Psychology with Communication BSc (Hons)

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Psychology with Communication BSc (Hons) degree, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

Year 1

Semester 1

Introduction to Communications & Media Studies - Part A Core

Introduction to Communications & Media Studies - Part A

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology Core

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to develop an appreciation of key philosophical, historical, and conceptual issues which provided the foundation for, and which continue to influence, contemporary psychology.

Foundations in Quantitative Research Methods Core

Foundations in Quantitative Research Methods

Students will gain a basic understanding of the process of conducting quantitative data collection and analysis for psychological research. This includes skills relating to experimental design, data collection and basic statistical procedures.

Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods Core

Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods

The module introduces students to the basic theory, practice and procedures for using qualitative research methods in psychology.

Foundations in Social Psychology Core

Foundations in Social Psychology

The aim of this module is to introduce students to central concepts, theories and studies in social psychology.

Semester 2

Foundations in Developmental Psychology Core

Foundations in Developmental Psychology

This module provides students with an understanding of some of the principal areas of developmental psychology, particularly aspects of cognitive and social development.

Foundations in Biological Psychology Core

Foundations in Biological Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to understand biological psychology which describes the relation between the brain and various types of behaviour.

Foundations in Cognitive Psychology Core

Foundations in Cognitive Psychology

This module will introduce the student to the range and scope of cognitive psychology, from its 19th century roots to its modern computational approach, covering fundamental issues in perception, language and memory.

Psychology Practicals A Core

Psychology Practicals A

The module provides students with practical experience of psychological research and to introduce them to the technical skills required to conduct, analyse and present psychological research.

Constructing Meaning: Texts and Audiences Core

Constructing Meaning: Texts and Audiences

The aim of this module is to introduce the major approaches to the study of media audiences and influence, and the main qualitative approaches to analysing mass media 'texts' - as broadly conceived. An indicative list of topics includes: how and why to study the media; comics; films as narratives; discourse and the popular press; media violence; fandom and new media; media panics.

Introduction to Communications & Media Studies - Part B Core

Introduction to Communications & Media Studies - Part B

Semester 1 & 2

Academic and Professional Skills for Psychology with Criminology Core

Academic and Professional Skills for Psychology with Criminology

This module will introduce students to the academic and professional skills needed to study psychology and criminology at university level, and to begin to identify career pathways. Lectures will cover how to find and use information in a scholarly way, develop critical thinking skills, think and work ethically and with academic integrity, identifying and developing career pathways, and the scientific and practical bases of psychology. Practical and tutorial work will support the lectures through discussions and exercises.

Year 2

Semester 1

Quantitative Research Methods Core

Quantitative Research Methods

The aim is for the student to understand the theory and application of multiple regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Human Cognition Core

Human Cognition

Student will develop an understanding of the current central areas of theory and research within cognitive psychology.

Qualitative Research Methods Core

Qualitative Research Methods

The aim is for students to develop a sophisticated theoretical and practical understanding of qualitative research methods in psychology.

Developmental Psychology Core

Developmental Psychology

The module builds on Part A PSA500 Foundations in Developmental Psychology to introduce students to key contemporary topics and issues in Developmental Psychology, and the application of psychological research with children and young people to real-world contexts.

Media, Identity and Inequality Core

Media, Identity and Inequality

The aim of this module is to appraise key concepts and theories that help understand modern media and communication and their involvement in constructing identity and exclusion. Indicative list of topics covered: identity, ideology, discourse, gender, class, race, nation and citizenship.

Social Psychology and Communication Core

Social Psychology and Communication

The aims of this module are to introduce students to: how language and communication is explained and understood in psychology; social psychological perspectives on communication, including discursive psychology and conversation analysis; how everyday social and psychological phenomena are constructed through communicative practices.

Semester 2

Personality and Individual Differences Core

Personality and Individual Differences

Students will gain an understanding of the nature, possible causes, consistency, stability and assessment of individual differences (differential psychology) with a particular but not exclusive emphasis on the study of personality.

Psychology Practical's B Core

Psychology Practical's B

The aim of the module is for the student to gain an understanding of the process of conducting psychological research. This includes skills relating to empirical design, data collection and the reporting of research findings.

Brain and Behaviour I Core

Brain and Behaviour I

The module gives students an insight in the biochemical basis of behaviour and provides an overview of the most common psychopathological disorders.

Social Psychology Core

Social Psychology

Building on Part A SSA151 Foundations in Social Psychology, this module focuses on competing findings, theoretical perspectives and schools of thought in social psychology. Focusing on a series of key debates, attention will be paid to the ways in which ideas in social psychology develop, and the ways in which social psychologists construct arguments and use evidence to support one point of view over others.

Promotional Culture Core

Promotional Culture

The aim of this module is to:

• Examine the growth, work and significance of the promotional culture industries: advertising, public relations, market research and associated businesses;
• Critically assess the economic, social, political and cultural power and significance of these kinds of marketing communication.

Media, Culture and Crime Core

Media, Culture and Crime

The aims of this module are to examine the relationship between media, culture and crime and to explore media representations of crime and criminal behaviour as well as criminal justice agencies.

Final year

Semester 1

Advanced Social Psychology Core

Advanced Social Psychology

Presenting Media Debates Core

Presenting Media Debates

Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design and Analysis Optional

Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design and Analysis

For those students interested in developing their applied research knowledge and skills to an advanced level. This module aims to provide the students with advanced knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis.

Forensic Psychology Optional

Forensic Psychology

The aim of this module is for students to understand and evaluate critically the contribution made by psychologists to criminal and forensic issues.

Media, Memory and History Optional

Media, Memory and History

Psychology of PE and Youth Sport Optional

Psychology of PE and Youth Sport

The module aim is to provide students with a critical, in-depth examination of key psychological issues in physical education and youth sport settings.

Psychology of Workplace Health Optional

Psychology of Workplace Health

The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding of contemporary issues in occupational health including the application of psychological theory and the role of psychologists in promoting and managing workplace health, well-being and safety.

Social Psychology of Everyday Life Optional

Social Psychology of Everyday Life

The module aims are to introduce the ways in which social psychology can be used to examine everyday life, the methods used to study social psychological topics, everyday life and to identify social psychological phenomena in a range of everyday contexts, behaviours and activities.

Semester 2

Digital Media and Society Core

Digital Media and Society

Producing the News Optional

Producing the News

Criminology of Violence Optional

Criminology of Violence

Clinical Psychology Optional

Clinical Psychology

The module will provide students with knowledge about a range of mental health problems, their aetiology and some basic insight into treatment approaches.

Psychology and Health Optional