BSc (Honours) Psychology - Open UniversityHons)_Psychology.pdf · BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07) 2 Modules and pathways As part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways

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BSc (Honours) Psychology

Distance learning degree qualification

QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

Studying our BSc (Honours) Psychology degree course (accredited by the British Psychological Society) gives you a window into the workings of the mind – why we do the things we do and how we interact with others. On this fascinating journey you’ll gain knowledge and understanding of the different areas of psychology; develop valuable analytical and communication skills; and enhance your ability to work both independently and collaboratively, all of which will put you very much in the frame when it comes to employment opportunities. You’ll also explore how psychologists use evidence derived from research to contribute to debates on matters such as ageing, crime, education, employment, forensic science, mental health, relationships and much more.

Career relevance and employabilityPsychology graduates gain an impressive breadth of knowledge and skills that make them highly employable across a wide range of careers. These include: advertising, marketing, career counselling, education, the health professions, human resources, management and police and social services. As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying an OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include skills in: communication, numeracy, effective team-working, independent and critical thinking, IT and

data handling, analysing and evaluating diverse sources of information, including qualitative and quantitative data, designing and carrying out research projects, and presenting their findings, problem-solving and reasoning, application of learning to real world problems and situations and independent learning.

Entry requirements There are no formal entry requirements to study this degree, although you will need to have a proficiency in English as all course material, exams and tutor support is in English.

Credit for previous study elsewhereIf you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Course durationTypically it takes four to six years study to complete this qualification, but you can take up to 16 years. You can also choose to vary the pace at which you study.

Qualification detailsPsychology pervades just about every aspect of our personal and professional lives. The frequent query, ‘What do you have in mind?’ quite literally captures much of what psychology – the science of human behaviour – is all about.

1 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

For more information and to register go to OpenUniversity.edu, or call 0044 (0)845 241 6555

BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07) 2

Modules and pathwaysAs part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways are different sets of module options, allowing you to specialise in certain subjects to complete your degree.To complete your degree you need to achieve 360 credits; 120 credits at Stage 1, 120 at Stage 2, and 120 at Stage 3; with each module being 30-60 credits.

Stage 1 offers a broad range of study options depending on whether you wish to focus your studies on particular subjects, or opt for a more general coverage of subject areas.

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Stage 2 introduces more compulsory modules depending on the pathway chosen.

Stage 3 is the final stage and can include a compulsory project.

BSc (Honours) Psychology

The following pages list the different modules you can study depending on the pathway chosen.To see the pathways available and the modules within each pathway please go to OpenUniversity.edu and click on the Courses section to find your degree, and then select from the list of pathways shown to view the module options available.

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www.OpenUniversity.edu



For a full list of modules available, please refer to our website, OpenUniversity.edu.

Assessment keyEMA = End-of-module assessment iCMA = Interactive computer marked assessmentTMA = Tutor-marked assignment

Stage 1

Introducing the social sciences (DD101)

Credits: 60 at Stage 1

Assessment: 7 TMAs

Length: 12 months

This key introductory Stage 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.

Introducing the social sciences - part 1 (DD131)


Assessment: 4 TMAs

Length: 6 months

This key introductory Stage 1 module provides an approachable and contemporary introduction to the disciplines and subjects that form the social sciences, as well as the questions and issues that social scientists investigate and explore. It tackles everyday issues in an appropriate way, so that you can build on what you already know and gain a solid grounding in study techniques and social science skills and debates.

Discovering psychology (DSE141)


Assessment: 2 TMAs, 1 iCMAs, 1 EMA

Length: 6 months

Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory Stage 1 course provides an accessible and engaging

introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering psychology explores the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and shows you how psychological research addresses real-life issues.

Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125)


Assessment: 4 TMAs, 7 iCMAs, 1 Examination

Length: 6 months

This introductory Stage 1 course explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological, chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes and personal and societal consequences.

