Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
+44 (0)1509 222222
Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

Loughborough Psychology Undergraduate Programmes (2016 and 2017 entry):
Psychology
Social Psychology
Business Psychology
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Psychology with Criminology

Academic Year: 2017/18

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) Loughborough University
Owning school/department School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

 British Psychological Society (BPS), for Graduate Membership of the Society (GM) and Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). 

Final award BSc/ BSc+DIntS/ BSc+DPS
Programme title Loughborough Psychology Undergraduate Programmes:
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BSc (Hons) Social Psychology
BSc (Hons) Business Psychology
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology
Programme code PSUB13 Psychology (Psych)
SSUB02 Social Psychology (SP)
BSUB60 Business Psychology (BP)
PSUB15 Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPEX)
SSUB06 Psychology with Criminology (PwC)
Length of programme BSc – 3 years full-time
BSc with placement – 4 years full-time
UCAS code C800 Psychology 3-yr
C801 Psychology 4-yr
C880 Social Psychology 3-yr
C88A Social Psychology 4-yr
C8N0 Business Psychology 3-yr
C8N1 Business Psychology 4-yr
C8C6 Sport and Exercise Psychology 3-yr
C86C Sport and Exercise Psychology 4-yr
C8M9 Psychology with Criminology 3-yr
C8M0 Psychology with Criminology 4-yr
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/sport-exercise-health-sciences/psychology/

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/social-sciences/social-psychology/

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/psychology/business-psychology/

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/sport-exercise-health-sciences/sport-exercise-psychology/

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/social-sciences/psychology-criminology/

Date at which the programme specification was published Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:23:02 BST

1. Programme Aims

The overarching aim of the Loughborough Psychology programmes is to provide a comprehensive and coherent understanding of key and cutting-edge aspects of psychological science through five integrated but distinct undergraduate pathways.

Within this general aim, curriculum content reflects the need to meet the programme standards for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and:

  • equip students with intellectual, practical and transferable skills for careers in which psychology provides a relevant  foundation;
  • develop a range of research skills for investigating experience and behaviour, culminating in the deployment of these skills in the conduct and reporting of an independent piece of research;
  • foster a constructive, critical approach to the evaluation of psychological theory and research, and to relations between psychology and its cognate disciplines in both academic and applied settings;
  • enable students to develop and sustain arguments and solve problems through a conceptually and empirically grounded understanding of psychological topics, and to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to different audiences; and
  • promote and provide a multi-disciplinary educational experience.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • British Psychological Society GBC curriculum
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
  • The subject benchmark statement for Psychology
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • The subject benchmark statement for General Business and Management
  • The subject benchmark statement for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of these programmes, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas.

  K1

Social psychology: e.g. social cognition, attribution, attitudes, group processes and intergroup relations, close relationships and social constructionism.

  K2

Cognitive psychology: e.g. perception, learning, memory, thinking, language, consciousness and cognitive neuropsychology.

  K3

Individual differences and personality: e.g. abnormal and normal personality, psychological testing, intelligence, cognitive style, emotion, motivation and mood.

  K4

Developmental psychology: e.g. childhood, adolescence and life-span development, development of attachment, social relations, cognitive and language development, social and cultural contexts of development.

  K5

Biological psychology: e.g. biological bases of behaviour, hormones and behaviour, behavioural genetics, neuropsychology, socio-biology and evolutionary psychology.

  K6

Conceptual and historical issues in psychology: e.g. the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations.

  K7

Research design, including qualitative and quantitative methods, the nature and appropriate statistical analysis of data, psychometrics and measurement techniques, an empirical project.

Specific to the Psychology (Psych) pathway

  K8

The major career pathways along which psychological skills can be professionally developed (including clinical, counselling, health, educational, industrial/organisational, and academic psychology).

  K9

The role of psychology in researching, defining and promoting both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Specific to the Social Psychology (SP) pathway

  K10

Methods, theories, and empirical findings about social groups, behaviours, communication and social interaction, and relationships; and the contribution of these to psychological research and practice.

  K11

Conversation analysis and discursive psychology: e.g. the study of the systematic organisation of talk and social interaction in everyday and institutional settings, and its application to studying and critically examining psychological topics.

