I had a look at the brochure and I realised that the alternative to pursuing the degree for BSc in Psychology (Hons) is the Sunway Foundation in Arts. Why is a science degree requiring an arts foundation instead of a science foundation? Do kindly explain.

Also, I'm a little concerned with the quote above. While the degree is essentially the same, I disagree with what you mentioned about the (Hons). An honours course generally offers additions to a degree programme in the form of having the opportunity of taking more electives, and allows the student to graduate with first, second or third class honours, all of which are more prestigious than a plain degree. It's not so much as how the degree is named, but what goes into it to make it an honours degree. Entry to most UK and US postgrad courses in respectable unis require at LEAST a lower second class honours degree, and for direct entry to a PhD/DocPhil/DPsy, you need at least an upper second honours. It's rather ridiculous for the title of 'honours' to be conferred to a degree just because it's granted by a UK uni. The reason why it was named (hons) is probably because that's the only degree offered by Lancaster Uni, meaning to say they don't have non-honours psychology degrees. Also, the 'hons' is not an exclusively UK system. It's an international system to denote a more prestigious degree. If it's in collaboration, some elements have to be given by Sunway itself. A collaborative/joint degree is not the same as an offshore degree. An offshore degree is one that isn't as you put it, "in bred".



This post has been edited by teh tarik satu: Apr 14 2010, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the quick response!

1) Am I right to say that the Arts foundation comprises only English and Math? And yes, it goes without saying that a Bsc in Psych comprises Psych modules. However, Chemistry and Biology are important and useful subjects for the pursuit of a science degree as Psychology touches on biological and neurochemical topics in it. However, it seems that Sunway's programme does not actually have such subjects in them.

2) Actually in the UK you do have to take more modules if it's an honours course. There are two courses, honours and non honours, but since yours is tied-in with Lancaster, they only offer honours courses for psychology, right?

3) So if for example I am a Sunway psych grad, and I want to use the title Bsc, hons behind my name. Which uni do I use? Sunway or Lancaster? If it's Lancaster, then is the full degree awarded by Lancaster WITH Sunway or Sunway with Lancaster? Because the two are totally different things, as the main award body is Lancaster for the first and Sunway for the second. Who really is the main awarding body?

This post has been edited by teh tarik satu: Apr 14 2010, 12:25 PM

Hey, thanks for the replies man! Much appreciated.

1) I had a look at the course, and I kinda like what I see. However I'm a little bit confused with the credits.

Just to confirm, Group B electives a.k.a Enrichment modules are only worth 2 credit units, yes? On the programme outline page, it says '4 credits', so could it be a typo?

Another thing: Under 'structure' (http://sunway.edu.my/fia/programme-outline) it says that students must successfully complete a minimum 55 credits. However, later on, it says

"Foreign students are exempted from taking MQA subjects but are strongly advised to take an additional subject to attain 51 credit hours for graduation."

I am not a Malaysian, so I'm exempted from taking MQA subjects (and never do I want to touch them), but do I have to complete 55 hours or 51 hours to graduate? I notice that there are accounting and computer science modules and I really, REALLY want to stay at least 500 metres away from accounting stuff. Computing stuff isn't that bad, but I still refuse to take it as well- because it would affect my grades. I only study what I like or what I think is necessary for me. I calculated the total hours and if I were to leave out accounting and computing modules (16 hours), I would only have 54 hours, which is 1 hour short of the 55 required. Yet, it is stated that foreign students need 51 hours to graduate. Can you please advise?

2) Uhh... no, neuropsychology is not under psychiatry. It's a psychology module. I also don't recall saying 'in depth' modules, just biological and neurochemical modules associated with psychology, e.g. Biopsychology (which is, however, offered at HELP in year 2). But never mind lah. You guys have your own modular approach. Just curious only.

3) Uhm not all degree courses are honours courses. Those honours courses also will not award honours if one cannot obtain at least 3.5 CPGA (IIRC). But never mind, small issue here.

4) Yes, but my question is still unanswered. Do I use 'Sunway' or 'Lancaster' behind my name? I get that it's awarded by 2 bodies; the reason why I'm so aggressively enquiring is because I want to know if I would be treated as an equal graduate of Lancaster Uni and thus have the right to use [Name] Bsc, Hons (Lancaster) in any name cards I have.

And one more question: Will the psychology degree by Sunway be recognised as an honours degree equivalent to a UK honours degree by the British Psychological Society (BPS)? This means that would I be accepted by the BPS for the Graduate Basis of Chartered membership (a.k.a GBC)?

Thanks in advance!