Advanced Psychology MPsyc, BSc

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.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

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

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
• Advanced Social Psychology
• Advanced Cognitive Psychology
• Advanced Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Individual Differences
• Research Skills 3
• Research Skills 4

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

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. Read "Course content" above and Advanced Psychology MPsyc, BSc in programme catalogue.

Year 4

• On the Masters year of the programme students follow one of two pathways: Cognitive Development and Disorders OR Psychological Approaches to Health. Both pathways study the compulsory module, Advanced Research Methods. In addition, each pathway is made up of a set of three taught modules. Students on both pathways also choose between Systematic Research Review + one taught module OR MPsyc Advanced Research Project. Read more in the programme catalogue below.

Compulsory modules

Advanced Research Methods

Optional modules

• The other modules you study will be determined by your choice of pathway and research review or research project.