Psychology

Course features:
• Psychology conversion course
• Equivalent to Honours BA degree in Psychology
• Two years fulltime or four years part time
• Accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
• Internationally recognised degree
• Enables further postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, health or other types of psychology

Vision and Values Statement
The purpose of the Higher Diploma in Psychology in UCD is to foster an evidence-based appreciation of mind, brain, lived experiences, social context, and behaviour, and the nature and outcomes of their complex interactions. Students will learn the importance of psychological approaches to problems in modelling the full richness of mental life, as well as the role of empirical research in shaping and influencing theory. The programme stresses the importance of critical thinking, informed awareness of the multiplicity of levels of understanding psychological phenomena, the significance of building research skills, and of ethics in research and practice.

Knowledge is developed through teaching core areas at a number of stages; beginning at an introductory level, supported by tutorials and team-teaching, but becoming steadily more advanced, complemented with increased individual choice and selection of options. Learning is based on active participation, and culminates through demonstrating an ability to undertake an independent piece of research, from hunches and hypotheses, through to execution, data collection, analysis and write-up. Individualised tuition and supervision support the student in the completion of this project. A range of assessment methods is used including traditional, innovative and group-based, with detailed feedback to the student an essential components.

The curriculum for the Higher Diploma in Psychology is taught in conjunction with the Honours BA in Psychology. Core modules cover the key areas of psychology required for PSI accreditation, namely
• biological bases of behaviour
• developmental and lifespan psychology
• social psychology
• personality and individual differences
• cognitive psychology
• research design and quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Additionally, you may select elective modules covering a wide range of topics that reflect the diversity of staff interests and expertise within the School of Psychology. You will gain experience with psychological research by completing a series of practical laboratory experiments in psychology in your first year. In second year, you will conduct an individual research project on a topic of your choice under the supervision of an academic staff member. Small group tutorials will provide further support for your learning.

Students may also choose to complete the programme part-time over four years. This will involve attending classes 2-3 days per week during normal business hours. Queries about the structure of the part-time programme may be addressed to Mary Boyle.

The curriculum for the Higher Diploma in Psychology is taught in conjunction with the Honours BA in Psychology. Core modules cover the key areas of psychology required for PSI accreditation, namely

- biological bases of behaviour
- developmental and lifespan psychology
- social psychology
- personality and individual differences
- cognitive psychology
- research design and quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Additionally, you may select elective modules covering a wide range of topics that reflect the diversity of staff interests and expertise within the School of Psychology. You will gain experience with psychological research by completing a series of practical laboratory experiments in psychology in your first year. In second year, you will conduct an individual research project on a topic of your choice under the supervision of an academic staff member. Small group tutorials will provide further support for your learning.

Students may also choose to complete the programme part-time over four years. This will involve attending classes 2-3 days per week during normal business hours. Queries about the structure of the part-time programme may be addressed to Mary Boyle.

Stage 1 - Core
Brain and Behaviour PSY10060
Introduction to Social Psychology PSY10080
Child & Adolescent Development PSY20020
Laboratory Practicals in Psychology I PSY20050
The Psychology of Language PSY20060
Visual and Social Cognition PSY20080
Foundations of Psychology PSY20150
Research Methods & Stats II PSY20160
Laboratory Practicals in Psychology II PSY30110

Stage 1 - Option
Introduction to Disability Studies PSY20100
Introduction to Health Psychology PSY20110
Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology PSY20130
Clinical Psychology PSY20170
The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn PSY20180
Psychology for Everyday Life PSY20200
Psychology of Ageing PSY20220
Psychology and Crime PSY30080
Applied Health Psychology PSY30290
Career development in psych PSY30320

Stage 2 - Core
Lifespan Developmental Psychology PSY30040
Behavioural Neuroscience PSY30050
Advanced Social Psychology PSY30140
Human Intelligence and Personality PSY30340
Research Methods & Stats III PSY30350
Research Project and Skills PSY30450

Stage 2 - Option
Child & Adolescent Development PSY20020
Introduction to Disability Studies PSY20100
Introduction to Health Psychology PSY20110
Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology PSY20130
Clinical Psychology PSY20170
The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn PSY20180
Psychology for Everyday Life PSY20200
Psychology and Crime PSY30080
Applied Health Psychology PSY30290
Career development in psych PSY30320
Cross-Cultural Psychology PSY30400
Advanced Cognitive Psychology PSY30410
How to Change Behaviour PSY30440

Between 15 and 20 students are admitted to the Higher Diploma in Psychology each year.

Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Psychology programme must be graduates with an honours degree (typically a 2.1 or higher), or final year students on an honours degree programme in any discipline.

Offers to applicants who are not yet graduates will be contingent on degree results. The programme welcomes applications from mature students.

The selection process for the Higher Diploma in Psychology will take account of:
(1) undergraduate record and, where relevant, postgraduate record;
(2) certified modules or courses in psychology;
(3) experience of psychology through work or voluntary activities;
(4) employment record;
(5) references;
(6) applicant's personal statement on the application form.

International Applicants
A number of places on the Higher Diploma in Psychology are offered each year to international applicants. Applications for this programme typically open in October and close in mid-March. International applicants may contact the programme administrator Ms. Mary Boyle (mary.boyle@ucd.ie) in the first instance to indicate their interest in applying for the Higher Diploma in Psychology. International applicants may apply for the Higher Diploma in Psychology through the UCD Online Applications homepage.

Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English. All applicants are therefore required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of pass Leaving Certificate standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must meet the minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) specified at the following website:

https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/undergraduate/entryrequirements/

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
HDip Psychology FT (W014)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
10-MAR-23

HDip Psychology PT (W202)
Duration
4 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
10-MAR-23

120

2 years full-time (W014), 4 years part-time (W202).

HDip Psychology (W014) Full Time
EU Year 1 - € 8895
EU Year 2 - € 7210 aa
nonEU Year 1 - € 17615
nonEU Year 2 - € 14245 aa

HDip Psychology (W202) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5730
nonEU fee per year - € 9950

aa Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2020 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2019/20

*** Fees are subject to change

Please note that the part-time option (W202) is not available to non-EU students.

Up-to-date tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September