BSc Honours Psychology with Education

BSc Honours Psychology with Education programme will prepare you to enhance your knowledge and skills in two different yet complimentary subject areas. The degree provides sound understanding of basic core courses that start at foundation level in year 1 and develops in depth and detail in year 2 and 3. The modules are designed in a way that you learn basic psychology courses along with education specific subjects. The main focus of various modules is to enhance critical thinking and evaluation of taught concepts and theories, the development of numerical and analytic skills which culminate into developing capacity to carry out independent research project i.e. dissertation in third year. For dissertation, the focus is on independent, self- managed, self-directed study within a framework of supervision.

Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.

Note: Both core and optional modules are constantly updated and under review. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that a module may not be offered in any particular year, for instance because too few students opt for it. Middlesex University reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.

• Year 1
  • Personal Coaching for Academic Success (15 Credits) - Compulsory The module aims to equip you with tools to be able to better engage in your learning it will teach you an array of independent and reflective skills from writing to dealing with exam anxiety.
  • Psychological Statistics (15 Credits) - Compulsory This module aims to introduce you to quantitative statistical analysis as they are employed in psychological research.
  • Historical, Social and Political Perspectives on Education (30 Credits) - Compulsory An overview of education policy from the beginning of universal state education until the present. The philosophical ideologies that have underpinned policy and a more detailed examination of some current education issues.
  • Mind & Behaviour in Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module introduces the five core areas of psychology (cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences).
  • Research Methods and Design in Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory The module aims to introduce students to the principles and practice of quantitative and qualitative psychological research. Students will develop skills in searching literature and generating hypotheses with a sound rationale, understand the principles of sound research design and data collection and be able to interpret findings and critically assess research output in psychology. They will also be provided with opportunities to develop skills in the dissemination of research results with the conventions, styles and critical approach of academic work
• Year 2
  • Social, Personality, and Developmental Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory The module aims to develop the depth and breadth of understanding of core theory and research in developmental and social psychology whilst also explaining differences between individuals.
  • Brain, Body and Mind (30 Credits) - Compulsory This module aims to provide an overview of the biological bases of behaviour and the cognitive approach to psychology. After initial study of the anatomy physiology of the nervous system, attention is focused on aspects of behaviour that have a clear biological component. Through a series of practical laboratory sessions you will investigate specific central and peripheral nervous system variables and their relation to behaviour. In the second half of the module, the nature of the cognitive approach to psychology will be outlined and key theories relating to major cognitive faculties explored. Understanding of these is enhanced through a series of interactive seminars.
  • Research Methods and Ethics in Psychology (30 Credits) - Compulsory The module enables students to understand and evaluate psychological research and to understand how research design relates to research questions. It provides students with skills in a variety of statistical analyses and enables them to conduct ethical psychological research utilising quantitative and qualitative methods. It provides the foundation for interpretation and critical discussion of published psychological research.
  • Curriculum Studies: Foundation Stage & Key Stage 1 (30 Credits) - Optional
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (30 Credits) - Optional The aim of this module is to promote greater awareness and understanding of the importance of diversity issues from both a national and international perspective. This module also provides insight to the implications of diversity from a societal, organisational, and employee standpoint. A range of diversity debates, concepts and practices regarding equality, fairness and inclusion are also explored. This is used as a means for endorsing the significance of diversity management to careers and business sustainability and success. A variety of topics are covered including cross-cultural management, gender disparity, age perception, disability awareness, effective multicultural team-working, and diversity legislation.
• Year 3
  • Psychology Dissertation (30 Credits) - Compulsory Within this module, you will pursue independent study with a designated supervisor on a topic not offered in-depth among the normal range of modules. You will be expected to carry out an original investigation using a recognised psychology or cognitive science research method, and produce a dissertation based on that research. The title and methodology of this dissertation must be agreed with the supervisor in advance. Undertaking this module will enable you to develop your methodological and statistical knowledge acquired through previous research methods training. It will develop your competence in the production of coherent written reports which are clearly presented and which have an analytic and critical orientation, and it will provide the opportunity for you to become competent and self-sufficient researcher.
  • Children's Rights: Law, Policy and Practice (30 Credits) - Optional This module aims to provide you with the knowledge on a range of conceptual frameworks of childhood and children's rights. You will evaluate the relative balance of powers, duties and accountabilities between the key players in education as with a multi-agency approach. You will critically discuss the key principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and evaluate the congruence between selected legislation, policy and practice and conceptualisations of childhood, child development and children's rights. You will develop the knowledge and analytical perspectives on particular areas of legislation, policy and practice that affect children.
  • Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (30 Credits) - Optional

