Spring 2027

This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the foundations of neuroscience. You will learn about different structures and systems in the nervous system and their functions, including key structures in the brain. You will also learn how we sense information from the world around us and how we control our movements, and how the nervous system regulates other bodily processes and systems. You will gain an understanding of cells in the nervous system and how these communicate with each other to enable the nervous system to function and the effect of various substances on this, as well as how the nervous system develops. In addition, this module will provide you with information on key techniques used to investigate brain and nervous system structures and functions, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). This module will provide you with a solid grounding in neuroscience for the rest of your degree, postgraduate studies, and future career, and later modules in your degree will build on the knowledge you will gain here. Throughout this module you will be taught in a mixture of lectures and seminars. The lectures will cover core information for each topic. Interactive seminar activities will enhance your understanding of the structures and functions of the nervous system through practical activities where you will further develop and apply your knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures. For example, you will explore the impact of damage to different systems, and how we can apply our knowledge from neuroscience to address the impact of damage to the nervous system. Seminar activities will also be designed to support the assessments for the module. Your knowledge and understanding of the nervous system from this module will be assessed using a presentation and a portfolio. These will assess your understanding of the structures and functions of the nervous system and techniques used in neuroscience, key topics for the remainder of your degree. These assessments will develop your written and oral communication skills, as well as your abilities to synthesise, summarise, and apply knowledge. These are skills that will be required for the rest of your degree, for postgraduate studies, and for many careers.

This module will promote and enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for working in various professional contexts. It will help you to understand organisational structures processes and how you can apply the learning that you acquired on this programme to professional settings. Upon graduating you may engage in further education, seek employment within therapeutic environments, or feel that you wish to move away from a career orientated around the caring professions. This module will help you to develop transferable skills and offer developmental opportunities to help you succeed in your next steps. For example, the module will support you in understanding how to work and communicate with other professionals and how to contribute as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will learn about different organisations (e.g., NHS and Third Sector) and gain experience navigating as a professional in such settings. Working with risk, being aware of ethical and legal issues, as well as utilising support from managers and supervisors are some of the topics that will help you gain this invaluable knowledge. The module will incorporate content addressing workplace context and scenarios and will support further your Voluntary Experience. The aim is that you will be able to apply your learning from the professional context module to your voluntary settings.

The evaluation of interventions is complex, with multiple facets, stages and implications depending on the context, the population to which the intervention is directed, the expected outcomes and the service provider. Evaluating interventions and services in different contexts is crucial to improving people’s lives. A proper evaluation of intervention and services guarantees that the service provided is effective and helps people’s health, education or wellbeing. It also allows stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions. If you aspire to work in any helping profession, understanding how interventions and services are evaluated is crucial to improving the service provided and, therefore, helping people more and more efficiently. You will learn the ethical and practical implications of the evaluation of services, including the methodology used (e.g., quantitative or qualitative, nomothetic or idiosyncratic), the context (e.g., schools, counselling centres), the type of evaluation (e.g., community, medical) or the type of professionals evaluated (e.g., doctors, nurses, therapists). In this module, you will learn how different practical, methodological, statistical or ethical choices might affect the result of an evaluation and how to conduct a proper evaluation that is useful for both the service provider and the clients. These skills will make you a better helping professional and will help you in your Voluntary Experience module, improving your experience in a real-life working environment.

