MSci Cognitive Psychology

Key details

MSCI COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Start Year

2022

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Sciences

UCAS course code

C83B

Entry Requirements

AAB

Duration (years)

The MSci Psychology programmes are designed to meet the needs of students who want to plan postgraduate study well in advance to enhance their academic and professional profiles.

You’ll study a programme comprised of one sub-disciplinary route (Social Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology) which offers you progressively specialised knowledge and understanding which you can take into a wide range of career paths.

You’ll benefit from research-led teaching in smaller and larger groups. UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis.

Taking an integrated Master's year means that your research enthusiasm and interests developed over three years of study can be extended in an interconnected and coherent way.

About

The MSci programme provides a rigorous approach to the range of psychological sciences combined with the opportunity to specialise in a particular sphere of knowledge on human behaviour and experience.

On this course, you’ll gain a strong grounding in key theories and research methods of cognitive psychology. You’ll study topics such as brain and cognition, psychology of risk, the magical visual world, psychology of language, and clinical neuropsychology.

In your third year, you’ll implement your own research project related to cognitive psychology. Past students have researched areas such as autism, face perception, visual perception and attention, and brain activity in relation to social and non-social stimuli. If you’re interested in a career in mental and physical rehabilitation, neuroscience or clinical psychology, this course is ideal. Because you’ll learn to handle large data sets and gain expertise in human/computer interaction, product testing, human factors, and how we process information, you’ll also be well equipped to go into data or computer science. Your specialist knowledge and skills will develop as you select specific options and engage in higher level research in years 3 and 4.

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UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll be assessed across a range of assessments including essays, research reports, research proposals, projects and examinations. Assessments will include formative tasks and summative assessments. Whilst formative assessments are not given a mark, the detailed feedback from the formative assessments will help you with the summative assessments.

Assessment:

In your first year your assessments will include a range of formative and summative tasks.

Feedback:

You'll receive detailed feedback from the formative tasks, which will help you improve your work before you submit your summative assessments. We strongly encourage you to carefully read your feedback to ensure that you fully understand the guidance and can ‘feed this forward’ into your next summative assessments.

Structure

In this year you’ll study one 120 credit module. This will provide a firm foundation for developing your understanding of psychological theory and research with a focus on how this knowledge is applied within the ‘real world’. Teaching sessions are organised into six key themes – exploring learning, explaining behaviour, researching social interaction, questioning reality, understanding yourself and applications of psychology. You’ll also discover specific methods for the study of psychology, as you begin developing research skills and a critical perspective.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching:

Your first-year compulsory module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time carrying out independent study, researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library, and carrying out research projects in small groups.

Independent learning:

This course will give you an excellent balance of independent thinking and study skills, encouraging you to develop into an expert researcher and critical thinker. You’ll develop accuracy and precision in your written work, become confident in your organisation and time management skills, and learn to prioritise tasks to meet important deadlines. Throughout your studies you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.

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Assessment for Year 2

Assessment:

In your second year (depending on your module choices) your assessments may include a range of tasks such as formative work, short-answer essays, summative reports, case study analysis, and examinations.

Feedback:

Structure

You’ll continue studying compulsory modules designed to develop your understanding of different branches of psychology. These include an advanced module in research methods in which you will consolidate your knowledge of research design, qualitative analysis and statistics.

Alongside these, you’ll have the opportunity to choose an optional module from a published list. This could be a psychology module or an option from outside our School that is relevant to your career or other interests. For example, you could take a business or educational psychology module (specific module criteria may apply).

Teaching and Learning

Teaching:

You’ll explore both compulsory and optional modules, developing a combination of breadth and depth, core knowledge and creativity. You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time carrying out independent study, researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library, and carrying out research projects.

Independent learning:

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Assessment for Year 3

Assessment:

In your third year your assessments will include your research project (which is 33% of your final year mark), and assessments linked to your module choices (which could be, for example, a research proposal, a briefing paper, an essay, or an examination).

Feedback:

Structure

In your third year you’ll complete a substantial cognitive research project, reflecting your intellectual interests and career aspirations. You’ll be supported by a cognitive supervisor with expertise in your area of research. They will help you use your research skills to plan and produce a project drawing on a specific form of data gathering and analysis. This could be focused on survey work and/or experimental design, both within the laboratory and in applied contexts.

