BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology

Summary 2012/13

• Join a Psychology department ranked top in the North West for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2011);
• Study a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society;
• Gain a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of psychology, the scientific study of mind and behaviour;
• Focus on the application of psychology to education;
• Experience a work placement in an educational context.

This course will provide you with the necessary background to work in the field of education, broadening your understanding of psychology in this area of fundamental importance. You will receive training in the core areas of psychology and examine how psychology has been applied to education.

2012 Entry Requirements

280 UCAS tariff points overall, plus GCSE Mathematics at grade C or equivalent.

Please note, all applicants for this programme will be required to undergo a CRB check.

Details

Who is this course for?

If you would like to develop a career in teaching, educational psychology, educational research or work in an educational context then this could be the programme for you.

What will I gain from this programme?

The programme will provide you with training in the core areas of psychology, including the development of research skills, and the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills including data handling and analysis, presentations and IT literacy.

You will also benefit from a work placement in an educational context, invaluable experience if you wish to gain a place on competitive postgraduate programmes in educational psychology and initial teacher training.

How we will support you

You will be provided with a personal tutor to monitor and support your progress throughout your time at Edge Hill University. The first year of the degree includes a programme of academic development, providing guidance on academic reading and writing, critical thinking skills and using library resources.

What will I study?

In Year 1, you will gain a broad, general understanding of the different, yet interrelated approaches towards the psychological study of human behaviour, focusing on the study of social psychology, personality and individual differences. You will also look at research methods, the application of psychology to education, and undertake a short work placement.

Year 2 covers the core areas of psychology (social, cognitive, biological) in detail. You will undertake further research training and also consider the psychology of teaching, learning and instruction. A second, longer work placement will be taken at the end of Year 2.

In Year 3, you will conduct an analysis of the previous work placement, explore specific areas of educational psychology, and undertake a piece of educational psychology research before using the findings as the basis for writing a dissertation.

How will I study?

You will participate in a variety of learning formats including lectures, discussion groups, research workshops and a work placement.

Placement

You will complete a placement at the end of Year 2, in either a school, educational psychology service or educational research group at a University. Some placement types are limited and all are based in the North West although some travel may be required.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by staff with a wide range of interests in education and psychology. Members of our team have either worked previously in schools and colleges, provide consultancy services for schools and other educational institutions and conduct research in collaboration with schools and local authorities.

How will I be assessed?

Work will be assessed through examinations, coursework essays, presentations and a final year dissertation.

What are my career prospects?

Potential career paths include postgraduate training, educational psychology, clinical psychology, work psychology, health psychology, teaching (further training required), research in further and higher education, personnel, advertising, and caring professions.

Professional Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), provided the minimum standard of a lower second class Honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.

Students must recognise that training in Educational Psychology is acquired through postgraduate education and supervised practice, not through an undergraduate degree. On completion of this programme students are not qualified to practice as an Educational Psychologist without further training in Educational Psychology.

Further study at Edge Hill University

• Primary PGCE
• Secondary PGCE Psychology (Age Phase 14-19)

Related Programmes

• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Health Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,000 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time BA, BSc and LLB degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

Students returning to education may present their previous experience in work (paid or unpaid) to support their application.

Students with relevant study through either a professional body or appropriate academic course can apply to join the programme at an advanced stage.

If you do not have the required Mathematics GCSE, you can sit an Edge Hill equivalency test to gain the equivalent qualification.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact Dr Dave Putwain on 01695 584498 or email: putwaind@edgehill.ac.uk.

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Modules

Year 1

PSY1111 Introduction to Personality, Social and Developmental Psychology will familiarise you with the approaches and concepts central to the study of behaviour. The module explores the historical and theoretical concepts of personality and individual differences, social cognition and social and cognitive development.

PSY1112 Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology considers the processes underlying behaviour (such as perception, sensation and memory) and how human beings are embedded in their world (e.g. by way of their shared biology and learned knowledge). In this way, the module aims to equip you with a broad understanding of basic theories and concepts and a range of interrelated approaches towards the psychological study of human behaviour.

PSY1113 Investigating Psychology provides background and training in the skills necessary to plan, conduct, analyse and report psychological research. You will receive training, support and practice in the use of SPSS software to conduct psychological research and learn the skills necessary to produce descriptive and inferential statistics, providing the building blocks for the more advanced research methods encountered later in the programme.

