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BSc Psychology

UCAS Code: C800

Psychology encompasses human and animal behaviour, its biological basis in evolution, the nervous system and cognition, and the study of social factors which affect the behaviour of individuals and of groups. It is grounded in systematic empirical research as well as in theory; it therefore includes training in methods of research, which in turn demands some understanding of, and some skill in, statistics and computing. Finally, it requires the ability to write clearly and present theoretical arguments and research results in a cogent manner. A good psychology graduate is both numerate and literate; he/she has a grasp of the scientific as well as of the human. These are intellectual and practical skills which are potentially relevant to a wide range of occupations in our complex technological society. 

We believe that all students should be exposed to as wide a coverage of the field of psychology as possible but that they should also have the opportunity for some relative specialisation within it. Consequently, the first two years span the field. The third (final) year offers each student considerable choice of topics for study, according to his or her main interests and ultimate aims. We believe that the initially broad coverage is essential for informed and rational decisions about specialisation in the third year and for the future.


See below to find out more about the BSc Psychology at UCL.

Content


The first two years of your degree comprise common modules taken by all psychology students, providing you with a broad-based knowledge of psychology. These cover some fundamental topics in psychology, ranging from memory and decision, language, clinical and social psychology through to essential skills in statistics, research and experimental methods.

In the first year, six half-course units are taken in psychology, allowing you to choose an additional course unit from another subject(s) - arts or sciences - taught within UCL. In the second year, seven half-course units will be psychology-based with the remaining 0.5 units being drawn from elsewhere.

In your final year, all modules are taken in psychology. Your final module comprises a compulsory research project on a subject of your choice. Your project will be supervised by a staff member and will be an empirical, usually experimental, piece of research utilising the skills you have learned previously.

The programme is accredited and audited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). As a graduate, you will be eligible to become a member of the BPS.

Excellent resources include our up-to-date web-based system, which makes all teaching materials (including module outlines, lecture presentation slides, handouts) available to registered students.

Structure

Year 1

PSYC1103      Introduction to Psychological Experiments
PSYC1104      Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology
PSYC1105      Concepts and Methods in Psychology
PSYC1201      Memory and Decision
PSYC1202      Social Psychology
PSYC1203      The Psychology of Individual Differences

In addition, first year students take 1CU (course unit) from outside the degree programme. This could be one 1CU module or two 0.5CU modules.
Year 2

Second Year
PSYC2203      Research and Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC2204      Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments
PSYC2205      Brain and Behaviour
PSYC2206      Health and Clinical Psychology
PSYC2207      Perception, Attention and Action
PSYC2208      Cognition and Language
PSYC2209      Developmental Psychology

In addition, second year students take 0.5CU from outside the degree programme, or:

PSYC2301      Computing for Psychologists
Final Year

PSYC3901       Project 

plus six optional modules; the following modules are expected to be offered in 2012/13

PSYC3102      Social Psychology
PSYC3104      Psychology of Education
PSYC3107      Topics in Clinical Psychology
PSYC3108      Organisational Psychology
PSYC3109      Psychology of Health Risks
PSYC3110      Topics in Developmental Psychology
PSYC3111      Human Computer Interaction
PSYC3201      Applied Decision Making 

PSYC3205      Speech
PSYC3207      Human Learning and Memory
PSYC3209      Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC3210      Brain in Action 

PSYC3301      Advanced Multivariate Statistics
PSYC3303      Topics in Neurobiology
PSYC3307      Genes and Behaviour

NEUR3045      Visual Neuroscience

PLIN7109       Stuttering

Please note that not all optional modules are offered every year, and that there are restrictions on the combination of options that can be chosen.  Students may also be able to take appropriate modules in other departments within the Faculty of Brain Sciences, with the permission of the Third Year Tutor.

Staff

Course Director              Dr Alastair McClelland

Course Administrator     Ms Jo Strange

Application

Please see our Admissions webpage for more details concerning the application procedures and other relevant BSc Psychology related admission queries. Applicants are strongly advised to read the contents of the webpages before contacting the Admissions Officer if necessary, preferably by email.

Careers

The numerical and literacy skills gained during your degree will open up a wide range of employment opportunities for you.

Your knowledge of all areas of the subject will make you eligible for entry into any field which is normally open to psychology graduates, or for further graduate training. Further training is required for graduates wishing to work as professional psychologists, especially in the clinical health and education services.

While many UCL psychology graduates have gone on to become professional psychologists in the National Health Service, in education, the civil service and in industry, it is important to bear in mind that a degree in Psychology provides a very useful basis for a wide range of other careers.

Further information on careers open to BSc Psychology graduates can be found here.

Destinations

First destinations of recent graduates of this programme include:

  • Rainbow School: Trainee Applied Behaviour Analyst Tutor
  • West Sussex NHS: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (trainee)
  • John Howard Centre: Social Therapist
  • King's College London: MA Child Studies
  • UCL: MSc Cognitive and Decision Sciences

Contact

Please refer to the FAQ section before contacting the BSc Psychology Admissions Officer with any query - you may find the answer there!

Admissions Officer: Mr David Morris


email: admissions@psychol.ucl.ac.uk

Telephon: +44 (0)20 7679 5336

FAQs

You can find answers to frequently asked questions at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychlangsci/students/prospective/UG/UBSPSYSING05/FAQs.

Page last modified on 12 nov 11 09:48 by Stefanie D Anyadi