2021-22 Psychology Course Booklet

STUDY STUDY STUDY PSYCHOLOGY, AND PSYCHOLOGY, AND PSYCHOLOGY,WITH & PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY WITH PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING COUNSELLING COUNSELLING

at ABERTAY

at ABERTAY

at ABERTAY UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality*

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND

* The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021

University of the Year for Teaching Quality “Abertay has been instrumental in building the city of Dundee’s place as a global hub for computing and gaming, a perfect example of a university and business working together for the common good. Students recognise the excellence of teaching more widely across the university, placing it close to the top of the tree among universities across the UK for the second successive year. It achieves all this while at the same time being the most socially inclusive university in Scotland. Truly, a modern university.”

Alastair McCall Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide

COURSE DETAILS This portfolio of BPS-accredited Psychology degree will develop your scientific understanding of human behaviour and allow you to tailor your studies to suit your interests.

Psychology degrees at Abertay are flexible. You can study different pathways and switch to a new pathway if your interests change over time.

You apply for one of these specific degree pathways at the start: • BSc (Hons) Psychology • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Development and Education • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation

Did you know . . . ?

Abertay is home to around 4,500 students, with 60+ nationalities represented on campus.

But if you’re unsure which to choose, don’t worry, apply for the course that most appeals to you.

This is because you have an opportunity to switch to a different pathway at the start of Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 (conditions apply*). Our academic team will always be available to help if you do decide to switch pathways.

Your degree title will be reflected in the pathway you choose e.g: BSc (Hons) Psychology with Development and Education or BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS In addition to being the top university in the UK for teaching quality, we’re also the most socially inclusive university in Scotland. We have standard and minimum entry requirements, as we recognise some people may have faced extra challenges before applying to university.

Standard entry requirements BSc (Hons) Psychology (and routes) BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling Higher: BBBB | A-level: CCC | ILC (H): H3H3H3H3 International Baccalaureate: 28 | BTEC Extended Dip: MMM Please see abertay.ac.uk for a comprehensive list of entry requirements.

Essential subjects Literate subject (e.g. English) If you have other qualifications, please see abertay.ac.uk for more info.

Minimum entry requirements If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application. We consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.

We encourage you to submit an application, if you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have either: • Been in care.

• Participated in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North.

• No family background of going to university.

• Attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university.

BSc (Hons) Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of the most complex machine imaginable: the human mind. This fascinating psychology degree gives you a deep insight into the actions, interactions, thoughts and feelings that trigger our behaviour.

Our academic experts will give you a real-world understanding of how psychology impacts everyday life, so you will learn: •

How we understand, think and learn about the world around us.

•

How everyone uses verbal and nonverbal forms of communication.

•

How biological and social factors influence behaviour.

•

How mental abilities change as we age.

Check out the full degree details here> abertay.ac.uk/C800

Career paths • Psychologist • Social worker • Counsellor • Teacher • Policing

MODULES Year 1

Introductory Psychology Comparative Psychology Introduction to Psychological Research Methods Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay MySuccess modules* Option modules**

Year 2 Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology Essential Research Methods and Analysis for Psychology MySuccess modules* Option module**

Year 3 Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour Human Development across the Lifespan Social Cognition Across the Lifespan Advanced Research, Design and Analysis Option modules**

Year 4 Honours Project Advanced Cognitive Psychology Option modules**

Please see abertay.ac.uk/C800 for a full description of each module. *MySuccess modules aim to introduce you to the expectations of university, successful student behaviours, growth mindset, your strengths, and your areas for development. **Option Modules are modules related to the main subject area

BSc (Hons) Psychology with Development and Education This BPS-accredited Psychology with Development and Education degree helps you learn how children develop, learn, reason, and socialise, as well as exploring atypical development including neurodivergence.

The first two years of this degree are designed to help you dig deep into the science of psychology, learning the way humans think, feel and behave. In years three and four, you take more advanced options related to your specialist pathway, covering development and education in more depth.

Our academic experts will give you a deep understanding of developmental and educational psychology, including: • Education and learning • A child’s place in society • How children interact with technology

Career paths

• How children develop

• Psychologist

MODULES Year 1 Introductory Psychology Comparative Psychology Introduction to Psychological Research Methods Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay MySuccess modules* Option module**

• Counsellor • Teacher • Social work • Civil service and management

Year 2 Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology Tomorrow’s Child Essential Research Methods and Analysis for Psychology MySuccess modules* Option modules**

Year 3 Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour Social Cognition Across the Lifespan Human Development Across the Lifespan Advanced Research Design and Analysis Option modules**

Year 4

Please see abertay.ac.uk/C843 for a full description of each module.

