SECTION ONE: General Information Programme Title BSc (Hons) in Psychology Approval of Specification 22/02/2017 Award Title & Interim Awards Awards * Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Psychology or Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Psychological Studies or Bachelor of Science in Psychological Studies Interim Awards University Certificate in Psychology (60 credits) Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology (120 credits) Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology (240 credits) *Students who acquire 360 credits overall, and pass all of the core modules will graduate with the following award: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology Any students who acquire 360 credits, but don t pass the Psychology Research Project with a grade of 40% or better, or who have not passed another of the core modules, or who have joined the programme from the FdA in Psychology and Health Studies, will have the option of graduating with the default award of: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychological Studies Students who do not achieve enough credits for an honours degree, but meet the requirements for this award may be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Studies Mode of Study Full-time: Part-time: E-learning: Distance: Sandwich:
Programme Start Date & Period of Validation Start Date: September 12 5 Years: Indefinite: Other (Please state): Date of Last Update: February 2017 Click here to enter a date. Awarding Institution University of Derby: Other (Please State): College Managing the Programme University of Derby Online Learning Institutions Delivering the Programme University of Derby: Other (Please State): Relevant External Reference Points The BSc Psychology Degree is designed to comply with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Subject Benchmarks for Psychology (2016) and to meet the descriptors for a Level 6 qualification outlined in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (QAA, 2008). External Accreditation/ Recognition The programme is designed to meet the accreditation standards of the British Psychological Society as providing the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. Eligibility for GBC will be contingent on students gaining at least 40% on the Psychological Research Project and a minimum of a lower second class degree. JACS Code(s) C800
SECTION TWO: Overview Background/Context: The University of Derby has three ambitions: 1. To inspire you through an outstanding teaching and learning environment, work ready ethos, and best in class student experience. 2. To innovate through sector leading flexible and dynamic teaching and learning methods and curricula. 3. To have a significant economic and social impact on our region and its place in the global economy. We strive to meet these goals by offering high quality psychology degrees that inspire students within a sector leading online unit. This provides a dedicated core team of staff including subject specialists, online learning experts, content creators and online learner advisors in order to offer psychology degrees that meet the needs of students who require more flexible study options Psychology involves the empirical study of the mind and behaviour in humans and nonhumans (QAA, 2016). Psychology also offers students the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills and attributes including, scientific reasoning, communication and numeracy skills. This and the subject s natural emphasis on applying understanding of human thought and behaviour mean that it is a subject area that is well recognised by employers. The Online BSc Psychology Programme aims to offer a route to specialise in the theory and applications of psychology to students that might not be able to access higher education via more traditional routes. The University of Derby has a long history as a provider of Psychology programmes, both oncampus and online. The online BSc Programme in Psychology for over 10 years and Derby was one of the first providers to acheive accreditation by the BPS for its online BSc.The online programme runs in parallel to an on-campus programme which is owned and managed by the College of Life and Natural Sciences (CLANs). Both programmes share the same Programme Aims and Programme Learning Outcomes but the programme structure differs to reflect the different needs of the two groups of students. The BSc Psychology Programme Aims are designed to meet the needs of students who may wish to progress to complete further postgraduate training in order to become a practicing Psychologist as well as catering for students who may go on to seek employment outside psychology in careers such as management, education, marketing etc. It is therefore a specific aim of the programme that it will provide a course of study that covers the core curriculum of the British Psychological Society (BPS) which allows students to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) on completion of their studies.
