University Certificate Psychology

Summary 2012/13

• Receive a basic grounding in psychology and obtain up to 60 HE credits;
• Gain the academic knowledge to enable progression onto a Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Psychology (conversion);
• Take your first steps towards achieving qualifications that will give you Graduate Basis for Recognition (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The course will provide you with a basic grounding in psychology at Higher Education (HE) level 4. You will follow the same course of study (minus personal development planning) as undergraduate students in their first year of a degree in Psychology at Edge Hill University.

Completion of the Qualifying Certificate will allow you to apply for a Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Psychology (conversion).

Should you already have some HE credits but not the requisite 60 then you can pick up 20, 30 or 40 additional credits by signing up for a limited number of the modules on offer in the Qualifying Certificate.

2012 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you should have a first degree in any subject.

Summary 2013/14

• Receive a basic grounding in psychology and obtain up to 60 HE credits;
• Gain the academic knowledge to enable progression onto a Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Psychology (conversion);
• Take your first steps towards achieving qualifications that will give you Graduate Basis for Recognition (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The course will provide you with a basic grounding in psychology at Higher Education (HE) level 4. You will follow the same course of study (minus personal development planning) as undergraduate students in their first year of a degree in Psychology at Edge Hill University.

Completion of the Qualifying Certificate will allow you to apply for a Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Psychology (conversion).

Should you already have some HE credits but not the requisite 60 then you can pick up 20, 30 or 40 additional credits by signing up for a limited number of the modules on offer in the Qualifying Certificate.

2013 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you should have a first degree in any subject.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is for individuals with a first degree, not in psychology, who would like to obtain Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

What will I gain from this programme?

You will gain knowledge of the content areas of psychology required by the British Psychological Society and develop research skills, including training on the statistical package SPSS.

How we will support you

You will have a personal tutor who will support you throughout the programme and access to extensive learning resources. Edge Hill University has excellent student support systems in place and has received the Charter Mark, the government’s national standard for customer service excellence.

What will I study?

The programme covers a range of topics to give you a basic grounding in psychology. For example, you will consider how individuals perceive and make sense of their environments, and how they function within them. There is a focus on personality and individual differences, exploring how personality develops, how it is ‘measured’ by psychologists and the impact it has on how people work and live.

The programme will examine how people develop intellectually, socially and emotionally, from childhood and throughout the life cycle. It also considers the biological basis for behaviour, how the brain is structured and the physiological underpinnings to our emotions and behaviours. You will analyse the social psychology of relationships and continue to look at group experiences, evaluating what makes people conform to group norms, comply with authority and feel excluded.

There is also the opportunity to learn how to conduct psychological research and put your own research skills into practice.

How will I study?

You will learn via traditional lectures, small group seminars and the use of e learning.

Who will be teaching me?

The Psychology team is a rapidly growing one, currently with ten members of staff. Our staff are all research active, particularly in the areas of thinking and reasoning, work psychology, psychological aspects of substance abuse, counselling, close relationships and the functioning of working memory.

Members of the team have been published in major national and international peer reviewed journals such as the British Journal of Psychology, Counselling Psychology Quarterly, the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, The Journal of Experimental Psychology and The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.

What are my career prospects?

On successful completion of this qualifying certificate you will be eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (conversion) which could lead you toward a Masters in Psychology (conversion) and, ultimately, to training in any of the core psychology professions.

Further study at Edge Hill University

• PG Dip / MSc in Psychology (conversion)

Related Programmes

• BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Health Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Psychology
• BSc (Hons) Sports 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 fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise and 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities.

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 directly to Edge Hill University. Download the postgraduate application form (pdf) and view notes for guidance (pdf).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for this programme are £25 per credit for academic year 2012/13, i.e. £250 per 10 credit module and £500 per 20 credit module. The University Certificate comprises a total of 60 credits.

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 on 01695 657000, email study@edgehill.ac.uk or submit your details at www.edgehill.ac.uk/courseinformation.

You can also register to attend one of our open events held throughout the year. Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradopendays to book your place.

You'll 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 Derek Larkin, Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657691
• Email: derek.larkin@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Introduction to Psychology gives you a basic grounding in the core British Psychologcial Society topics in psychology.

Research Methods and Statistics provides you with experience in designing, conducting and analysing the results of data collected for empirical studies in psychology.