A three-year Honours degree exploring the science of behaviour and mental processes — from memory, cognition and neuroscience to social and developmental psychology.

Programme Overview

Psychology is one of the most interesting and challenging areas of scientific inquiry, with the potential to benefit both individuals and society as a whole. This degree explores the science of behaviour and mental processes, giving students an understanding of the brain, cognitive and decision-making processes, and mental health.

Study spans memory, learning, cognition, perception, neuroscience, language, developmental psychology, social psychology and abnormal psychology — giving graduates a broad and well-rounded foundation across the discipline.

Course Description

Psychology is a comparatively young academic discipline, yet it has become one of the most popular undergraduate courses in the Western world. Its skills and knowledge underpin a wide range of careers, and for many students the degree also offers valuable practical insight and personal development.

For students aiming to train as professional psychologists, this course provides the essential first step: graduates may register as members of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and go on to postgraduate training in areas such as clinical, occupational, forensic, counselling or educational psychology, working toward Chartered Psychologist status. Many graduates, however, pursue careers across health care, education, human resources, market research, advertising, broadcasting, nursing, policing and the armed forces, for which a psychology degree provides an excellent foundation spanning both science and the humanities.

Core modules taken by all students ensure sufficient breadth across the key areas of the discipline — cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, personality and biological psychology — and teaching throughout is informed by active research, with staff bringing their own ongoing academic work into lectures and laboratory classes.

Programme Aims

• Develop an understanding of the relationships between the mind, nervous system, and innate and learned behaviour, through scientifically valid and verifiable means.
• Examine relevant issues from multiple perspectives, including biological conditions, life-stage development, personality factors, cognitive development and social influences.
• Ground theories and hypotheses in an appreciation of the empirical methods used to gather data, along with their limitations and constraints.
• Produce independent, inquisitive graduates able to critically evaluate research and propose plausible alternative explanations.
• Build the ability to apply knowledge and practical skills across social settings — from family and interpersonal relationships to public and workplace contexts.
• Develop transferable skills in study, IT, communication and analysis, preparing graduates for further study or employment both within and beyond psychology.

Course Structure

Teaching combines lectures, small-group seminars and practical workshops. The course structure ensures broad coverage of psychology while allowing increased choice as students progress through the degree. In the third year, students undertake an independent research project and choose options reflecting their own interests and staff expertise.