MSci Cognitive Psychology
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Master of Sciences
- UCAS Course Code
- C83B
- Typical Offer
- AAB
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Cognitive Psychology is the study of the mental processes that inform human behaviour, such as attention, language, memory, perception. On this programme, you’ll master key theories and research methods of this fascinating field.
You’ll have access to excellent facilities and cutting-edge equipment for teaching and research, and as you gain an in-depth understanding of human psychology you’ll develop a range of key skills valued by employers.
You’ll benefit from research-led teaching in smaller and larger groups. UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis.
The MSci Psychology programmes are designed to meet the needs of students who want to plan postgraduate study well in advance to enhance their academic and professional profiles.
Taking an integrated master's year means that your research enthusiasm and interests developed over three years of study can be extended in an interconnected and coherent way.
The MSci programme provides a rigorous approach to the range of psychological sciences combined with the opportunity to specialise in a particular sphere of knowledge on human behaviour and experience.
On this course, you’ll gain a strong grounding in key theories and research methods of cognitive psychology. You’ll study topics such as brain and cognition, psychology of risk, the magical visual world, psychology of language, and clinical neuropsychology.
In your third and fourth years, you’ll implement your own research project related to cognitive psychology. Past students have researched areas such as autism, face perception, visual perception and attention, and brain activity in relation to social and non-social stimuli. If you’re interested in a career in mental and physical rehabilitation, neuroscience or clinical psychology, this course is ideal. You’ll learn to handle large data sets and gain expertise in human behaviour in a wide range of settings and contexts and how we process information, you’ll also be well equipped to go into data or computer science. Your specialist knowledge and skills will develop as you select specific options and engage in higher level research in Years 3 and 4.
Accreditations
This course is accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll develop your understanding of psychological theory and research with a focus on how this knowledge is applied within the ‘real world’. Teaching sessions are organed around themes and cover topics such as behaviour, social interaction, applications of psychology and understanding yourself. You’ll also discover specific methods for the study of psychology, as you begin developing research skills and a critical perspective.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught in a combination of smaller and larger groups. You’ll be given the knowledge and skills to establish your own position on exciting and intriguing psychological matters. The modules you take are designed by the teaching team to provide coherent coverage of the psychological sciences.
Our programmes promote psychology as a science and are all underpinned by a research methods route which runs throughout the course. You’ll be guided on pathways across the discipline rather than transported to a destination.
You’re taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time carrying out independent study, researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library, and carrying out research projects in small groups.
Independent learning:
As you progress through the course you'll be expected to work more independently. The opportunity to undertake research projects in both your 3rd and 4th years means that you can explore areas of psychology which you find exciting and engaging.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a range of ways which could include essays, research reports, research proposals, projects, and examinations. Assessments will include formative tasks and summative assessments. Whilst formative assessments are not given a mark, the detailed feedback from them will help you with the summative assessments.
Feedback:
You’ll receive detailed feedback from the formative tasks, which will help you improve your work before you submit your summative assessments. We strongly encourage you to carefully read your feedback to ensure that you fully understand the guidance and can ‘feed this forward’ into your next summative assessments.
Structure
You’ll continue studying compulsory modules designed to develop your understanding of different branches of psychology. These include looking at research methods in which you’ll consolidate your knowledge of research design, qualitative analysis and statistics.
Alongside these, you’ll have the opportunity to choose an optional module from a published list. This could be a psychology module or an option from outside our School that is relevant to your career or other interests. For example, you could take a creative writing module or a business module (providing it fits in with your timetable and you meet any module prerequisite criteria).
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll explore both compulsory and optional modules, developing a combination of breadth and depth, core knowledge and creativity. You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops.
Assessment
In the second year (depending on your module choices), your assessments may include a range of tasks such as formative work, short-answer essays, summative reports, case study analysis, and examinations.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll complete a substantial cognitive research project, reflecting your intellectual interests and career aspirations. You’ll be supported by a supervisor with expertise in your area of research. They’ll help you use your research skills to plan and produce a project drawing on a specific form of data gathering and analysis. This could be focused on survey work and/or experimental design, both within the laboratory and in applied contexts.
You’ll also select a core cognitive module, along with a number of optional modules from a wide range of psychology subjects, giving you specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll choose from a wide range of optional psychology modules, giving you either specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective. You’ll also spend time carrying out your individual cognitive research project, with support from your supervisor.
Assessment
In the third year, your assessments will include your research project (which is 33% of your final year mark), and assessments linked to your module choices (which could be, for example, a research proposal, a briefing paper, an essay, or an examination).
Structure
In your fourth year, you'll continue building specialist knowledge in your chosen field together with opportunities for building advanced research skills aligned with your academic focus.
The fourth year of the Cognitive Psychology programme combines research methods training with in-depth study at the cutting edge of the subject area. This year is aimed at developing the specific skills in research methodology necessary to study Cognitive Neuroscience and delivers the ability to understand normal and abnormal brain function, prepare research proposals, and undertake original research, analysis and synthesis in one of psychology’s fast-moving and fundamental areas. In the process you'll acquire transferable skills in oral and written communication and the management and analysis of complex data sets. A strength of the programme is the opportunity to learn about and understand modern psychological research methods, including, for example, EEG and TMS. You will have the chance to work through data analysis for these methods in practical sessions. Your fourth-year project could involve using techniques such as virtual reality, EEG, and motion and eye-tracking.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
This master's year is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time in independent study and carrying out your cognitive research project.
Assessment
In year 4, your assessments will include a dissertation and assessments linked to your module choices such as a research proposal, critical reviews, or a pop article.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- AAB. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: Health and Science
- BTEC
- Extended Diploma: DDD excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration. See below for accepted subjects and combinations.
- Contextual Offer
A Level - BBB
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - DDM
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAA.
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BBC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3.
- International Baccalaureate
- 32 points.
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
- Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
- We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Extended Diploma: DDD.
Diploma: DD plus B at A-Level.
Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A-Level.
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
The cognitive psychology pathway is perfect for those preparing for a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and will benefit anyone planning a career with a significant research or data handling component.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Psychological Research in social issues, health services and education
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Market and media research
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Neuropsychological therapies and rehabilitation
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Human-computer interaction
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Data analytics
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Child development
Discover more on our Careers webpages.