Please note
Awarding Institution
Final Award
Teaching Institution
School
Department
Subject Benchmark Statement
Date of Programme Specification Approval
Version Number
Educational Aims of the Course
Course Accredited by
Course Offering(s)
Part Time
Part Time - January
Part Time - September
Part Time - May
Learning Outcomes
Course Structure
Masters Level
Interim Award
Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Support for Students and their Learning
Distance Learning Unit
The central Distance Learning Unit (DLU) serves as the first-line support function for students enrolled on our DL courses. As the initial point of contact, the DLU addresses a wide range of enquiries, guiding students to the correct function within existing support structures. For technical issues, such as difficulties accessing course materials or platform functionalities, the DLU directs learners to our dedicated IT support team, ensuring that technical challenges are resolved efficiently and do not impede the learning process. Additionally, recognising the importance of holistic student welfare, the DLU plays a pivotal role in connecting students with appropriate student support services for more pastoral needs. This may include guidance on accessing counselling services, mental health resources, or academic advising. By effectively triaging and addressing diverse student needs, the DLU fosters an inclusive and supportive online educational environment, enabling students to focus on their academic goals with confidence and assurance.
Module Leader
The module leader is responsible for teaching, learning and assessment of the modules within this course.
Course Leader
The course leader is responsible for the entire quality assurance arrangements for the course. In addition, for this course, the course leader will co-ordinate student-centred workshops, seminars or laboratory workshops, in which the M-level learning strategy will be implemented. These activities are embedded in all of the modules in the course, and ensure that students have the opportunity to acquire the in-depth knowledge required for a postgraduate course in Psychology. Please refer to each module specification for the specific details of type of activity, hours, etc. that each module will implement. In addition to these, the 60-credit project module has individual supervision hours as an integral part of the teaching and student contact.
Tutors and supervisors
While the University does not require personal tutors to be allocated to postgraduate students, at course level, student support is provided by the supervisor acting in a personal tutor capacity. Where personal tutor arrangements do not apply, the first point of contact for students is the Student Hub.
Criteria for Admission
The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities. We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University. We encourage local, national and international applications. For international students, there are specific English language requirements, which may be found on the website.
http://www.hud.ac.uk/international
For postgraduate taught courses admitting international students, English Language Requirements are IELTS 6.5 with no lower than 6.0 in any component or Duolingo certificate, score 105 or above.
Due to BPS requirements the following exclusions apply to the accreditation of prior learning
- Accreditation of prior learning is limited to a maximum of 60 credits
- Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) is not permitted
- As all students must complete an empirical psychology project; no exemption may be granted against HMY4029
The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in the ‘Regulations for Awards, which can be found on the Registry website as follows:
http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/
Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:
Telephone: 01484 472675
Email: disability@hud.ac.uk
Further information is available at their website at:
http://www.hud.ac.uk/disability-services/
In addition if students pass the course with 180 credits, the MSc Psychology provides graduates with the basis for professional recognition, i.e. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological society (BPS). Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by visiting the profession’s website at www.bps.org.uk and by contacting the course leader.
However, the specific entry requirements and admission criteria for this course are detailed below.
These requirements and criteria are as defined by the BPS.
- a) An honours degree, at a minimum of 2ii, in psychology, which has not been accredited by the BPS OR
- b) A degree, at a minimum of 2ii, in a subject other than psychology (not a pass degree).
AND
- c) GCSE Maths (or the equivalent) at Grade C or above
This course also welcomes international students who meet the required entry criteria. It is our aim to provide excellent support mechanisms for these students so that they can integrate into the course and engage with fellow students, activities in the university and wider community. This will be achieved by ensuring they are provided with clear pre-course information, support and induction instructions. The variety of inclusive learning and teaching approaches should enable them to feel integrated and supported within the course. International students will be encouraged to engage with the international office for further support and involvement in wider cultural activities in order to integrate into student and local community life and to enhance mixing, learning and working together, whilst also being able to make links with others from their own countries.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
The methods for the validation and annual evaluation of courses, including those validated by external bodies, and for the review of teaching and research and of academic support services are specified in the University’s Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses, which can be found on the Registry website as follows: http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/qa
The School is committed to comprehensive student engagement and works actively with the University of Huddersfield Student Union to support this through the student representative system see further information at: http://www.huddersfield.su/course-reps
Within the School students are represented at committee level from Student Panels to the School Board. The School also has a Student Council. Individual feedback on the quality and standards of teaching and learning is received through module and course evaluations.
An effective external examination system is managed by Registry and all reports are viewed at University, School and course levels. External examiner and student feedback, as well as all statistical data about the course, is reported through the course committee structure and scrutinised through the University wide annual evaluation process.
Please note
University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.
Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.
Indicators of Quality and Standards
This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the study module guide and course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
The course is configured in accord with QAA subject benchmarking for Psychology and the British Psychological Society Education Board Quality Assurance Policies and Procedures for First qualification in Psychology.
Psychology was one of the disciplines involved in the Quality Assurance Agency institutional audit – report published May 2005. As a result of its investigations,
The audit team's view of the University is that:
There can be broad confidence in the soundness of the University's current and likely future management of the quality of its academic courses and the academic standards of its awards.” (QAAHE, 2005, p1)
In relation to the suite of psychology courses the audit team found that the linkages between the curriculum, learning outcomes and the subject benchmark statement for Psychology were ‘excellent’.
The team commented favourably on teaching and learning strategies, in particular the introduction of formative assessment at each stage of study, maintenance of academic standards, student support and learning resources.
The outcome of the most recent institutional audit can be found at:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/Reports/Pages/inst-audit-Huddersfield-10.aspx