UCL FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

Course Units
Course units denote the value and length of each course. Generally a course that runs for one term has a course unit value of 0.5 whereas a course that runs throughout the year has a course unit value of 1.0. You are expected to take 4 units over the year which is roughly equivalent to 32 credits in the U.S. If you are at UCL for just one term of teaching then you are expected to take 2 units, equivalent to 16 credits in the U.S. (or 30ECTS).  Psychology courses are taught by lectures and seminars.

Lectures
Lectures start immediately after Registration Week on Monday 3rd October 2011. Psychology courses typically have 2 or 3 separate one-hour lectures each week for each course.

Seminars (often referred to in the U.S as 'tutorials,' 'sections' or 'recitations')
In addition to attending lectures for each course you must also attend smaller groups called seminars which typically meet once per week to discuss ideas arising from the lecture material and to review written work. Seminars start 1 or 2 weeks after lectures have begun and comprise around 10 students. Unlike recitations in the U.S., there is only one seminar group where you discuss work from ALL your courses. There are not seminars attached to a particular class.

 The seminars are each led by a demonstrator who records attendance, marks and provides feedback on coursework (essays and exercises) and chairs the discussion in the seminars. During each term, for the majority of courses, you are required to complete a minimum of 2 essays per course.

Attendance at seminars and submission of written work are compulsory if you wish to take the examinations for the courses for which you have signed up.

Reading Weeks
In the forthcoming year Reading Weeks are the weeks beginning Monday 7 November 2011, and Monday 13 February 2012.

Psychology affiliate students, like students studying for a degree at UCL, are given final grades that are often based purely on examination performance (the exception are lab classes and the independent research project). However, along the way, students receive feedback in their seminars. Once a week you will meet with a seminar leader who will assign essays and lead conversations about the important topics in your courses. While the marks on your essays will not count towards your final marks, completion of seminar essays is required and seminar attendance is a prerequisite for sitting the examinations. Your final report will comment on your participation and attendance in seminar classes, as well as your final examination mark.

Examinations
Affiliate students leaving in December will submit TWO 2000 word essays PER COURSE in the final week of term. These essays are not to be submitted by those staying for the whole year even if they finish the course in December. They will be assessed by examination only. Students staying until June will take the same examinations as those taken by UCL degree students.

Note: These guidelines apply only to courses taken in Psychology. For other courses refer to the department concerned.

Honor Code
Students will be trusted to conduct themselves honourably in examinations and in preparing coursework. Particular attention is drawn to the UCL guidelines on plagiarism.

I chose UCL on recommendation from my academic advisor at UWA. At first it was quite stressful trying to get into a different system of teaching, let alone a whole new continent. Now that I’ve found my feet though, I think it will help in making me more independent when it comes to increasing my knowledge in any particular subject I choose. Studying abroad will demonstrate to future employers that I am flexible and can adapt well to new situations.

Andrew Cheah, University of Western Australia.

Please select the links below for further information

• UCL Study Abroad Entry for Psychology

• UCL Study Abroad Guide

The UCL Affiliate Psychology programme currently admits about 50 full-time undergraduate affiliate students each term. Applications exceed this number and are increasing.

Offers are based on academic record and letters of reference. Most successful applicants have achieved an overall Grade Point Average at least a 3.3 (or equivalent) and have at least one excellent mark in a psychology course.

To apply as an affiliated student to the Psychology Department please visit the UCL International Office pages (here) for more information. There you can download an application and find out about application deadlines, etc.