Explore the brain, human behaviour and experience as you prepare for your future in psychology
Overview
Psychology is the scientific study of experience and behaviour. It explores why we act the way we do, how we interact with other people, and the emotional significance we attach to these interactions.
On this MSci Advanced Applied Psychology degree you will explore all areas of psychology and gain a scientific understanding of the mind, brain, behaviour, and experience, as well as the complex relationship between them. You will ask how certain behaviours can be explained using psychological constructs and methods of investigation. You will to use research and analytic skills to explain everyday experiences and complete practical experiments to support your learning.
Psychological studies are important across a wide range of sectors including human resources, education, sport, social care and the creative industries. This degree will give you a solid psychological understanding and prepare you for a successful career.
The MSci Advanced Applied Psychology degree is designed for students considering a career in a psychology-related field as well as students wishing to continue their psychology studies to doctoral level. This integrated master’s degree programme combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course so you will start your studies at level 4, equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate BSc, and continue to a level 7 qualification, equivalent to an MSc, at the end of your fourth year. During your final year you will focus on science and research and learn to apply your clinical skills. This degree forms an excellent foundation for research work at doctoral level (PhD) or a professional doctoral programme in psychology.
On this course you will:
- Explore all areas of psychology.
- Engage with complex, challenging and authentic real world problems.
- Use University laboratories.
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the psychological principles and theories underlying people’s everyday experience.
- Learn from research-active lecturers.
- Have opportunities to complete industry work placements and internships.
- Be able to study abroad and undertake Erasmus placements.
- Have the opportunity to volunteer as a Research Assistant in the psychology department.
- Investigate psychological principles and theories using advanced research methods.
- Be able to undertake your own research in Year 3
- Complete specialist training in advanced research methods and transferable skills.
Accreditation
MSci Advanced Applied Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means you’ll graduate with an industry recognised qualification.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops and tutorials in small classes. These sessions will encourage theoretical and critical inquiry, debate, and practical research skills.
You will study core and optional teaching modules, and develop skills central to professional practice and psychological research.
Contact Time
Each module has three hours of contact time per week. You will study four modules per semester, so you will have 12 contact hours per week including lectures, seminars and workshops.
Assessments
You will be assessed through a range of assignments including scientific reports, essays, group and individual presentations, poster design, multiple choice papers, short answer papers, research participation and essay exams. You may also be assessed on in-class debates, quizzes and how you apply analytical techniques to problem solving.
The Course
What you will study
You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.
Your first year focuses on the science of our everyday experiences and you will be introduced to statistics. In Year Two you will expand your knowledge of all areas of psychology and develop your analysis and criticism skills. In your final two years you will apply your skills and understanding as you develop your professional skills and complete a final year project.
In addition to the modules below you will be able to select additional optional modules to specialise in the practical application of theory to a range of disciplines including sport and exercise, health, business, marketing, early years, education, and the creative arts.
This list is indicative and subject to change.
Select a year
Everyday Experience and Psychological Methods: Understanding Relationships
This module explores psychology within the context of our everyday lives. You will study the factors that contribute to our impressions of people. You will consider certain psychological theories and empirical findings from investigations into impression formation, attraction, prejudice, and stereotyping, and relationship formation.Everyday Experience and Psychological Methods: Analysing Attitudes
On this module you will define a range of everyday experiences using psychological models of attitudes. You will learn to analyse attitudes and to explore psychological constructs, methodology and theories associated with experiences. You will develop your fundamental data analysis skills through lectures and the use of statistical software with a focus on understanding patterns of data via visualisation. You will be assessed through a coursework assignment and a practical report.Everyday Experience and Psychological Methods: Exploring Positive Psychology
The module explores the experience of positive psychology relating the need to understand one’s own motivation, aspirations, and goals to self-development, personality, need for achievement, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. You will explore psychological theories and empirical findings from investigations into needs, motivation, and self-concept. You will be assessed through coursework and a practical report.Everyday Experience and Psychological Methods: Usability and Cognition
In this module you will explore functions and experiences relevant to using technology, focusing on the criteria used to assess technology's usability and how human limitations relate to this usability and usage. You will be introduced to certain psychological theories and empirical findings from investigations into information processing by the mind, and discuss a range of methodologies and analyses such as laboratory experimentation and inferential statistics. You will be assessed through a practical report and research participation.Principles of Psychology
