BSc Developmental Psychology with Placement Year

The academic year consists of two semesters. A typical module is taught through two lectures and about one seminar per week. While lectures are attended by all students taking a specific module, seminars are held in smaller groups where you can interact more directly with the tutor and your peers to and address and discuss different topics.

In your first year you will study three compulsory modules which will make up your core learning, providing you with a platform upon which you can develop your psychological knowledge.

You will encounter a wide variety of topics, from cognitive development to attachment and social relationships. The research module will introduce you to subject specific methods in the study of psychology, as you begin to develop research skills and a critical perspective.

The second year follows a similar structure to the first year, with compulsory modules designed to develop your understanding of different branches of psychology. An advanced module in research methods aims to consolidate your knowledge of research design, qualitative analysis and statistics. Alongside this you will have a compulsory module to complete which will prepare you for the workplace environment and enable you to identify and enhance your skills for using psychology in applied settings, this module will run alongside the process for securing a placement.

In your third year you will work full time in a placement which relates to and can draw upon your psychological literacy. Psychology as a discipline is relevant to a wide range of career paths and placements will provide the opportunity to gain experience in one of a variety of professional areas which utilise psychological insight (marketing, education, third sector organisations, therapeutic and rehabilitation services, retail, financial services, research laboratories etc.). Although we will endeavour to match students’ career intentions and interests with placements, because openings will depend on personnel demands in our placement partners we cannot guarantee a specific placement for any individual student. The year is assessed through a Pass/Fail arrangement which is centred on a project exploring how you apply psychology within the workplace and reflect upon your skills, aptitudes and professional development.

In the final year you will complete a substantial research project. You will be supervised by a developmental psychologist and will research a specific area or issue which reflects your intellectual interests and career aspirations. Your supervisor will help you to use your research skills to plan and produce a research project drawing on a specific form of data gathering and analysis. This could be focused on survey work, experimental design, or evaluations either within the laboratory or in applied contexts such as schools. You will select a number of optional modules from the developmental psychology field to ensure that your 3rd year provides you with specialist knowledge.