Specific to the Business Psychology (BP) pathway

  K12

The behaviour, attitudes, health, decision-making and development of people in work settings.

  K13

The principles, theories and practices of management and business operations.

Specific to the Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPEX) pathway

  K14

Methods, theories and empirical findings related to the study of participants (e.g. athletes, coaches, parents, support staff) and their behaviour in sport and exercise contexts; and how such study informs the performance and well-being of stakeholders in such contexts.

  K15

The role of cognate areas of sport science in influencing the professional work of the practitioner, including the development of relationships in sport and exercise settings.

Specific to the Psychology with Criminology (PwC) pathway

  K16

The main theoretical approaches within criminology and contemporary and historic debates related to the role of biological and social/contextual bases of behaviour in psychological and criminological theory.

  K17

An understanding of the nature of crime and how relevant agencies and agents respond to it.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of these programmes, students should be able to:

  C1

Demonstrate evidence-based scientific reasoning, and make critical judgements about arguments and primary source material in psychology.

  C2

Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues, recognising that psychology involves a range of research methods, theories, evidence and applications.

  C3

Search for similarities and general principles in order to detect and evaluate meaningful patterns in behaviour, psychological functioning, and experience.

  C4

Recognise the continuous significance and importance for psychology of contextual, interpersonal and cultural influences, and appreciate the complexities their recognition raises.

  C5

Examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methods, paradigms, analytic techniques and applications in psychology.

  C6

Critically analyse methods and theory in psychology and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.

Specific to the Psychology (Psych) pathway

  C7

Construct psychological, psychosocial and neuropsychological hypotheses to account for a range of normal and challenging human behaviours.

  C8

Apply evidence-based principles to the development of policy and practice in a range of applied professional settings.

Specific to the Social Psychology (SP) pathway

  C9

Apply social psychological theory and research methods to problems in everyday life and social institutions.

  C10

Identify, analyse, compare and describe in detail communicative practices in everyday and institutional social interaction.

Specific to the Business Psychology (BP) pathway

  C11

Use critical thinking, analysis and synthesis to evaluate and apply theory and research in psychology to business and management settings.

  C12

Analyse business and management decisions and strategies, including the ability to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions.

Specific to the Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPEX) pathway

  C13

Apply knowledge of social psychological, organisational, cognitive-behavioural and humanistic approaches to an understanding of human behaviour in sport and exercise contexts.

  C14

Recognise and identify the role of cognate disciplines of sport and exercise science in informing and formulating practical work with sport and exercise participants.

Specific to the Psychology with Criminology (PwC) pathway

  C15

Critically evaluate competing theories and explanations for criminological and social problems.

  C16

Apply criminological theory and research to problems and questions in criminology.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of these programmes, students should be able to:

  P1

Observe, record and give a systematic account of human behaviour in a range of settings.

  P2

Make effective use of a variety of methods of data collection, including experiments, observation, psychometric tests, questionnaires, interviews and field studies.

  P3

Analyse data using both quantitative and qualitative psychological methods.

  P4

Present and evaluate psychological research findings.

  P5

Use a variety of specialist software packages, laboratory and psychometric instruments, and digital data gathering platforms.

  P6

Deploy effective listening skills and communicate psychological concepts, methods, and findings effectively in speech and writing.

  P7

Apply ethical considerations to psychological research and professional practice.

  P8

Conduct and report an empirically-based research project under appropriate supervision, demonstrating appropriate levels of personal planning and project management.

Specific to the Psychology (Psych) pathway

  P9

Design an empirical investigation to test a specific theory in relation to, or to identify attributes indicative of normal and pathological psychological states.

  P10

Use and critique a range of laboratory based and ambulatory technologies which capture and quantify aspects of human behaviour.

Specific to the Social Psychology (SP) pathway

  P11

Collect, transcribe and analyse everyday social interaction and present findings effectively.

  P12

Design empirical investigations to critically examine social behaviours, practices, contexts or topics.

Specific to the Business Psychology (BP) pathway

  P13

Perform effectively within a team environment, displaying appropriate skills including leadership and feedback-giving and receiving.