Stage 2

Exploring psychology (DSE212)


Assessment: 6 TMAs, 1 Examination

Length: 6 months

How humans think, develop, and experience the world around us has been fascinating psychologists for over 100 years. Using a historical and biographical framework, this course introduces you to a wide range of psychological approaches, including biological, social, and cognitive psychologies. It looks at areas such as identity, learning, memory, and language. But you won’t just learn about psychological theories, you’ll learn how to do different types of psychological research too. You’ll undertake practical work using quantitative and qualitative research methods and learn to analyse data using statistical software.

Exploring psychology on-line project (DZX222)


Assessment: 1 EMA

Length: 6 months

This course, which builds on Exploring psychology (DSE212), covers a range of approaches and methods in psychology – developing your research skills (including use of SPSS) and your understanding of the practical and ethical issues involved. The principal part of the course involves group work, designing, conducting and analysing a psychological study in small groups. This study will be conducted in the broad areas of memory or communication.

Modules



Child development (ED209)



Length: 6 months

This course shows how psychological enquiry can help us to improve our understanding of the development of children and young people. It is organised in four parts: Psychological development and early childhood introduces children’s early development from a psychological perspective; Children’s personal and social development follows development in a social context; and Cognitive and language development in children explores the development of cognitive and linguistic understanding and the developing child as an active agent. Finally, Developmental psychology in action presents areas in which developmental psychology plays a part in education, remediation, health psychology and the legal system with children of all ages.

Stage 3

Cognitive psychology (DD303)



Length: 6 months

How does memory work? How do we understand language? How do we think? These are just some of the questions related to everyday experience you’ll address on this course. Beginning with core topics – perception and attention; categorisation and language; and memory, thinking and reasoning – you’ll then explore wider issues, such as emotion and consciousness, topics that have presented a challenge to the cognitive approach. Throughout, you’ll be asked to examine theories, evidence and arguments as well as the methods of cognitive psychology, including neuropsychology and neuroimaging. Using a computer, you’ll also be guided through techniques of data analysis and experimentation, and will engage in your own project work.

Social psychology: critical perspectives on self and others (DD307)



Length: 6 months

This Stage 3 course uses traditional and cutting-edge social psychological theories to explore some of the most exciting and pressing issues we face in our complex, fast changing world. Topics in the course include emotions, conflict, relationships, the body, personality, prejudice and group processes. Working with multimedia materials, you will develop advanced academic skills of critical evaluation and argument and will have the opportunity to conduct your own independent research project – consolidating and deepening your understanding.






Can I study in any country?Please use the Course Finder menu at OpenUniversity.edu to see what courses are available in your country.

What tutor support will I receive?The OU excels in its unrivalled support for students. You’ll have email and online support from a tutor and you will be able to discuss your study in online tutor group discussions, using our customised learning environment. Our community websites Platform and OpenLearn offer a different perspective on your subject, and a huge range of OU resources on YouTube and iTunes U can expand your understanding. In addition, you can tap into a range of enthusiastic and welcoming OU social network groups on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Are there any entry requirements?For most undergraduate qualifications you don’t need any formal qualifications, or to pass an entry test to study with us. Our undergraduate qualifications are open to all because we believe anyone who is keen to succeed should have the opportunity to study.As part of the registration process, however, you will be asked to confirm your proficiency in English. (If you are unsure, you can take a short online test, which you will find when completing the online registration form.)

Can I count previous study towards an OU qualification?Any higher-education level studies you’ve successfully completed elsewhere may count towards your OU degree or other qualification. We enable you to do this by awarding you a certain amount of ‘transferred credit’. By transferring credit gained from previous study, you can reduce the amount you need from OU study to achieve your qualification. For more information please go to OpenUniversity.edu.

How do you work towards a qualification? We measure the size of our qualifications in credits – an honours degree is 360 credits, made up of three 120-credit stages.Each stage is made up of a number of modules which cover different parts of the subject. Modules are also measured in credits and are set at different ‘levels’. Levels give an indication of a module’s relative complexity and/or depth of learning. Most modules are worth either 30 or 60 credits and are set at Levels 1, 2 and 3, which roughly equates to studying in the first, second and third year at a campus-based university.

