Diploma of Higher Education in Philosophy and Psychological Studies
Online, United Kingdom
Diploma
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,544 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
About: The Diploma of Higher Education in Philosophy and Psychological Studies at The Open University covers ethics, justice, scientific knowledge and religion and introduces social, cognitive and developmental psychology. You'll study research methods, read texts and develop clear logical communication. Study is online. Course length: full-time 2 years, part-time 4 years, 12-year time limit.
Career Outcomes: The diploma builds skills in critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, writing, IT and independent study. Employers value graduates’ reasoning and evidence evaluation. Careers include public administration, journalism, education, health and business. Note: this qualification does not confer GBC eligibility with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Philosophy and psychology seek to answer profound questions about ourselves and our place in the social and physical universe. This diploma explores a range of philosophical debates about ethics, justice, scientific knowledge, religion and the self. It introduces core approaches in social, cognitive and developmental psychology and some applied aspects of professional practice. You’ll learn to read and understand scientific and philosophical texts; use different research methods; and communicate clearly and logically.
Key features
- Discover how psychologists and philosophers address real-life issues
- Learn how to think critically and logically and to collect and evaluate evidence
- Learn to construct well-informed arguments and present your conclusions in a convincing manner
- Develop valuable transferable skills that are highly prized in the workplace, including skills in problem-solving and self-management.
Accessibility
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Diploma of Higher Education in Philosophy and Psychological Studies uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
- Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
- Specialist material such as works of art and musical manuscripts
- Group-work
- Practical work
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 4 years
- Full-time study - 2 years
- Time limit - 12 years
This diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- At Stage 1 you’ll study two compulsory modules that will introduce you to the arts and humanities and the study of psychology.
- In Stage 2 you’ll study two further compulsory modules, one in each of philosophy and psychology.
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 Everyday to the Extraordinary (DD210)
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.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this diploma, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
- What it means to approach an issue philosophically, as that phrase is understood in terms of the contemporary Western tradition of philosophy
- Some important developments in Western philosophy from the ancients to the present and some key texts in this tradition
- Some philosophical terminology and methodology.
- 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 diploma, you will be able to:
- Develop, communicate and defend philosophical arguments
- Plan and execute philosophical writing at the appropriate level, including the ability to organise several 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 a range of research strategies and methods used by psychologists.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:
- Reason under time constraints
- Engage in the continuous and incremental study required to come to terms with a complex subject
- Design and conduct psychological investigations using a range of methods and types of data analysis and report these in appropriate formats
- Analyse and assess research methods and findings and appreciate the ethical principles involved.
- 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 diploma, 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 diploma, 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 diploma, you will be able to:
- Access, process, and prepare information using computers.
- Use information technology to access library resources.
Learning how to learn
On completion of this diploma, 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
Skills for career development
This diploma of higher education will help you practise and refine the skills of argument and analysis, which are valued very highly by employers. As you progress through your studies, you’ll build steadily on your skills; developing greater perception in understanding and analysing information, and constructing more sophisticated arguments in response to assignments. You’ll also learn to study independently and develop your information literacy. These are all essential transferable skills which are in great demand in the modern workplace.
Career relevance
The disciplines of philosophy and psychology are highly regarded by employers, who prize graduates’ reasoning ability, clear thinking and specialist knowledge. You’ll also sharpen your writing and IT skills.
Please note that this qualification will not make you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
This qualification 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
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.
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.