  P14

Communicate about the applications of psychology and related disciplines to business contexts in ways which non-specialists can understand.

Specific to the Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPEX) pathway

  P15

Collect and interpret interview, survey and/or observational data when studying participants in various sport and exercise contexts.

  P16

Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills when working with sport and exercise clients.

Specific to the Psychology with Criminology (PwC) pathway

  P17

Analyse and assess criminological findings methodologically and communicate information about them.

  P18

Use appropriate analytical methods and research tools in relation to criminological and social problems; including quantitative, qualitative and evaluative techniques.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of these programmes, students should be able to:

  T1

Generate, organise, analyse and interpret qualitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively.

  T2

Demonstrate computer literacy with respect to relevant and widely used word-processing, database and analytic software packages and resources.

  T3

Use electronic and other resources to search for, identify and organise information in library books, journals, and appropriate online sources.

  T4

Work independently and in groups to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach common goals and evaluate outcomes.

  T5

Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions.

  T6

Communicate effectively to a range of audiences using a range of media.

  T7

Learn independently and pragmatically and take responsibility for their own learning and skill development.

Specific to the Psychology (Psych) pathway

  T8

Recognise the value of building on experience, appropriately testing new ideas, and reviewing evidence.

  T9

Apply the practical rigour and intellectual critique required for behavioural experimental methods to a range of applied personal and professional challenges.

Specific to the Social Psychology (SP) pathway

  T10

Deploy critical judgment in making use of contextual and interpersonal factors that shape behaviour and social interaction.

  T11

Recognise the social bases of interpersonal conflict and cooperation and apply these understandings to maximise the effectiveness of individual and group work.

Specific to the Business Psychology (BP) pathway

  T12

Deploy psychological skills and knowledge to manage people (including self) and business operations effectively.

  T13

Display a positive attitude to change with a desire for excellence and constructive ideas for improvement.

Specific to the Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPEX) pathway

  T14

Identify contextual, intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that shape behaviour and social interaction in sport and exercise settings.

  T15

Utilise a variety of psychological principles to contribute to the performance and wellbeing of others in non-sport and exercise domains.

Specific to the Psychology with Criminology (PwC) pathway

  T16

Interpret and apply principles of social and criminal justice to the construction of effective written and spoken arguments.

  T17

Deploy critical judgment in recognizing how criminological insights are informed by psychology.

4. Programme structure

Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 credits in each Part with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  Individual modules taught and assessed over both semesters with a modular weight of 10 may count against either semester 1 or semester 2, depending on the balance of other modular weights between semesters.  Where the modular weight of a module taught and assessed over both semesters is 20 or 40, this shall be split equally between semesters.

4.1a    Part A – Compulsory Introductory Modules for all Programmes

Code

Module title

Modular Weight

Semester

PSA501

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology

10

1

PSA503

Foundations in Quantitative Research Methods

10

1

SSA151

Foundations in Social Psychology

10

1

SSA153

Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods

10

1

PSA500

Foundations in Developmental Psychology

10

2

PSA502

Foundations in Biological Psychology

10

2

SSA152

Foundations in Cognitive Psychology

10

2

SSA154

Psychology Practicals A

10

2

Plus one ‘Academic & Professional Skills’ module from the list below:

BSA701

Academic & Professional Skills for Business Psychology

10

1&2

PSA505

Academic & Professional Skills for Psychology

10

1&2

PSA507

Academic & Professional Skills for Sport & Exercise Psychology

10

1&2

SSA157

Academic & Professional Skills for Social Psychology

10

1&2

SSA159

Academic & Professional Skills for Psychology with Criminology

10

1&2

 

4.1b    Part A – Additional Compulsory Introductory Modules for Specific Programmes

Code

Module title

Modular weight

Semester

Programme

PSA302

Professions in Psychology

10

2

Psych

SSA155

Social Psychology and Relationships

10

1

SP

BSA702

Introduction to Work Psychology

10

2

BP

PSA100

Teaching & Coaching (E1)

10

1

SPEX

PSA026

Foundations of  Sport and Exercise Psychology

10

2

SPEX

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A

10

1

PwC

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B

10

2

PwC

SSA206

Crime and Social Welfare

10

2

PwC

 