This module will help you to theoretically understand and practically acquire essential counselling and clinical skills as well as reflective abilities. You will develop core competencies useful for the application of psychological therapies in clinical and counselling setting, including active listening, empathy, ethical decision-making, self-awareness and self-reflection. By attending this module, you will gain a foundational understanding of counselling principles, informed by frameworks such as Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model, Gibbs' Reflective Cycle, and the BACP Counselling Skills Competence Framework. Key topics covered include active listening and responding techniques, maintaining boundaries and confidentiality, and the development of a strong therapeutic alliance. You will also explore ethical considerations of counselling skills and reflective abilities applied in diverse clinical practices, emotion regulation strategies, and the role of power dynamics in counselling relationships. Additionally, the module delves into complex themes such as self-disclosure, transference, and countertransference, with experiential exercises to enhance self-awareness and therapeutic engagement. As part of your counselling and reflective practice skill development, you will practice and improve your ability to engage in a helpful professional relationship through workshop, seminar exercises and tutorials. You will work within triad groups to engage in role-play scenarios and experiential exercises. These activities will allow you to practice and enhance skills in the classroom, including active listening, paraphrasing, reflecting, non-verbal communication, and maintaining a non-directive approach. To enhance your learning experience and professional growth, self-reflection and peer feedback will be experimented through journaling and structured exercises. You will work on developing the appropriate use of self-reflection to assist others and the ability to reflect on your relational styles to discover how they manifest in your interactions. Continuous and constructive and supportive feedback will be provided to help you improve and refine these skills. In this module, the assessments are designed to solidify your knowledge and skills, while enhancing your proficiency in clinical, counselling, and psychotherapeutic settings. You will complete a Therapeutic Session Analysis, which involves evaluating a recorded counselling session to apply person-centered therapy concepts, honing your analytical and practical skills. Additionally, a Reflective Essay will help you to critically reflect on your personal growth and skill development throughout the module, focusing on key experiences and setting goals for your future as a practitioner. All these assessments will be supported by formative tasks and formative assessments performed in seminars. Through these assessments, you'll gain valuable insights and further enhance your proficiency in counselling. By the end of the module, you will have gained a solid foundation in counselling skills and reflective abilities that will be useful for your future career, preparing you for further clinical training and practice. Additionally, you will have developed the necessary skills to foster welcoming and supportive relationships, which can be applied in various professional contexts such as mental health and counselling, social work, human resources, mediation, and youth work.

The aim of this module is to investigate positive psychological theories, concepts and empirical research, and critically consider their application in real-world settings. You will undertake the scientific study of key positive psychology topics including happiness and wellbeing, positive emotions, resilience, optimism, flow and flourishing. This module will also introduce measures to assess positive psychology constructs such as resilience and emotional intelligence. You will explore how different methods, techniques and ways of working improve performance in a range of settings – educational, organisational, and personal life. Furthermore, you will critically consider psychological research on the benefits of applied positive psychology and you will be encouraged to evaluate topics in relation to your own life experience. This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to apply across a wide range of work settings, as well as identifying your own strengths, values and motivations to apply those skills both at work and in life in general. This module is relevant for students interested in pursuing a range of career pathways including occupational psychology and coaching and mentoring roles.

This module aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the recent development in theory and practice within the criminal justice system in relation to domestic abuse. Domestic Abuse refers to physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and/or financial abuse committed by a perpetrator towards a victim in the contact of a close relationship. Students will learn about theories, typologies and critically assess the criminal justice responses. Many students who have taken this module in the past have sought employment in violence prevention work after graduating. This module provides a very useful grounding for in this area.

The module will introduce the major theories and research in the field of Health Psychology and Addiction. The topics focus on how psychological processes contribute towards maintenance of physical health and disease risk, prevention, and management, as well as understanding and treatment of addictive behaviours. The biopsychosocial model will be explored in depth to illustrate the interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors that are relevant to health, illness, and substance use disorders. Drawing particular attention to theoretical models, research methodology and study designs used in Health Psychology, you will become familiar with challenges associated with studying behavioural aspects of health and illness. This module will prepare you for a career in Health or Clinical Psychology and equip you with skills applicable to a wide range of health-related careers (e.g. careers in public health and promotion, research, health advisors and roles in addiction support).

In this module you will learn about different neurodevelopmental conditions, with a particular focus on autism. This module will take a multidisciplinary approach – we will consider differences in the ways that autistic people process and understand information from the world around them, therapies for autism, and factors and behaviours that relate to the later development of autism. We will also explore individual differences relating to autistic traits, and we will discuss similarities and differences between autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Throughout the module we will explore current perspectives on topics relevant to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as exploring future directions for research into autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, therapies for autistic people, and societal views of neurodiversity. This module will build on aspects of biological, cognitive, and developmental psychology from Levels 4 and 5, and will be of particular interest for students who would like to learn more about and/or pursue a career related to neurodevelopmental conditions following their degree. This module will equip you with knowledge relating to the behaviours and abilities of individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as therapies that may be used with such groups. We will discuss how we can apply theoretical knowledge of these conditions to better support individuals, with such an application of knowledge being a key transferable skill for your future career. Assessments for this module will require you to synthesise, summarise, and critically evaluate knowledge relating to autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions for both academic and non-academic audiences, further important transferable skills for many graduate jobs.

