Open University

BA (Honours) in Philosophy and Psychological Studies

Knowledge and understanding

Upon completion of this degree you will have acquired knowledge and understanding of:

• What it means to approach an issue philosophically, as the phrase is understood in terms of the contemporary Western tradition of philosophy
• Selected classic and contemporary philosophers and, by reading primary source texts, their views on the topics you will study
• How to analyse and construct philosophical arguments
• The key approaches to psychology, and the contribution of different theorists to psychological ideas and thinking
• What constitutes a scientific approach to psychology, and of the differences between common sense and psychological explanations of human behaviour
• A range of research methods in psychology, their appropriate use, and the ethical issues in the design and conduct of psychological enquiry.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Understand and critically evaluate primary and secondary literature (including commentary in recorded audio format)and formulate your views about the problems discussed
• Plan and execute philosophical writing at the appropriate level, including the ability to organise arguments and counter-arguments into a coherent essay
• Define and use key terms and concepts in psychology
• Explore hypotheses and construct arguments, with appropriate use of psychological concepts, theories and evidence
• Understand and evaluate the range of research strategies and methods used by psychologists.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Understand the structure of complex philosophical problems and some of the strategies that philosophers have used to solve these problems
• Read carefully and critically texts drawn from a variety of historical periods and traditions with a sensitivity to context and, where needed, an understanding of some specialised philosophical terminology
• Design and conduct psychological investigations using a range of methods and types of data analysis and report these in appropriate formats
• Conduct research that complies with established ethical principles and guidelines
• Be ready to view unfamiliar ideas with an open mind and a willingness to change one’s mind when appropriate.

Key skills

Communication

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Select and read the material appropriately, identify what is relevant and take notes efficiently and effectively
• Present written material in a coherent, organised form, with arguments and information in a logical sequence and sources referenced appropriately.

Application of number

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Perform basic numerical operations and work with statistical data
• Interpret tables, graphs, diagrams and bar charts
• Present and summarise data in extended reports.

Information technology

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Access, process and prepare information using computers.

Learning how to learn

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Analyse tasks, make plans for tackling them and manage time
• Learn from a variety of different media and different teaching methods
• Learn from feedback and be able to monitor and reflect on your progress.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• At Stage 1 you’ll study two compulsory modules that will introduce you to arts and humanities and the study of psychology.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study two further compulsory modules, one in each of philosophy and psychology.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study one compulsory philosophy module and choose from two psychology options.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following

• Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)
• Encountering psychology in context (D120)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following

• Investigating philosophy (DA223)
• Living psychology: from the every day to the extraordinary (DD210)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study

• Key questions in philosophy (A333)

You’ll also choose one from

• Advancing social psychology (DD317)
• Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

The disciplines of philosophy and psychology are highly regarded by employers, who prize graduates’ reasoning ability, clear thinking and specialist knowledge – and in particular, the skills vital to effective decision-making including selecting, interpreting, evaluating and presenting data, identifying and using relevant information to construct arguments, appreciating different ways to conceptualise and address a question, seeing different sides in a debate while being able to reason in favour of one, and thinking coherently about both abstract and practical matters.

You’ll also sharpen your writing and IT skills. All these attributes are greatly in demand in the world beyond study, whether you’re already working, volunteering, or changing careers.

Please note that this degree will not make you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a broad range of careers, including:

• Public administration, local government, the civil service, social services
• Advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries, public relations
• Education and health
• Management and human resources
• Police and the law
• Business, banking and retail
• Charities, campaigning and policy development.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.