Level 4 Diploma in Psychology

The Scope of Psychology explains what the subject is and what it is not, and it belongs first for that reason. Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology, Biopsychology, The Development of Attachments and Processes of Human Memory then each take one area and go into it properly, and Research Methods and Investigating Psychology runs through the middle of the year teaching the statistics and study design that make psychology a science rather than a set of opinions. Each unit is 20 credits.

Those who take it are a mix: people considering a psychology degree who want to test the water, care and education workers who meet psychological ideas at work, and adults who have read popular psychology and want the real thing. It is important to be straightforward about limits. This diploma confers no professional status, does not make you a psychologist or counsellor, and is not accredited by the British Psychological Society; whether it helps you enter the second year of a BPS-accredited degree is for each university to decide, and many accredited degrees prefer entry at year one. It is 120 credits at Level 4.

OTHM sets the entry requirements for this qualification and LSPM, as the approved centre, applies them when it assesses your application. As published by the awarding body:

• Relevant Level 3 Diploma qualification or equivalent qualification
• GCE Advanced level in 2 subjects or equivalent qualification
• Mature learners (over 21) with relevant management experience (learners must check with the delivery centre regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)

Source: the OTHM specification. If you are not sure whether your qualification counts as equivalent, send us the details and we will put the question to LSPM's admissions team, who make the decision.

OTHM lists a Level 3 diploma, two A levels or mature entry; its mention of management experience is generic wording that LSPM has set aside for psychology, where evidence of reading and reasoning counts. No prior psychology is needed; willingness to learn basic statistics is.

Essays for the content units and a short research report for the methods unit, based on a small study you design. There are no exams. Draft feedback is LSPM's to confirm.

Assignments are set and marked by LSPM's tutors, moderated within LSPM and sampled by OTHM before LSPM claims certificates. Draft feedback and resubmission arrangements are LSPM's own practice; confirm them at enrolment. How assessment works in full.

Level 5 Diploma in Psychology from OTHM, continuing the route.

Application for second-year entry to a psychology degree, at the university's discretion and subject to any accreditation constraints it applies.

Roles in care, education, HR or research support where psychological literacy is an asset.