MSc Psychology

Course Overview

Our MSc Psychology offers the opportunity to develop your career potential by studying the application of psychology within the modern workplace.

You will develop your understanding of psychology and how you can apply it to issues such as special educational needs and disability, criminality, mental health and dementia and will have a greater understanding of working with and supporting a variety of different people. You will work with the lecturers to elect which everyday issues you wish to explore through teaching and assessments, alongside the core curriculum.

The core curriculum is delivered in lectures with psychology students from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programmes. This is supplemented by small group teaching and workshops. The assessments not only review your knowledge but offer the opportunity to develop skills for the modern workplace.

More Info

This MSc Psychology explores the key areas of psychology: cognitive, biological, developmental, social, individual differences and psychological research methods, plus you will complete an independent project and research dissertation. An application for course accreditation has been submitted to The British Psychological Society (BPS).

Why this course at Marjon?

Dedicated psychology lab spaces.
Quiet location on campus: ideal for data collection.
Small groups.
Flexible study opportunities.
Create your own focus throughout the programme.

Perfect if you're curious about:

Has the popularisation of mindfulness reduced its impact?
How does dementia impact on communication and language?
Does smiling influence running speed?
Can psychopaths change?
Can language analysis help detection of potential criminals?
Does lack of coffee or cravings for caffeine impair memory?

Book an Open Day How to apply for this course

Modules

The following modules are compulsory:

Neuropsychology and cognition
Discuss the relationship between neurological structure and function and the impact of disease, injury and degeneration.
Identities, relationships and groups
Explore the concept of self and personality, discover how the groups we belong to influence our behaviour and thinking patterns and apply this knowledge to yourself and working with others in our professional contexts.
Typical v non-typical development
Across a lifetime we humans develop and change. This module address the key topics of developmental psychology and puts them to the test in the study of atypical individuals.
Theory and Methods in Psychology
Building from your undergraduate research methods, you will explore research methods utilised by psychologists, from interview to discourse analysis, from experiment to conversation analysis.
Current topics in psychology
A small scale independent project: you design and complete, with supervision, a small scale piece of research.
Empirical project
Your time to shine, with support from the team, you design, complete and write up your own piece of research, which you will present at the end of programme conference.

How will you be taught?

The ethos of the programme is blended learning, where lectures are online, or in person if you prefer, and small group discussions are the key to generating knowledge and critical thinking. You will have open access to the psychology labs, time and space to run your own research and opportunities to deepen your understanding through online materials.

How will you be assessed?

We have literature reviews, project reports, designing of assessments and artefacts, presenting, or writing an article. Assessments are deigned to offer you the ability to demonstrate your knowledge and provide you with skills for your career.

Course Leader

Dr Hazel Bending

Senior Lecturer

Dr Hazel Bending is a chartered member of The British Psychological Society (BPS). Together Hazel and a team of students manage the Marjon Memory Café, offering companionship, conversation and mirth for people with dementia, their carers and friends. Her research has focussed on how students in Higher Education best learn; investigating how various techniques from using technology to reflective practice and wellbeing can enhance students’ experiences and skills.

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Current Students

“I have really enjoyed learning about the different aspects of psychology, from leadership and identity through to neuropsychology. This course has made me appreciate how different disorders can impact on people’s lives. I have also been able to develop my critical analysis and research skills.”

“We’re learning new ways to think. I enjoy how we challenge our thought processes. I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and seeing what everyone brings to the table. No two days are the same. This course has made me think more deeply about the world around me.”

“I’m enjoying the variety of topics, I’m growing my mind and people are really listening. The lecturers are really helpful and care for their students and the Student Support service is very good. The university is small, with a sense of community. I have found that the course is very helpful to my personal development and some topics associate with my life experiences. A brilliant place to learn.”

“We’re learning about how social identity and societies influence people. I enjoyed looking at a brain in the lab; it was great to do something practical. I’ve learnt how to be more critical while analysing things. I’ve also become more broad-minded and have developed my lateral thinking skills.”

Lecturers

Tracy Edwards

Technician - Psychology Laboratory

Tracy is the Senior Psychology Technician overseeing the specialist Psychology facilities. She supports undergraduate and postgraduate students in areas such as the application of statistical analysis, writing skills and presentation skills.

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Dr Alister McCormick

Senior Lecturer

Alister teaches psychology and its applications to sport, exercise, and health. His main research interest is how psychological interventions can be used to improve the performances of people who participate in endurance events, such as middle- and long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon events.

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Dr Rosanna Walters-Symons

Lecturer - Psychology

Rosanna specialises in the psychology of sporting performance, examining the critical perceptual cognitive factors that enable elite performance. Her research fields are cognitive psychology, performance psychology and quantitative methods.

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Anna Zolubak

Lecturer

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