4.1c     Part A – Optional Introductory Modules by Programme

Psychology – 20 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

PSA301

Introductory Neuroscience

10

1

SSA158

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology

10

2

BSA702

Introduction to Work Psychology

10

2

PSA026

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

10

2

SSA156

Self and Identity

10

1

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

Social Psychology – 20 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

PSA301

Introductory Neuroscience

10

1

SSA001

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities

10

1

SSA158

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology

10

2

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A

10

1

SSA301

Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues

10

1

BSA702

Introduction to Work Psychology

10

2

PSA026

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

10

2

SSA002

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change

10

2

SSA156

Self and Identity

10

1

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B

10

2

SSA302

Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Historical Themes and Perspectives

10

2

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

Business Psychology – 20 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

BSA050

Introduction to Management

10

1

BSA055

Principles of Marketing

10

1

BSA052

Sociology of Work

10

2

BSA057

The Marketing Mix

10

2

PSA026

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

10

2

BSA053

Organisations in the International Context

10

2

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

Sport and Exercise Psychology – 10 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

BSA702

Introduction to Work Psychology

10

2

PSA005

Issues in Sport and Exercise Science

10

2

Psychology with Criminology – No optional modules.

 

4.2a    Part B – Compulsory Degree Modules for all Programmes

Code

Module title

Modular weight

Semester

PSB511

Quantitative Research Methods

10

2

PSB513

Human Cognition

10

1

SSB161

Qualitative Research Methods

10

1

SSB163

Developmental Psychology

10

1

PSB510

Personality and Individual Differences

10

1

PSB512

Psychology Practicals B

10

2

PSB514

Brain and Behaviour I

10

2

SSB162

Social Psychology

10

2

 

4.2b    Part B – Additional Compulsory Degree Modules for Specific Programmes

Code

Module title

Modular weight

Semester

Programme

SSB165

Social Psychology and Communication

10

1

SP

SSB164

Studying Social Interaction

10

2

SP

BSB711

Psychological Approaches to Human Resource Management

10

1

BP

BSB710

Leading and Developing Others

10

2

BP

PSB031

Psychological Issues and Strategies in Sport

10

1

SPEX

PSB026

Group and Interpersonal Processes in Competitive Sport

10

2

SPEX

PSB033

Principles of Exercise Psychology

10

2

SPEX

SSB203

Operational Policing Issues

20

2

PwC

SSB201

Criminological Theory

20

1

PwC

 

4.2c     Part B – Optional Degree Modules by Programme – all subject to confirmation, availability and having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

Psychology – 40 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

BSB711

Psychological Approaches to Human Resource Management

10

1

PSB031

Psychological Issues and Strategies in Sport

10

1

SSB128

Political Psychology

10

1

SSB175

Psychological Disorders in Society

10

2

SSB165

Social Psychology and Communication

10

1

BSB710

Leading and Developing Others

10

2

PSB026

Group and Interpersonal Processes in Competitive Sport

10

2

PSB033

Principles of Exercise Psychology

10

2

PSB516

Memory and Knowledge

10

2

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

Social Psychology – 20 credits from the following 10-credit modules :

BSB711

Psychological Approaches to Human Resource Management

10

1

PSB031

Psychological Issues and Strategies in Sport

10

1

SSB034

Surveillance Society

10

1

SSB128

Political Psychology

10

1

SSB175

Psychological Disorders in Society

10

2

SSB216

Women and Crime

10

1

SSB360

The Media in Global Context

10

1

BSB710

Leading and Developing Others

10

2

PSB026

Group and Interpersonal Processes in Competitive Sport

10

2

PSB033

Principles of Exercise  Psychology

10

2

PSB516

Memory and Knowledge

10

2

SSB234

Media, Culture and Crime

10

2

SSB023

Religion and Society

10

2

SSB239

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

10

2

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

 Business Psychology – 20 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

BSB035

Sales Management

10

1

BSB046

Organisation Studies

10

1

BSB087

Vocational Psychology

10

2

BSB105

Brand Management

10

2

BSB530

Accounting for Business

10

1

BSB532

Accounting for Managers

10

2

BSB150

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

10

2

 

A module from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director

10

1 or 2

Sport and Exercise Psychology – 10 credits from the following 10-credit modules:

BSB711

Psychological Approaches to Human Resource Management

10

1

SSB128

Political Psychology

10

1

SSB165

Social Psychology and Communication

10

1

Psychology with Criminology – No Optional Modules

 

4.3       Part I (4-year/8-semester programme only)

Candidates pursue ONE of the following streams:

(i)        Placement Stream (DPS)

Candidates will undertake an appropriate psychology-related placement.

