Psychology is the empirical study of behaviour. Psychologists study the biological basis of behaviour, mental functioning (referred to as cognition), development and change across the lifespan, individual differences such as personality and intelligence and the influence of social contexts on behaviour. The methods that can be used to study behaviour and the ethical considerations of such work form an important part of the training of psychologists. Psychological knowledge and theories are used to advance our understanding of health, work, education, crime, therapy and many other arenas of human activity.

Key features of this programme include:

-               No entry requirements for mature students (over 21) to start on a module.

-               A flexible credit based programme leading towards an honours degree.

-               An opportunity to begin your studies at two points: September and February

-               No need to attend classes except for a one-week attendance requirement at Level 2 (there will be a distance alternative, but it will not lead to a BPS accredited degree)

-               The freedom to continue working while pursuing your studies.

-               Available full-time and part-time.

-               Academic support from a subject specialist tutor

-               Help and guidance from our Distance Learning Advice Team

-               An opportunity for students from a wide range of countries and varied educational contexts to interact and exchange ideas.

-               The flexibility to take and pay for modules individually.

-               Students may be able to switch to the equivalent on-campus programme for one or more whole semesters.

-               We have successfully run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Psychology for fifty years.

-               We have applied for accreditation by the British Psychological Society for the BSc (Hons) Psychology degree (and Psychology as a Major subject). This will confer the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, an essential pre-requisite for professional training (for those achieving a Lower Second Class Honours or above). This is an essential pre-requisite for continuing onto professional training programme. It is worth noting that many of these now require `good’ degrees (First Class or Upper second Class Honours degrees).

-               The BSc programme includes modules relevant to later professional training as a Forensic Psychologist.

-               Several  UEL psychology graduates have become professors of psychology and a great many have achieved senior positions in clinical, educational and occupational psychology and, more generally, in industry and commerce.

-               BSc students come from a wide range of ethnic & cultural backgrounds with a significant proportion of international students.  Around 50% are mature students.

BSc (Hons) Psychology is a three-year full-time programme or normally a minimum of four and a half years part-time, though this can often be reduced to four years, depending on previous qualifications and experience.

There are two semesters in each year, and in each semester a full-time student would usually study and be assessed in three modules. Each module carries a 20-credit value. At Level 3, however, there is a double, 40-credit research project module, which runs for two semesters.

To be awarded an honours degree in psychology, a student would have completed (or been given prior accreditation in up to two-thirds of) a total of 18 modules, with a value of 360 credits. This would comprise 120 credits at Level 1, 120 at level 2 and 120 at Level 3. The research project Level 3 module must be passed in order to achieve an Honours degree.

A student studying part time would progress at a slower pace. Up to two modules per semester may be followed and assessed in the part time mode.

You may take a maximum of 180 credits per year. The programme is designed to be flexible and you can take a number of modules simultaneously according to your individual situation.

The programme is available as single honours or as a major subject. Past students have studied Psychology in combination with Criminology, Education, or Counselling.

• As a Major (two-thirds of your studies in Psychology and one third in another subject) leading to a degree of Psychology with [Minor subject].
• As a Minor (one third of your studies in Psychology and two thirds in another subject) leading to a degree of [Major subject] with Psychology.

There may be restrictions on the subjects you can study in combination with Psychology Popular subjects to study in combination with Psychology include Criminology and Education. See the section "What you will study when" for further information on combined degrees.

The programme is delivered through distance learning supported by study guides accompanying a core textbook and our online student community. In addition, there is a requirement for a one-week attendance at Level 2. There will be a distance alternative to this but it will not lead to a BPS accredited degree.

The main purpose of the study guide is to help you to make the most effective use of the core textbook and other resources. It provides clear structuring, routeing and signposting, to establish a context for learning. It highlights key concepts, models and frameworks and it clearly indicates to you the sections of the textbook that you should study.

The study guide encourages deep learning through the use of activities, self assessment questions and other formative assessments. Self-assessment questions enable you to check your progress – by comparing your answers with sample answers, you can assess for yourself how well you have met the learning outcomes for a particular section of the study guide.

