Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PSY15U
PSY15U
and Counselling
Undergraduate Prospectus
2014/2015
I did it.
I like the way you study, the flexibility.
Thematerials were brilliant and my tutors
were immensely helpful. The feedback you
get from them is very good and the written
feedback is constructive. You meet other
students in your first year and see them all
the way through. We even arranged revision
groups when exams were approaching.
Catherine Flint, OU graduate
You can
do it too.
Change your life in five simple steps
Everything you need to know to make a start
on changing your life is right here in your hands.
Read on and find out why we have some of the
most satisfied students in the UK, then follow
these simple steps to join them
Contents
Register
Undergraduate study
10
40
Back cover
FACT
An OU qualification says
employ me
An OU qualification on your CV shows more than your level of
knowledge about a subject. It demonstrates to employers that
youre someone who is up for a challenge and committed to
successfully seeing it through, with excellent time management
and prioritising skills. Just the kind of person, in fact, that
employers are looking for, which is why organisations like
KPMG, the Metropolitan Police Service and Unilever work with
ourCareers Advisory Service to recruit OU students.
With us, you dont have to put your life on hold to get
the qualification you need. Around 70 per cent of our
students fit study around their job and busy, changing
lives. Whether you want to start a new career or go
further in your current job, we can help. Find out more at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/careers-subjects.
Students love us
In 2013, the OU once again kept its place in the top five of all UK
universities for student satisfaction, the only university to have
achieved this every year since the survey began in 2005.
Theres nothing
distant about us.
Weve taken distance learning to a whole new, incredibly
supportive level many students whove studied elsewhere
say that theyve been better supported at the OU than at
campus-based universities.
FACT
Because we know that the grades you got at school arent the
only measure of ability, you dont need any previous academic
qualifications to study with us. You may, for example, discover
the skills youve gained through working will help your studies.
If you want it badly enough, well do everything we can to help
you achieve a qualification perhaps thats why more people
choose us every year than any other UK university.
Free tasters
If youre worried about your study skills, the free taster courses
at www.open.edu/openlearn are there to help you prove you
can do it. There are over 600 to choose from, ranging from
introductory to postgraduate level, each taking between one
and 50 hours to complete.
self management
problem solving.
Counselling
The OU Foundation Degree in Counselling will prepare you
to become a professional counsellor, equipping you with the
theoretical understanding and practical skills required to work
inthis field.
You can use the knowledge and skills you develop to seek job
opportunities in areas within health, social care and education
such as:
psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP)
family support worker
career counsellor.
To find out more about career opportunities
related to psychology and counselling click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/psychology-careers.
We advise you to research your career choices as early
as possible to clarify specific qualification and experience
requirements and to identify opportunities available within
yourlocality.
10
Undergraduate
study.
The Open University is one of Europes largest
providers of university-level education in psychology.
11
14
Undergraduate qualifications
in a named subject
16
16
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
Foundation degree/
Diplomas of higher education
31
33
33
33
Open qualifications
34
Undergraduate modules
36
Undergraduate study
11
Foundation degrees
240 credits
Foundation degrees are equivalent to two thirds of an honours
degree and focus either on a particular job or profession; they
combine work-focused learning with academic study and are
designed and developed with external partners. They aim to
enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a
profession or those intending to go into that profession. Most of
our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher
education for those living and working in Scotland.
Degrees
360 credits
An undergraduate or bachelors degree is a widely recognised
higher-education qualification that can help you progress in
your career. While you are studying for your degree you will
learn about your chosen subject(s) and develop your analytical,
intellectual and writing skills.
Degree-level study will demonstrate that you can understand
complex information, meet deadlines, work independently and in
a team, solve problems, and communicate with others effectively.
All our degrees are honours degrees. Like all universities based
in the UK, well grade your degree into one of four classes:
1 (first the highest level), 2.1 (upper second), 2.2 (lower
second) or 3 (third).
12
Qualification
Credits required
at each stage
Total
credits
required
120
120
120
360
Foundation
degree/Diploma of
higher education
120
120
240
Certificate of
higher education
120
120
Qualification
Degree with
honours
6 years
3/4 years1
Foundation
degree/Diploma of
higher education
4 years
2 years
Certificate of
higher education
2 years
1 year
13
14
Undergraduate study
15
There are a range of ways you can pay, and you may even be
able to study for free.
You dont need to attend face-to-face tutorials and can fit your
studies around your work and family life. You fix your telephone
tutorials at times that are mutually convenient to you and
your tutor.
16
Undergraduate study
Degrees (with
BPS accreditation)
Compulsory module
Optional module
Start:
17
Undergraduate study
Qualification structure
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Credits Page
60
36
60
36
Credits Page
C
60
36
Credits Page
30
37
60
37
60
30
38
Credits Page
C
60
37
Credits Page
60
39
60
39
60
60
Credits Page
C
60
18
Undergraduate study
19
Qualification structure
Study order as listed.
Credits Page
60
36
60
36
Credits Page
60
37
60
37
Credits Page
60
60
20
Undergraduate study
21
Qualification structure
Study order as listed.