You’ll also select a core cognitive module, along with a number of optional modules from a wide range of psychology subjects, giving you specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching:

You’ll choose from a wide range of optional psychology modules, giving you either specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective. You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also spend time carrying out your individual cognitive research project, with support from your supervisor.

Independent learning:

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Open Days

Assessment for Year 4

Assessment:

In year 4 your assessments will include a dissertation of 40 credits, and assessments linked to your module choices which could be a research proposal, critical reviews, or a pop article.

Feedback:

Structure

In your 4th year of the Cognitive Psychology programme, you’ll combine research methods training with in-depth study at the cutting edge of the subject area. This year is aimed at developing the specific skills in research methodology necessary to study Cognitive Neuroscience and delivers the ability to understand normal and abnormal brain function, prepare research proposals, and undertake original research, analysis and synthesis in one of current psychology’s fast-moving and fundamental areas. In the process you’ll acquire transferable skills in oral and written communication and the management and analysis of complex data sets. A strength of the programme is the opportunity to experience modern psychological research methods at first hand, including EEG, TMS, virtual reality, and motion and eye-tracking.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching:

Your Masters year is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time in independent study and carrying out your cognitive research project.

Independent learning:

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Open Days

Assessment for Year 1

Assessment:

In your first year your assessments will include a range of formative and summative tasks.

Feedback:

Compulsory Modules

Introduction to Psychology

Code PSY-4008Y

Credits 120

The overall aim of the module is to provide you with an introduction to psychological theory and research, with a focus on how this knowledge is used and applied within the ‘real world’. Lectures and seminars will be organised into six key themes - exploring learning, explaining behaviour, researching social interaction, questioning reality, understanding yourself and applications of psychology. Each theme will be team-taught across a 3-week block, with a selection of lectures from a range of perspectives in psychological science. Adopting this integrative approach, you will be able to see how each curriculum area within psychology contributes to our knowledge and understanding of human behaviour.

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Open Days

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

Assessment:

Feedback:

Compulsory Modules

RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Code PSY-5003Y

Credits 40

You’ll develop your understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The module will enhance your understanding of statistical methods for drawing valid conclusions from numerical data through examination of (i) techniques for data screening and exploration; (ii) statistical significance, power and effect size (iii) parametric and nonparametric tests; (iv) analysis of variance models; (v) multiple regression. It aims to develop your skills and confidence in using SPSS for the analysis of data. You’ll also be offers the opportunity to develop your skills in relation to qualitative research design and analysis. You will become familiar with the theoretical, philosophical and methodological dimensions of qualitative psychology, building interviewing skills and exploring meaning through the analytical processes of grounded theory, narrative and discourse analysis.

COGNITIVE AND BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Code PSY-5017B

Credits 20

You will cover a wide range of core psychological topics on this module which are arranged into two distinct themes: Cognitive Psychology and Biological Psychology. Cognitive Psychology Theme: - Critically evaluate theories and discuss conflicting evidence within cognitive psychology. - Understand the practical implications of research in cognitive psychology. - Critically discuss recent progress in cognitive psychology. Biological Psychology Theme: - Describe and evaluate a range of methodological techniques which underpin the study of the human brain. - Demonstrate an understanding of the neurobiological basis of behaviour including vision, movement, language, learning, memory and emotion. - Critically discuss the neurobiological of some psychopathologies. By the end of this module you will have acquired advanced knowledge about how the mind is thought to be organised and how it operates (cognitive) and the neural systems that underpin the mind (biological).

SOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Code PSY-5016A

Credits 20

The module runs across two core themes of psychology, Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology. The Social Psychology theme will consolidate and expand your knowledge of core areas of social psychological theory and research, namely; Social Perception (including person perception, attitudes, attribution), Inter-group Processes (including prejudice, inter-group conflict, social identification), Small Group Processes (including norms, leadership, decision-making, productivity), Social Influence (including conformity, obedience, majority and minority influence, the bystander effect), Close Relationships (including interpersonal attraction, relationships). The Developmental Theme will consider a range of concepts, issues and debates concerning social, emotional and cognitive development during infancy, childhood and adolescence. You will be encouraged to think critically about some key theoretical and methodological approaches. Recurrent themes include the influences of genes and environment; thought and language; typical and atypical development; social context and communication with children; and the relative roles of the individual and culture in development.

CONCEPTUAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

Code PSY-5015Y

Credits 20

This module firstly considers individual differences and will explore and evaluate theories and findings, in the areas of differential psychology: scientific foundations of personality and intelligence, measurement and psychometrics. The module will build on the content from year 1 but will cover a diverse range of more advanced topics such as nature-nurture interplay, the biological basis of individual differences, emotional intelligence, personality and temperament and an insight into how Individual Differences is applied in real life settings. The spring semester we move onto an overview of the main ideas, people, approaches and methods that have shaped the discipline of psychology throughout its history. It will also help you to better understand contemporary psychology, its relationship to the sciences and humanities, as well as providing a context for the other modules that make up your psychology degree. The major schools of psychology and some of the key themes and debates that characterise the discipline will also be discussed (for example, the freewill-determinism debate, reductionism and the nature and limitations of scientific enquiry in psychology). We then move onto the consideration of individual differences and will explore and evaluate theories and findings, in the following area of differential psychology: scientific foundations of personality and intelligence, measurement and psychometrics.

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

GENDER AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5020A

Credits 20

This interdisciplinary module will begin by exploring the various approaches to understanding gender and development, then introduces and explains a range of key concepts as the foundations of gender analyses. The module then applies these concepts in examining a selection of important relevant debates: gender analysis of economic growth, divisions of labour and incomes, land and property rights, environmental change, education and health policies, voice and empowerment, violence and religion.

INTRODUCTORY MICROECONOMICS

Code ECO-4005Y

Credits 20

Forming a foundation for subsequent economic modules, this module will introduce you to the fundamental principles, concepts and tools of microeconomics and show you how to apply these to a variety of real world economic issues. There is some mathematical content – you will be required to interpret linear equations, solve simple linear simultaneous equations and use differentiation. The module is primarily concerned with: 1) the ways individuals and households behave in the economy 2) the analysis of firms producing goods and services 3) how goods and services are traded or otherwise distributed – often but not exclusively through markets 4) the role of government as provider and/or regulator.

INTRODUCTORY MACROECONOMICS

Code ECO-4006Y

Credits 20

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the economic way of reasoning, and to apply these to a variety of real world macroeconomic issues. Students will begin their journey by learning how to measure macroeconomic aggregates, such as GDP, GDP growth, unemployment and inflation. The module will establish the foundations to conduct rigorous Macroeconomics analysis, as students will learn how to identify and characterize equilibrium on the goods market and on the money market. The module will also introduce students to policy-making, exploring and evaluating features and applications of fiscal and monetary policy. Students will grow an appreciation of the methods of economic analysis, such as mathematical modelling, diagrammatic representation, and narrative. The discussion of theoretical frameworks will be enriched by real world applications, and it will be supported by an interactive teaching approach.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY ECONOMICS

Code ECO-5011A

Credits 20

Considering solutions to real-world problems, this module is designed to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to economic analysis. It considers a wide range of different approaches to economic study, including: economic sociology, economic geography, economic philosophy, economic psychology and international political economy. With no prior economic or mathematical knowledge expected, it is suitable for students who want to explore pluralist economic perspectives. The chosen topics demonstrate how economic analysis improves our understanding of decision-making and assists in the design of public policy.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Code EDUB5012A

Credits 20

This module will provide you with an introduction to key areas of psychology with a focus on learning and teaching in education. By the end of the module you should be able to: - Discuss the role of perception, attention and memory in learning; - Compare and contrast key theories related to learning, intelligence, language, thinking and reasoning; - Critically reflect on key theories related to learning,intelligence, language, thinking and reasoning in the practical context; - Discuss the influence of key intrapersonal, interpersonal and situational factors on pupils learning and engagement in educational settings.

