Psychology and Child Development with Foundation Year in Psychology

Are you interested in how psychology shapes children’s learning and development? Do you want to make a positive contribution to children’s lives?

On this course, you will study specialist modules in child and educational psychology alongside the core psychology curriculum - developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, biological psychology, individual differences and research skills.

This four-year course includes an initial full-time Foundation Year and offers an alternative route into university and gaining a degree.

This route is for you if you do not have the necessary qualifications or don’t yet feel ready to begin degree-level study, or are returning to education and would like some support to get up to speed with learning in a university setting.

The Foundation Year in Psychology will allow you to develop your academic skills and confidence as well as introduce you to key concepts, debates and skills that will support and inform your subsequent years of undergraduate study.

Following successful completion of your Foundation Year, you’ll progress onto Year 1 of our Psychology and Child Development BSc (Hons).

Core modules (students are required to take):

Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence
We'll help you develop core academic skills such as using electronic resources, planning and note-taking, communication skills related to essay and report writing and delivering presentations. You'll learn how to manage your time, how to prioritise and how to manage stress, and you’ll become more confident in engaging with collaborative learning, debates, discussions and critical reflection.

Psychology Project
You’ll study an area of interest related to your chosen degree. You’ll work individually on your project, whether that's a written report, a presentation and oral examination, a film or a series of blog posts. You’ll undertake problem-solving learning, and formative feedback and support will be provided throughout, helping develop your self-confidence.

Foundations in Psychology
With this module you’ll be introduced to the main perspectives, investigation methods, key studies and controversies in key areas of psychology. You will explore the history of psychology and its themes such as cognitive behaviour, sociology, biology and developmental theories. You will learn via a blend of lectures, discussions and group workshops and develop familiarity with key concepts through individual research.

Researching and Applying Psychology
This module will provide you with a foundation in quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in psychology, focusing on research terminology and design, data collection, data handling and analysis. You’ll also learn about the application of psychology in a professional context, considering research, ethics and professional issues in each of the British Psychological Society (BPS) professional areas. You will be taught through a blended approach to learning, including lectures, discussions and group work.

For module information on the related three-year honours degree, please visit our website.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society