This module focusses on the phenomenology, biological basis and treatment of symptoms of psychiatric illnesses and will examine a range of mental health experiences such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety - as well as some of the rarer and more fascinating disorders in psychiatry such as young onset dementia and confused and disoriented states. You will develop your understanding of and reflect upon the core theories developed to explain specific symptoms in mental disorders such as hallucinations, delusions and depression. You will explore the very latest therapeutic methods such as clinical trials, drug treatments, psychological treatments, cognitive enhancement and neuromodulation. This module expands upon your understanding of mental health disorders developed in Psychopathology and Clinical Psychology and will cultivate a range of skills including reflective and critical thinking, as well as interpersonal sensitivity and awareness around issues in mental health. It will also promote the development of psychological knowledge of mental health for the benefit of yourself, your community, and society. This module will contribute to your preparation towards a traditional psychology career in a wide-range of contexts including but by no means limited to mental health services in the NHS, counselling, or other clinical practice - including the government’s IAPT initiative. It would also equally serve as preparation for further studies in mental health or a career in psychological or psychiatric research.

In this module, you will learn about the NHS stepped care system and the service user’s journey, appreciating their and their support network’s experience. You will develop in depth understanding and skills to engage with diverse populations and you will demonstrate respect for the value of individual differences. This module will support your development as an ethical, responsible, boundaried, reflective professional who is aware and understands the inherent power imbalance between practitioners and service users and how abuse of this can be prevented.

This module has been designed with ‘murder in mind’! Murder and why individuals commit such heinous crimes is a fascinating topic of study. Throughout history scholars have tried to understand the motivation behind taking another person’s life. The principle aim of this module is to introduce you to the psychology of murder. Initial sessions will provide a background through exploring the importance of psychology in the field of criminology and what exactly do we mean by murder. Our intellectual journey will then progress to delve into the most fascinating area of murders: the world of the serial killer, mass murderer and the growing issue of terrorism. From exploring actual crimes we will gradually build up a picture of the psychological motivations behind such serious crimes – are murderers mad, sad or bad? To further understand the motivation behind murder we will explore why certain victims are selected (female, homeless, children) and debate how such crimes should be punished in our society. The module will comprise lectures, workshops and debates as well as a walking tour of some of the famous London murder sites.

This module is designed to support you in developing and executing an independent research project or industry-focused study, culminating in a research dissertation. Over eleven weeks of lectures and seminars, you will acquire and apply knowledge and skills in research design, ethical considerations, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and data analysis techniques. The teaching is structured to ensure that you achieve key learning outcomes, including mastery of diverse research methods, the ability to critically analyse data, adherence to ethical principles, and effective communication of an ethical research plan (Ethics task) and findings from the research (Dissertation). By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in conducting rigorous, ethically sound, and impactful psychological research using primary data.

This module will equip you with essential skills in scientific research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis. These skills will enable you to conduct your own research studies, both for the research project module and in your future careers. Additionally, you will gain expertise in data analysis and relevant technologies, enhancing your employability across a variety of career paths. Specifically, you will learn about core research methods in psychology, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches with a focus on methodological rigour, transparency, and reproducibility.

You will also develop the ability to apply psychological research to issues that reflect contemporary developments and real-world issues. You will conduct literature reviews, decipher research gaps, identify study rationales, and collect and analyse data, followed by reporting your findings in written assessments in the form of a research report and a research proposal. These assessments will enhance your ability to write persuasive and scientifically based arguments, for academic audiences.

The module aims to examine the important psychological subfields in relationships and identities, both integral to understanding the interface and interactions between individuals and the social world particularly. The nature of these areas, their development, investigations and contextual or practical implications and potential interventions will be discussed and evaluated.

Identity and social development is an integral part of any broad psychology degree. The academic and professional benefits to students studying this module include obtaining essential theoretical and research-informed knowledge in this area of psychology; evaluating such knowledge from the research and considering application in practices and outcomes; and exercising critical evaluation, as transferrable skills that can be used in further studies and/or the workplace.

You will engage in learning through lectures and seminar or workshop activities such as group discussion, debates about different perspectives or from opposing positions, and consideration of case studies, critical analysis of practice including interventions and personal reflective exercises. Assessment includes one written assignment involving qualitative assessment, following the formative assessment conducted in class, and one non-written task – to create an infographic.

Outside-class activities such as invited speaker talk or visit (Career Development Week), career mapping exercises, and Assessment Support Week and drop-ins will be available to help ensure that you have positive experiences and promote employability.

This module is designed to support you in developing and executing an independent research project or industry-focused study, culminating in a research dissertation. Over eleven weeks of lectures and seminars, you will acquire and apply knowledge and skills in research design, ethical considerations, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and data analysis techniques. The teaching is structured to ensure that you achieve key learning outcomes, including mastery of diverse research methods, the ability to critically analyse data, adherence to ethical principles, and effective communication of an ethical research plan (Ethics task) and findings from the research (Dissertation). By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in conducting rigorous, ethically sound, and impactful psychological research using primary data.