Credits Page
60
36
60
36
Credits Page
60
37
60
37
Credits Page
60
60
22
Undergraduate study
23
Qualification structure
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Credits Page
60
36
60
36
Credits Page
30
37
30
38
60
37
Credits Page
60
60
24
Undergraduate study
25
Undergraduate study
Qualification structure
Credits Page
C
60
36
Credits Page
Credits Page
60
39
60
39
Credits Page
60
39
60
36
60
60
36
60
60
60
60
Credits Page
60
38
60
37
26
Undergraduate study
27
Undergraduate study
Qualification structure
Applied psychology
Compulsory module 60 credits
Study order as listed but note that the psychology modules can be
studied before those in computing & IT.
Computing & IT
60
60
37
Computing & IT
Credits Page
C
Credits Page
Credits Page
30
30
Fundamentals of interaction
design (M364)
30
30
Computing & IT
30
30
Applied psychology
Compulsory module 60 credits
Investigating psychology 1 (DE100)
Credits Page
C
60
36
Credits Page
1. Computer science
Object-oriented Java
programming (M250)
30
30
60
30
60
30
30
Object-oriented Java
programming (M250) or
30
30
30
5. Solutions development
Credits Page
C
60
3. Networking
Cisco networking (CCNA) (T216)
Applied psychology
2. Digital technologies
Communication and information
technologies (T215)
Credits Page
28
Undergraduate study
29
Qualification structure
Study order as listed.
Credits Page
60
36
60
36
Credits Page
60
38
60
37
Credits Page
60
39
60
39
30
Undergraduate study
Undergraduate study
Qualification structure
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Credits Page
60
60
36
Credits Page
60
37
60
37
Credits Page
C
60
39
Credits Page
60
39
60
39
Foundation degree/
Diplomas of higher education
Foundation Degree in
Counselling (X09)
31
Credits: 240
Start: See www.cpcab.co.uk for details
The value of counselling to improve wellbeing and quality of life
is increasingly recognised. From everyday worries to serious
mental health issues like chronic anxiety and depression,
counsellors and psychotherapists are helping us cope.
This qualification, developed in partnership with the Counselling
and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), will
prepare you to become a professional counsellor equipping
you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills
required to work in this field. Youll engage in a unique mix of
learning experiences, initially taking some CPCAB courses,
which include practical, work-based learning delivered in
conjunction with local Further Education colleges and other
registered training providers, followed by some knowledgebased modules with the OU. If you already have the required
CPCAB qualifications, you can top these up with the OU modules
needed to achieve this qualification.
Before registering you should ensure that the relevant CPCAB
courses are delivered in your area, and that you are aware
of the CPCAB course entry requirements and fees. See
www.cpcab.co.uk for more details.
For students studying outside England and Wales, this
qualification is available as the Diploma of Higher Education
in Counselling (W09), but is limited to areas where the
CPCAB courses are delivered. Please check with CPCAB
(www.cpcab.co.uk) for the latest availability.
32
Undergraduate study
Qualification structure
Recommended study order as listed. Modules marked * can be
taken in any order.
Credits Page
C
120
Credits Page
30
30
Credits Page
C
30
37
Credits Page
Challenging ideas in
mental health (K272)*
30
60
37
30
Diverse perspectives on
mentalhealth (K225)*
30
60
37
30
38
Undergraduate study
Certificate of
Higher Education
Credits: 240
Start:
Certificate of Higher
Education in Psychology (T22)
33
Credits: 120
Start:
34
Undergraduate study
Open qualifications
With an Open qualification a certificate of higher education
(CertHE), diploma of higher education (DipHE) or degree
you choose what you want to study.
Its one of the most flexible programmes of study in the UK,
letting you build a qualification thats unique for you.
You can:
tailor a qualification around your interests and career needs
Where to start
If you are interested in psychology we recommend that you
start your studies with Introducing the social sciences (DD102)
followed by Investigating psychology 1 (DE100).
Alternatively, you could choose 60 credits from other options
which include languages, humanities and design.
This will give you a firm foundation for future studies as well as
60 credits to count towards your qualification. For a full list of our
other key introductory OU level 1 modules see the Open CertHE
at www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-open.
35
The Open degree with honours
study route
Stage 1 120 credits
Start with 60 credits from a wide and varied choice
of key introductory modules (worth 30 or 60 credits)
specially selected to develop your subject knowledge
and study skills in preparation for OU level 2 study
see www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-open for details.
Plus
60 credits of free choice from any OU level 1 modules.
36
Undergraduate study
Undergraduate
modules
For academic year 2014/2015, registration opens for all
undergraduate qualifications on 24 April 2014. After youve
registered on your qualification you will enrol on the
module(s) you intend to study in your first year.
The modules listed below are those that are currently available
for study. However, as we review our curriculum on a regular
basis, the exact selection may change over time.
