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Psychology and Education (Conversion)
School of Education,
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course description
You will experience an innovative, critical and interdisciplinary approach to the study of psychology and learn the skills and techniques necessary to critically analyse psychological theory and research in real-life settings.
This MSc is a psychology conversion course which provides Graduate Membership (GMBPsS) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) providing you pass the empirical project and gain the equivalent of at least a 2:2 overall.
Accreditation
This course is British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited
Modules
As an accredited programme, the course will follow the GBC curriculum and cover these psychology-related themes: Biological Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Individual Differences; Social and Health Psychology; Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology; Research Methods and Empirical Project.
There are two compulsory modules in each semester plus a dissertation. Each module is worth 30 credits. The dissertation is worth 60 credits.
Core modules:
- Introduction to Psychology and Development Across the Lifespan
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This module explores major theories, key aspects and scientific underpinnings of psychology and human development from infancy to adulthood in a variety of contexts. The module introduces students to the multiple paradigms, theoretical perspectives and methods of analysis in psychology and explores the differences and/or complementarities between them as well as relevant ethical issues. It also considers case studies and key developmental standardised tests and the application of developmental psychological knowledge in contemporary multicultural and global educational, upbringing and institutional contexts. Further, students will explore topics including and not limited to emotional development and parenting cultures, cognitive development, learning and language, typical and atypical development in multicultural societies, language and development, and bilingualism.
30 credits - Research Methods in Psychology and Education
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The module explores different paradigms of psychological and educational research, with a focus on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and research designs. Qualitative methods and designs may include and not be limited to interviews, content, thematic and discourse analysis, case studies and observation methods. Quantitative methods and designs may include and not be limited to statistical analysis, and experimental and quasi-experimental designs. This module will also consider ethical considerations in education and psychological research.
30 credits
Module content includes:
- Ontological and epistemological paradigms and general methodological principles that can be adopted to approach qualitative and/or quantitative research in educational and psychological contexts.
- Classic approaches, recent trends, case studies, longitudinal research, big data.
- Research proposals, research questions and research designs.
- Ethical issues in education and psychological research.
- Data collection methods used in qualitative and or quantitative research such as interviews, focus groups, questionnaires and surveys, experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.
- Coding and analysing interview data. This will be in relation to qualitative data analysis methods such as thematic analysis, discourse analysis, grounded theory.
- SPSS, inferential and descriptive statistics; parametric and non-parametric tests.
- Correlational design, ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA and factor analysis. - Cognition and Neuroscience
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Overall, this module aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of both the biological and cognitive aspects of psychology, fostering an integrated perspective.
30 credits
The module explores both the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying human and animal behaviour and the major theories and debates surrounding the study of the human mind and cognition. It merges a focus on laboratory research methodologies, including the use of psychometric measures of cognitive performance, with a critical examination of the relevance of bio-psychological and neuroscientific knowledge in educational contexts. Additionally, the module emphasises the importance of contextual analysis and ethical understanding in the application of these biological and cognitive insights, ensuring a well-rounded approach to understanding the complexities of cognitive processes in the mind and brain.
Indicative module content includes a selection from the following:
- Introduction to cognition and neuroscience
- Perception, attention, memory
- Thinking and language, problem solving and decision making
- Cognitive styles, intelligence and cognitive psychological testing
- Consciousness, social cognition and emotion
- Metacognition, current debates and implications for learning and education
- Behavioural genetics, heredity, comparative and evolutionary psychology
- Psychobiology, biological bases of human and non-human behaviour, hormones and behaviour, socio-biology
- Neuroimaging, cognitive and evolutionary neuroscience. - Social and Health Psychology
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This module provides a comprehensive coverage of historical and contemporary topics in social and health psychology. It explores multiple perspectives in psychology and education relating to the understanding of human social behaviour, thinking and emotion. It considers theoretical, practical and ethical issues associated with research and practice in the field.
30 credits
The module content includes specific theoretical topics in social and health psychology, e.g. the self and social influence, pro and antisocial behaviour, as well as introducing students to ways that social and health psychology can be applied to real-world issues, e.g. behaviour change, mental health and neurodiversity.
Knowledge will be developed through a range of teaching methods including flipped learning, group work, debates and discussions. - Dissertation
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In this module, students are supported in planning and carrying out a piece of original empirical research about a topic of interest related to education and psychology. Students will be supported and will work closely with a supervisor who has expertise in the research area and or methods of the dissertation topic. The dissertation offers a space for synthesising knowledge from the different modules, and pursuing in more detail an area of interest for the student.
60 credits
In addition to working closely with a dissertation supervisor, students will receive taught sessions around dissertation writing support and ethical issues in psychological and educational research.
Students studying on this module will also have opportunities to reflect on their work during the module, which can help them think about what they have learned, including the transferable skills they acquire that could be valuable for future courses and/or job applications.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
Teaching takes place through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and laboratory work.
Assessment
We will use a variety of methods including essays and blog posts, portfolios and oral presentations, psychological lab reports and a research dissertation.
Your career
School
School of Education
We're proud to welcome a vibrant and diverse community, with students based locally, nationally and internationally. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice; we're supporting the development of children, families, schools and learning communities.
We use a variety of teaching methods to give you the opportunity to engage with your tutors and peers.
Our team of tutors at the School of Education comprises of experts in early childhood education, secondary education, policy and practice, psychological theory of education, and languages and education. Many of our academic staff are internationally recognised in their specialist areas.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any subject.
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Alumni discount
Save up to £2,500 on your course fees
Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.