This module will support the development of your professional judgement and your critical understanding of relevant data and how to use it to make decisions. You will develop the ability to critically evaluate research in relation to psychotherapeutic counselling and how to keep up to date with the latest advancements in DIT and psychotherapeutic counselling in general. You will learn how to apply critical judgement to identify disparities in access, experience and outcome building on the acquired knowledge from years one and two and within the programme’s inclusive approach that challenges inequalities and power dynamics.

This module will support the development of your professional judgement and your critical understanding of relevant data and how to use it to make decisions. You will develop the ability to critically evaluate research in relation to psychotherapeutic counselling and how to keep up to date with the latest advancements in DIT and psychotherapeutic counselling in general. You will learn how to apply critical judgement to identify disparities in access, experience and outcome building on the acquired knowledge from years one and two and within the programme’s inclusive approach that challenges inequalities and power dynamics.

This module will help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to operate as a competent evidence-based practitioner and to navigate the context within which you will be working. You will develop the ability to utilise audit and evaluation tools to monitor and maintain standards within practice settings, you will be able to demonstrate critical understanding of research methodologies and evidenced based practice and work efficiently and ethically across different platforms (e.g. online video and telephone). You will recognise and respect difference, reflecting on your own identity, culture, values and ‘world view’ and the impact of these on the therapeutic relationship.

This module will equip you with essential skills in scientific research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis. These skills will enable you to conduct your own research studies, both for the research project module and in your future careers. Additionally, you will gain expertise in data analysis and relevant technologies, enhancing your employability across a variety of career paths. Specifically, you will learn about core research methods in psychology, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches with a focus on methodological rigour, transparency, and reproducibility. You will also develop the ability to apply psychological research to issues that reflect contemporary developments and real-world issues. You will conduct literature reviews, decipher research gaps, identify study rationales, and collect and analyse data, followed by reporting your findings in written assessments in the form of a research report and a research proposal. These assessments will enhance your ability to write persuasive and scientifically based arguments, for academic audiences.

The module aims to examine the important psychological subfields in relationships and identities, both integral to understanding the interface and interactions between individuals and the social world particularly. The nature of these areas, their development, investigations and contextual or practical implications and potential interventions will be discussed and evaluated. Identity and social development is an integral part of any broad psychology degree. The academic and professional benefits to students studying this module include obtaining essential theoretical and research-informed knowledge in this area of psychology; evaluating such knowledge from the research and considering application in practices and outcomes; and exercising critical evaluation, as transferrable skills that can be used in further studies and/or the workplace. You will engage in learning through lectures and seminar or workshop activities such as group discussion, debates about different perspectives or from opposing positions, and consideration of case studies, critical analysis of practice including interventions and personal reflective exercises. Assessment includes one written assignment involving qualitative assessment, following the formative assessment conducted in class, and one non-written task – to create an infographic. Outside-class activities such as invited speaker talk or visit (Career Development Week), career mapping exercises, and Assessment Support Week and drop-ins will be available to help ensure that you have positive experiences and promote employability.

This module will introduce you to the practical applications of psychology in understanding and addressing real-world issues. You will learn how psychological theories, concepts, and research can be applied to everyday experiences, real-world contexts, and issues such as environmental issues, mental health, and ageing. By examining these topics you will develop a comprehensive understanding of how psychology can inform and influence societal changes, and have a positive impact on individuals, our communities, and the world. This knowledge will help prepare you for the rest of your degree and postgraduate studies, and will also be applicable to many workplaces; the ability to use and apply knowledge from psychology is relevant for a wide range of careers that value a psychology degree. In addition, this module will increase your awareness of potential careers you might consider following on from your degree. You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will provide a detailed theoretical overview of each topic, highlighting key information and demonstrating how psychology contributes to understanding and solving real-world problems. Seminars will be interactive and assessment-focused, allowing you to engage in group work, discussions, and practical activities. For example, these sessions will support the development of campaign designs, interventions, and public communications aimed at promoting behavioural change. Other seminars will allow you to further apply your knowledge from psychology to real-world issues. You will have two assessments for this module: firstly, you will design a campaign strategy and public communication to address a real-world issue, and secondly you will complete an essay. These assessments will develop your skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, and the application of psychological theories to practical situations. You will also develop your problem-solving and creativity skills. These skills will be valuable for the rest of your degree, for further studies, and for various career paths. As a result, these will enhance your employability and prepare you for postgraduate study or work in a wide range of fields.