CREATIVE WRITING: INTRODUCTION (SPR)

Code LDCC5004B

Credits 20

Have you ever wondered what it means to write creatively? Or how you might articulate what Zadie Smith calls ‘your way of being in the world’? Together we’ll address these questions. You’ll explore the work of some of the finest writers in the world, while also receiving clear guidance on how you might bring shape to the promptings of your imagination. This module will get you writing prose fiction and/or poetry. While there is no single, authorised way to write, there are things worth knowing about. You’ll discover some of these things in class; others you’ll pick up through being alert to what you have read and the way in which it functions. The most important thing, however, is to discover your own way of doing things. What drives you to capture a certain moment, or tell a certain story in a certain way? That’s what we'll be aiming for. Along the way you’ll develop an understanding of the craft of writing – the technical nuts & bolts – while acquiring the disciplines necessary to being a writer - observation, drafting, and submitting to deadlines. You'll be guided through a series of themes and concepts that go to the heart of creative writing, from voice and structure, to imagery and form. You'll generate material throughout the course, both through guided exercises and private study. Very often you'll be asked to write about ‘what you know’, drawing on notebooks, memory, family stories, your sensory impressions. In prose you will go on to look at such things as character, dialogue, point-of-view, ‘showing’ versus ‘telling’, plotting, etc. In poetry, there will be an exploration of the possibilities of pattern and form, sound, voice, imagery, and rhythm. By the end of the course you’ll have developed a body of work to call your own and a sense of what it means and what it takes to write seriously.

THE MEANING OF LIFE

Code PPLP4062A

Credits 20

What is the meaning of life? This burning question is at the heart of philosophy. We will explore the ways in which philosophy can help us tackle it. We will investigate a diverse range of philosophical perspectives from different areas of philosophy each of which interprets the question in a slightly different way. We will look at the work of philosophers such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Patricia Churchland, Leibniz, Christine Korsgaard, Daniel Dennett, Martha Nussbaum, Confucius, Elizabeth Barnes, Immanuel Kant, Christine Swanton, Epicurus. We'll grapple with ideas that inform our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. What, if anything, is ultimately of value in life? Is freedom to affect your future important, and do you have that freedom? Could you have a meaningful life in an artificial reality? Is there a reason you exist? Should you radically change the way you are living? What should be done about existential threats such as Climate Change? The module provides a firm foundation for your further studies, as these issues are at the heart of philosophy and also at the foundation of related disciplines, such as politics and economics.

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY ROUTE A

Code PSY-5007Y

Credits 20

This module explores a range of applied topics in psychology e.g. psychology of mental health and well-being; psychology of antisocial and criminal behaviour; psychology of substance use. Within each topic area the key antecedents, correlates and consequences of a variety of behaviours across a range of populations will be considered. The module concludes with a review and suggestions for future developments in these fields.

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY ROUTE B

Code PSY-5023Y

Credits 20

This module explores what psychology can contribute to our understanding of a range of everyday issues/problems/experiences. There is a developmental, cognitive/biological emphasis. There are 3 broad themes, namely: autism, offending, and society; sleep, health, and daily functioning; neuroscience of music, dance, and biophilia.

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Important Information

Students will study 40 credits in each semester, in addition to the 40 credit year-long module

Assessment for Year 3

Assessment:

Feedback:

Compulsory Modules

RESEARCH PROJECT

Code PSY-6002Y

Credits 40

This module offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your independent research capabilities and competence through the development, design and performance of an empirical research project. Building from a foundation of the research methods modules in previous years, instruction on this module is mainly linked to supervision. Supervisors will offer guidance on the delineation of a researchable question, an awareness of ethics relating to your project; a comprehension of the appropriateness of the research design, managing the data collection process and the writing up of a report. The area of research, methodological approach and research context will be negotiated and agreed through supervision.

BRAIN AND COGNITION

Code PSY-6009A

Credits 20

In this module, you will undertake an extensive examination of various experimental approaches used in Cognitive Neuroscience. Using the examples of commonly studied cognitive functions, we will examine how they develop in infancy, how they are modified as we age, to which brain networks they are associated with, and how they are impaired by focal brain lesions. The goal of the course is to develop your critical thinking, research and presentation skills, enabling you to synthesize, evaluate, and debate current theory and data in the field.

Optional A Modules

(40-60 credits)

FAMILY LIFE

Code PSY-6001A

Credits 20

In this module, you will consider the science of relationships and identify some of the critical factors that make and shape 'family' life. You will begin by deconstructing the concepts of 'relationships' and 'family' within their historical and cultural contexts. You will consider the different theoretical approaches utilised to understand and research relationships and family life. You will then explore specific topics such as relationships, parenting, marriage and divorce, before concluding with a consideration and evaluation of family and relationship research and policy.

DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE IN ACTION

Code PSY-6003A

Credits 20

How do infants learn to think? How do memory and language develop? How do we get data from young children, and how can we understand them? In this module you will learn how the human mind develops during infancy and childhood using examples from language development, memory and other areas of cognition. This will provide you with an understanding of how cognition is shaped by our early experience, and how we can study learning in children. You will gain both knowledge of the current theories of development, as well as hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools in this area. You will approach these topics with a mix of lectures, seminars and practical classes that guide you towards being able to understand how babies learn to think, and and design your own developmental research.

PSYCHOLOGY OF RISK

Code PSY-6004A

Credits 20

Assessing risk has always been of great importance as individuals attempt to avoid negative outcomes under conditions of uncertainty. More recently there has been an attempt to make this assessment objective as a foundation for government policies and public information. However, there is often a gap between expert objective opinion and individuals’ opinions, which can be problematic, for example when attempting to persuade people to reduce their carbon footprint or cut down on unhealthy behaviours. This module examines ongoing research which seeks to explain the phenomena and theories that underlie the individual’s ability to gather and assess information about potential risks and their subsequent decisions. This includes defining risk, considering individual differences in risk perception and the influence of sources of risk information.

SOCIAL PERCEPTION AND BEHAVIOUR: From Individuals to Relationships to Groups

Code PSY-6014A

Credits 20

THIS MODULE IS RESERVED FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS. The module aims to enable students to comprehend, evaluate and compare the core topics and major perspectives in social psychological theory and research. The module will: - Introduce you to topic areas related to social perception in the context of individual, interpersonal, and intergroup processes, and highlight how these topics relate to everyday behaviour. - Assist you in formulating an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of key theoretical approaches discussed in this class. - Encourage you to adopt a constructively critical and creative approach. - Nurture intellectual enthusiasm for the subject matter within a supportive learning environment.

PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE

Code PSY-6015B

Credits 20

This module will survey psychological approaches to language, featuring discussions of experimental methods in psycholinguistic research and theoretical approaches to both language comprehension and production. More specifically, you will gain an understanding of the main theories of language comprehension and production, and how psycholinguistic research develops and tests theoretical questions concerning the nature of underlying representations and the mechanisms associated with language *processing*. Emphasis will be placed on a full understanding of the mapping between theoretical research questions, and the experimental methodologies and techniques used to advance our understanding of how language is processed in the adult human brain.

MAGICAL VISUAL WORLD

Code PSY-6018A

Credits 20

The world we live and act in is a creation of our mind. Our brain takes small samples of light and sound and cobbles together the rich world we experience. This module will develop your understanding of how we make sense of our visual and auditory world, how we put information together, and what we often miss. Throughout the module you’ll focus on both the behaviours (how do we remember an environment, recognise a friend's emotions, etc.) and the underlying neural activity that make these experiences possible, including how various brain regions interact and the type of information passed along neural pathways. In addition, you’ll cover the methods researchers use for empirical investigations (fMRI, clinical populations, eye tracking, etc.). You’ll be encouraged to critically evaluate current perspectives and design a study to help reveal how we understand our visual and auditory world.

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Code PSY-6022B

Credits 20

This module will develop your understanding of both typical and atypical development through a detailed introduction to theory and empirical research related to neurodevelopmental disorders. It will highlight how genetic, environmental, biological and cognitive factors interact to shape development and behaviour over time. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate classical and contemporary perspectives on the subject and invited to consider practical issues related to the identification of, and provision for, children demonstrating an atypical developmental trajectory.

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Code PSY-6023B

Credits 20

In this module we will explore areas of current interest and debate in the psychology of criminality, and in the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. We will consider the roles that psychologists play in understanding, detecting and treating criminal behaviour, and we will discuss the issues, methods, findings and implications of research in areas such as crime statistics, psychopathy, sex offending, serial murder, terrorism, offender profiling, eyewitness testimony, and the assessment and rehabilitation of offenders.

