Course overview
You gain a deep understanding of the scope of the discipline through active learning experiences to consider how psychological concepts can be applied in practice. Research training will also be provided which allows you to undertake your own research, under supervision, in the field of psychology and prepare you for professional development as academic or practitioner psychologists.
Top reasons to study this course
> Study this course and you may be eligible for a £2,500 Sir Keith Skeoch postgraduate scholarship.
> Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society.
> Your teaching team work includes active researchers experts and registered psychologists, giving you topical and upcoming insights into psychology.
> Build up your general interest in psychology to specialise on your own piece of research.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Social Change
You engage in contemporary issues and debates in social psychology, highlighting their real-world relevance and application to various social contexts. The module facilitates the development of advanced knowledge and skills in qualitative research design and methods, particularly their application to applied social psychology. You deepen your understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in interpretative approaches to psychological research, exploring various modes of investigation and analysis.
Biological and Social Explanations of Behaviour
You study proximate biopsychological mechanisms of behaviour, the evolutionary and developmental explanations for those mechanisms, and the methods employed to test these theories. You engage in a range of debates surrounding the study of human behaviour from a biopsychological perspective.
Core Psychological Theories and their Real-World Application
You explore the core BPS areas of biological psychology, cognitive psychology, individual differences, social psychology, and developmental psychology. You study the history of psychology, its origins, and how the research that is taking place today has developed from and is grounded in classic studies.
How to Research Human Behaviour: An Introduction
You are introduced to a range of simple non-experimental and experimental designs, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research methodologies. You develop your data analysis, interpretation, and report writing skills and are introduced to statistical analysis software.
Individual Differences and Psychometrics
You are introduced to the fundamental concepts in understanding, conducting and evaluating research and literature within the perspective of psychological individual differences. You gain a broad understanding of key theoretical and conceptual assumptions, while developing your skills in quantitative psychological methods that lend themselves to the exploration of individual differences.
Investigating Cognition: Thoughts, Memories and Comprehension
You are introduced to fundamental concepts in understanding, conducting, and evaluating research and literature in cognitive psychology. You gain a broad understanding of current theories and concepts within the field, while developing your skills in quantitative psychological methods.
You undertake a research project that develops your skills in analysing and evaluating existing research findings, methods and theory.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You engage in full cohort lectures with seminars, workshops, lab classes in smaller groups. E-learning, group discussions, critical evaluations, data analysis, data collection, peer review will also be an integrated aspect of teaching and learning across the programme.
The course aims are effectively mapped to learning outcomes which are assessed across the modules. Professional skills are addressed by consideration of ethical issues in both research and practice. Research, knowledge and cognitive skills are addressed through a focus on the application of theory to practice and the development of critical thinking and analytical skills.
Research training is a core component of the programme and is embedded throughout the curriculum. An introductory research methods module introduces you to the basics of research in psychology. This training culminates in the production of an independent research project at the end of the course.
Cross-cultural understanding is promoted throughout the curriculum and embedded within core modules to enable you to examine how this contributes to the development of psychological theory and concepts, as well as the implications for research and practice.
Modules are based on the communication of current topic knowledge and the research which underpins this knowledge. As they are delivered by staff experienced in the relevant areas, many lecturers include their own research within their teaching, as well as introducing you to specific research methodologies which are particular strengths of the team.
How you are assessed
Assessments are innovative and varied including essays and critical reviews, group and individual presentations, reflective pieces, research engagement and research reports.
Reflective practice is also encouraged to allow you to identify progress and achievements, as well as areas for future development. The sequencing and form of assessments across the modules enables you to receive feedback on key transferable skills which you can use to enhance future assessments.
Modules include formative assessments which provide feedback which you can use to develop your summative assessments. Some modules adopt a formative assessment strategy where you engage in and receive feedback on activities completed during classes each week, whilst others adopt an approach whereby you submit a piece of formative assessment closely aligned to the summative assessment and receive specific feedback on how to develop the work. Formative feedback is provided in a range of modes, including verbal, written, tutor and peer feedback.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours undergraduate degree in any discipline.
International students:
International students should have the equivalent of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in any discipline and a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent).
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting our international country pages.
Employability
Career opportunities
Successful completion of the MSc provides you with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which is an essential first step in a rewarding career in psychology. The skills and knowledge you develop on this course are particularly suited to further postgraduate training to become a chartered psychologist in any area of psychology. You can also enter a broad range of careers including health and social welfare, the probation service, the prison service, the police, voluntary organisations and the public sector as well as more business related roles.
You develop the employability skills that employers are looking for, such as team working and communication. You can also develop your employability skills through Volun-tees, which offers volunteering opportunities and helps you develop a wider range of opportunities with voluntary/community organisations. You also have access to an award-winning careers service which works with regional and national employers to advertise graduate positions, in addition to providing post-graduation support for all Teesside University alumni.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