Overview of the Programme: The BSc Psychology degree is intended to meet the needs both of students who are intending to continue their study of psychology at postgraduate level, and of those students who will go on to seek employment outside psychology. In order to do this the programme has been developed to provide broad and detailed knowledge of theories and applications within contemporary psychology. Consistent with the university's teaching and learning strategy, the programme is also intended to provide students with a coherent range of transferable skills. These will include an appreciation of the application of psychological knowledge and techniques; information technology; critical thinking; the ability to work both independently and co-operatively; and effective communication and presentation skills. The course is also intended to produce graduates who can compete effectively in the graduate careers market, though engagement in personal development planning and supporting activities. The Online BSc Psychology Programme aims to offer a route to specialise in the theory and applications of psychology to students that might not be able to access higher education via more traditional routes. To this end the programme promotes flexibility: with the exception of a one week residential programme at Level 5 the programme is delivered fully online and over three trimesters; during the course of the programme students are in a position to change their rate of study to meet the demands of their commitments at work and at home; there are also three entry points to the programme each year. In order to meet the needs of students intending to enter professional training in psychology, the structure of the course ensures that students cover core areas of psychology identified in the national subject benchmarks for psychology. Core modules at level five, cover and assess specific areas of the psychology benchmarks. In addition, core and prescribed modules at levels four and five include coverage of conceptual and historical issues in psychology relevant to their content. However, when designing the course we also wanted to provide as much choice in the programme of study as we could, within the constraints that imposes. Accordingly there are a wide range of optional modules at levels five and six, alongside the independent study in psychology. The options we offer will be informed by the expertise available within the department at the time. Optional modules at level 6, in particular, are intended to provide an understanding of contemporary research in one specific area of psychology, and draw on the research expertise of the teaching team whilst remaining relevant to the career pathways that our students might choose to pursue. We aim to provide a course which is informed and underpinned by research. We will also ensure that the modules offered provide balanced coverage across a range of areas and specialisms within psychology. Key Characteristics: The University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL) provides an environment for a strong focus on online learning and we believe that we demonstrate excellence in online teaching and student support. UDOL s BSc (Hons) Psychology programme is:
1. Evidence-based and research-led. Staff keep up to date with current theory and developments and content is reviewed and refreshed before the start of each trimester. 2. Designed to give students a solid foundation in empirical research skills, with this research training embedded throughout the programme. 3. Responsive to professional body curriculum changes, and key student demands. 4. Flexible, with a number of entry and exit points (in September, January or May) to best suit the needs of online learners, encouraging achievement and maximising retention via self-paced learning and flexible study patterns. 5. Underpinned by an understanding of online learning pedagogy and the needs of online students. 6. Delivered by highly motivated staff with a wide range of subject expertise as well as an enthusiasm for online learning. Programme Aims: The BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology is designed for students who wish to specialise in psychology and is therefore designed to be distinctive in the range, depth and integration of skills, knowledge and applications of psychology offered. This programme aims to provide a substantial and comprehensive training in the discipline and to allow students to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for a range of vocational destinations, including further professional training in psychology at postgraduate level. Specifically the degree focuses particularly on equipping students with: a scientific understanding of the breadth of contemporary psychological theories, findings and debates and of the ways in which psychological knowledge can be applied; a detailed understanding of research methodologies associated with psychological investigation, and their applications, as well as an appreciation of the professional, ethical and scientific responsibilities associated with psychological enquiry; the ability to critically evaluate theories, research findings and applications in psychology; a coherent range of subject-specific and transferable skills which can facilitate continued personal and professional development; A specific aim of the BSc Psychology degree is to provide a course of study which meets the requirements for approval by the British Psychological Society as providing the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Ensuring that students continue to be eligible for GBC is extremely important if our students are to meet the needs of prospective employers.
SECTION THREE: Programme Learning Outcomes Students who successfully complete the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme will meet the following learning outcomes, commensurate with level 6 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. Outcomes are grouped into the four headings of Knowledge and Understanding, Intellectual Skills, Subject-Specific Skills, and Transferable skills. Knowledge and Understanding 1. Students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical knowledge of the scientific basis of psychology. 2. Students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of contemporary knowledge, methods and practices of psychology as a theoretical and as an applied discipline in a range of areas within the discipline. Intellectual Skills 1. Students will be able to demonstrate a thorough grasp of the fundamental concepts of psychological analysis and explanation, including multiple psychological perspectives, and an ability to apply those concepts to a broad range of topics. 2. Students will be able to demonstrate critical, analytical and creative abilities in scholarly thinking, problem solving, and communication as a result of their engagement with course material and their involvement in the planning, execution, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of independent research within psychology. Subject-specific skills 1. Students will be able to select and to apply appropriate research methodologies in the investigation of a wide range of psychological phenomena and to use appropriate analytical techniques to interpret the findings. 2. Students will be able to select and synthesise appropriate psychological literature to the investigation of psychological phenomena. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the professional, ethical and scientific responsibilities associated with psychological enquiry, and apply these principles to their own research including seeking appropriate approval. Transferable skills 1. Students will be able to use information technology effectively and be familiar with a range of relevant applications. 2. Students will be able to confidently communicate complex ideas and findings in a variety of modalities 3. Students will be able to demonstrate personal skills relating to interpersonal communication, leadership and teamwork as a consequence of reflexive application of psychological knowledge. 4. Students will be capable of independent learning, demonstrating effective planning and project management skills.