This module will introduce you to research approaches and methods of data analysis used in psychology and related subjects. You will learn how to develop good research questions and how to perform and understand data analysis using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative approaches will include using statistics to describe data sets and to explore group differences and relationships between different measures, while qualitative approaches will include identifying themes from interviews or text. This module will provide you with key knowledge of research methods for the rest of your degree – this will be particularly important for learning further data analysis approaches, and for undertaking your own independent research project in Year 3. In addition, research studies ultimately underpin the majority of knowledge you will gain from your degree, and understanding the research methods and data analysis used in these studies will enhance your understanding and evaluation of the knowledge you gain throughout your degree. The research and data analysis knowledge and skills you gain in this module will also be important following your degree, both in postgraduate studies and in the workplace. In this module you will be taught using a mixture of lectures and workshops. Lectures will cover key concepts and theories relating to research approaches and data analysis. In workshops you will apply the knowledge gained from lectures, for example in developing your own research questions and studies and analysing data yourself. As a part of this you will learn how to use different software packages for data analysis. Workshop activities will also help support you for the assessments for this module. In this module you will be assessed using a poster and a portfolio. The poster will be based on a specific research question, while the portfolio will consist of different tasks such as a brief literature review and writing up the methods and results for different research questions. These assessments will therefore require you to develop your research, data analysis, written communication, and presentation design skills. These skills will be essential for the rest of your degree and postgraduate studies. These skills are also valued by many employers and so will ultimately enhance your employability.

This module enables students to improve their knowledge and skills in research, including planning and conducting research-based tasks, presenting findings and aiming to make significant contributions to evidence-based practice in child-centred play therapy. Students will have the opportunity to create a synthesis of their theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to pursue their own research interest. A clinical issue, the student’s own clinical work or a professional issue may provide the inspiration for their extended clinical project. There will be opportunities for students to disseminate aspects of their completed project in research journals and to the wider play therapy community.

This module will introduce you to the fascinating world of criminal behaviour, explore its profound impact on individuals and society and discover how psychologists contribute to understanding and addressing it. You will explore key theories and approaches in forensic psychology, while also examining the ethical challenges in research and practice. Through engaging case studies, you will delve into the experiences of both victims and offenders, uncovering how factors such as socio-economic background, gender, race, and neurodiversity influence criminal behaviour and its outcomes. Within this module, you will be taught through a mixture of lectures and seminars, and your knowledge and understanding of forensic psychology will be assessed through a virtual debate and a presentation of a research proposal. These assessments will evaluate your ability to critically engage with forensic topics, apply psychological theories and research to real-life scenarios, and effectively communicate your ideas both orally and in writing. To ensure positive outcomes for all students, the module will incorporate inclusive teaching practices that cater to diverse learning needs and styles. Clear guidance and support will be provided for assessments, alongside opportunities for formative feedback through class discussions and tailored activities to help you improve and succeed. Case studies and examples will reflect a variety of perspectives and experiences, promoting an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Additionally, academic and pastoral support will be readily available to help students navigate any challenges and achieve their full potential. The skills you develop through this module will prepare you for postgraduate studies and a range of careers in forensic psychology and related fields.

In this module you will learn about links between neuroscience and wellbeing, and different neurological and psychological conditions. We will discuss the effects of different conditions affecting the brain, such as schizophrenia, substance abuse, and mood disorders. We will also discuss factors important for promoting healthy cognitive and brain functioning, such as the roles of the immune system, sleep, and gut functioning. This module will cover current research and perspectives in topics relating to health and illness as well as future directions, giving you an up-to-date overview of key research questions in these areas. Throughout this module you will be taught in a mixture of lectures and seminars. The lectures will give an overview of key research and the current research questions for each topic. Seminars will give you the opportunity to discuss relevant topics to enhance your understanding, as well as opportunities to consider how we can develop further research studies so that we can assess applications of our theoretical knowledge to better support people and improve their lives. Seminar activities will also be designed to support the assessments for the module. Your knowledge in this module will be assessed through a stakeholder report and a presentation. These assessments will develop your ability to synthesise, summarise, consider the impact of, and critically evaluate knowledge. Your ability to apply knowledge to a real-world issue will be developed through the presentation. Your written and oral communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences will also be further developed through these assessments. These assessments will therefore provide you with multiple skills that are important for postgraduate studies and many careers.