This module examines the origins and development of modern psychology. You will focus on the main approaches to studying and describing human behaviour, for example, behaviourism, the psychodynamic approach, the humanistic approach, the cognitive approach, and the biological basis of behaviour.Study & Research Skills for Psychologists
This module is an opportunity to advance your personal, research and study skills and will support other content-led teaching. You will be assessed through a report and research participation.Perspectives on Psychology
This module seeks to enable you to understand the contribution of key thinkers to the development of modern psychology and to appreciate their biographical backgrounds. The lives and work of key thinkers will be introduced and contextualised with reference to contemporary ideas and mores.Interpersonal Skills
The module will begin by considering the nature of interpersonal skills and the elements that constitute effective communication. This will provide an opportunity to explore models of communication and effective verbal and non-verbal communication. You will also consider how interpersonal skills may be evaluated and improved.Cognitive Psychology
This module will introduce you to the ways cognitive processes have been studied in the past. This includes studying experimental and cognitive neuropsychological methodologies. You will investigate the areas of attention, perception, learning, thinking and language and relate your findings to underlying theory and empirical research. You will be assessed through a coursework assignment and a 1750 word report.Individual Differences
On this module you will be introduced to how individual differences processes have been studied in the past, for example through psychometrics and case study methodologies. You will investigate areas of personality, intelligence, cognitive style, motivation, gender and ethnicity in terms of underlying theory and empirical research. You will be assessed through an essay and a lab report.Developmental Psychology
This involves the study of development and maturation in cognitive, personality, and social processes. The module will introduce you to basic theory, research findings, and methods of investigation in childhood, adolescence, and lifespan development. You will consider the ways in which behaviour is influenced by developmental factors, the nature of developmental processes, and the ways in which empirical research can help us to understand how developmental processes influence what we do.Biological Psychology
This module explores the ways biological processes have been studied, for example through brain lesions and cell stimulation methodologies. The areas of behavioural genetics, neuro-imaging, neuropsychology, socio-biology and evolutionary psychology will be investigated in terms of underlying theory and empirical research.Social Psychology
This module acts as an introduction to social psychology and and social cognition. The module will cover topics such as person perception, social influence, stereotyping and prejudice, attitudes, attributions, group processes, and attraction and close relationships.Mental Health and Forensic Psychology
This module is an opportunity to explore a comprehensive range of key constructs, theories, and research in mental health and forensic psychology. You will examine the numerous ways that psychological research, methods, and expertise are applied to the study of criminal behaviour and the issues that psychopathology create within the context of the criminal justice system. You will be assessed through an essay, a presentation and a reflective report.Research Methods I: Experimental Designs and Analysis
This module will develop your understanding of experimental designs and associated methods of analysis, and introduce you to research ethics.Research Methods II: Survey and Qualitative Designs and Analysis
This module will develop your understanding of survey and qualitative designs and associated methods of analysis related to criminology.Independent Project (Psychology)
You are encouraged to adopt a problem-oriented approach. The first stage is to identify a problem in psychology of interest and relevance to your first degree studies. You will determine an appropriate approach to addressing the problem through discussion with tutors who have relevant theoretical and practical expertise. Your investigation may be based within a single discipline or it may involve more than one discipline, but it must be based within your chosen degree programme.Psychology In Context: Work And Organisations
You will consider a range of relationships between working conditions, jobs and organisational processes, psychological outcomes, and their impact on job and organisational performance. Psychological reactions including job satisfaction, job stress, motivation, work engagement, and organisational commitment are investigated, and organisational functions such as job design, health and safety at work, and organisational team-working, are considered.Psychology in Context: Cultural Psychology
This module takes an interdisciplinary approach to the major topics of psychology, including Biological, Cognition, Development, Health, Individual Differences, Social, and the Self, and will relate them to life in a multicultural world. You will be introduced to cultural psychology, culture and human nature, cultural evolution, methods for studying culture and psychology, development and socialisation, and cultural differences in: the self and personality, motivation, cognition and perception, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, group processes, living in multicultural worlds, physical health, mental health, morality, justice, and emotions. You will be assessed through a research proposal and a two hour unseen exam.Psychology in Context: Professional Skills in Psychology
