MSci Social Psychology
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Master of Sciences
- UCAS Course Code
- C88B
- Typical Offer
- AAB
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Discover how human psychology is influenced by society and by the people – real, implied and imagined – that surround us. Throughout this programme, you'll study a range of theoretical ideas and develop expert research skills.
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 a balance of small 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 social psychology. You'll be able to study topics such as forensic psychology, the psychology of good and evil, the psychology of mental health, social groups and behavioural change. Throughout your degree, you’ll study a range of theoretical ideas and develop expert research skills.
In your third and fourth years, you'll also implement an individual research project, related to a social psychological topic. Past students have chosen areas such as substance alcohol use, implicit cognition, conspiracy theories, stereotyping and prejudice, and perceptions of ex-offenders.
Your specialist knowledge and skills will develop as you select specific options and engage in higher level research in years 3 and 4.
You'll be able to choose from a range of psychology modules according to your interests, be they broad or specific. You’ll also have the chance to experience topics you may not have come across before. If you discover a new passion or interest during your first year, you’ll have the option to change to a different Psychology pathway, ensuring you’re on the right degree for you.
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 study one 120 credit module. This will provide a firm foundation for developing your understanding of psychological theory and research with a focus on how this knowledge is applied within the ‘real world’. Teaching sessions are organised 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
Your first-year compulsory module is 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
This course will give you an excellent balance of independent thinking and study skills, encouraging you to develop into an expert researcher and critical thinker. You’ll develop accuracy and precision in your written work, become confident in your organisation and time management skills, and learn to prioritise tasks to meet important deadlines. Throughout your studies you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed across a range of assessments which can include essays, research reports, research proposals, projects and examinations. Assessments will include formative tasks and summative assessments. Whilst formative assessments aren’t given a mark, detailed feedback from the formative assessments will help you with the summative assessments.
In the first year, your assessments will include a range of formative and summative tasks.
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 an advanced module in 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. You’ll also spend time carrying out independent study, researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library, and carrying out research projects.
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 social research project reflecting your intellectual interests and career aspirations. You’ll be supported by a social 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 social 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 be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. 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
Your fourth year In Social Psychology combines research methods training with in-depth study at the cutting edge of the subject area. You’ll develop specific skills in research methodology necessary to understand and undertake advanced research into social behaviour and social cognition. You’ll undertake research in one of psychology’s most applied areas through exploring behavioural change and social interventions. You’ll acquire transferable skills in communication and the management and analysis of complex data sets. A key strength of the programme is the opportunity to experience modern psychological research methods at first hand, and to undertake lab skills training to acquire skills specific to your interests and career aims.
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
Your Master’s year will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You’ll also spend time in independent study and carrying out your developmental research project.
Assessment
In year 4, your assessments will include a dissertation of 40 credits, 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
- 33 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.
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.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science
International Foundation in Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences
International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering
International Foundation in Business Economics Society and Culture
International Foundation in Humanities and Law
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 social psychology route will suit those students who are preparing for a PhD in Social Psychology and will benefit anyone planning a career with a significant research component which involves social behavior, behavior change or community interventions and their evaluation.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Psychological Research in social issues
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Market and media research
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Social work and health care
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Human resources and management
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Data analytics
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Education, research and consultancy
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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.