Each module is accompanied by a site in our online student community, UEL Plus, with discussion facilities that will enable students to discuss and resolve issues related to their studies. In addition, the module tutor will use this facility to address any common academic issues, and to contact students where necessary. It is essential therefore that you have easy and regular access to the Internet and reliable email.

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 will encourage students to take some responsibility for helping others to learn, through sharing experiences and learning with the group using UEL Plus, and thus allowing for new and emerging knowledge to be integrated. The one-week attendance at Level 2 will allow students to develop skills of oral presentation and team working.

Learning resources include IT facilities, including software specialised for psychology, access to electronic databases and specialist library facilities.

Assessment is by a mix of coursework and examination. Coursework includes essays, research reports, and a final year project. The majority of assessment at Level 1 is by coursework, to provide maximum formative feedback to students. At Levels 2 and 3, the balance of coursework and examination will depend on option choice, but a third of Level 3 is given to an empirical research coursework project.

The best five modules taken at Level 3, and the next best 5 modules taken at Level 2 and Level 3, contribute to the final award classification. 

The final year project is a compulsory module for an Honours degree programme. Students conduct a literature review of an area of their choice within psychology, and design, carry out, analyse and interpret an original empirical investigation in this same area. The student is supported on a one-to-one basis by regular communication with an academic supervisor with research and/or theoretical expertise in the area. Postgraduate professional training staff may also be available to act as supervisors to undergraduate students if appropriate.

The project module is a double module and so contributes strongly to the final degree classification.

There may be restrictions on the types of data collection activity available to students depending on their geographical location and other factors. A risk assessment will always be conducted and only activities deemed safe may be undertaken. If students wish to work with children or vulnerable adults then a CRB check is required in the UK (or equivalent certification overseas). If no such certification can be obtained then work with children or vulnerable adults may not be permitted.

If the student has not attended the on-campus study week during Level 2 research methods then they may be restricted to pursuing only a theoretical dissertation with no data collection.

For those achieving at least a lower second class award, and achieving at least a lower second class mark for their project which was conducted with data collection, the degree confers eligibility for further graduate professional training (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society), which is the first step towards being a Chartered Psychologist.

• The causes of and factors that influence people’s behaviour
• Working with people in a range of professional settings
• Gaining good, flexible employment related skills

• Thinking about why people behave the way they do
• Designing and carrying out studies that explore the factors influencing behaviour
• Learning how psychologists can use their knowledge to help people

• A professionally accredited degree in Psychology
• Knowledge and skills that can be used in a large range of career settings

A degree in psychology is the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist, in the field of clinical, educational, occupational, counselling, health or forensic psychology. Those wishing to specialise in these areas undertake further training at Masters or Doctorate level.

As well as providing a route into professional psychology, a degree in this field is relevant to a wide range of other areas of work. Examples of these are social welfare, sport & leisure, education, human resource management, consumer research and advertising, media, market research and community work.

In addition to covering specific areas of psychology, a degree in psychology provides training in data collection and analysis, communication skills and report writing, IT skills and interpersonal awareness. It therefore provides an excellent basis for employment in areas not directly related to psychology.

On enrolment, you will be provided with introductory materials on the use of the UEL Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and UEL Direct.

The induction week of the module study guide includes most of the information that you require regarding VLE access, the other facilities available to you, and the various sources of support. The Student Advisor will contact you at the beginning of each module to provide basic information and check if you have any questions. The module leader/tutor will post a welcome message for you on the VLE advising you where and how to start your study, how you can contact your tutor, and how to find other information about the module including assessments.

During your studies, you will be supported by our team of Distance Learning Student Advisors in UEL Connect. These advisors act as a first point of contact for you, addressing the majority of student queries. The Student Advisors will also contact you if you seem to be falling behind and will offer advice and encouragement.

The programme fully implements our Skills Curriculum, and one of the first modules that you will be expected to undertake is our level 1 Academic Study Skills module, which will provide you with additional support in your study habits and in being an effective distance learner.