(ii)       Study Abroad Stream (DIntS) where applicable

Candidates will study at an approved academic institution overseas.

(iii)      Split Stream (DIntS)

Candidates will undertake an appropriate psychology-related placement for half the year and will study at an approved academic institution overseas for the other half of the academic year where applicable.

 

4.4a    Part C – Degree Modules by Programme

Code

Module title

Modular weight

Semester

Compulsory for:

Optional for:

PSC300

 

SSC199

BSC721

SSC191

Project (Psych & SPEX)

Project (SP)

Project (BP)

Project (PwC)

40

1&2

All *

 

* one project module relevant to the individual student’s programme of study

SSC171

Advanced Social Psychology

20

1

SP

 

SSC173

Language Culture and Mind

20

1

SP

 

PSC321

Psychology of Workplace Health

20

1

BP

All others

BSC720

Behavioural Decision Science

10

2

BP

All others

BSC722

Consumer Psychology

10

2

BP

All others

PSC100

Science & Elite Performance in Sport

20

1 & 2

SPEX

 

PSC033

Psychology of PE and Youth Sport

10

1

SPEX

Psych, SP, PwC

PSC035

Performance Psychology for Sporting Excellence

10

1

SPEX

 

PSC034

Sport Psychology in Action

10

2

SPEX

 

PSC036

Applied Exercise Psychology

10

2

SPEX

Psych, SP, PwC

SSC220

Crime Prevention

10

1

PwC

 

SSC211

Criminal Justice System in England and Wales

10

2

PwC

 

SSC233

Crime and Deviance in Sport

20

2

PwC

SP

PSC301

Advanced Experimental and Qualitative Design & Analysis

20

1

 

All

PSC319

Psychology of Eating Behaviour

20

1

 

Psych, SP, SPEX

SSC130 Social Psychology of Everyday life 20 1   All
PSC311 Clinical Psychology 20 2   All except BP
PSC315 Psychology and Health 20 2   All except BP
PSC320 Parenting and Socialisation 20 2   All except BP
SSC219 Criminology and Violence 20 2   SP & PwC
PSC322 Brain and Behaviour II 20 2   All
SSC138 Forensic Psychology 20 1   All except BP

 

4.4b    Part C – Additional Optional Degree Modules for Specific Programmes – all subject to confirmation, availability, having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules, and approval by the Programme Director.

Psychology – 80 credits from relevant optional modules listed in the table above under 4.4a and may include up to 10 credits from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director.

Social Psychology – 40 credits from relevant optional modules listed in the table above under 4.4a and the following (depending on modules taken from other pathways) and may include up to 10 credits from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director:

SSC013

Sociology of Tourism

20

1

SSC316

Media, Memory and History

20

1

SSC357

Producing the News

20

2

Business Psychology – 40 credits from relevant optional modules listed in the table under 4.4a and the following (depending on modules taken from other pathways) and may include up to 10 credits from the University-Wide Language Programme, subject to approval by Programme Director:

BSC097

Knowledge Management

10

1

BSC105

International Human Resource Management

10

1

BSC115

International Marketing

10

1

BSC522

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

10

1

BSC080

Analysing Careers

10

2

BSC085

The Changing Work Organisation

10

2

BSC124

Marketing Communications

10

2

BSC150

Business Ethics

10

2

Sport and Exercise Psychology – 20 credits from relevant optional modules listed in the table under 4.4a.

Psychology with Criminology – 40 credits from relevant optional modules listed in the table under 4.4a (depending on modules taken from other pathways) of which 20 must be from Criminology and Social Policy options.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX. 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.

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