SECTION FOUR: Programme Structure & Curriculum Structure and Curriculum The programme is run in three stages which are assessed at Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 respectively. Students should normally complete all of one stage before progressing onto the next. Modules in later stages typically assume that students have covered the core content from the previous stage. However, because of the flexible nature of the course, and the fact that students can vary the number of modules they take in a year, they may occasionally need to pick up one module from the next stage alongside the final modules from the previous one. In this case students should have already passed 100 credits from the previous stage. All modules are worth 20 credits (the equivalent of 200 study hours) and run over one trimester with the exception of the Psychology Research Project which is worth 40 credits (the equivalent of 400 study hours) and runs over two trimesters. At Level 4 students complete 6 core modules. At level 5 students who wish to graduate with BSc (Hons) in Psychology complete 5 core modules and one optional module. Students who wish to graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Psychological studies complete 4 core modules and two optional modules. The Psychology in Practice module has a residential component and is a core module for the award of BSc (Hons) in Psychology but not the BSc (Hons) in Psychological Studies. At Level 6 students have a choice of 4 optional modules. The Psychology Research Project (40 credits) is a core module for students who wish to graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. Students who wish to graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Psychological Studies must complete EITHER the Psychology Research Project (40 credits) or the Psychology Literature Review Project (40 credits). Modules identified as core or prescribed must be taken by all students. Students must pass all core modules in order to gain an award of BSc (Hons) Psychology. Study Patterns Students can complete the programme at one of two rates standard or accelerated. The different rates reflect the number of credits that students will complete in a single trimester. There are three trimesters in every academic year. Students who study the programme at a standard rate of study will complete 20 credits per trimester (approximately 200 study hours) over a minimum of 6 years. Students who study the programme at an accelerated rate of study with complete 40 credits per trimester (approximately 400 study hours) over a minimum of 3 years. Study rates are flexible so students can increase or decrease their rate of study depending on their circumstances. Students are recommended to consider carefully their additional commitments before committing to an accelerated rate of study. The programme structure makes it possible for students to join the programme in either September, January or May. The diagrams below identify the modules available in each stage of the degree for the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme and BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies programme. For brevity the diagrams show the recommended sequence of modules for students starting a standard route of study in September. Optional Modules Optional modules (at level 6, in particular) are intended to provide an understanding of contemporary research in one specific area of psychology and to facilitate an understanding of psychology as an applied discipline. We aim to provide a course which is informed and
underpinned by current research. The applications of psychology are broad ranging and optional modules may change, depending on the expertise within the department at the time of delivery. We will ensure that the modules offered provide balanced coverage across a range of areas and specialisms. We will also ensure that our choice of optional modules emphasises the applications of psychology in a variety of relevant career pathways. Personal Development Planning (PDP) This programme provides a structured and supported PDP process which is embedded within the curriculum at all Levels of the programme. At Level 4 the course and tutorial system emphasises the development of students skills for study. These are introduced in Psychology Traditions and Skills. Transferable skills such as communication, presentation and analytic skills are also delivered via the remaining modules across the programme. At Level 5 students are encouraged to reflect on their career aspirations during The Individual in Psychology: Qualitative Understandings and Psychology in Practice. At level 6 PDP becomes more personalised as students begin to identify their careers destination. As such the Psychology Research Project supervisor contributes to PDP alongside the personal tutor. PDP activities at Level 6 encourage students to reflect on their academic and personal progress and identify areas of strength which can be incorporated into their CV writing, and career planning.
Example Study Pattern: BSc (Hons) Psychology Below is an example study pattern for a student completing the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme on a standard rate of study, based on a Trimester 1 entry to the programme. Students who wish to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS should complete this programme. Modules highlighted as core must be completed and passed to gain the BPS accredited award (this includes the Research Project at Level 6). The options we offer will be informed by the expertise available within the department at the time.
Example Study Pattern: BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies Below is an example study pattern for a student completing the BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies programme on a standard rate of study, based on a Trimester 1 entry to the programme. This programme does not confer eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. Modules highlighted as core must be completed to gain an award. The options we offer will be informed by the expertise available within the department at the time. Students completing this programme will not be expected to undertake the residential module Psychology in Practice. Students do have the choice in the final year to undertake either the Research Project or Literature Review Project module.
