will examine the impact of diagnosis, how a person copes with a chronic condition, and the impact of social and familial support.
We will cover these sections:
- Introduction and overview: incidence and the range of chronic conditions.
- Psychological aspects of chronic illnesses: cancer, HIV, diabetes, neurological and substance-related disorders.
- Stigmatised conditions and identity: mental illness and physical disability.
- Chronic illness in children.
- Coping and chronic illness: individual and social factors, interventions.
- Care-giving: stress, gender roles, spousal, familial and non-familial caring.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a 3000 word case study report
Credits: 15
Optional Module
This module considers ergonomics as a fundamental element of good design. It enables you to apply ergonomics principles and your understanding of human characteristics and behaviours to design issues. We place the concept of the user, and their characteristics and needs, at the centre of the design process.
We will cover these areas:
1. The concept of user centred design:
- Human factors integration and the design life cycle
- Interdisciplinary working, constraints and compromise
- Hedonomics and principles of pleasure
- Legislation, standards and accessibility.
2. Defining users and their needs:
- Models of human performance and design
- Defining populations.
3. Overview of design areas such as product design, inclusive design, process design, workplace design, job design, work organisation, systems design.
4. Review of tools and techniques:
- Quantitative (eg task and system performance)
- Qualitative data collection techniques (interviews, observation, questionnaires)
- Data representation techniques (hierarchical task analysis, cognitive work analysis)
- Data analysis techniques (heuristics, checklists, link/layout analysis).
5. Usability and its evaluation:
- Laboratory/experimental approaches
- Field evaluations.
6. Case studies: about areas such as website design, product design, environmental design, transport design and design failures.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a portfolio of 4000 words (for example a design evaluation and an applied design project.)
Credits: 15
Optional Module
You will gain an overview of the relationship between human behaviour and patterns of health, morbidity and mortality.
You will cover:
- Concepts of health and illness
- Measuring health and illness
- Understanding health behaviour: social cognition models
- Illness representations
- Coping with ill-health: pain and chronic conditions
- Health promotion: theories, models and values
- Workplace health promotion.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a portfolio totalling 4000 words which contains a short answer question and an additional longer piece of work.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
You gain a broad understanding of the processes involved in maintaining health, preventing disease and promoting psychological wellbeing, in the physically ill individual.
We will cover:
- Introduction to psychology of health and illness: contexts and perspectives, socio-demographic factors in health and illness
- Biological and physiological aspects of stress: models of stress and coping with stress
- Personality factors in health and illness: emotional expression, optimism, pessimism
- Psychological aspects of pain and pain management
- Models of health behaviour
- Attribution factors: locus of control, personal control and healthcare, learned helplessness, self-efficacy.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. Part 1 will be a PowerPoint presentation (worth 40%) and part 2 will be a 2,000 word essay (worth 60%).
Credits: 15
Optional Module
In this module you gain an introduction to the principles of ergonomics and the approach of designing for human use. It provides a framework of knowledge about human characteristics and human response to the environment – this enables you to understand issues in task design from an ergonomics perspective.
You will cover the following areas:
- The ergonomics approach – user centred design
- Physical work, work physiology and anthropometrics
- Psychological work and behavioural characteristics
- Human response to the environment
- Design of workplace to match physical and psychological dimensions
- Design of displays, controls and information
- Technology and ergonomics, eg office work and health care
- Equipment design and the design process.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a portfolio of 4000 words.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
This module focuses on occupation and organisational stress. You will gain background knowledge in key areas of occupational psychology, before we discuss the development of the ‘stress construct’. You will explore the latest research on factors that influence stress in the workplace, such as level of job demands, gender differences and socio-cultural factors. We will also discuss the consequences of stress for the organisation (such as consequences of having staff off sick) and for the individual (such as later pathology). We will consider a variety of occupations, such as managerial positions, factory workers and police officers.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework. This will take the form of a 4000 word briefing paper for the Board of an organisation, on the background to stress, its significance to the organisation and what needs to be incorporated into policies and procedures.
Credits: 15
Stage 3
For the full MSc award you must complete the Independent Study.
Core Module
Also known as a ‘dissertation’, this module asks you to identify a research issue, review existing literature on the topic, formulate novel research questions, and test these questions through the use of appropriate psychological methodologies and data-analytic procedures. You will be supported by a tutor, known as your research ‘supervisor’.
The Independent Study is equivalent to 4 modules.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a research report made up of a 4000 word review of the published literature in your area of research, and a 9,000-12,000 word report.
Credits: 60
You will usually need one of the following:
These qualifications need to include at least 60 credits in psychology. If they don’t, you may be offered the opportunity to take the University Certificate in Psychology first – this can be studied online and usually takes about 1 year.
- An undergraduate degree (in any subject) from a UK university – at least a 2:2.
- A psychology degree which hasn’t given you Graduate Basis for Chartership – at least a 2:2.
- An undergraduate degree from an overseas institution that is equivalent to the above UK qualifications. What is the equivalent qualification in my country? However, if you have overseas qualifications, we do advise that you gain the UK equivalent. It is also important that you have a good standard of written and spoken English.
We will consider your reference and personal statement carefully, and we'll normally invite you to come in for an interview.
Apply Now
Applications for Online courses are made through the main University of Derby website.
By clicking on "Apply now" below you will be redirected to the University of Derby website to continue your application process.
Fees
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK | £380 | 12 | £4,560* | Sept/Apr |
| Non UK | £792 | 12 | £9,504* | Sept/Apr |
*Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
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