The Higher Diploma in Psychology is a full-time programme running over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
AP2041 Critical skills for Applied Psychologists (5 credits)
AP2042 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (5 credits)
AP2043 Biological Psychology II (5 credits)
AP2044 Applied Cognition (5 credits)
AP2045 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (5 credits)
AP2046 Research Design and Statistical Analyses II (5 credits)
AP2047 Social and Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP2048 Psychology and Everyday Life (5 credits)
AP2049 Applied Developmental Psychology: The Psychology of Aging (5 credits)
AP2050 Research Methods in Psychology II (15 credits)

Students Repeating First Year from 2019-20 onwards
A student who repeats the first year of the programme must pass and progress in accordance with university rules, as well as selecting from modules available in the repeat year which may differ from those available in an earlier attempt year. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme. Students repeating first year from 2019/20 onwards may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the School. In some instances, modules may potentially carry different credit weightings and content compared to an earlier attempt year.

Year 2
Students take 45 credits as follows:
AP3112 Conceptual and historical issues (5 credits)
AP3116 Applied Psychology seminars (5 credits)
AP3117 Research Project (20 credits)
AP3118 Psychological measurement (5 credits) 
AP3119 Psychological therapies (5 credits)    
AP3120 Personal and career development (5 credits)

plus 15 credits from the following:

AN4009 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience (5 credits)
AN4012 Medical Imaging and Biomedical Devices in the Neurosciences
AP3121 Forensic Psychology (5 credits)
AP3122 Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention (5 credits)
AP3123 Positive Psychology (5 credits)
AP3125 Cognitive psychology: new perspectives (5 credits)
AP3126 Health Psychology: Models and applications (5 credits)

Students Repeating Second Year from 2020/21 onwards
A student who repeats the second year of the programme must pass and progress in accordance with university rules, as well as selecting from modules available in the repeat year which may differ from those available in an earlier attempt year. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme. Students repeating second year from 2020/21 onwards may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the School. In some instances, modules may potentially carry different credit weightings and content compared to an earlier attempt year.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Higher Diploma in Psychology (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate both knowledge and understanding in the core components of psychology;
• Exhibit the ability to write in an appropriate academic style;
• Demonstrate an appreciation of different research methodologies;
• Design and execute a piece of research in the area of psychology.