You will consider some of the key methods and assessment techniques commonly used by psychologists in their daily working lives. This module will introduce some of the key principles of effective counselling psychology and the importance of empathy and positive regard to the success of the therapeutic relationship. You will identify effective interviewing skills for psychologists and participate in a recorded interviewing session. You will be assessed through a clinical interview report and test administration report.Psychology in Context: Psychology and Social Issues
This module will introduce psychological and interdisciplinary focus on ten issues of current social concern. You could explore: discrimination (gender, age, race, disability and sexual orientation ), perceptions of rape and rape victims, child abuse and family violence, the psychology of material possessions, shopping and shopping addiction, childhood (non-verbal communication and interventions), health and health inequalities , sexual health, contraception and abortion, chronic illness, dying, death and bereavement, health promotion, disease prevention or the health care system. You will investigate a topic in terms of underlying theory and empirical research and be assessed through coursework and a presentation.Advanced Applied Psychology
You will enhance your knowledge and understanding of contemporary psychological issues that are central to everyday life such as persuasive health communications, health behaviour change and interventions in childhood.Advanced Applied Research Skills in Psychology 1 and 2
These modules will cover methods for the analysis of longitudinal data; meta-analytic approaches.Research Dissertation (MSci Advanced Psychology)
In this module you will complete an in-depth research project relating to an area of psychology. Your will determine your research project to meet your interests with support from your supervising tutor.Facilities
Use industry standard equipment
Use facilities including the Brain Imaging Unit, VR Immersive Suite, Psychological Test Centre, Interview and Observation Suite and individual fully equipped testing cubicles and use industry standard equipment and software throughout your studies.
Brain Imaging Unit and Neuroimaging: NIRScout
A neuroimaging system with a 3D scalable ultra-high-density near-infrared spectroscopy platform that measures changes in the cerebral cortex using NIRScout and NIRx Medical Technologies.
Virtual Reality Unit and Immersive Suite
Suite including an affective immersive emotional Virtual Reality stimuli package that allows researchers to create different worlds for Neuroscience Research using aLIAS and Vizard.
Advanced Physiological Data Acquisition system
Measure brain, heart and motor neuron activity with Biopac software.
Eye tracking software
Monitor and track shifts in visual attention.
Specialist Advanced Research Software
Software for measuring and manipulating a broad range of psychological constructs; Inquisit, Qualtrics, Noldus Observer XT, E-prime, Superlab and Nvivo.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms, and the Student Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Dedicated Lab Technician
University staff will support you using all equipment during your studies.
Laptops
Use our loanable laptops during in offsite testing such as at schools and clinics.
Work Placements
Gain practical experience
Throughout your degree you can complete a range of work-related placements to build your experience as you study.
Study Abroad
We support students who wish to broaden their academic and cultural experience by choosing to study abroad for one semester as part of their degree studies. This is an exciting chance for students who wish to widen their horizons and immerse themselves in a different culture and encounter how the discipline of Psychology is viewed and taught at universities in Europe or North America. For example, under Erasmus agreements, students might study for a semester at either Maastricht or Radboud universities in the Netherlands, where Psychology classes are delivered through the English language.
Study Abroad
Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad
As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.
Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.
Careers
Where you could go after your studies
This MSci Advanced Psychology degree qualifies for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS. This gives you a recognised foundation to progress to specialist areas of psychology and eventually become a Chartered Psychologist.
There are currently 10 professional divisions within the BPS including Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology. Each of these pathways has a professional training programme which starts with attaining a GBR.
As well as providing a basis for work as a professional psychologist, a psychology degree provides a good insight into human behaviour that will equip you with the skills to work in a wide range of fields.
Your psychology degree could lead to a career in:
- Industry
- Media
- Teaching
- Work with children, adults and families
- IT
- Computing
- Marketing
- Civil Service
Further Study
You may choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
At the University of Chichester you could study:
- MSc Health Psychology
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Course Costs
Course Fees 2022/23
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
Typical offers (individual offers may vary):
UCAS
A Levels
BTEC/Cambridge Technical
Access to HE Diploma
GCSEs
IB
IELTS
Are you interested in this course and would like to learn more? Please email Professor Esther Burkitt on e.burkitt@chi.ac.uk for admissions queries.
Non-standard Application Entry Routes
The University has an alternative entry route for applicants who have relevant skills and experience but who do not hold the formal minimum entry qualifications required. Applicants who demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to enter a course of higher education will be asked to complete an entry task involving the completion of specially set assignments.
Do you have any questions about the entry requirements? Contact our Admissions Team.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.
Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.
Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.
This course starts in September 2022.