In this module you will have the opportunity to conduct and report an original research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher in neuroscience and mental health. You will apply analytical and conceptual tools and personal skills to an in-depth investigation of a specific neuroscience and mental health research question. You will complete a short ethics proposal, a 6000-word research report in jour1nal style and a 15-minute oral presentation at the MSc Neuroscience and Mental Health Conference. Completing this module will enable you to gain key skills including the ability to critically analyse data, adhere to psychologically ethical principles, effectively synthesise, evaluate and communicate research in written and oral format and expand their professional network with relevant external organisations.

In this module you will learn about changes in the brain, and its links to mental health conditions. The focus will be on symptomatology, aetiology and interventions. We will discuss the effects of different mental health conditions affecting the brain, such as anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia and addiction, as well as neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We will also examine factors important for promoting healthy brain functioning, such as the roles of stress and the immune system and consider applications of neuroscience to mental health treatments. This module will cover current research and perspectives in these topics, including non-western approaches to understanding mental health and treatment options, as well as future directions, giving you an up-to-date overview of key research questions in these areas. Throughout this module you will be taught in a mixture of lectures and seminars. Teaching throughout both lectures and seminars will be research informed. The lectures will give an overview of key research and the current research questions for each topic. Seminars will give you the opportunity to discuss relevant topics to enhance your understanding, as well as opportunities to consider how we can develop further research studies enabling us to assess applications of our theoretical knowledge to better support people and improve their lives. The seminars will also provide support for the assessments for the module, including opportunities for formative feedback. Seminar activities will be designed to support the assessments for the module. Your knowledge in this module will be assessed through a Pecha Kucha and a Leaflet. These assessments will develop your ability to synthesize, summarise, consider the impact of, and critically evaluate knowledge. It will also help you develop skills needed to apply knowledge to real-world issues, as well as strengthen your written and oral communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences. Including non-Western approaches will also encourage you to appreciate and integrate diverse cultural perspectives in mental health care. These assessments will therefore provide you with multiple skills that are important for postgraduate studies and many careers.

This module covers the key research methods which are required for independent cognitive neuroscience research. Across the module, you will study a range of statistical approaches which are used in neuroscience research (e.g. t-test, ANOVA, correlation, regression, factor analysis, meta-analysis, Bayesian analysis). These will be linked directly to the contemporary research topics covered in other modules. Additionally, you will perform practice and assessed analyses on real data collected by researchers at Roehampton, providing essential applied statistical experience. You will also study the analysis and interpretation of a range neuroimaging and electrophysiological data, covering a range of different methods including structural (sMRI) and functional neuroimaging (fMRI), and electroencephalography (EEG). You will learn data analysis on a range of statistical software including SPSS, JASP, R, MATLAB, and SAS, SPM, FSL etc., providing a broad range of skills required to adapt to different demands across topics in cognitive neuroscience. You will also study the general background to research in neuroscience, including good research practice, ethical and philosophical backgrounds to research, and practical academic skills required to succeed in the programme and future careers. The workshops will provide support for the assessments for the module, including opportunities for formative feedback.

The module differs from a ‘typical’ dissertation module in that it will enable you to investigate a developmental topic through research OR evaluate a developmental topic by reflective practice. You will use analytic or reflective skills you learn in the programme and apply project management skills as an independent inquirer (with supervision). Topical/guidance sessions and workshops will include consideration of ethical principles and the research-practice links, applying and evaluating research methods and practice techniques, and planning and reporting your project. The module fits integrally within the programme as research and practice extend knowledge and examine challenges in context. The academic and professional benefits as you study this module include critically applying investigative and/or reflective skills and knowledge about developmental psychology towards designing and conducting your own projects, and presenting and writing skills, as transferrable skills that can be used in further studies and/or the workplace. Areas include larger-scale research designs and analyses in developmental psychology, ethical considerations for research and practice, connecting research and practice and mapping to your career aspirations, and disseminating own plans and research findings or practice outcomes. You will engage in learning through topical sessions and seminars or workshops that include group discussions, reviewing examples of investigative or practice projects, small-group tutorials and supervisory meetings with an allocated specialist supervisor, evaluating exemplar practices, and reflective exercises. Assessment includes one written assignment and one non-written task. Outside-class activities such as careers talk and career mapping (Career Development Week), an Assessment Support Week, and draft dissertation feedback as part of student supervision, will be available to ensure you have positive experiences and promote employability.

