Psychology

Our academics are passionate about applied research. The curriculum benefits from their expertise in addictive and health behaviours, applied developmental cognition, investigative forensic psychology and lived experiences in mental health and distress.

Our graduates go on to pursue careers in clinical, forensic and counselling psychology, teaching, the probation service, court services, human resources and business. Psychology graduates are generally highly regarded by employers for their communication, numeracy, teamwork and critical thinking.

As part of their studies, our psychology students conduct a range of research projects, and value the support of volunteers to take part in their research. Find out more about the range of projects currently recruiting volunteers.

Rewarding voluntary work placements

The Division runs a successful voluntary work placement schemes that help students find and prepare for part-time voluntary work at organisations including:

• Addiction rehabilitation units
• Brain damage units
• Charitable organisations working with stroke patients
• NHS clinics and hospital units (psychosexual, forensic and clinical psychology units)
• Children with disabilities
• Clinical psychologists at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust
• Young offenders

Leading career services and advice

We provide careers support and advice throughout the time that students study with us and beyond. We organise various careers activities such as work placements, talks and seminars in collaboration with many organisations, including the Metropolitan Police, the NHS and the British Psychological Society (BPS). We hold an annual careers fair for second and third year students and work closely with our alumni who have gone on to build successful careers in psychology.

Undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in psychology that cover a wide range of specialisms including: child development psychology; clinical psychology; social psychology; investigative forensic psychology; addiction, addictive behaviours and therapies; and mental health and cognitive behavioural therapy.

PhD research degrees are available and are supported by a supervisor, an expert in the field.

A broad range of specialist Continuing Professional Development CPD short courses are also available for up-skilling professionals working in psychology-related fields.

Psychology students benefit from strong practical facilities to conduct scientific testing. The division's laboratory complex contains the latest computer and experimental equipment and has its own dedicated reference library.

Cutting edge technology

The Psychology laboratory is located on the fifth floor of the Joseph Lancaster Building and has the following features:

Observation room with a one-way mirror

This pair of rooms has been set up to provide a comfortable environment for conducting observational work with the option of discrete observations via a large one-way mirror. The mirror allows the whole room to be clearly seen from the adjoining observation area and is ideal for research in areas such as developmental psychology where the presence of the experimenter may influence a child's behaviour.

Psychophysiology laboratory and the Bio-psychological recording equipment (BIOPAC)

The division currently possesses Biopac units and a range of different specialist modules or the collection of psycho-physiological data. The apparatus allows collection of a wide range of physiological data including: Impedance cardiography (ICG); Electro dermal activity (EDA), Continuous blood pressure monitoring; Electro cardiography (ECG).

Eye tracking facility and portable eye tracking equipment

The laboratory currently has a desk mounted SR eye tracker. Recently a further portable Tobii eye tracker was acquired. We are able to support a wide range of experimental paradigms with the apparatus including incorporation of other physiological data.

Pub-lab

This facility has been set up to examine various aspects of drinking behaviour in an ecologically sensitive environment.

Electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory

The laboratory has been set up with a Biosemi electroencephalography system. The equipment allows for recordings of real time neurophysiological responses to visual and/or auditory stimuli or of internal processing such as perception, memory and attention.

Interview room

This facility has been set up with comfortable furniture to recreate a pleasant environment for interviews. Moreover, encrypted and non- voice recorders, video cameras and transcription kits are available for qualitative studies.

Psychometric library

The laboratory currently carries around 1500 different psychometric tests across a wide range of application areas including clinical assessment, personality, neuro-psychological testing, cognitive performance and diagnostic screening.

Computer labs with experiment generator software

We currently have three dedicated psychology computer labs and a large number of testing cubicles all equipped with PCs running a range of experimental applications. These include: Super Lab, E-prime, Experiment builder, Nudist, The Observer, Acqknowledge, In vivo, SPSS, Cog Lab and MPlus.

The labs also include seminar rooms, a workshop, storage areas, a preparation area and a laboratory office. There are two drop-in sessions per day for students to access technical and learning support from our highly professional technicians who are on hand to help.

Psychology Research Participation Scheme (RPS)

We use a web-based software package to advertise experiments and issue credit(s) for the departmental Research Participation Scheme (RPS). The experiment management system offers an easy way for participants from across the University to sign up for studies. This software helps to increase awareness and participation in our studies, therefore increasing the reliability of our experiments.