Why study with us?
If you are fascinated by human behaviour and want to learn more about it, then psychology may be the subject for you.
Applied psychology includes all the core areas in psychology, developmental, social, biological, cognitive, research methodologies and individual differences. The applied nature of the course means that you can focus on how psychology is used in the real world, to inform policy and practice and more generally work to enhance people’s experiences. This will include topics such as understanding how children learn, the motivations for and the treatment of offending behaviour, managing stress in the workplace, the way drug use affects behaviour and a host of other applications. This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) on holders of second-class honours or above. This is the first step on your journey to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
What can this course lead to?
You develop skills, knowledge and understanding that give entry to a range of rewarding professions. The course is ideal for career starts in Clinical, Forensic or Educational Psychology, Health Education and Promotion, Counselling, Social Work, Teaching, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resources and Prison or Probation work.
Course Summary
Applied psychologists investigate questions that are of profound relevance to social policy and therefore peoples’ lives. For example, does stress in the workplace really reduce your life expectancy? Is community punishment more effective than prison?
This course will equip you with an understanding of the processes and mechanisms that underpin human behaviour and experience. It is designed to provide you with a core knowledge and understanding of psychological theory and research. Alongside this knowledge you will acquire the skills required to apply theory and research to real world contexts. The thorough and comprehensive grounding you receive will prepare you for any of the specialist postgraduate training programmes available in psychology.
The course aims to prepare you for a range of postgraduate opportunities in some of the specialist areas of applied psychology such as health, forensic, community, counselling and organisational psychology. In addition to traditional teaching and assessment methods—such as lectures, seminars, lab based practical classes, workshops, essays and exams—we use problem solving exercises, critical analysis of research papers, case study analysis, seminar papers, group assignments, poster presentations, guided study programmes and peer assessment.
Modules
The core modules you will study are:
Physiological and cognitive psychology
Human development and social psychology
Issues and applications in contemporary psychology
Research methods and statistics
Physiological and cognitive psychology
Applied social psychology Human development
Psychology of individual differences and their assessment
Investigative techniques, research design and understanding data
Settings in psychology
The specialist options in year three cover the areas of Health, Forensic, Community and Organisational psychology.
Case Studies
Volunteering and Careers in Applied Psychology
The field of professional psychology is incredibly competitive and as a result there is increasing pressure on graduates to be able to evidence their dedication to psychology in order to gain employment or to progress to higher postgraduate courses. This evidence comes in part from the achievement of a
British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree. However, to stand out from other applicants holding a good degree is just part of the profile required.
Students need to demonstrate employability skills. Employability skills can be enhanced through paid part time work or full time careers prior to commencing the degree but one way that can really boost profiles and help develop relevant skills is part time engagement in voluntary work. For this reason our students are encouraged and supported in finding voluntary opportunities in psychology related areas throughout their time with us. Students are also supported if they wish to undertake an additional module called employability and volunteering to receive certification and university credits for their community efforts.
Isabel Jackson: 2nd Year BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology
I have been working part-time as a job coach with a company called
Ways to Work. This involves rehabilitating people with acquired brain injury back in to paid employment or voluntary positions. I work 1- 1 with clients developing strategies which allow they to compensate for memory, attention, cognitive, physical and other such impairments. Another part of the job is helping them deal with the array of emotions often triggered by the injury and the challenges encountered returning to work. This has been a demanding experience but hugely rewarding. I have been able to apply and develop the knowledge gained through my study at the University of Cumbria, met some fantastic people with inspirational determination and be given the opportunity to study for a postgraduate certificate of achievement in counselling and mentoring paid for by the organisation.
Vicky MacDonald: 3rd Year BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology
I currently volunteer with the Dumfries and Galloway
Befriending Project, where I have been matched up with a young boy aged 11. The project aims to make a positive difference in a vulnerable young person’s life by offering extra support and additional regular positive adult attention. I meet with my young person every Sunday, where we do a lot of different activities, that he would not be otherwise have experienced. These can range from a simple lunch, to canoeing. Befriending is so simple, but definitely a worthwhile experience to fill your spare time.
Sara Staniforth: 3rd year BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology
In 2008 I started my volunteering with the Youth Offending Team services. The experience was really rewarding, the activities included helping individuals engage in more proactive behaviour in order to make better choices about their future. I have been a full member of the society since it started and have played a key role in organising fund-raising activities. I also took part in Cumbria Volunteers day, which involved supplying carers and volunteers with refreshments. The day finished with a certificate to recognise the hard work entrusted in the various projects. The day out was a really good experience, the group of us mucked in and had a good laugh. It didn't actually feel like we were working at all. The event was very moving. The university has offered many fun opportunities to gain experience in a variety of psychology related fields, such as skydiving, experiences that will stay with us forever!
View more student profiles
A study vist to HMP Haverigg was organised for students of Applied Psychology, Policing, Onvestigation and Criminology. The aim of the study visit was for students to learn more about how theories are applied in practice, as well as presenting an opportunity for students to explore career oppotunities with HM Prison Service.
Resources and facilities
The psychology team come from a range of applied psychology backgrounds bringing with them a wealth of expertise from clinical, organisational, community, health and forensic settings.
The course is challenging and varied and offers a range of extra-curricula opportunities for you to develop new skills and hone existing ones. Through our links with local organisations you have the opportunity to gain practical experience of psychology within professional settings.
The observation suite is a classroom with a one way mirror set into the wall. Behind the mirror are video-recorders and TV monitors. Within the classroom are cameras and microphones. This room is an excellent facility and allows students to arrange the room as they see fit and observe people and small groups in a variety of settings.
The Psychology students have two dedicated labs, ideal for testing participants, interviewing or simply getting on with group work. The labs are equipped with computers, printers (students have access to scanners, digital recorders, psychometric tests, biopac equipment) and the software they need to analyse their data as well as the standard software packages.
View information about the Psychology Society.
News
Nothing went bump in the night!
Two second-year psychology students spent a long, dark but otherwise uneventful night in a university building to explore its value into paranormal phenomenon research.