We also provide useful advice and information in our Student Handbook and on our VLE. 

Students have the chance to participate in and help with real-life research. The best student projects have been accepted for publication in professional journals.

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

• progress to postgraduate study/professional training, by providing the necessary specialised knowledge and skills to gain you the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society
• shape your study towards your career aspirations and interests by providing a range of option choices
• equip you with the skills that will enable you to pursue successful, responsible and useful careers in a number of areas of employment
• match your mode of study to your needs and responsibilities through our flexibility in programme provision

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the influences on and factors involved in human functioning in all the core areas of Psychology (Biological foundations; Cognitive Psychology; Social Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Individual Differences, Emotion & Motivation; Conceptual and Historical  Issues in Psychology; Research Methods). Major and Minor.
• Detailed knowledge of several specialised areas through option choice. Major and Minor.
• Knowledge of a range of research paradigms, methods & measurement techniques. Major.
• Knowledge of real life applications of theory to behaviour and experience. Major and Minor.
• Knowledge of how normal behaviour & experience can be affected by physical & mental illness. Major and Minor.

Thinking skills

• Analysis & interpretation of evidence. Major.
• Scientific reasoning. Major and Minor.
• Critical thinking. Major and Minor.
• Appreciation of multiple perspectives & approaches. Major and Minor.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• Ability to design & conduct research. Major.
• Ability to analyse & interpret quantitative & qualitative data. Major.
• Awareness of ethical issues & principles in research on human behaviour.  Major.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Communication, both oral & written. Major and Minor.
• Computer literacy (word-processing, electronic communication, electronic databases, statistical software, internet searching). Major and Minor.
• Interpersonal & group skills. Major.
• Numeracy & statistical competence. Major.
• Self-knowledge and reflexivity. Major.
• Planning & time-management. Major.

All learning outcomes are covered in the programme’s single honours route and where  Major and/or Minor is shown against a learning outcome, this confirms that the learning outcome is covered in the Major and/or Minor routes offered.

We expect that you will take at least three years to complete this programme. This would require you to complete 3 modules for each assessment point over the three years. However, it is likely that many students will vary from this, either by taking fewer modules at a time or by taking breaks between periods of study to accommodate any external factors such as domestic commitments.

The maximum duration for this programme is 8 years, and the maximum time for any one module is 3 years. Our Distance Learning Student Advisors can help you to decide on and plan for an amount of study that suits you.

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but we also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A typical full-time student will study the equivalent of 120 credits over the year. A typical part-time student will complete 80 credits over the year.

There is one main assessment point for most modules: in December/January if the module is studied in semester A (September to December) and in April/May if the module is studied in semester B (February to May). These are the points when you will be required, for example, to submit your coursework or take exams.

There is a re-assessment point in July or August for those students who have not passed a module at the main attempt. 

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time mode will take six 20 credit modules per year, but you may choose to take fewer than this. To graduate as an honours degree student, you will need to complete modules totalling 120 credits at level one,  modules totalling 120 credits at level 2 and modules totalling 120 credits at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one field with modules from another to produce a combined programme. We offer subjects in a variety of combinations:

Single            120 credits at levels one, two and three

Major              80 credits at levels one, two and three

Minor              40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

Core                                       Must be taken

Option                                  Select from a range of identified modules within the field

In addition, there is a one-week attendance at Level 2. There will be an alternative distance component but it will not lead to a BPS accredited degree. 

The following are the core and optional requirements for the single, major and minor routes for this programme.

Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain anhonoursdegree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain anordinary degreeyou will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain aDiploma of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain aCertificate of Higher Educationyou will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

Degree Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:

and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Assessment

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The role of the programme committee

The role of external examiners

Listening to the views of students

Listening to the views of others 

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:

• The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
• The programme handbook (give web-site where available)
• Module study guides (give web-site where available)
• UEL Manual of General Regulations http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
• School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/psychology/
• British Psychological Society web-pages http://www.bps.org