SECTION FIVE: Learning & Teaching Our learning and teaching strategy has the following aims to utilise teaching, learning and support methods which effectively develop students abilities as independent learners. to use a variety of teaching methods, appropriate to the needs of online students and to the intended learning outcomes. to progressively develop psychological knowledge subject-specific skills and generic skills as students progress through modules at Levels 4, 5 and 6. Learning and teaching on the programme is by a variety of methods which are specifically intended for an online audience. With the exception of a one-week residential the course is delivered entirely online. Because we know that students typically learn more effectively when they are able to engage as part of a wider group our teaching methods are intended to support students work towards building an active online learning community. Thus one of the key methods we use is collaborative learning; that is working together with other students to explore core and applied psychological concepts. Students can therefore expect to engage in a range of collaborative activities involving small groups of students and facilitated by an online tutor via platforms that might include, but are not limited to, online discussion boards and virtual classrooms. We are also committed to offering flexible learning options. We offer some live opportunities for group-tutor interaction and support these with flexible alternatives as appropriate. On a number of modules, students work as part of a group to undertake assessed presentations and practical work, as a means of developing effective team working skills. Students can expect to engage with their wider learning community throughout the course and should be prepared to make themselves regularly available for interactive activities during teaching periods. Throughout the programme students are encouraged to contribute to the exploration of ideas and concepts either in written or oral format, in order to develop critical thinking, writing, note taking and communication skills. In all modules students are directed to additional sources of information to supplement the taught material and promote independent learning. From Level 4 up to Level 6 students are progressively scaffolded towards becoming independent and selfdirected learners. As students progress through the programme the emphasis moves from core concepts in Psychology to examining Psychology as an applied discipline and, through the collaborative activities that we employ, students are progressively encouraged to articulate and explore psychological concepts and their applications more fully. Preparation for online study Many of our students have not studied online before. We provide online orientation materials that are intended to introduce students to key skills for their online studies in psychology. Our experience is that students find these materials helpful preparation for the course at a number of levels. These resources are available to students throughout their studies. Research Skills Practical investigative skills are taught throughout the programme both via dedicated research methods modules but also integrated into other core modules. Students gain hands on
experience using a variety of psychological tools and equipment during a residential week, a compulsory part of the Level 5 Psychology in Practice module which is a core requirement for gaining a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. As students progress through the different levels they are scaffolded towards becoming independent researchers, in preparation for the final year project. In Level 4 practical investigations are defined by the department within a dedicated Research Methods module, in Level 5 students gain experience completing a range of practical investigations both during Psychology and Practice but also embedded within other core modules. At this level students are given a topic area to investigate with the autonomy to design their own study. In Level 6 students identify their own area of interest, design a study and write up the resulting findings independently. The level 6 Psychology Research Project is a vital part of the degree, and planning for this begins during the Psychology in Practice week which must be completed prior to enrolling on the Research Project module. Ethics All students on the programme are required to comply with research governance and ethics principles whilst undertaking their programme of study. This is of particular importance when conducting research involving other people e.g. for module assessments or Independent Studies. Information on these principles can be found on the University web site at https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/uod/researchethicsandintegrity/. Students are also expected to comply with professional codes of practice and ethical behaviour in research. Information on these codes of practice can be found on the BPS pages on Ethics and Standards. Codes of practice and ethical behaviour in research are introduced as part of the research methods training at Level four and reinforced as part of research methods training and empirical projects at Level five and within the Independent Study in Psychology at Level six. For the Independent Study in Psychology, students complete a proposal form that is evaluated for its ethical and practical suitability before they are permitted to engage in data collection. SECTION SIX: Assessment Our approach to assessment has the following aims: To provide assessments which are rigorous, at an appropriate level and mapped to specific module learning outcomes. To ensure assessments are fair, by ensuring the nature and goals of assessment are clearly explained and that there are adequate opportunities for formative assesment. To ensure the outcomes of the assessment process are transparent and that students receive timely and constructive feedback on their assessments. Our assessments are intended to comply with the university s overall assessment strategy, which identifies a number of key principles, starting with the principle that assessment should be integral to the learning experience. Students have the opportunity to undertake a variety of forms of assessment that are appropriate to the Level and content of the module. These allow students to demonstrate that they possess both knowledge of psychology and subject-specific and transferable skills.
