Course Overview
Overview
Are you interested in what makes people tick? Do you want to understand why people do the things they do? What happens when it goes wrong? Psychology affects all of us, yet is a hidden discipline of our functionality as individuals and groups and our behaviour.
As the study of mental processes and behaviour, Psychology is interested in what makes people tick, why they do the things they do and what happens when it goes wrong?
Psychology covers a wide range of theoretical and applied disciplines; in our degree you will study how we think, perceive, develop and change. Importantly you will also learn how to “do” Psychology and will receive rigorous training in the methods that are used to study human behaviour and the mind.
Our Psychology department provides a supportive and stimulating environment for undergraduate students. All of our degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) guaranteeing an internationally recognised high standard of education.
A Psychology degree can be applied to wide ranging careers. In clinical settings you can determine child protection and support, in adults you can support towards better thinking and quality of life, winning in sport or criminal profiling
The Different Degrees
Psychology at Northampton is offered as a BSc or a MA degree. The Psychology element of either programme is exactly the same and they are both equally valued as Psychology degrees. MA students have typically done arts and humanities subjects at school. In the first 2 years within the MA you will be able to take any arts course (e.g., sociology, philosophy, languages) and any science courses that you have the pre-requisites for (many of the science courses require you to have e.g. biology at higher/A-Level). BSc students typically have school qualifications in science subjects and take subjects like maths, biology and chemistry alongside psychology in the first 2 years.
AT A GLANCE
| LEARNING MODE | On Campus Learning |
| DEGREE QUALIFICATION | BSc |
| DURATION | 48 months |
| STUDY MODE | Full Time |
What You'll Study
There is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Honours degree and a Designated degree in Psychology. Application for entry to Honours occurs at the end of second year, and is based on academic performance achieved during second year.
How You'll Study
The School of Psychology provides an exciting and vibrant research-led learning environment for students. We combine traditional teaching methods with innovative techniques to deliver an enhanced undergraduate experience.
Teaching
- Award-winning lectures and seminars with flexible course choice choices in fourth year that allow you to focus your degree on your speciality, e.g., Applied Psychology in the NHS, Forensic Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Advanced Topics in Language;
- Practicals, experimental research projects, tutorials, and debate workshops that let you apply your knowledge;
- Independent reading and online quizzes.
Assessment
- Essays, project reports, examinations via essays and multiple choice questions;
- Presentations, posters, blogs, wikis, and peer-assessment.
Support
- An active psychology society running educational and social events that bring staff and students together;
- Peer-assisted learning where you get help from other students who have already completed the courses you are taking;
- Facebook support groups that allow you to get to know your fellow students, ask questions, and have informal discussions with both staff and students.
Compulsory Courses
- Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (NT1009) – 15 Credit Points
- Introductory Psychology I: Methods and Applications (NT1011) – 15 Credit Points
- Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (NT1509) – 15 Credit Points
- Introductory Psychology II: Methods and Applications (NT1511) – 15 Credit Points
- Professional Skills Part 1 (NT1001)
Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.
Compulsory Courses
- Advanced Psychology A: Concepts and Theory (NT2017) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Psychology A: Methods and Applications (NT2018) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Psychology B: Concepts and Theory (NT2517) – 15 Credit Points
- Advanced Psychology B: Methods and Applications (NT2518) – 15 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.
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Compulsory Courses
- Psychology Thesis (NT4019) – 30 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select one of the following:
- Senior Honours Psychology A (NT4030) AND Senior Honours Psychology B (NT4530) PLUS 30 credit points from courses of choice
- Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology A (NT4036) AND Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology B (NT4536) PLUS 30 credit points from courses of choice
- Senior Honours Psychology A (NT 4030) AND Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology B (NT 4536) PLUS 15 credit points from courses of choice
- Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology A (NT 4036) AND Senior Honours Psychology B (NT 4530) PLUS 15 credit points from courses of choice.
- Senior Honours Psychology A (NT4030) – 45 Credit Points
- Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology A (NT4036) – 30 Credit Points
- Senior Honours Psychology B (NT4530) – 45 Credit Points
- Senior Honours Level 4 Psychology B (NT4536) – 30 Credit Points
In year 4, the Honours year, you will carry out a research project as well as writing an extended essay and completing advanced courses of your choosing.
Compulsory Courses
- SBS Honours Project (Semester 1) (NT4016) – 45 Credit Points
Optional Courses
Select at least two of the following courses:
- NT4540 Sustainable Management of Marine Resources
- NT4811 Sustainable Aquaculture
- NT4529 Marine Mammology
Plus 30 to 45 credit points from courses of choice, to give a total of 120 credit points, at least 90 of which must be from courses delivered by the School of Biological Sciences.
- Sustainable Management of Marine Resources (NT4540) – 15 Credit Points
- Sustainable Aquaculture (NT4811) – 15 Credit Points
- Marine Mammalogy (NT4529)
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Psychology?
- You will be introduced to state-of-the-art concepts and theories taught by award-winning teachers and world-class researchers, exposing you to the latest thinking in the field.
- You will benefit from the key strengths within the School of social psychology, neuroscience, language, perception and industrial psychology.
- We have a wide range of course options available in 4th Year to allow you to specialise in areas such as clinical, forensic, language and developmental psychology.
- The School of Psychology is ranked in the top twenty for research in the UK (2014 REF).
- You will have the opportunity to gain experience using specialised laboratories and equipment including those for brain imaging analysis, eye movement recording, movement analysis and visual neuroscience.
- To help you get a job we have an employability programme for our students which includes: internship opportunities, online resources, career talks and networking events.
- Psychology graduates are eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society. This is a first step towards becoming a professional Psychologist.
- In the final year students have the opportunity to do a unique research project to a professional level. A number of final year projects have gone on to be published in internationally renowned journals.
Careers
One of the great advantages of having a biology degree from the Northampton University is that it provides you with a very broad range of skills to offer employers. Not only do we train students in scientific methodology in the laboratory and in the field, we incorporate what we call ‘graduate attributes’ into the whole curriculum. Employers now expect an impressive list of skills, knowledge and experience in their graduate recruits and we aim to help you acquire these.
Many career possibilities are open to graduate Marine Biologists. Employers include fisheries’ laboratories, governmental and non- governmental conservation organisations, local government, environmental protection agencies and research bodies. There is a growing demand for marine specialists and a variety of companies have arisen as marine legislation and regulations increasingly require rigorous environmental audit and monitoring. There are also opportunities in environmental education.
A considerable number of graduates continue their education by undertaking higher degrees (e.g. MSc or PhD) or by taking a postgraduate Diploma to enter biology or general science teaching. Recent graduates have also been taken on as interns with non-governmental organisations.
Entry requirements
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB*
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB*
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB*
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB*
Minimum: BBC*
Adjusted: CCC*
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL*.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB*, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Northampton University it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.0 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 78 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 54 with: Listening – 51; Reading – 51; Speaking – 51; Writing – 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL – 169 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
How to apply
This programm by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions