Course description

Psychology and Business Management at Derby

This course has research at its heart, designed to help you become an effective, skilled and forward-thinking psychologist whilst learning about organisations, their management and the global environments in which they operate.  

You'll be taught by expert staff who are conducting influential studies into areas of psychology such as mental health and wellbeing, compassion and mindfulness, autism and maths anxiety.

And you’ll have guest lectures by world-class researchers. You’ll also conduct your own research and be able to contribute to cutting-edge psychological research projects at the University. You can also take a placement year to help you translate theory into practice and enhance your employability.

Through your Business modules, you will be challenged to tackle real-world scenarios through projects, placements and internships. On this course, everyone gets to do business as well as learn about business.  

We have recently updated our business management course, so you will cover many growth areas and hot topics, including:

• responsible management
• business ethics
• business analytics
• digital media
• innovation and globalisation

We’ll help you prepare for a career in a global business environment that is rapidly changing. We'll support you to become more agile, innovative and resilient. You will also develop self-learning and team-working skills, both crucial to success in the professional sphere.

Importantly, you will also learn to see things differently, by working with students from many other countries - both in your classes and online through joint projects with our overseas partner universities. You will see how people from different cultures tackle the same business issue. And you'll discover that who we are and where we are affect how we do business.

Specialist facilities

Our Psychology facilities are used for both teaching and research. They include computing labs with specialist software for designing experiments and research. You'll use a range of psychological recording equipment such as the latest eye-tracker equipment for analysing eye movement and our Babylab for ethical research with babies and young children.

Our Business facilities includes a Financial Markets Lab where we offer students direct use of financial data, information and analytics to provide a simulation of what it’s like to work on a real trading floor in the financial district. We are committed to delivering the best experience for our students and give them an edge in a competitive market.

How you will learn

You’ll be taught through several learning and teaching methods, such as formal lectures, which will at times include expert speakers, and seminars.  

For Psychology modules, you will learn from lecturers and tutors who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on issues that are significant at every stage of life, from birth to old age, including:  

• Maternal health and the development of new-borns, to help improve health care during childhood  
• Mental health and wellbeing such as maths-induced anxiety, eating disorders, addiction and irrational thinking  
• Compassion and mindfulness, tackling self-esteem issues and fostering sensitive support for others  
• The psychological aspects of pain  
• Emotional processing  
• The positive benefits of engaging with the natural environment  

Your lecturers bring their latest thinking to your studies. And, in some cases, you’ll have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. Quality inspectors have commended us for being “at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning” in Psychology.
Teaching methods for Psychology and Business Management modules are varied, interactive and engaging. These include lectures, seminars, practical workshops, work experience and optional placement opportunities.
Seminars can include critical analysis of reading, presentations, group work, debates and general problem solving, interaction with real businesses, case study analysis, computer lab work, practical analysis and formative assessment.  

• Tutorials: one-to-one sessions with a tutor to discuss the development of assignments
• Formal lectures
• Work projects  
• Self-directed study  

In addition to direct teaching by faculty staff the University also makes use of blended learning through which students will be able to enhance and progress their learning. Through the university’s online portal; University of Derby Online (UDO) students can access the university virtual learning environment which forms an important part of the delivery of the programme and provide a facility through which tutors can supply lecture notes and presentations, links to learning resources and information and announcement.

How you are assessed

For Psychology modules, you’ll be assessed mainly through assignments, via essays, posters, presentations, and reports. You may also have to take some exams. These can include essay questions, multiple choice and short answer questions.  
 
For Business Management modules, you will be mostly assessed through practical coursework assignments and the sort of tasks you might undertake in a workplace. Sometimes these will be individual tasks and at other times, you will need to work in a group. Assignments could include:

• business reports
• research
• presentations
• design of digital materials such as videos, blogs or augmented reality posters
• computer-based assessments

Who will teach you

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.