The aim of this MSc is to promote awareness of psychosocial aspects within any field of humanitarian work, whether in the UK or overseas. The programme aims to raise awareness of the different contexts that affect psychosocial well-being and access to appropriate services. The programme also aims to introduce students to different types of consultation, in recognition that most of the services provided through humanitarian agencies are delivered in response to crises or emergencies, are time limited and rely on the engagement of local populations. Consultation skills include those of engagement, development of trust, facilitation, enabling and the identification of a process by which information can be accessed, shared and evaluated.

The focus of psychosocial consultation for this programme is the collaboration with different groups to facilitate understanding of different psychosocial needs. Groups include beneficiaries; aid workers; volunteers; staff; managers; partner organisations and stakeholders, all of whom require safety, security and good psychosocial support in order to facilitate the successful completion and evaluation of projects in the UK and overseas.

The content of the programme is dictated by the overall aim which is to produce graduates capable of making successful, responsible and useful contributions in the humanitarian field or the third sector through greater awareness of the implications of different contexts and using psychosocial consultation. The skills and knowledge base developed through successful completion of the programme will also be beneficial to employers in the health and social care sectors.

The aims of the programme are to:

• produce graduates capable of making successful, responsible and useful contributions in the humanitarian field or the third sector through greater awareness of the implications of different contexts and the use of psychosocial consultation
• develop the awareness and knowledge base of students so that they may be more thoughtful of and curious about different contexts in their work in the UK and overseas, and of the impact upon them • provide flexibility in learning patterns to meet the varying needs of students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• provide flexibility in learning patterns to meet the varying needs of students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

The objectives of the programme are to:

• produce graduates who have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of relevant theories and literature in field of international work with regard to different social, cultural and organisational contexts
• enable individuals to develop a more detailed knowledge of literature and theories in psychosocial consultation.

A Unique Opportunity

The programme is understood to be the first of its kind, focussing on psychosocial issues within international humanitarian contexts (e.g. personal communication from Director of HR Services, People in Aid). The programme centres on understanding the multiple contexts that affect people's experiences, capacities and resilience. It prioritises enabling, through its emphasis on different types of consultation and provides students with opportunities to learn from professional practitioners who have direct experience of working with populations around the world.

The Programme Enhances Students

The programme includes important components that enhance students':

• cultural competence, including awareness of a range of issues relating to the diversity of beneficiaries and their situations
• confidence in their ability to take account of multiple and complex interacting factors in humanitarian contexts
• ability to work with difference, conflict and difficulties faced by teams, groups and within organisations
• team working skills
• communication skills
• problem solving and solution focussed skills
• personal and professional development in relation to providing consultation
• resilience and wellbeing
• self awareness, particularly as relates to being able to critique their own consultations.

The admissions criteria will comply with the UEL admissions policy at http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual/documents/part2-admissions.doc and will be:

• The normal entrance requirement is an undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) with a minimum 2.2 classification (or equivalent). Since the programme is to be marketed to individuals who do not have a first degree in psychology but would like to change career path or simply develop greater psychological awareness in their current field, the content of the first degree is not relevant. A lower level qualification together with appropriate experience or, exceptionally, substantial related experience alone may be acceptable.
• English Language requirements: In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
• Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore, such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The admissions procedure will be conform to UEL's general equal opportunities policy of not discriminating on the ground of race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Technical requirements

To participate in the programme you need:

1.  Regular access to a PC or Mac capable of running standard MS Office software (or equivalent) for producing word-processed documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Your PC must also be capable of running the required plugins for the Virtual Learning Environment (Adobe Flash player, Adobe PDF viewer, Apple Quicktime).
2.  Reliable Internet access; at least a 56K modem connection, but broadband is highly recommended. For each module that you take, you will be expected to spend approximately 3-6 hours online per week, participating in discussions and accessing resources.  
3.  The latest version of your chosen Internet browser. We recommend and support Mozilla Firefox 1.5+, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7+ and Apple Safari 3+.
4.  A valid and reliable email address.
5.  Access to a printer is recommended. 

The programme provides a blend of teaching and learning approaches, including traditional lectures and workshop activities; on-line discussions and electronic support; group exercises and role plays.

The teaching and learning methods used are designed to promote a constructive and critical reflection on a range of theoretical, practical and research issues. Teaching is concerned with identification of a wide range of issues and perspectives which students are encouraged to relate to their own knowledge, experience and actual or future working contexts. Teaching and learning will draw on the experiences, knowledge and professional backgrounds of participants, encouraging a critical reflection.

We expect that students will take responsibility for the way they learn, as they will need to sustain self-motivation during the times away from the campus. Throughout the programme, students will be undertaking independent learning and research, including individual reading, preparation of assignments and completion of assessed programme work. The programme makes extensive use of a Virtual Learning Environment known as UEL Plus which is used in a number of ways such as facilitating the on-line discussions described above and submitting assignments

We also hope that students can take some responsibility for helping others to learn, through sharing experiences and learning with the group using (via the VLE) and thus allowing for new and emerging knowledge to be integrated.

Each module will be assessed individually and except for the last two research modules may be an essay, a reflective critique of a piece of consultation or a portfolio including methods and critiques of the ways students facilitate their own and others' wellbeing and resilience. For the Research 1 module students will be required to submit a research proposal and for Research 2, a draft journal article based on the research undertaken. Each module will need to be passed at 50% or more.

Throughout the programme, students will be encouraged to reflect on their working environments to consider areas of similarity, relevance and learning. The assessment for the Psychosocial Consultation module relies on the student being able to conduct a piece of consultation, likely to be through work or a voluntary placement, and to write up a reflection involving a critique of this consultation. The Wellbeing and Resilience module relies on the student being able to produce a portfolio including an element of reflection on their experiences relating to the activities on the module. There will be opportunities for students to discuss their experiences with tutors and peers on the programme. Work-based mentors will not be used.

The last module provides the opportunity for students to work on a research project. The nature of the learning will require students to work in groups, presenting material from their reading and own experiences and critiquing evidence and materials brought to their attention. Students will have the opportunity to discuss case studies and to practise consultation.

It is envisaged that students may progress onto any of the following upon successful completion of the programme:

• Careers in humanitarian aid agencies in the UK or overseas
• Careers within public health/social services which have a psychosocial focus
• Further study in postgraduate masters level programmes in psychology, sociology or anthropology, for example
• Further study in applied therapeutic skills, such as Systemic Family Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy or Group Analysis.

The programme will include an appropriate and comprehensive induction in the week before lectures begin. Students will be assigned a personal tutor to address learning queries and discuss any issues affecting their progress. The programme team will make an effort to ensure that students take full opportunity of the offer to provide feedback on the drafts of written work.

Students will benefit from specialised distance learning materials that guide the student throughout the learning and allow for appropriate reflection, discussion and tutor feedback. All course materials will be available both in printed format as well as online within UEL Plus. For any questions the Programme Leader, Module Leaders and Tutors can be contacted through the email and discussion facilities in UEL Plus.

Further specialist support (e.g. financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is available from our University Services. The needs of students with disabilities/dyslexia will be taken into account in compliance with the Special Education Needs and Disability Act (SENDA 2001) and the QAA Code of Practice on Students with Disabilities which states: ''Assessment and examination policies, practices and procedures should provide disabled students with the same opportunity as their peers to demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes''. Whenever possible, the needs of students with disabilities/dyslexia will be accommodated. In doing so, teaching staff will be relying on the support and advice from the UEL Disability and Dyslexia Unit.