A range of assessment techniques are employed during the programme that are appropriate to the level of conceptual and skills development, appropriate to the module content, and explicitly mapped onto learning outcomes which are derived from programme aims and programme learning outcomes. Assessment is coursework based and there are no examinations. The type of assessment for each module is designed to allow students to demonstrate both subject knowledge and transferable skills which will be useful after graduation. Coursework assessments may include: essays, practical reports, wikis, information leaflets, oral presentations, posters, short answer questions or various combinations of these submitted as a portfolio of work. Coursework assignments may be individual or collaborative (i.e., involve group work). Opportunities for formative assessment are available in each module to make sure that students achieve the best possible grade. We have also designed the assessment so that skills learned at Level 4 are built on in Levels 5 and 6 to allow students to demonstrate increasing knowledge and skills throughout their studies with us. This programme operates within the University s Regulatory Framework and conforms to its regulations on assessment. SECTION SEVEN: Admission Admission to this programme will be in accordance with the UG Regulatory Framework. The planning, operation and monitoring of admissions procedures will be the responsibility of the BSc (Hons) Psychology admissions tutor. It is not intended to admit students directly to BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies, except where they are joining the programme from the FdA Psychology and Health Studies. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all ages as long as they can be considered adequately prepared to succeed on the programme. All applicants must satisfy the entry criteria but also be suitably prepared to achieve the aims and objectives of the programme. Our standard entry requirements are as follows: A levels (104 UCAS points - excluding General Studies) or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. GCSE Maths (minimum grade C) GCSE English Language (minimum grade C) We also accept Access qualifications (with a grade of 22 merits or a distinction). English language qualification Where English is not a first language students will need an English language qualification, as follows: IELTS 6.0 TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based) Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass London Tests of English: we accept level 4 for undergraduate courses International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C International students Normally a qualification will need to be mapped to the UK equivalent registration to ensure that students are entering the programme with at least the equivalent of the above requirements. International qualifications will be checked for equivalency with the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) organisation, who will map the qualifications. Graduate Basis for Chartership The programme is designed to provide the necessary undergraduate training to confer eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist, as well as the basis for Graduate Membership as detailed in the Society's Royal Charter [Statute 4(2) (a) (i) and (ii)]. All students, irrespective of whether they are a home, EU or international student, are eligible for GBC if they achieve a 2:2 classification or above and a pass grade for the Research Project (6PS519). Recognition of Prior Learning We consider all applications for Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) in accordance with Section C of the University of Derby Academic Regulations. Under the Institution s Academic Regulations students are entitled to RPL up to 50% of credits at this level. Applicants for RPL are required to demonstrate how any prior learning maps against the programme and module learning outcomes. Where there is demonstrable overlap between prior taught curriculum and module specific learning outcomes, we will consider awarding RPL. Students must be able to demonstrate that they have addressed all of the module learning outcomes to be awarded exemption against that module. Particular attention will be given where students present with prior learning exemptions from a range of curriculum areas for a single module. Direct entry to level 5 is permitted. However, the Psychology in Practice module (Level 5) is a requirement of the award and therefore direct entry at Level 6 is not permitted. N.B. RPL is not permitted with Psychology in Practice or the Research Project. SECTION EIGHT: Student Support & Guidance A number of support mechanisms are available through the portal and via direct contact: Academic Leads provide programme and academic guidance; Online Learner Advisors provide advice and guidance on administrative and pastoral support issues;
Online Learner Advisors or Academic Leads are able to refer students to central University services designed to support academic and personal development within the programme i.e. technical support, library services, careers or student wellbeing; Module Tutors (sometimes referred to as Associate Academics, who on larger modules are overseen by a Module Leader provide module support and guidance. Personal Tutors act as a point of contact for matters of a personal and/or academic nature. More details of Online Student Support are discussed within the University of Derby Online Learning s Academic Framework. All the resources to complete the programme successfully will be incorporated in your online learning resources. There is no requirement to purchase additional resources. Access to university support services will be provided through the student portal and via a series of online webinars throughout your study. Additionally, students may wish to supplement this package by accessing resources in their local context. Our approach to student support is proactive: We recognise that students may experience technical or academic difficulties, and that it is sometimes difficult to be sure who students should contact with a particular problem. To try to overcome this we operate a system of contacting students regularly to check for any problems they may be encountering. We check whether students are logging onto the learning materials regularly; often one of the first indications that a student is experiencing difficulties is that their frequency of logging on diminishes. We find that