Honours Project Applied Cognitive Psychology Language, Education and the Early Years Option modules** *MySuccess modules aim to introduce you to the expectations of university, successful student behaviours, growth mindset, your strengths, and your areas for development. ** Option Modules are modules related to the main subject area

BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation

Our experienced academics are experts in criminal investigation and forensic science. We will give you a thorough understanding of this world, and you can study topics such as: •

Crime scene examination and management.

• Interpretation and presentation of evidence.

• Applying behaviour to major crime investigations.

• Applying memory research from crime scene to court.

• Understanding the language of the judicial system.

This Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation degree is accredited is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and its core areas follow the curriculum set out by the BPS. This accreditation is essential for students who want to become a Chartered Psychologist, and means that successful graduates are eligible to apply for further professional psychology training.

Check out the full degree details here > abertay.ac.uk/M9M9

MODULES Year 1

Introductory Psychology Comparative Psychology Introduction to Psychological Research Methods Abertay 101 – Being Successful at Abertay University MySuccess Modules* Option Modules**

Please see abertay.ac.uk/M9M9 for a full description of each module.

Year 2 Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology Forensic Human Identification Essential Research Methods and Analyses for Psychology MySuccess Modules* Option Modules**

Year 3

Career paths

Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour Social Cognition Across the Lifespan

• Social work • Community education

Human Development Across the Lifespan

• Teaching • Care services

Advanced Research, Design and Analysis Scene Examination and Management

• Public relations

Option Modules**

Year 4 Honours Project – related to forensic scene investigation Applied Cognitive Psychology Interpretation and Presentation of Evidence Option Modules**

*MySuccess modules aim to introduce you to the expectations of university, successful student behaviours, growth mindset, your strengths, and your areas for development. ** Option Modules are modules related to the main subject area

Check out the full degree details here> abertay.ac.uk/L300

BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic and Investigative Psychology

Our degree with Forensic and Investigative Psychology teaches you

how psychological theory and research can be applied to forensic

settings like police investigations, the court room, and the prison service.

The first two years of this flexible degree are designed to help you dig deeper into the science behind the way humans think, feel, and behave. In years three and four, you take more advanced options related to your specialist degree pathway. You’ll discover just how vital psychology is to criminal investigations.

Our academic experts will give you a thorough understanding of this fascinating world, including how to:

Career paths • Social research • Marketing • Social work

• Youth and community work • Journalism

• Analyse offender motives.

• Understand offending behaviour.

• Evaluate eyewitness testimony.

• Profile missing people.

• Understand the language of the judicial system.

• Support vulnerable witnesses, victims and offenders.

• Assess and treat of a variety of criminal behaviours.

MODULES Year 1 Introductory Psychology Comparative Psychology Introduction to Psychological Research Methods Abertay 101 – Being Successful at Abertay University MySuccess Modules* Option Modules**

Please see abertay.ac.uk/L3L0 for a full description of each module.

Year 2 Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology Forensic Psychology: Understanding Offender Behaviour Essential Research Methods and Analyses for Psychology MySuccess Modules* Option Modules**

Year 3 Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour Social Cognition Across the Lifespan Human Development Across the Lifespan Advanced Research, Design and Analysis Eyewitness Psychology: Applying Option Modules**

Year 4 Honours Project – related to forensic or investigative psychology Investigative Psychology and Policing: Applying Behaviour to Major Crime Scene Investigation Applied Cognitive Psychology Option Modules**

*MySuccess modules aim to introduce you to the expectations of university, successful student behaviours, growth mindset, your strengths, and your areas for development. ** Option Modules are modules related to the main subject area

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling This BPS-accredited degree stands alone from the rest of the psychology portfolio. It’s mix of psychology, counselling and mental health modules offers a fascinating range of subject matter.

Why do people behave in the way they do? What makes people react in certain ways? How can mental health issues be treated? This innovative degree allows you to develop a scientific understanding of human behaviour and combine it with a knowledge of mental health and counselling skills.

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, and the relation between the two. It explores how we act and interact, both as individuals and in groups, and the thoughts and feelings that motivate our behaviour.