So for a typical three-stage honours degree you would study: 120 credits at Stage 1, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 1 120 credits at Stage 2, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 2 120 credits at Stage 3, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 3. In the example given above, each stage could consist of two 60-credit modules or one 60-credit module and two 30-credit modules, or four 30-credit modules.

How long does it take? Our qualifications are designed to be flexible. So if you want to vary the amount of time you spend studying, you can. The table below is a guide on the time required, but call us today to discuss how you can vary the study intensity and therefore the time taken to complete your course.

Undergraduate qualifications

Credits required

Time required to complete1

Certificate of higher education (Cert HE)

120 1 years full-time study or 2 years part-time study

BA or BSc degree without honours

300 3 years full-time study or 5 years part-time study

BA or BSc degree with honours

360 3–4 years full-time study or 6 years part-time study

How much will it cost?If you are studying with us for the first time our standard fee for 2013/2014 is £5,000 – based on 120 credits of study – which is equivalent to a year’s full-time study at a campus-based university. Of course you don’t have to study 120 credits a year and the price you pay will be proportionate to the standard fee. So, for example, if you only study 60 credits a year, you will pay 50 per cent of the standard fee (£2,500).

Credit studied each year1

Percentage of standard fee

Cost per year

Time taken to complete a 360-credit honours degree

120 credits a year

100% £5,000 3 years full-time study

60 credits a year

50% £2,500 6 years part-time study

1For illustrative purposes only – in most cases you can vary the number of credits taken per year and therefore the time taken to complete the course. Please note: prices are approximate and subject to change. Visit our website or call us for latest details.

5 UNDERGRADUATE GUIDE 2013

FAQs


When can I start?To give you more opportunities to start, most qualifications have two intakes a year – October and February. To start in October 2013, for example, you need to register no later than 10th September 2013.

Can I get financial support for the fees?Your payment options include spreading the cost over monthly instalments with our own affordable Student Budget Accounts, OUSBA. Call us today to discuss.

Can I meet and network with other students?Definitely – when you start with the OU you automatically become a member of the Open University Student Association (OUSA). OUSA also runs a popular student forum site. For more information, go to www.ousa.org.uk. Once you have gained your qualification, you can join the OU Alumni Association, our vibrant and active alumni community with 280,000 members worldwide. You will enjoy many membership benefits, including regular newsletters, good networking opportunities and access to the alumni website.

How is my privacy protected?We record your personal information when you contact us and use this to manage registration, study, examination and other services. When you register, we’ll tell you more about how we process and use your personal information.

When should I apply?Apply as early as you can – particularly if you wish to claim for credit for previous study. Registration open dates are shown in the Courses section at OpenUniversity.edu.



I always wondered what it took to achieve a degree - and now I

am starting to find out. It's a really exciting adventure. Sharon Dee, Open University student




www.ousa.org.uk



Go to OpenUniversity.edu, select the Courses section and the degree you require. You will then be asked to select a pathway to register. (Pathways are different selections of course modules to complete your degree.)

Alternatively call us on 0044 (0)845 241 6555.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay anything at this stage.

As soon as you have registered you’ll get an email confirmation which contains your login details.


What do I need to do next?

It takes just 2 simple steps.Begin the process to secure your place. Here's how easy it is.

Before you start studying you will need to choose and register on your first modules and arrange payment; instructions for this will be emailed to you. Once complete you will officially be an Open University student – welcome!


2. Choose your first module, make payment to enrol

1. Register now



The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).While we have done everything possible to make sure the information in this publication is accurate, it may change due to regulations or policy, or because of financial or other reasons.

Copyright © 2013 The Open University.

All details shown in this leaflet are correct as at January 2013, but are subject to change. Please call 0044 (0)845 241 6555 for the latest details.

Documents

BSc (Honours) Psychology - Open UniversityHons)_Psychology.pdf · BSc (Honours) Psychology (Q07) 2 Modules and pathways As part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways