The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: CertHE Indicative duration: 16 months
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Do you have an enquiring mind and a thirst for knowledge? Are you fascinated with how people think and what makes them tick? Our short online Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology course could be the stepping stone you need to experience a whole new world.

You’ll start of by learning skills that will that will ensure you are academically ready to engage in online learning on advanced level in our Fundamentals of Effective Learning in Psychology. You then go on to learn about key subjects within the field of psychology, for example the ways in which people, as individuals or in groups, influence on another, human memory and cognition and much more.

Get to grips with the science behind the mind, brain, behaviour and experience. You’ll learn about the different fields within psychology, as well as how psychology can be applied to real-life settings and can help us to understand the thoughts and actions of individual people and their social groups.

Throughout this course, you’ll explore a broad range of topics including:

  • the history of individual differences and the ethical issues and controversies it raises
  • the ethical and cultural approaches to mental health, stress and wellbeing
  • how psychology can be used to analyse how attitudes are formed and changed
  • theories and methods in the field of social psychology;
  • an introduction to the study of human memory and cognition

Upon completion of your CertHE Psychology, we offer the opportunity for you to progress on to study our BPS accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology.

Why we’re great

  • You’ll be working with the our dedicated, motivated and passionate tutors who are all specialist in their own fields. They will be available for support and guidance to all our students.
  • The course is assignment based with nearly every module having an engagement activity where you will be able to socialise and interact with other students on the course.
  • You will also work on collaborative modules which will widen your knowledge and give you different perspectives from others that you are working with. These modules also give you a chance to understand views which you may not have considered before.

The CertHE Psychology is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 120 credits.

This engaging module encourages you to develop the competencies required for higher online education learning, such as academic styles of writing. You’ll also critically reflect on your personal development while learning about key psychological areas including cognitive psychology’s theory of learning styles.  

This defining module provides you with the toolkit to analyse how we process, store and use information about ourselves and others. You’ll learn about the role of social psychologists and explore the ethical principles of research and conduct set by the British Psychological Society.  

By studying this thought-provoking module, you’ll understand why people are different from each other and explore the avenues to critically evaluate and measure these differences. You'll learn fundamentals of psychometrics and take the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and present a theory-based personality assessment.   

Ready to discover more about brain behaviour, human memory and cognition? This exciting module will broaden your knowledge by introducing you to the history and science behind cognitive psychology. You’ll learn how to apply cognitive psychology to other disciplines and find out more about relevant research and theories within this fascinating field. 

What makes you unique? Could it be your behaviours and attitudes? Find out in this exciting module. You’ll explore individual differences to help you identify how attitudes are formed and changed in relation to topics such as climate change, politics and equality. 

Mental health is becoming more prominent in everyday life, especially after the pandemic. That’s why it’s important to identify the root cause and understand how to treat various mental health conditions. This insightful module will help you examine scientific principles behind a spectrum of mental health disorders and assess treatment options for different needs. 

Gain hands-on and transferable research skills, and strengthen your knowledge of data collection and analysis. In this valuable module, you’ll develop a capacity to select appropriate analytical techniques and test hypotheses. You’ll also conduct a literary review to further deepen your understanding of relevant theory within social science research.  

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.  

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including:  

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students 
  • live seminars and Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals  
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

 

Assessments 

You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, delivering live presentations or by submitting longer written pieces. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme 
  • you’ll be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log into the learning platform 
  • there’s a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

 

Online learning experience 

Your learning experience will be fully supported by high-quality learning materials and resources, delivered via our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE).  

On average, your learning experience will include the following: 

  • directed learning (40%) this includes participating in tutor-led discussions and seminars, completing interactive exercises on the VLE, and watching videos and lecturecasts. You’ll also be able to book appointments with your module tutor during their office hours, which can be found on the VLE 
  • self-directed learning (30%) – including undertaking wider reading and research in your area of study to develop your understanding of the subject area 
  • assessment (30%) time spent preparing ad completing assignments and activities that contribute towards your overall assessment. 

Typically, you’ll need to dedicate a minimum 15-20 hours of study per module, per week. 

 

Study duration 

Our CertHE Psychology has an indicative study duration of 16 months, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.  

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.  

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.  

All our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.  

On successful completion of your degree, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. 

 

Academic staff 

A quality teaching experience is at the heart of everything we do.  

The dedicated tutors who teach our course modules are subject matter experts, experienced academics and leading industry thought leaders. They play a vital role in ensuring the latest theories and areas of study are covered in our courses, and are proud to provide a high level of academic support. 

You can find more information on our key academic staff and their experience here. 

 

Quality and assurance  

We’re proud to provide a first-class education to students anywhere in the world and adhere to the strictest quality standards 

The University of Essex Online is a recognised member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and registered with the Office for Students (OfS) 

All our degrees are delivered by Kaplan Open Learning, a world-leading education provider with over 15 years’ experience. 

The career options related to our CertHE Psychology are extremely wide-ranging. You could become a youth worker within the civil service; a nurse or support worker; or a security analyst or behavioural scientist. Alternatively, you may wish to progress into marketing, research, education, business or counselling.

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

  • 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
  • 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
  • Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
  • 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%

We believe that education should be accessible for everyone. That’s why we offer an open entry route – meaning you don’t need any prior academic or work experience in order to start studying with us. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

You will need to pass your first assignment set within the first three weeks of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0.

Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee: 

£6,167 UK / £6,475 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • Designated for undergraduate student loans in England. 
  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 
  • Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront. 
  • Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries. 
  • 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.   

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here. 

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our CertHE Psychology are experts in the field of psychology.

What our students say

testimonials

Michelle Franklin - CertHE Psychology

Take a breath and go for it, don’t be disheartened or held back by age or self-doubt.

My husband and I started our own business 13 years ago and we now employ a team of 20 employees and deliver training to over 400 clients. I’m really proud of what we've achieved. Away from work, I love spending time with family and friends, go horse riding when I have the time and read a lot. If it’s not a murder mystery or thriller, then it’s a book on psychology.  I’ve always been fascinated by psychology and hopefully once I’ve completed my CertHE Psychology with the University of Essex Online, I’ll be accepted to study the BSc (Hons) Psychology. I needed an online course as...

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