    This module looks at special educational needs, disability and inclusion in education and concentrates on the definitions of learning difficulty and disability and the extent to which parents, pupils and students with Special Needs and Disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as others.

  • Lifespan Issues: Impact of Life Experience (15 Credits) - Optional The module aims to (a) to develop students’ understanding of how theoretical, empirical and personal examples arising in the fields of academia, research and clinical practice contribute to understanding life experience and psychology and (b) to encourage students to think reflectively about the psychological relevance of social norms, expectations, stereotypes and issues of personal identity and nurture on life experience and development
  • Lifespan Stages: Adult stages of development (15 Credits) - Optional The module aims to explore the psychology of lifespan development using theoretical and research orientated approaches. It considers how psychological knowledge of ways in which development can be investigated and observed using research can be undertaken from a variety of perspectives, as well as how it can be understood using models of cognitive, biological, socio-ecological, psychodynamic and developmental psychology. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of how theoretical, empirical and personal examples arising in the fields of academia, research and clinical practice contribute to understanding of lifespan development and can be practically applied to Lifespan investigation.
  • The Psychology of Stress, Motivation and Work-Life Balance (15 Credits) - Optional This module aims to introduce students to the area of occupational psychology particularly in relation to stress, motivation and work-life balance. The module will introduce theories which underlie stress with a strong focus on the role of stress in the workplace. The students will also gain an understanding of work-life balance and the real-world applications of promoting good work-life balance. The topics will be covered in a variety of ways which will allow the students to engage with some of the critical debates around area. This will range from the complexities surrounding the conceptualisation of work-life balance, to the impact it can have on the health of employees, whilst also incorporating the role of the employer. Although, motivation and stress in the workplace are areas which have been traditionally researched in relation to workplace psychology, both of the areas, along with work-life balance are currently yielding a lot of innovative research. The module will allow students to critically engage with an emerging and increasingly popular area of occupational psychology and it will appeal to students who have an interest in occupational psychology, but specifically the links between work and home life, and how psychology has helped to shape this discipline. Since work based stress, motivation and work-life balance are all employment based topics, the content will be relevant to students beyond their degree and can be carried into their chosen areas of employment. Particularly those who are planning to go into Human Resources, Occupational Psychology or wish to pursue a postgraduate course in this area.
  • Coaching Psychology (15 Credits) - Optional This module offers advanced level study of topics in coaching psychology and offers students a blend of academic study, practical knowledge, and personal development. The module is designed to measure a variety of learning outcomes and to facilitate students’ development of critical thinking, independent learning, reflective learning, and listening and communication skills. It provides an introduction to basic skills of Coaching and Coaching Psychology. The module may encourage students to explore further training in Coaching and Coaching Psychology as part of their professional and career development.
  • Key Issues and Controversies in the Psychology of Elite Sport Performance (15 Credits) - Optional This module will aim to introduce students to the ways in which psychological theories and methods contribute to our understanding of elite sport performance, to understand the psychological, behavioural and social determinants of elite sport performance and the applications of sport psychology, from a practitioners perspective, to working with skilled performers.
  • Death, Separation and Loss (15 Credits) - Optional