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Foundation in Psychology: Course Structure

This is a full-time programme divided into two semesters of nine weeks each. Classes will take place three days per week throughout this time, and examinations are held at the end of the course.  The course comprises the equivalent of 120 credits spread across 6 modules. Students will be awarded a Foundation certificate: Psychology after completing the entire programme and successfully completing all assessment.

The course is divided into modular areas, which in turn sub-divide into two units some of which run concurrently; there are six of these modules in total. The modules have been designed in such a way as to provide students first of all with a 'settling in period' during which they can familiarise themselves with the college, the course and the challenges ahead of them.

The module 'Introducing Psychology' will allow students to get to know the subject area by attending classes on a variety of topics drawn from across the wide range that Psychology as a discipline has to offer. It is a way of showing you the variety and different styles of topic you will be studying further down the line. You might be surprised at some of the topics, perhaps never having thought of them as typical for Psychology before!

At the same time you will get to know the campus, the location and will be trained in the use of the library. Not only that, but the idea is to slowly introduce you to the different types of published material you will be expected to draw on in your studies. There will also be internet and IT training, along with a useful selection of sessions geared towards study skills in the broadest sense. Some may be new to you, others perhaps familiar.

Either way the study skills training forms an important part of the initial period of the course. You will also have the opportunity to write a practice essay, the aim of this is to ensure that students have the confidence and necessary skills available to them when it comes to writing course work that will count to your final grade!

The first term also covers Social and Developmental Psychology, along with the Applied Psychologies we present on this course: Health Psychology and Psychology of Sport and Performance. Social and Developmental are fundamental elements to any course in Psychology and you will learn about some landmark research as well as discovering new insights into human development and behaviour.

The applied Psychology module- another special feature of this course- aims to demonstrate how Psychology can be put to use in everyday practical situations ranging, for example, from eating habits and the experience of hospitalisation through to expertise in sports and the valuable contribution of Psychology to injury rehabilitation.

As the course progresses students will have the chance to get to grips with what many feel is  the more scientific side of Psychology in that the modules include Bio-evolutionary and Cognitive Psychology; as well as getting to know the psychotherapeutic and counselling possibilities that Psychology has to offer in the  course module  'Counselling Psychology'.

Furthermore you will have the opportunity to get to grips with acquiring the essential and pre-requisite skills in Research Methods and Statistics in courses especially designed for beginners or those who might feel some trepidation when it comes to having to handle statistics and experimental principles. Students are introduced to the important mater of ethics in research, experimental designs and methodologies. 

Statistics are a requirement for a clear understanding of Psychology and its empirical underpinning (and for those wishing to study at a higher level it is also a pre-requisite for any Psychology BSc); Statistics for Beginners gently introduces students to the terminology, methodology and computer programme skills necessary for being able to analyse your own data. As part of the Research Methods element you will be fully prepared for the special Research School event; here you will get the chance to design and run your own group experiments, gather data, perform statistical analyses and then write up a genuine Research Report.

Student Pathway and Progression

Students complete all six modules as detailed in the module specifications, along with the required assessments and the Research School Event.

Students who achieve the pre-requisite progression pass mark on the Foundation course may progress automatically onto the BSc Psychology course.