Psychology: Applied Social Sciences at University of Cumbria - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

If you have a background in psychology, sociology or criminology, this course is ideal for you. You'll have a choice in the areas you which to focus your study; this means you have flexibility in the topics and research methods where you wish to gain expertise. You'll have the chance to examine practice and research from theoretical perspectives. COURSE OVERVIEW We offer a stimulating and challenging environment where you can build on your existing learning experiences to advance your academic and professional development. You will gain specialised knowledge and a critical awareness of issues at the forefront of social science. This pathway recognises the status of the student as an expert in identifying what they want or need to study and presents an exciting opportunity to exit with a rigorous Masters award bespoke to each individual student’s interests and career needs. The range of options you can select is both extensive and coherent. The options may be grouped thematically with a strong emphasis on legal and criminological psychology, interpersonal violence and abuse, organisational psychology, and research methods. Teaching is done through a variety of blended learning and campus-based activities explicitly designed to meet the needs of learners working in a range of contexts. ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...

  • Be able to explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences around issues related to applied social sciences.
  • Be given high quality support and guidance by our lecturing team who are active in their research and practice.
  • Learn valuable transferrable skills in PG research, which are highly sought after by employers.
  • Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience.
  • Have the opportunity to shape your MSc experience to your own interests and career goals, allowing our team to help you to reach your ideal future career.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN The Psychology: Applied Social Science course provides a set of modules that will enhance specialist subject knowledge and key skills for working in a range of settings, all delivered by subject specialists. It is designed to build on your existing learning experiences and offers flexible learning opportunities to improve your career prospects. The range of options from which you may select is both extensive and coherent. The options may be grouped thematically with a strong emphasis on legal and criminological psychology, interpersonal violence and abuse, organisational psychology, and research methods with each theme underpinned by sociological, psychological and criminological theory. You can select from within or between themes dependent upon your personal preferences. All MSc Applied Social Science learners will require you to have undertaken the following core modules: Research Skills and Methods (20 credits), Professional Values and Ethics (20 credits) Negotiated Learning (20 credits), and the Dissertation (60 credits), as well as the compulsory module Theories of Contemporary Society (20 credits). The remaining 40 credits may be selected from the list of optional modules. Compulsory modules Research Skills and Methods Theories of Contemporary Society Professional Values and Ethics Negotiated learning Dissertation Optional modules You will be able to chose two optional modules, subject to availability.
  • Critical Perspectives in Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
  • Psychology of Violent Behaviour
  • Criminal Psychology, Offending Behaviour and the Criminal Justice System
  • Working with Specialist Populations in Forensic Psychology Settings
  • Qualitative Research Methodologies and Techniques
  • Implementing Psychological Research Techniques
  • Organisations and the environment
  • Environmental psychology
  • Interpersonal Violence and Abuse
  • Advanced Statistics

Assessment method

"A full range of assessment methods has been selected in order to enhance student learning and to help students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved all the module learning outcomes, and, overall, the programme aims. Each module’s learning outcomes relate to the module assessment item(s). Students have an opportunity across the programme to self-reflect on their progression and their development. These self-reflections contribute to and are evidenced in assessments through a variety of means. Types and methods of assessment will include group seminars and presentations; essays; a portfolio of evidence (achievement of clinical competences and written evidence); viva, examination; OSCE/practical skills assessments; map of patient/client experience; reflective essay; community health profile; reflective incident recording; poster presentation; dissertation Modules use formative and summative assessment so that students progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice in a coherent and logical way. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on the individual student’s performance is provided prior to the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. The wordage – or equivalent – for both formative and summative assessments is counted towards the whole module assessment wordage."


Entry requirements

Applicants need an honours degree at 2:2 or above in Psychology or Social Science. Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6125 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6125 Year 1
Scotland £6125 Year 1
Wales £6125 Year 1
International £13250 Year 1

Additional fee information

Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studentfinance for more information about student fees and finance, and for details about our alumni discount.
Psychology: Applied Social Sciences at University of Cumbria - UCAS