Assessment key
EMA
End-of-module assessment
iCMA
TMA
Tutor-marked assignment
Stage 1
60 at OU level 1
Length: 9 months
Assessment:
4 TMAs, 1 EMA
Start:
60 at OU level 1
Length: 8 months
Assessment:
Start:
Credits:
60 at OU level 1
Length: 8 months
Assessment:
Start:
60 at OU level 1
Length: 8 months
Assessment:
Start:
Oct 2015
37
Stage 2
60 at OU level 2
30 at OU level 2
Fear and sadness are the most common problems that people
seek counselling for. This module introduces you to the ways in
which they have been understood: as mental health problems;
by different forms of individual therapy; and by approaches that
focus on the family, the social group, or society. While the module
is primarily academic, youll develop awareness of counselling
skills, processes and techniques. The main sections of the
module cover: historical developments in understanding fear and
sadness; key individual counselling approaches; approaches
that consider relationships and cultural aspects of human
suffering; and the practice and evaluation of counselling.
60 at OU level 2
Credits:
60 at OU level 2
60 at OU level 2
60 at OU level 2
38
Undergraduate study
Credits:
60 at OU level 2
30 at OU level 2
30 at OU level 2
60 at OU level 2
39
Stage 3
Cognitive psychology (DD303)
Credits:
Credits:
60 at OU level 3
60 at OU level 3
Credits:
60 at OU level 3
60 at OU level 3
60 at OU level 3
40
When to apply
Apply as early as you can registration closing dates
for undergraduate qualifications are published in this
prospectus. For the most up-to-date information, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses.
You should register well in advance of the closing date
if you wish to apply for financial support or credit for
previousstudy.
Credits
studied
each year1
Percentage
of standard
fee
Cost per
year
Time taken
to complete
a 360-credit
honours degree
30 credits
a year
25%
1316
12 years
part-time study
60 credits
a year
50%
2632
6 years
part-time study
120 credits
a year
100%
5264
3 years
full-time study
Repayments are based on what you earn, not what you owe
and are deducted automatically by your employer through the
UK tax system.
41
Credits studied
each year1
Typical cost
per year2
Time taken to
complete a 360-credit
honours degree
Monthly repayment
Up to 21,000
30 credits a year
440815
22,000
60 credits a year
7751015
25,000
30
15502885
30,000
67
For illustrative purposes only in most cases, you can vary the
number of credits you study each year. Most OU students study
an average of 60 credits a year.
42
The price you pay depends on the number of credits you study
each year:
Credits studied
each year1
Typical cost
per year2
Time taken to
complete a 360-credit
honours degree
30 credits a year
440815
60 credits a year
7751015
15502885
Typical cost
per year2
Monthly repayment
Up to 21,000
Time taken to
complete a 360-credit
honours degree
22,000
25,000
30
30,000
67
30 credits a year
440815
60 credits a year
7751015
15502885
43
Yes the OU offers a range of other ways to pay your tuition fees:
Repayments are based on what you earn, not what you owe
and are deducted automatically by your employer through the
UK tax system.
You only start making repayments when your salary exceeds
the income threshold, currently 21,000.
If your salary stops or drops below the income threshold,
your payments stop too.
Interest is applied to your balance at the Retail Price Index
(RPI) plus up to three per cent, once the University confirms
that you are participating on your qualification.
Youre not committed to borrowing the cost of a full degree
you only borrow what you need to cover the coming
yearsfees.
Unlike other forms of borrowing, it doesnt affect your credit
rating and wont stop you getting a mortgage or car loan.
You can pay a Tuition Fee Loan off early if you want to.
After 30 years, any remaining balance you owe is written off,
no matter how much is left.
So, based on the current threshold of 21,000, say you earn
25,000 a year, youll only need to pay back nine per cent of
your income above 21,000, which works out at 30 a month.
Notinsignificant, but achievable for many people, especially
as your payments stop if at any time your incomes falls
below21,000.
44
Direct study
For information on available qualifications, your study experience,
and what the OU can offer international students, click
www.openuniversity.edu or call +44 (0)845 241 6555.
45
Data protection
We record your personal information when you contact us and
use this to manage registration, study, examination and other
services. When you register, well tell you more about how we
process and use your personal information.
Freedom of information
Information about the University can be found in our publication
scheme, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/foi. You have a general
right to information we hold that is not in our publicationscheme.
Undergraduate Prospectus
Getting started with The Open University
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To download or order
a printed prospectus.
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/prospectus
Call +44 (0)845 300 60 90
I siaradwyr Cymraeg.
Os ydych yn siarad Cymraeg a byddain well gennych
drafod eich anghenion astudio drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg,
cysylltwch :
Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru,
18 Heol y Tollty, Caerdydd, CF10 1AP
Ffoniwch 029 2047 1170
Ebost wales@open.ac.uk
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses
In Northern Ireland
Call our Belfast office on 028 9032 3722
In the Republic of Ireland
Call our Enquiry and Advice Centre in Dublin on
(01)6785399 or our Belfast office on +44 28 9032 3722
Email ireland@open.ac.uk