PSY1114 Real World Psychology takes a more 'hands on' approach to studying some of the core topics in psychology. You will learn to relate your understanding of psychological theories, concepts and research methods to real-world situations (e.g. topical issues in the news) and engage with current research activities being conducted within the department.

PSY1108 Essential Skills in Psychology develops a range of academic, personal and interpersonal skills designed to enhance your potential both within and beyond university. The focus is on utilising these key undergraduate skills - such as academic reading, writing and critique, group working, finding and presenting information, time management, self-awareness and reflection - for learning and achieving the aims of the psychology programme. The module takes a holistic approach to applications of theory.

Year 2

PSY2112 Developmental Psychology addresses the processes involved in key aspects of human development and their relevant applications in real world settings. It will focus mainly (though not exclusively) on development in childhood including areas such as cognition, memory, language, emotional, and social development. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of key theories and psychological research that have informed our understanding of development in these areas.

PSY2113 Social Psychology reveals the extent to which social influences and interactions are pervasive in affecting individual behaviour, while also considering how the actions of an individual in turn affect other individuals and groups. You will develop an awareness of the relationship between person and situation and examine how this dynamic relationship both influences, and is crucial to, the understanding of behaviour.

PSY2114 Cognitive Psychology will examine both classic and contemporary research that has led to the development of theories regarding how attention, perception and memory all function. The module will also examine how each of these components interact during everyday tasks. You will consider how thinking, language and emotion enable us to reason about, and interact meaningfully with, the external world, gaining an understanding of the processes used to communicate, comprehend, and use information and knowledge.

PSY2115 Biological Psychology studies the human nervous system, including its structure and functioning. There will be a particular focus upon the brain. You will learn in detail the processes by which messages are passed through the system and the way the brain interacts with the hormones of the endocrine system in order to preserve life. The methods by which the brain is commonly researched will also be explored in order to provide a basis for understanding much current research and theorising in psychology.

PSY2116 Research Methods and Data Analysis provides you with the skills necessary to design, execute and report your own research. A particular emphasis is placed on data analysis: quantitative techniques (analysis of variance and regression) and qualitative techniques (grounded theory and phenomenological analysis). These data analysis skills will be essential for carrying out dissertations and are also highly valued by employers.

PSY2117 Applied Psychology develops knowledge in key areas (occupational, health, forensic, educational, sports) enabling you to understand, discuss and critically evaluate research, both within a framework of psychological theory and in terms of practical implications. You will learn to apply knowledge in developing ideas for community initiatives based on psychological theory in an applied area of interest.

Year 3

PSY3101 Dissertation is required for programme accreditation by the British Psychological Society. The dissertation requires you to carry out a piece of research for which, with tutorial support, you have responsibility for designing, gathering data, analysing data, and reporting the findings. You will work independently and demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and initiative in managing your work.

PSY3105 Mind, Body and Consciousness considers the constraints and contributions that have been supplied by psychological research, with particular emphasis on the relationship between body, mind and world and the nature of consciousness. In doing this, the module focuses on research problems that exemplify historical constraints in psychology (e.g. consciousness, emotion and embodiment). By critically evaluating the subject-method relationship and the constraints on a successful psychology of how mind, body and behaviour relate, this module empowers you to reason about current directions in psychological science.

PSY3129 Personality and Individual Differences is a module designed to develop your appreciation of individual differences in the study of human behaviour. In particular, the module will examine how individual differences interact in almost every example of psychological research with experimental or situational paradigms to produce results differing profoundly for individuals of different personalities, different capacities and different motivations.

In addition to the above, you will also need to study three of the following optional Year 3 modules. Please note, the choice of optional modules offered may vary depending on student demand and staff expertise.

PSY3120 Work Psychology develops your understanding of the application of psychology to people in terms of their lives at the workplace, their economic and work-relevant behaviour, and as participants in organisations. The module builds on knowledge acquired in earlier modules such as knowledge, skill, and decision making in cognitive psychology, individual differences in social psychology, and motivation. Many of the themes identified are explored in an applied context in this module.

PSY3121 Evolutionary Psychology offers knowledge about the origins of behaviour that challenges traditional assumptions about humans, their minds, and collective interaction. The aim is to empower your critical evaluation of personal, social and cultural issues in both future vocation and everyday life.

