Psychology

Why choose this course?
If you are fascinated with behaviour and wonder why people do what they do, then our psychology course – which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – will be ideal for your questioning mind.

On this course you will:

• have the opportunity to research a topic of your own choosing for your dissertation in the final year

• have access to support throughout your degree from award-winning personal tutors, fantastic psychology technicians and module leaders who are happy to arrange additional module tutorials on request

• complete assessments that measure your understanding and critical thinking about psychology, as well as encourage the application of theory to ‘real world’ problems

• have access to a diverse range of facilities including our psychometric lab, flight simulator, high-tech sports performance lab, experimental cubicles and simulation lab

• study core modules relating to social psychology, individual differences, cognitive psychology and psychobiology, which will enable you to gain a greater understanding of social interaction, individual development, and the way in which the brain interprets information

• over the course of the degree be taught the skills needed to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research; with a module solely dedicated to qualitative research

• gain transferrable skills that are desirable by employers

• have the opportunity to research a topic of your own choosing for your dissertation in the final year

• be part of small yet diverse class size

• *This course has been rated as part of the CHA3 subject group ranked 10th in the UK and 1st out of Welsh universities for teaching on my course in the National Student Survey 2022.

• *This course has been rated as part of the CHA3 subject group ranked joint 3rd in the UK and 1st out of Welsh universities for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022.

• *This course has been ranked 1st in the UK as part of the Psychology subject league table for Teaching Quality as well as 3rd in the UK and 1st in Wales for Student experience in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Key Course Features:

• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – you will also have the opportunity to attend and present at the BPS conference in your final year

Small and friendly department with a research-active academic team; who are fully supportive of student research interests. This includes supporting students in their final year to pursue their own research ideas in the form of an individual research project, which is supported and guided by their supervisor; this forms the final year dissertation.

• Opportunities within each module for students to gain hands-on experience of the applicability of theory and/or develop student research skills. We believe that psychology is about real life and formal lectures should be enhanced by experiential learning. Psychology is an applied science, and we believe that it is important that students can apply theory in a practical way.

• Take part in our Annual Psychology Enrichment Week, which was commended by the BPS: “The enrichment week is an opportunity for students and staff to provide approachable networking opportunities and assists to develop a broad range of skills including presentation skills which is fundamental in developing psychological literacy. These skills are essential transferable skills that students were able to use reflecting upon their academic and personal experiences.”

• Dedicated qualitative research methods module, which provides you with the knowledge and understanding needed to conduct a qualitative research project.

• Be given the opportunity to take part in our annual real-time Crime Scene Day learning simulation – where students from different departments come together to act out, witness, investigate and report on a high-profile crime that has taken place on campus.

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Over the course of your first year, you will develop study and research methods skills that are key to the Psychology degree, whilst also learning and developing your understanding of key psychological theories and concepts.

MODULES
Fundamental Psychology
Introduction to Research Design
Essential Psychology
Introduction to Data Analysis
Study Skills for Psychology
Scientific Writing and Communication

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
In your second year, you will continue to develop your research method skills and apply them in different areas of Psychology. During this year you will complete some core modules that will build on the knowledge gained in the first year.

MODULES
Developmental Psychology
Advanced Research Design
Biological Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Intermediate Research Methods
Individual Differences

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
In your final year, you will design your own research project with supervision from the Academic team. This year will see you complete the final core module, Social Psychology, and also allow you to choose optional modules to study based on your own preferences and interests.

MODULES
Research Project (core)
Social Psychology (core)
Clinical Psychology (optional)
Negotiated Learning (optional)
Forensic Psychology (optional)
Counselling Psychology (optional)
Work-Based Learning (optional)
Cyberpsychology (optional)
Health Psychology (optional)

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
You will be assessed via a variety of different assessment methods, including a combination of coursework, essays, portfolios, practical reports, presentations and in-class tests. The course does not currently assess you via exams. You will be required to do a dissertation as part of your final year assessment.

Teaching and learning
Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

The degree will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, project work and computer-based exercises (e.g. in research methods and statistics). Teaching currently takes place over the course of 3 days a week and contact hours vary year to year, as you become an independent learner (Foundation year 40 hours; Year 1 36 hours; Year 2 30 hours; Year 3 24 hours).

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

• British Psychological Society