Programme structure: Psychology of Education BPS (MSc) - what's running in 2027/28

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2027/28)

All units (mandatory or where chosen as optional) in this programme are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology EDUCM0103 20 Mandatory TB-4
Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology EDUCM0104 20 Mandatory TB-4
Brain, Cognition and Education EDUCM0102 20 Mandatory TB-1
Developmental Psychology and individual Differences EDUCM0101 20 Mandatory TB-1
Social Psychology EDUCM0080 20 Mandatory TB-2
Dissertation EDUCM1900 60 Mandatory TB-4
Select 20 credit points from the following:
Autism in theory and practice EDUCM0086 20 Optional TB-2
Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing in Educational Contexts EDUCM0079 20 Optional TB-2
Cognitive Neuroscience and Classroom Practice EDUCM0078 20 Optional TB-2
Counselling Learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs EDUCM0061 20 Optional TB-2
Current issues in language, education and global mobility EDUCM0098 20 Optional TB-2
Emotions and the learning brain EDUCM0097 20 Optional TB-2
Language Testing and Assessment EDUCM5907 20 Optional TB-2
  180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

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