Counselling is concerned with the integration of psychological theory with interventions and therapeutic practice. As a student on this course, you will develop a scientific understanding of psychology as a discipline and practical skills in counselling and therapy

MODULES Year 1

Introductory Psychology Introduction to Pluralistic Approaches to Mental Health Introduction to Psychological Research Methods Flying Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Abertay 101 – Being Successful at Abertay MySuccess Modules* Option Module**

Year 2 Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology Interpersonal Skills and Helping Conversations Essential Research Methods and Analysis for Psychology Therapeutic Skills and Approaches Option Module** Elective Module***

Year 3 Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour Counselling Theories and Interventions Human Development Across the Lifespan Advanced Research Design and Analysis Mental Health Psychology: Living With a Diagnosis Option Module**

Year 4 Psychology Honours Project Advanced Cognition and the Social Brain Mental Health and Young People: Contexts and Practice Diverse Perspectives in Mental Health Option Module**

*MySuccess modules aim to introduce you to the expectations of university, successful student behaviours, growth mindset, your strengths, and your areas for development. **Option Modules are modules related to the main subject area *** Elective Modules are modules not related to the main subject area

GRADUATE STORIE

Amanda Leitch Youth Volunteering Worker | Youth Support Worker | Volunteer Dundee | Alternatives Dundee

Amanda Leitch - BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling - Class of 2018 “My lasting memory of Abertay is its community feel. Being a smaller university, you begin to get to know everyone and become familiar with different things going on in your department, as well as the university as a whole. Furthermore, due to the nature of the course, you get to know everyone really well and, by the end, it’s like you are a team of people who are supporting and encouraging each other to the end of your University journey.”

ES Evie Dalrymple – BA (Hons) Social Science with Psychology - Class of 2007 “I really enjoyed the contribution from the lecturers. They managed to make us feel as though we were equal partners and never made me feel like I was just a student.

I felt motivated and inspired by the lecturers. Every time I needed guidance I got it.

The student community at Abertay was great too, as was the library!”

Evie Dalrymple Scottish Prison Service | Prison Psychologist

5

REASONS

TO CHOOSE ABERTAY UNIVERSITY

1. Number 1 in the UK for teaching quality

Abertay was named UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2021 by the highly prestigious Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Providing the definitive rankings for UK universities, the guide praised our small class sizes, integrated student support and facilitation of personalised learning.

2. We’re a UK top 10 university for student satisfaction That’s according to the National Student Survey 2020 and the Guardian Good University Guide 2021. The guide ranks universities based on the stuff

that’s really important to students like course satisfaction, teaching,

academic support and assessment and feedback.

3. We’re friendly and supportive

As a small university, you’ll benefit from smaller class sizes and find it easier to get to know your tutors and classmates.

Most of us need a helping hand at some time so we have a range of support services covering all aspects of university life be it, personal, financial or academic.

4. You’ll leave with a career – not just a degree

Did you know 95% of Abertay students are in work or further education within six months of graduating?

We’re a modern university focused on the kind of industry-relevant learning that’s going to land you a job after you graduate, with many of our degrees offering built-in work placements.

5. Our campus and location

Aside from our facilities and award winning, recently

refurbished library, our campus is in the heart of Dundee

city centre. We’re close to shops, bars, cinemas and theatres

and a short walk from the bus and train stations. Even better is

that Dundee was recently named the ‘Best Place to Live’ in

Scotland in the hotly anticipated Sunday Times awards and

consistently ranks as one of the most affordable cities for students.

• Population of approximately 150,000 • Creative and hi-tech hub - full of creatives, collectives and digital pioneers • £1 billion Waterfront regeneration transforming the city along the River Tay • Home of the V&A Museum of Design, the only one outside of London • Named Scotland’s coolest city by The Wall Street Journal*

An ideal for home for students • Students make up 13% of the population, the highest concentration in Scotland • Campus is located in the city centre, sprinkled with coffee shops, bars and restaurants • A vibrant place with loads to do, things to watch, people to meet and and hidden gems to discover • Lots of local sport, live music yet surrounded by beautiful Scottish scenery

ABOUT DUNDEE

Scotland’s coolest city

GET TO US By rail Dundee train station is approximately a 10-minute walk from Abertay and provides regular, direct services to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. It takes just over an hour to get to each city from Dundee.

It takes just six hours to reach Dundee from London’s Kings Cross station. This service stops at various locations on the way, including Peterborough, Doncaster, York and Newcastle. There’s also an overnight sleeper service.

Aberdeen

Dundee Glasgow Edinburgh

Newcastle Belfast

By bus/coach Dundee’s bus station is just five minutes from our campus.

Scottish Citylink, National Express, Stagecoach Group and Megabus services regularly arrive in Dundee from major cities across the UK, including London. There’s also a handy return coach direct to and from Edinburgh airport from Dundee city centre.

Manchester

Dublin

Birmingham Cardiff

London

By air There are direct flights into Dundee Airport from the south of England and Northern Ireland, and we’re just over an hour away from international airports in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Find out more www.abertay.ac.uk Contact us Call or email our Student Recruitment Office, we’re happy to help.

T: +44 (0)1382 308080 E: sro@abertay.ac.uk

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