In this module, you will explore the ways through which human development can be investigated, from types of data, measurements and questions to research designs, through inquiry techniques and analytic methods (including widely used tools and psychometric testing for children and parents), to means and format of reporting or dissemination. Practical workshops will include practicing the use of tools and tests and analysing developmental research data. The module fits integrally within the programme: research injects new knowledge and challenges existing ideas within developmental psychology as a science. The academic and professional benefits you will gain from studying this module include obtaining essential investigative skills and knowledge about research studies towards designing and conducting their own studies (such as for the Capstone project), acquiring technical analysis know-how and critical evaluation as transferrable skills that can be used in further studies and/or the workplace. Areas include the research designs and approaches in developmental psychology, ethical issues for such research, investigative tools and tests in developmental psychology, use of quantitative and qualitative methods in developmental research, and disseminating such research. You will engage in learning through topical introductions, lectures and seminar activities including group discussion, trialing investigative tests/tools, research participation, practical workshops (for analysis), and reflective exercises. Assessment includes a research poster and a research report. Outside-class activities such as invited research talk and discussing research career opportunities (Career Development Week) and Assessment Support Week and drop-ins will be available to you to ensure positive experiences and promote employability.

In this module you will examine development of interpersonal and emotional factors and processes through the lifespan, and their impact on outcomes. Indicative topics include the lifespan dimension of attachment and parenting, temperament, behaviour and personality development, the self and social identity, social interactions and relationships, and transitions through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Discussions will include applications in context. Social and emotional development is an essential part of social and developmental psychology. It reflects the interface and interactions between the individual and the social world around them and how individuals interpret that world as they grow with age. The academic and professional benefits to you from studying this module will include obtaining essential theoretical and research-informed knowledge in this area of developmental psychology, applying such knowledge when considering outcomes and practical implications, and exercising critical evaluation, as transferrable skills that can be used in further studies and/or the workplace. You will engage in learning through lectures and seminar activities including group discussion, debates about different perspectives or from opposing positions, consideration of case studies (for preparing an assignment), and reflective exercises. Assessment includes one written assignment and one non-written task. Outside-class activities such as invited speaker talk (Career Development Week) and Assessment Support Week and drop-ins will be available to promote your positive module experiences and employability.

In the pre-requisite module: Research informed Arts and Play Therapies and clinical work, students are provided with an introduction to research practice and the research process in the Arts Therapies, including qualitative, quantitative, embodied and arts based research paradigms. Students gain a thorough overview of a diverse range of practice based research approaches, methodologies, giving students a framework within which they can plan and write a research proposal/ presentation and focus on an area of research interest. Once completed, they can pursue their final research project in this module. In this final project module students create a synthesis of their theoretical knowledge and clinical experience in pursuit of their own research interest. It is the culmination of all their work on the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy programme and along with the theory-practice integration, highlights the high level of somatic/ embodied practice, embodied reflexivity and embodied intersubjectivity that students attain at this final stage and in preparation for completing the programme. A clinical issue, the student’s own clinical work or a professional issue may provide the inspiration for their research. This module provides students the opportunity to design and develop an advanced specialist research project based on a synthesis of advanced clinical practice, research methodologies and methods using specialist information and data to generate original research questions, evaluate and identify the most appropriate methodologies to investigate them and carry out an original and independent piece of research to enhance learning and practice and contribute to the DMP professional community. To support professional development and employability , this module will facilitate the development of the following skills: Ability to carry out an independent clinical/ research project. Interview skills Writing skills Communication skills Promoting safe and ethical practice Professional proficiency in developing one's professional understanding and practice self reflexivity.

The Capstone Project serves as the culmination of the MSc Digital Health, allowing you to undertake an independent research or applied project that synthesises the knowledge, skills, and methodologies you have acquired throughout the programme. This module provides an opportunity for you to design, develop, and evaluate a digital health intervention, conduct an in-depth research study, or address a real-world healthcare challenge using digital technologies. You will be supported through supervisory guidance, research workshops, and structured peer discussions to ensure you can independently manage your project while applying rigorous research methods. Your project may take various forms, including a feasibility study, an evaluation of an existing intervention, a secondary data analysis, or the development of a new digital health tool. Integrating all five pillars of education—Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, Global Engagement, Professionally Focused Education, and Technology-Enhanced Learning—this module ensures that you produce a high-quality, impactful piece of work that is relevant to both academic and industry settings. The final output will be your capstone project (70%) and a viva (30%), where you will communicate your research findings or project outcomes to an academic and professional audience.