PSY3122 Psychology of Substance Misuse examines various aspects of substance misuse (including the misuse of alcohol) from a psychological perspective which will also be informed by other academic perspectives, such as those of brain science and sociology respectively. A broad range of psychological consequences of substance misuse, such as memory impairments, will be studied and the psychological interventions for substance misuse will be examined.

PSY3123 Clinical and Abnormal Psychology introduces you to the study of abnormal psychology and psychiatric disorders. The module will provide you with a thorough understanding of a variety of perspectives in psychology and how they apply to specific mental disorders. You will also develop your understanding and assess the relative merits of a medical/clinical model (diagnosis and treatment) of specific disorders, which will include schizophrenia (and other personality disorders), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, bipolar-mood disorders and cognitive disorders related to aging and autism. Overall, the module will encourage you to critically analyse the medical model of mental disorders, as seen from the historical, social, psychopharmacological (neuroscience/neuropsychological) and medical perspectives.

PSY3124 Critical Perspectives in Developmental Psychology uses key arguments from critical psychology to evaluate traditional models and images of childhood, normative goals of development, and research methods that underpin much of traditional developmental psychology and educational policy. The module will provide a theoretical and practical framework for contemporary research practice. Ethical issues associated with carrying out research within a range of settings, and particularly with children, will be discussed, especially in relation to carrying out research 'with' children and also from a 'reflexive' practitioner perspective.

PSY3125 Memory in the Real World specialises in an area of cognitive psychology. The module also encompasses conceptual and historical issues, research design and methods in psychology - all areas that are core to the British Psychological Society's (BPS) curriculum – and gives you a strong basis to study Cognitive Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Research Methods at postgraduate level.

PSY3126 Understanding Genocide: The Social Psychology of the Holocaust critically examines the behaviour of 'perpetrators', 'bystanders', 'rescuers', 'resistors', victims and survivors (including child survivors) with the aid of a range of social psychological concepts. These include social conformity, obedience, authoritarianism, aggression, denial, prejudice, dehumanisation, 'the authoritarian personality' and 'the altruistic personality', lying, self-deception and leadership. The module will also critically examine post-war coping strategies and therapeutic perspectives.

PSY3127 The Developing Memory: From Infant to Adolescence is a distinct module specialising in the cognitive development of human memory. The module encompasses developmental, cognitive, biological and social psychology, as well as design and methodology research issues in the area of cognitive development. All these areas are core to the British Psychological Society's (BPS) curriculum. Due to the key topics covered, this module will suit the vocational and academic goals of the students interested in cognitive and developmental psychology, educational psychology, clinical psychology and forensic psychology.

PSY3128 Applying Psychology to Lifestyle Behaviour will explore the role of psychology, applied to the context of lifestyle. Specifically, the module considers the application of theory and evidence-based research to better understand, predict and change lifestyle-related behaviours. In addition, this module will elucidate how psychological concepts are linked to both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles in the real-world.

PSY3129 Research Technologies and Tools gives you practical experience of using research technologies commonly used within the discipline such as E-Prime (an experimental presentation software used for measuring reaction times), Biopac (a physiological arousal measurement tool) and diagnostic tools (such as the Wechsler Abbreviated Intelligence Scale). These skills will be useful for all students wishing to conduct further Postgraduate studies in Psychology, where an understanding of research technologies will be advantageous.

PSY3130 Psychology in the Virtual World will examine psychological underpinnings and experiences associated with a range of different virtual environments. These include video gaming, internet use and social networking. There will be a particular focus on the application of recent psychological research and how it provides an insight into the technological experiences which comprise a substantial part of modern day life.

EDP3102 The Psychology of Movement, Mark-making and Music in Education examines the psychological importance of pre-school experiences in drawing and mark-making, movement and play, and music to a child's understanding of the world and readiness for school. Psychological knowledge in these areas is compared to the current school curriculum.

EDP3103 Psychological Predictors of Learning and Achievement will examine how psychological factors can influence, and are in turn influenced by, learning and achievement. In this module we will focus on the beliefs of students about themselves as learners (including individual perceptions of one's own abilities and competencies), academic motivation, academic emotions (particularly a fear of failure) and the classroom environment.

EDP3004 Special Educational Needs (SEN) examines SEN within the school system by providing an understanding of psychological research and its applicability to this area. The module will take into consideration the policies and strategies behind supporting SEN in school, with particular attention to autism and dyslexia. In addition, this module will explore both the history of SEN and the new direction it is taking.