Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Handbook 2026-2027

Module EDUC1521: Foundations of Psychology in Education

Department: Education

EDUC1521: Foundations of Psychology in Education

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 1 20 Available in 2026/2027 None. Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To develop a foundation for an understanding of psychological principles, processes and theories in education.

Content

  • The module introduces key theories and ideas about how people learn.
  • Learning is conceptualised as a complex, non-linear process of within-person change in mental processes and behaviour; a process that is impacted by the complex interplay between person and contextual factors.
  • Key psychological principles involved in learning are introduced and discussed.
  • Both, cognitive and non-cognitive person characteristics are considered in relation to learning.
  • Implications for education will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • Knowledge and understanding of some important theories, related constructs and processes of cognition, motivation and emotion in relation to learning.
  • Knowledge of a range of internal and external factors which might influence the development and formation of these concepts and processes, and an initial understanding of the implications for learning and the optimisation of teaching.
  • An understanding of the significance and limitations of psychological research in education.
Subject-specific Skills
  • Students will develop an understanding of, and be able to, evaluate and reflect on their own learning experience.
  • To interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research in relation to learning.
Key Skills
  • Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively orally and in written form.
  • Manage time and work to deadlines.
  • Construct and sustain a reasoned argument.
  • Evaluate and make use of information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Students will be introduced to a range of psychological theories relating to learning. Students will have opportunities during the seminars to engage in discussion about the central constructs and ideas and to deepen their understanding developed through individual and group work activities.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 20 10 in Term 1 and 10 in Term 2 1 hour 20 Yes
Seminars 10 5 in Term 1 and 5 in Term 2 1 hour 10 Yes
Preparation and Reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Assignment 100% Portfolio (including critical commentary on blog posts) 1500 words (plus blog posts) 100%

Formative Assessment

Ongoing class blog activity will serve as the formative assessment for the module with students receiving periodic tutor and peer feedback on posts in both written and oral form.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.