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Contact: College of Humanities & Social Science Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: hssug@ed.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565

Web: www.ppls.ed.ac.uk

Introduction

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour in humans and animals. It looks at behaviour and experience and tries to understand and explain how these change throughout our lives. Psychologists are interested in the way biological and social factors influence the way we behave and how our interests and abilities differ from person to person.

As a psychology student you will explore how we perceive our environment, how we communicate and how we think, learn and remember. Psychology is an experimental and observational science and so the degree programme has a strong emphasis on developing research skills. Psychology can be combined with a range of other subjects including sociology and philosophy as part of a joint honours degree or as a component in Cognitive Science (Humanities) degrees.

What you'll study

Year 1

You will receive a general introduction to psychology in your first year, covering biological, social and developmental psychology and the psychology of learning, memory and perception. You will also learn about research methods and using statistics in psychology.

Year 2

You will continue to study the core areas of psychology, along with neuro-, abnormal, and historical psychology, and you will develop your research skills by practising statistics and running practical experiments.

Year 3

In third year, you will take advanced courses in the core areas required for BPS accreditation (social, developmental, biological, cognitive and differential psychology) and carry out a literature review and a group research project in one of these core areas.

Year 4

In fourth year most students have a free choice of specialised, research-led options. These courses include Clinical Neuropsychology, Human Cognitive Abilities, Memory, Ageing and the Brain, Causes and Consequences of Personality, Children with Language Impairments, and Social Judgement & Decision Making. You will also carry out an original research project.

Learning and assessment

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, project work and computer-based exercises.

You will be assessed by coursework and exams and in your fourth year you will complete a research project.

Careers

Our graduates develop research, statistical, IT and report-writing skills, which are valued by employers in various sectors. Many Psychology graduates have gone on to work in healthcare and social services, human resources, management, business and finance, and media and advertising. Some students continue their studies to enter a research or teaching career, or to train as a professional psychologist in a specific field.

Our facilities

Teaching will take place at the Psychology building at George Square, located within the University’s Central Area. You will have use of the specialised laboratories and the University’s library and computer facilities.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study in Europe through ERASMUS or further afield through the University’s International Exchange Programme.