Advanced Psychology

The Advanced Psychology MPsyc, BSc offers an excellent programme of study, with integrated and clear progression. You’ll receive rigorous training in all aspects of research practice and will graduate with exceptional skills in practical, as well as theoretical, aspects of the discipline.

We hope that learning within a vibrant research environment inspires our students to develop to their full potential. We emphasise research-led teaching and you have the opportunity to work closely with academics within their research groups, giving you excellent experience of real-world, cutting-edge research.

You’ll study classic psychological work, as well as contemporary research into the nature and determinants of human behaviour, from the neuronal level through to the level of society and culture. You’ll explore psychological processes underpinning everyday behaviour, such as social cognition, memory, language and appetite, and you’ll examine ways in which psychology can improve people’s wellbeing and health. You’ll learn how to conduct and evaluate high-quality psychological research and how to professionally communicate research outcomes.

In year 1 modules include developmental, social, cognitive, biological psychology and animal behaviour. You also study research skills, which involves conducting and writing up psychological research. You also have chance to study a 10-credit elective module from any department within the University.

In year 2 you’ll progress to more advanced material, including developmental psychology, neuroscience, memory, language, perception, psychological disorders and advanced social psychology, as well as conducting lengthier pieces of research under supervision. You also choose a 10-credit elective module from any department within the University.

In your final year you’ll carry out a major piece of research in psychology worth 30 credits. You’ll have a wide choice of optional modules – see #Course structure. These modules are in three groups: Health/Social Psychology, Biological Psychology and Cognitive Psychology and you must select one 15-credit module from each group.

In your final Masters-level year you’ll study core modules on theory, research, and application in psychology, and advanced research methods. You’ll also have the choice between two subject pathways: a) Cognitive Development and Disorders (including three modules on typical and disordered child development, ageing and dementia, and neuropsychology and neuroscience), and b) Psychological Approaches to Health (with three modules on predicting and changing health behaviour, patient safety, and theory and intervention in food and nutrition). In addition, you will have the choice of either conducting a major research project or a systematic research review on a dedicated topic and a Masters-level elective module selected from a range of disciplines allied to psychology.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Psychology at Leeds 10 credits
• Research Skills 1 20 credits
• Research Skills 2 20 credits
• Developmental Psychology 10 credits
• Social Psychology 10 credits
• Biological Psychology 10 credits
• Cognitive Psychology 10 credits
• Perception 10 credits
• Exploring Animal Behaviour 10 credits

Optional modules

You study one 10-credit discovery module in semester 2, which can be on psychology or any other subject.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Psychological Disorders 10 credits
• Advanced Social Psychology 10 credits
• Advanced Cognitive Psychology 20 credits
• Advanced Developmental Psychology 10 credits
• Cognitive Neuroscience 10 credits
• Behavioural Neuroscience 10 credits
• Individual Differences 10 credits
• Research Skills 3 15 credits
• Research Skills 4 15 credits

Optional modules

You study one 10-credit level 2 discovery module on any subject OR you can study a language module at any level - particularly useful for students considering changing onto the international version of the programme.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Major Project 30 credits

Optional modules.

Modules are in the groups: Health/Social Psychology, Biological Psychology and Cognitive Psychology. You’ll need to study at least one from each group. Other restrictions apply