PSYCHOLOGY OF MENTAL HEALTH

Code PSY-6024A

Credits 20

Good mental health and wellbeing are increasingly recognised as important societal aims. However, there is much debate about how we understand and discuss quite abstract terms like ‘mental health’ and ‘wellbeing’. The aim of this module is to help students make sense of this debate, regarding what we mean when we discuss ‘mental health’, primarily from a psychology perspective. The module will cover how mental health problems are conceptualised and categorised in lay and expert views, and by different mental health practitioners. It will cover how mental health conditions develop, and if so, how they can be remediated and prevented. We will also cover how to apply this knowledge to understand important contemporary mental health topics such as gender differences in mental health experiences, student mental health and how to facilitate sustainable psychological functioning in the 21st century. A variety of perspectives will be presented across different levels of space (biological, psychological, social) and time (generational and cohort changes) and across different theoretical orientations (clinical, lived experience, research, systems modelling). Through these different approaches and perspectives, you will become an expert in understanding the psychology of mental health. You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures and seminars and self-directed study. Lectures include topics on the assessment, classification, causes and treatments of mental health conditions. Seminars include debates and discussion with individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions. You will be assessed through an essay on the topics covered throughout the module. The module will provide a good foundation for further postgraduate study and strong preparation for a career as a mental health practitioner. You will also gain useful practice in research, writing and presentation skills. Finally, it will help you understand your own mental health and what you can do to live a happy and meaningful life.

CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

Code PSY-6025B

Credits 20

THIS MODULE IS RESERVED FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS. This module is suitable for students who aspire to utilise their psychological knowledge within careers which may involve contact with patients, carers, clinicians and people who experience neuropsychological deficits in adulthood. The module will enable you to apply fundamental knowledge from the fields of Neuropsychology, Neuroscience and Neuro-rehabilitation about biological and cognitive brain processes (such as perception, action, attention and memory) to neurological conditions. You will also develop evidence-based knowledge of symptoms and interventions for neurological conditions (such as head injury, dementia or stroke). Building from your knowledge of the brain and cognition you will extend your understanding of how basic neuroscience research can inform diagnosis, assessment and effective rehabilitation of neurological patients and people with neurological conditions.

BEING HUMAN: Evolutionary and Comparative Approaches in Psychology

Code PSY-6026A

Credits 20

THIS MODULE IS RESERVED FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS. By considering the development of the human mind and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective and by comparing humans with other animals this module will explore how the biological underpinnings of ‘human nature’ relate to thinking, motivation and social relationships. Everyday aspects of being human such as attraction, mate choice, parenting, emotion, cooperation and conflict will be used to investigate how behaviours have developed in response to the problems of survival. Around 50% of the module will be directly concerned with animal behaviour. The comparison of human and animal cognition and behaviours will raise questions about the uniqueness of human characteristics, the connections between psychological functioning across species and the relationship between people and animals. Your understanding of evolutionary and comparative psychology developed through the module will be shown to be related to many ‘real-world’ concerns ranging from sex and gender, through emotion and motivation to mental health issues.

PSYCHOLOGY OF GENDER

Code PSY-6029A

Credits 20

In this module you will critically explore gender in a range of everyday contexts. You will consider the role of psychology in understanding historical and contemporary issues involving gender and explore what alternative/inter-disciplinary approaches might offer.

PSYCHOLOGY OF SLEEP

Code PSY-6030B

Credits 20

In this module you will gain an understanding of how and why we sleep, and the importance of sleep for good health and daytime functioning. We will consider biological, psychological and social factors relating to sleep, including the mechanisms of healthy sleep, changes in sleep across the lifespan, and how sleep interacts with physical and mental health conditions to affect our wellbeing.

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Code PSY-6031B

Credits 20

The environments in which we live not only shape and influence our lives, but human behaviours also have a profound impact on the natural environment. Drawing on psychological theories (e.g. from social and cognitive psychology), you will explore the interactions between humans and their environments in a range of specific contexts, such as navigating through cities, well-being in stressful environments, and everyday behaviours that relate to climate change. You will also consider how the application of psychology can help provide solutions to environmental problems, and how these solutions can be communicated with decision-makers in society.