The Working in the Digital Health Industry module provides you with practical experience and industry engagement, preparing you for careers in digital health research, technology development, consultancy, and policy. This two-semester module integrates all five pillars of education—Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, Global Engagement, Professionally Focused Education, and Technology-Enhanced Learning—ensuring that you gain real-world experience, professional skills, and industry insights.

You will undertake a work-based learning work experience or project, allowing you to apply your academic learning to real-world industry challenges. Alongside this, you will engage in career development training, reflective practice, and professional networking activities, gaining a deeper understanding of the digital health landscape, workplace expectations, and emerging career opportunities.

Throughout the module, you will receive structured employability support, including application guidance, CV and interview training, and professional branding exercises. Assessments focus on critical reflection and industry engagement, including a reflective work experience diary (50%) and a social media portfolio (50%), ensuring that you develop professional documentation and career-readiness skills.

The AI-Augmented Research and Evaluation in Digital Health module provides you with a comprehensive foundation in research methodologies, evaluation frameworks, and the integration of AI-assisted tools in digital health research. You will develop the critical knowledge, analytical skills, and digital competencies needed to design, conduct, and evaluate digital health studies. You will explore both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including study design, data collection strategies, feasibility analysis, and the evaluation of digital health interventions. The module introduces AI-assisted research tools, such as automated literature reviews, qualitative analysis support, and AI-driven data interpretation, while ensuring you understand the ethical considerations, limitations, and risks associated with AI in research. You will gain hands-on experience in basic data analysis using R or Python, equipping you with foundational coding skills applicable to digital health research. Learning activities include interactive lectures, hands-on data analysis workshops, and applied case studies, ensuring that you can critically evaluate research quality, ethical implications, and the impact of digital interventions on healthcare outcomes. Assessments focus on practical research and evaluation skills, including a research proposal (70%), where you will design a digital health study, and an oral presentation (30%), requiring you to articulate your research rationale and methodology. As a core module in the MSc Digital Health, this module prepares you for careers in health technology research, policy evaluation, and data-driven healthcare innovation. By integrating quantitative and qualitative research skills with digital health applications, you will gain the competence and confidence to conduct high-quality research in digital health.

The Digital Health Innovation module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of emerging technologies and their applications in healthcare, equipping you with the critical knowledge, practical skills, and professional insight needed to develop and implement innovative digital health solutions. You will explore key topics, including AI-driven healthcare innovations, virtual reality in patient care, wearable health technologies, mobile applications for health monitoring, and robotics in healthcare. Learning activities will include interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and case study analyses, fostering practical problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By engaging with global case studies and real-world digital health innovations, you will gain a broad and informed perspective on the ethical, economic, and societal implications of digital health technologies. Assessments are designed to prepare you for professional practice, including a business plan (50%) for a digital health innovation and a pitch deck (50%), where you will present your concept in an industry-style format. These assessments will ensure that you develop entrepreneurial, strategic, and communication skills essential for leadership roles in digital health. This module provides you with a strong foundation in health technology development, preparing you for careers in product design, digital health entrepreneurship, health technology consultancy, and user experience research. Through engagement with cutting-edge digital tools, industry insights, and interdisciplinary collaboration, you will gain the competence and confidence to lead in the digital health sector.

Practice-based learning lies at the heart of the Art Psychotherapy programme. Students will gain a placement in a clinical setting, where they will have the opportunity to deliver individual and/or group art psychotherapy under the supervision of an experienced clinician. Additional support is provided by reflective practice groups within the programme, including the opportunity to share and learn from the experience of students working in different settings. In this module students will learn how to safely and effectively establish, maintain and end clinical relationships. They will also have the chance to explore contemporary debates around context, power and difference that shape and position the self and the other, within society broadly, and the art therapeutic relationship and health contexts, specifically. This module will prepare students to work effectively and sensitively with difference, in a variety of contexts. In doing so, they will develop contemporary knowledge and skills that will begin to prepare students for employment as an art psychotherapist once qualified. Students will also have the opportunity to explore aspects of their placement visually through the artistic process of El Duende. This is the use of a single canvas to capture response-art marking to clinical experiences. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 50 clinical placement days in this module. In addition, students must arrange their own individual therapy for 30 sessions over the academic year with an appropriately recognised therapist. Personal therapy is an established requisite to training as a therapist and a mandatory requirement for professional registration by the HCPC. Insight into personal and group processes is a cornerstone of clinical practice and avoids the inappropriate intrusion of the therapists’ own issues into their clinical relationships.