Psychology with Professional Development BSc

About the Course

The Psychology courses at Brunel emphasise the every day and real-life significance of psychology by encouraging you to explore the relationship between the practical and theoretical aspects of the subject, both through your academic study and your work placements.

Psychology is often defined as the study of behaviour and of the mind. Through their theories and research, psychologists investigate a diverse range of topics including:

• The relationship between the brain, behaviour and subjective experience;
• Human development;
• The influence of other people on the individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour;
• Psychological disorders and their treatment;
• The impact of culture on the individual’s behaviour and subjective experience;
• Differences between people in terms of their personality and intelligence;
• People’s ability to acquire, organise, remember and use knowledge to guide their behaviour.

The courses in Psychology, Psychology and Sociology, and Psychology and Anthropology are approved degree courses for the purpose of giving the graduate basis for registration by the British Psychological Society, provided the minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved.

Aims

This degree ensures that you gain an understanding of the breadth and diversity of the discipline. At the same time, as you progress through the course and discover the areas which interest you the most, it becomes increasingly possible to specialise, through both our work placement system and your selection of modules.

Enquiries

Dr Andrew Clark
Admissions Tutor

Helen Stevenson
Admissions and Marketing Administrator
School of Social Sciences
Tel +44 (0)1895 265952
Email helen.stevenson@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Psychology and Anthropology BSc
• Psychology and Anthropology with Professional Development BSc
• Psychology and Sociology BSc
• Psychology and Sociology with Professional Development BSc
• Anthropology and Sociology BSc
• Anthropology and Sociology with Professional Development BSc

Special Features

• The degree provides graduate basis for registration and membership with the British Psychological Society (assuming a 2.2 or above is achieved). This can be important as an entry qualification for postgraduate professional training in psychology.
  
  
• A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, including brain imaging facilities (fMRI, EEG), psychophysics, eye tracking and the use of information technology.
  
  
• All of our academic staff are actively engaged in research and many have international reputations in their field.
  
  
• Our courses will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with your discipline. We take particular pride in both the quality of our teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.
  
  
• We enjoy greater funding than many other comparable academic schools and departments in Britain.
  

Facts and Figures

Psychology is within the School of Social Sciences at Brunel, and we offer a wide range of BSc courses across these subject areas.

We have a strong research reputation that enhances all our undergraduate teaching, with particular expertise in areas such as:

• neuropsychology;
• developmental psychology;
• social psychology;
• cognitive psychology;
• health psychology;
• mental illness;
• visual neuroscience;
• evolutionary psychology.

Course Content

Level 1

At Level 1, you will tackle psychological issues in a multi-disciplinary context.

Typical modules (all core):

• Foundations of Psychology 1: Learning and Social Psychology
• Foundations of Psychology 2: Applied Psychology
• Foundations of Psychology 3: Brain and Cognition
• Statistics and Research Methods 1
• Statistics and Research Methods 2
• Individual and Social Processes

Level 2

At Level 2, modules cover the core areas of the discipline including cognitive, biological, social, clinical and developmental psychology. You will learn about both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Typical modules:

• Advanced Research Methods
• Advanced Data Analysis
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Biological Psychology

Level 3

At Level 3, you will carry out your own independent research project and will also choose four optional modules. You can select one option from an associated discipline outside of Psychology if you wish.

Core

• Dissertation (individual supervision on a topic of your choosing)

Options

Students take four optional modules, at least three of which should be from the following list:

• Inter-Group Relations
• Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
• Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder   
• Evolutionary Psychology                
• Psychology of Consciousness
• Drugs, Hormones and the Brain                              
• Health Psychology

The fourth option may be an approved non-Psychology module within the School of Social Sciences.

For further details, see the module guide.

Teaching and Learning

Our approach

We pursue excellence in both teaching and research. Our aim is to produce degree programmes which combine innovative and classical teaching methods with leading-edge research, and which recognise the value of practical work experience in the learning process. We take great pride in both the quality of teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.

Practical skills

This course will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with psychology. A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, psychophysics and the use of information technology.

Staff expertise

All members of the academic staff are actively engaged in research and many have international reputations in their field. Their innovative findings feed into your courses to ensure that teaching is up-to-date.

Hours

Each module will involve two to three hours of contact time per week. Students will also spend a great deal of their time in private study and preparing assignments.

How will I be taught?

Teaching methods include tutorials, seminars, laboratory classes and integrated or formal lectures.

Assessment

Students are assessed using a range of methods, including coursework assignments, poster presentations, oral presentations and seen and unseen examinations.

Employability

Brunel graduates will develop a range of transferable skills that are useful in the wider workplace. Psychology degrees are highly regarded by employers in many fields. Students will acquire knowledge in new information and communications technologies and rigorous training is provided in methodologies and research skills appropriate to Psychology. Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited courses provide eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC). On completion students will acquire a range of skills, which include the following:

• Communicate effectively, both face-to-face or in writing
• Understand, analyse and use complex data
• Retrieve and organise information from different sources
• Handle primary source material critically
• Engage in effective team work
• Solve problems and reason scientifically to consider alternative approaches and solutions
• Make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on a question
• Use personal planning and project management skills to become more independent and pragmatic

Careers

With a good degree in psychology, you may go on to train as a clinical, educational, occupational or forensic psychologist. Other careers include work with adults or children with disabilities, counselling, personnel management, market research and advertising, prison and probation work, speech and language therapy and psychological research. Psychology degrees are valued by business and other employers.

Placements

This course is also available as a four year sandwich course (with Professional Development) which includes two high quality placements in a variety of settings.

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Around 40% of Psychology students include sandwich placements as part of their degree which are predominantly carried out in a range of public sector and research environments.

Placement leavers from Psychology experienced the following outcomes:

• 88.7% progressed into employment or further study
• 63.8% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 60.0% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £17,481.
  

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £1,000 placement year

International students: £13,500 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level Typical offer AAB, with at least two of the three A-levels should be in traditional subjects (General Studies not accepted). Applicants who have already achieved at least ABB at A-level and have Personal Statements showing a strong interest in the course and transferable skills will also be considered. Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within this range.
• Irish Leaving Certificate AAABB.
• Scottish Advanced Highers AAB.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Society, Health and Development plus an A-level at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*D*D in a related subject.
• IBDP 35 points.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above to include English Language, Maths and Science (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

Non-traditional A-level subjects

The following list of A-level subjects are generally considered “non-traditional”. Within your A-level qualifications we would ideally look for two subjects not on this list. Taking one of these subjects at A-level is not detrimental to your chances. The subjects you take will become important after the A-level grades are released, if you do not get the tariff points previously indicated. The Admissions Tutor will then give priority to those with two or more ‘traditional’ subjects.

Non-traditional subjects include: Accounting; Art and Design; Business Studies; Communication Studies; Dance; Design and Technology; Drama/Theatre Studies; Film Studies; Health and Social Care; Home Economics; ICT; Leisure Studies; Media Studies; Music Technology; Performance Studies; Performing Arts; Photography; Physical Education; Sports Studies; and Travel and Tourism.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.