PSYCHOLOGY OF GOOD AND EVIL

Code PSY-6036B

Credits 20

The module will consider the psychological aspects of destructive and benevolent behaviour. Classic and contemporary research will inform the understanding of the psychological processes that underpin the extreme detrimental and beneficial behaviours of individuals and groups. ‘Evil’ elements such as cults, killing, power and control will be balanced by the second strand of the module concerning virtuous behaviour, compassion, empathy, solidarity, heroism and social change

Optional B Modules

(0-20 credits)

GENDER AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5020A

Credits 20

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Code EDUB5012A

Credits 20

MEDIA, CULTURE AND LEARNING

Code EDUB6002B

Credits 20

You will critically consider the relationship between media and education, considering what effect the media has in shaping knowledge, what role education plays in supporting media narratives, and how media and education influence cultural and social issues. You will draw upon current social and cultural issues and explore how these issues are shaped and discussed through the intersecting narratives of media and education. You will consider and reflect on current topics that may include issues around gender, sexuality, religion, youth, class, and sport.

CREATIVE WRITING: INTRODUCTION (SPR)

Code LDCC5004B

Credits 20

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Open Days

Important Information

Assessment for Year 4

Assessment:

In year 4 your assessments will include a dissertation of 40 credits, and assessments linked to your module choices which could be a research proposal, critical reviews, or a pop article.

Feedback:

Compulsory Modules

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Code PSY-7010A

Credits 40

Understanding how the brain functions normally and how it is affected by disease presents one of the major challenges for research in the 21st century. There is increasing international demand for research training on cognitive processes in the healthy and diseased human brain. This module brings together UEA expert scientists in Cognitive Neuroscience offering you advanced knowledge of the field. In particular, the module provides you with the opportunity to examine the scientific study of brain function across a variety of cognitive domains (e.g. perception, memory, action) in healthy and clinical populations. Moreover, throughout the module several state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience research methods will be introduced and examined, including fMRI, EEG, TMS and lesion-symptom mapping, and you will have the chance to work through data analysis in practical sessions. Finally, you will have the opportunity to develop your own research proposal relating to one of the topics covered in the course in consultation with experts in the field.

PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Code PSY-7015A

Credits 20

This module gives you an introduction to some important techniques and software programs used in psychology data collection and analysis. You will receive guided hands-on experience. These skills are useful for your dissertation research, and will enhance your CV for job applications. You will learn how to conduct both systematic reviews and meta-analysis, gaining an understanding of how each technique can help you in your research. You will use E-Prime software to construct experiments, as well as receive an introduction to PsychoPy and running online experiments using Gorilla. You will also learn about the Qualtrics Survey platform, for conducting online surveys. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to practice and develop your presentation skills. Your assessment will be essay based.

ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT

Code PSY-7016B

Credits 40

Your dissertation is your opportunity to carry out an extended piece of independent research in an area of your interest under the guidance of your supervisor. Examples of topics from previous years in Cognitive Neuroscience: Facial emotion processing Predictive processing in the sensory brain Neural basis of autobiographical memories Virtual reality as a method of rehabilitation of spatial neglect in stroke patients Examples of topics from previous years in Developmental Science: Toddlers’ word learning Infant temperament and later screen time Moral development in children Understanding poor sleep in infants at risk for ASD Examples of topics from previous years in Social Psychology: Conspiracy theory beliefs: The role of social identity and intergroup emotions The effect of group status and power to reactions to derogatory comments about outgroup members Motivating climate change mitigation efforts with availability heuristic priming Are there gender differences in adolescents’ attentional biases towards empathic stimuli?

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

FURTHER QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Code PSY-7004B

Credits 20

The course builds on coverage of qualitative methods in the Introduction to Social Sciences Research Methods module, where the focus is on developing critical analysis skills that cover a range of ways of gathering and analysing qualitative data.

FURTHER QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH AND STATISTICS

Code PSY-7005B

Credits 20

This module will provide teaching on quantitative research methods, data analysis and the use of statistical software (SPSS). It will provide a grounding in applied statistics which will both develop critical appraisal skills for reading research and enable you to undertake SPSS data analysis.

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

A Levels

AAB or ABB with an A in the Extended Project

T Levels

No acceptable pathways for 2022 entry.

BTEC

DDD. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration

Scottish highers

AAAAA

Scottish highers advanced

BBC

Irish leaving certificate

4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3

Access course

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3

European Baccalaureate

80%

International Baccalaureate

33 points

GCSE offer

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

Additional entry requirements

If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:

Any International Foundation Course (for first year entry)

Alternative Qualifications

UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.

Important note

Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Intakes

This course is open to UK and overseas applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis.

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Course Reference Number: 4478926

MSci COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY