1.1 Welcome Statement from the Head of the School of Health Sciences, Professor Kay Marshall
Congratulations on securing your place to study at the University of Manchester. We know that you have worked very hard to achieve the standards needed to gain your place. We are delighted that you share our interest in the enormously varied and intellectually stimulating topic of psychology, and that you have chosen to study here with us at Manchester. We are very pleased to welcome you to the School of Health Sciences, which is located within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. You can read more about your degree’s place within the University in the next section. Our staff are committed to delivering excellent teaching that is informed by the latest research in the field of psychology, including cutting-edge research carried out at Manchester itself. Your time at university should be hugely enjoyable and should stretch you intellectually; it is our aim to support and guide you through this exciting phase of your life as you acquire both the knowledge base and the skills set to not just develop but thrive, both here and in the future.
We recognise that working in partnership with our students is the best way to ensure an outstanding learning experience. As an independent, adult learner you need to be aware that the success of your university experience is largely in your own hands. For our part, we will strive to offer the best possible learning experience for all our students; the feedback that you give us will help us to enhance the programme and we value opportunities to hear your views. We understand that students sometimes encounter difficulties, and I am proud to say that we offer excellent student support within the School and University to cover any academic or personal issues that may arise. Please remember that we do want to hear from you and to help whenever necessary, so please never hesitate to contact us.
Finally I would urge you to make the most of Manchester and all the exciting opportunities that being at a world leading and exciting University has to offer. So I offer you a warm welcome to Manchester and our thriving School, and I wish you every success in this next stage of your academic life.
Professor Kay Marshall Head of School of Health Sciences
1.2 Our Place in the University
The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK, with the biggest student community and more than 11,000 staff. We aim to become one of the top 25 research intensive universities in the world by 2020 and are committed to delivering an outstanding teaching and learning experience, whilst contributing to the social and economic success of the local, national and international community by using our expertise and knowledge to find solutions to the major challenges of the 21st century and by producing graduates who exercise social leadership and responsibility. To achieve our ambitious goals we are continuing to appoint highly respected, world-leading academics to work across a range of disciplines.
In August 2016 the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences merged with the Faculty of Life Sciences to form the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, which you are now a member of. The strategic decision to merge these Faculties takes full advantage of the world-leading basic biomedical and translational/clinical research strengths present in both Faculties, and brings them together within a unified structure. The creation of the merged Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health is a key component of the University’s mission to be among the top 25 research universities in the world by 2020.
The Psychology BSc sits in the School of Health Sciences, though the degree is delivered by staff from three separate groupings within the Faculty; the Division of Mental Health and Psychology, the Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, and the Division of Human Communication, Development and Hearing. Drawing on the contribution of staff across these three groups ensures that your degree has input from experts spanning the range of our very diverse discipline.
1.3 British Psychological Society: Accreditation
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the regulatory body for professional psychologists in the UK 
and is responsible for the accreditation of undergraduate degrees in Psychology. All of the Psychology degrees offered by University of Manchester are accredited by the BPS. This means we award degrees which confer eligibility to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). GBC is a prerequisite for further professional training in psychology which is accredited by the BPS. For example, GBC is an entry requirement for many BPS accredited Postgraduate training courses and is required for entry to all Doctoral programmes, as part of the route to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Please note that you must satisfy certain academic standards in order for your degree to confer the British Psychological Society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status (section 7).
As a student registered on our programme, you are eligible to apply for Student Membership of the BPS. Student members receive a range of benefits, including the monthly The Psychologist magazine, access to the Society’s Student Members Pages, and the opportunity to transfer to graduate membership free of charge following graduation. Please note that joining the Society is optional for students and, if you choose not to join, you will still be eligible to apply to join as a Graduate Member at the end of your degree.
Please see BPS website for further information.
1.4 Health and Safety
Online health and safety course
We want to make sure that you stay safe during their studies. This is why we ask you to take a short online health and safety course. You must complete this course by 31st of October; it should take around one hour. If you have any queries or problems completing it, contact the Administrative Office. The course will be available on Blackboard, your online learning environment, which can be accessed via www.portal.manchester.ac.uk
Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. Members of staff, students, contractors, and visitors have a legal and moral obligation to assist the University to provide a healthy and safe working environment.
The University and the School have Health and Safety Policies in place and you can access these on the intranet.
- University of Manchester Health and Safety Policy
http://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/policy/
Fire
If you discover a fire, raise the alarm by activating the fire alarm push buttons and leave the building as soon as possible. The alarm (a continuous electronic siren) will sound throughout the building. If you hear the alarm, leave the building by the nearest exit (signs will indicate the nearest emergency exit) and assemble outside at the sign-posted assembly point. Fire doors must not be wedged open. Corridors, stairs and access/escape routes should never be obstructed.
Accidents/Incidents
All accidents/incidents/near misses must be reported by means of an accident form. In case of minor accidents seek help at the Porters lodge or from the School office, where first-aid boxes may be found. In more serious cases help may be summoned by phoning Security on internal phone 69966, Student Health on (ext) 275-2858 or (int) 52858, or the Emergency Services on (ext) 999 or (int) 9999. In an emergency you should ALWAYS telephone the appropriate emergency service Fire/Police/Ambulance by dialing (ext) 999 or (int) 9999.
The University has 24 hour security in place and in an emergency security can be contacted from any internal phone by dialing 69966.
Health
You should register with a local GP. If you are under medication or treatment that may affect your work or attendance you must inform the Student Administrator (Sarah Myles) who will take details in confidence.
1.5 Conduct and Discipline of Students
As a student of the University, you are required to behave in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct. This code applies both when you are on campus, and when you are off campus for reasons linked to your studies (for example, working with an external organisation as part of a work placement which forms part of your degree).
Regulation XVII ‘Conduct and Discipline of Students’ outlines the code of conduct and the disciplinary procedures that will result where a student is found to be in breach of the code (https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=6530). As a student in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, you are also required to familiarise yourself and comply with the Faculty’s policies on communication and dress code (http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29038) and drugs and alcohol (http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29039). The Faculty also provides advice and guidance to it’s students relating to their use of social media (http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29040).