by doing this we are able to nip potential problems in the bud. Students on the programme have a named member of the psychology teaching staff who acts as their personal tutor. This person will act as their point of contact for matters of a personal and/or academic nature and will offer opportunities for students to meet with them in groups and one-to-one. Academic matters that are specific to individual modules will be managed by module tutors and module leaders. The online orientation on the programme pages serves the purpose of highlighting the particular needs of online study and prepares students for the online learning environment. This orientation is accessible to students throughout their studies. UDOL s learning and Teaching Strategy does not disadvantage students with additional needs. Students experiencing difficulty or who have specific needs will be advised to use the University Central Support systems. Students in employment will already benefit from work place support systems, but are fully informed of and have access to all services available through the University of Derby. Accessibility statement The university operates a disability policy to ensure that equity of opportunity is achieved for all students. If students are studying at the University of Derby and have a disability it is important that students receive the support required to participate fully on their programme. Students who have not already completed a Support Plan should contact Specialist Support to make an
appointment with a Student Adviser. The completion of this Support Plan will ensure that they are aware of the services and funding available to them and that the necessary support is in place. The Student Voice Obtaining feedback both during and after modules is an important activity which helps us to monitor the programme and implement any changes. This can occur through Programme Committees which provide a forum where staff and students can discuss matters related to the quality of the student learning experience. As an online learning programme we have virtual committee meetings via Blackboard Collaborate. We also seek feedback via: Programme Evaluation Questionnaires each year the University circulates a survey for each module which gives all students the opportunity to feedback via a set of standard questions. Less formally we also welcome comments on the programme via the anonymous programme feedback survey, staff-student liaison meetings, online discussion board on the programme page, and through the programme team if there is any issue which students feel should be brought to the attention of the programme team or leader then please contact them. SECTION NINE: Employability The most likely motivation for undertaking this programme of study is as part of a career change. Many student enter the discipline with an intention to progress their career along one of the professional pathways outlined by the BPS, see: http://careers.bps.org.uk/. However Psychology is a multi-faceted discipline with applications in a wide range of different career routes that are not limited to these pathways for example personnel and HR, management, marketing, social services, teaching, research to name a few. Students on the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme develop a range of valuable employability skills through core and optional modules and the supervised Psychology Research Project. Our teaching and assessment strategy has been devised to encourage the development of a range of graduate attributes that would be applicable to a number of career routes. To give some specific examples, all of our graduates should leave the course being able to evidence their ability to: - Analyse information carefully and critically for example in lab reports, critical essays and project proposals. - Treat people ethically and equitably, value difference, and manage and maintain relationships effectively through reflexive application of psychological knowledge. - Apply theory to solve real-world challenges in areas such as education, criminal behaviour, management and the workplace etc. To support career and employability planning the programme provides a structured and supported Personal and Development Planning process which is embedded within the curriculum at all Levels of the programme. Students are progressively encouraged to focus on the development of transferable skills, their career aspirations, and supported in understanding how to articulate these skills during application preparation, and career planning. Additionally, students are allocated a personal tutor with whom they are able to
review and record developments related to their learning, performance and or achievements in the programme for career planning and or progression. Employer links for this programme are indirect, as the programmes aims to provide students with eligibility for GBC to lead into specialist psychology pathways. However online students have access to the University of Derby Career Services who provide careers support and guidance in addition to the support that is embedded into the programme. Students also have access to these services for three years following graduation. SECTION TEN: Post Programme Opportunities The programme is designed to meet the standard required for BPS accreditation as providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (subject to specific requirements). BPS accreditation allows graduates to apply for postgraduate training in any area of professional psychology. This would involve a masters or doctoral level course in the chosen area of psychology. The programme thus offers a clear progression route to professional training in psychology, via, for example our MSc Health Psychology programme. Further details regarding postgraduate training can be obtained from the British Psychological Society (www.bps.org.uk). If successful in gaining GBC students may go on to further postgraduate training which allows them to practice as Chartered psychologists in a range of settings. The programme is also designed to meet the needs of students that might not wish to pursue one of the professional pathways. For more information regarding alternative career pathways please refer to https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-mydegree/psychology. SECTION ELEVEN: External Links This programme has been designed in consultation with students and our External Examiners. The programme will be put forward for accreditation by the British Psychological Society.