Exploring Psychology



Overview

This course is a practical exploration into the fascinating subject of psychology, demonstrating the science of psychology and the link between brain performance and observable effects on behaviour.

We will cover a broad range of subjects, presented in an engaging and interactive format. Psychology is a diverse discipline in its own right but draws on ideas from biology, economics, statistics, philosophy and others.

During this 10-week course we will consider the different paradigms used to study human behaviour, including Freud, Behaviourism, Cognition, Social Behaviour and introducing Positive Psychology.

Psychology: the science of the mind and behaviour. How does the brain work? Do we know? Can we say that everyone's brain works the same way? How do we perceive the world differently from others? Some answers to these questions, from a Cognition and Personality perspective, will be addressed. We will explore how these have effects on real-world behaviour.

We will look at memory and its multiplicity of processes; the effects of time, and perception – and how this affects what we remember. We will look at child development; how do babies acquire language? Do they think the same way as adults? How do cognitive processes change with age?

We will consider cognition from several perspectives: early language development, remembering as an active process, information processing, and intelligence. We will consider how each of these themes relate to behaviour and consider some real-world effects such as ageing.

Other themes include social psychology and group behaviour (what are the subtle effects which direct behavioural change, sometimes unconsciously?), and personality theories: how we are all unique and yet alike, and how and why our personalities have direct effects on behaviour.

We will also explore the new topic of Positive Psychology: its origins in learning theory and its incredible positive impact on modern psychological practice.

This course is intended for the curious, and explores the different perspectives that psychology offers as insight into our own thoughts and behaviours. Students should expect to engage, and be challenged!

Programme details

Course starts Wednesday 1 October 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Week 1: Introduction; the brain as the seat of thought and behaviour

Week 2: Perspectives In psychology: Freud and the unconscious mind

Week 3: Psychology as a science: How does the brain work? Do all brains work in the same way? How do we perceive the world differently from others?

Week 4: Cognition: Memory and perception. Memory systems, the effects of time

Week 5: Cognition: Brains, Information processing and Intelligence

Week 6: Social psychology and group behaviour

Week 7: Childhood development: language and cognition, cognitive development

Week 8: Personality: how am I different from you?

Week 9: Behaviourism and Positive Psychology

Week 10: Conclusions

Digital Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

 

Tutor

Dr Jane Pollock

Independent Consultant and Researcher

Jane is a Chartered Psychologist, an Independent Consultant in Organisational Psychology, and a tutor and lecturer in Psychology and Statistics. She has a history of highly successful courses in both Psychology and Business streams, and takes a practical approach to a subject crucial to the success of people in organisations.

Course aims

  • To explore the diverse subject of psychology and be introduced to some of its insights into human behaviour.
  • To consider several ways in which we process information, absorb, learn, develop and express ourselves.
  • To consider how our personalities mean that we are all unique, and how we can express our commonalities.
  • To consider different perspectives in the study of psychology using historical and practical approaches.

Teaching methods

The methods used in these sessions will include a seminar format where students are encouraged to participate. There will also be other interactive elements which will form the basis of group or small group discussions. This face-to-face course will maximise the benefits of in-the-room experience, using curiosity and fun to engage with this diverse subject.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to have gained:

  • an understanding of some of the perspectives that psychology as a discipline uses, to frame human behaviour;
  • an appreciation of how we process information, remember things, and learn in a multitude of ways; and
  • have raised self awareness through the study of personality, memory and Positive Psychology.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

Formative assessment in the shape of a 500 word essay proposal or plan, and summative assessment as an 1500 word essay from a choice of alternatives provided.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support