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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.

BSc Psychology

 

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, 105 credits are taken in psychology, allowing you to choose an additional 15 credit module from another subject - arts or sciences - taught within UCL. In the second year, all credits will be psychology-based.

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

PSYC0005       Introduction to Psychological Experiments
PALS0046       Introduction to Statistical Methods
PSYC0225       Evidence and Enquiry in Psychology
PSYC0009       Memory and Decision
PSYC0220       Social Psychology
PSYC0011       The Psychology of Individual Differences

In addition, first year students take 15 credits from outside the degree programme.

Planned changes for 2022-23: Please note that we plan to merge PSYC0220 and PSYC0011 into a single module and bring PSYC0235 into the first year.

Year 2

Second Year

PSYC0012       Research Methods in Psychology
PALS0045       Intermediate Statistical Methods
PSYC0014       Brain and Behaviour
PSYC0015       Health and Clinical Psychology
PSYC0017       Perception
PSYC0004       Cognition and Language
PSYC0016       Developmental Psychology

PSYC0235       Qualitative and Mixed Research Methods (in 2022-23 it is planned that this module will be taught in Year 1, to be replaced in Year 2 by a module on Science of Bias).

 

 
 
 
Final Year

PSYC0037        Project 

plus six optional modules; below are examples of modules offered in 2020-21

PSYC0010       Social Psychology
PSYC0022       Psychology of Education
PSYC0023       Topics in Clinical Psychology
PSYC0024       Organisational Psychology

PSYC0025       The Social Psychology of Risk
PSYC0026       Topics in Developmental Psychology
PSYC0027       Human Computer Interaction
PSYC0002       Behaviour Change
PSYC0028       Applied Decision Making
PSYC0030       Human Learning and Memory
PSYC0031       Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC0032       Brain in Action

PSYC0034       Advanced Multivariate Statistics
PSYC0035       Topics in Neurobiology
PSYC0036       Genes and Behaviour

PALS0022        Evolution of Vocal Communication

NEUR0017       Visual Neuroscience

PLIN0029         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 Prof Alastair McClelland

Course Administrator Miss 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.

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

Admissions Officer: Alice Hofmann
Contact form: Admissions Enquiries
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3370 1215