
Psychology
Our courses emphasise the real-world application of psychological theory.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.
Gain the theoretical and practical knowledge required to become a counsellor. Study full-time or part-time.
View courseUndergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology degree; the first step to becoming a psychologist. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
View courseAddiction psychology is a fascinating specialist area of psychology focused on both substance dependence and other forms of behavioural dependence such as gambling.
View courseUndergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology (Child Development) degree course; the first steps to becoming a psychologist. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
View courseUndergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology (Clinical Psychology) degree course; the first steps to becoming a psychologist. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
View courseExplore forensic and investigative psychology including offender profiling, witness interview techniques, detecting deception and research.
View courseUndergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology (Sport Psychology) degree course; the first steps to becoming a psychologist. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
View courseHow do our brains work? Is our behaviour affected by our genes, our environment or both? Psychology gives you a fascinating insight into the factors that influence how people think, feel and behave.
View courseNot to be confused with a Foundation degree, this Applied Sciences qualification is designed for the mature applicant. It offers a route into science professions for those who have not followed the traditional route of A Levels.
View courseA member of staff, expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. Offered full-time and part-time.
View coursePostgraduate Diploma (PgDip), Masters (MSc) Addiction Psychology and Counselling course; a route to counselling accreditation.
View courseThe Psychology MSc is a conversion course for individuals already possessing an undergraduate degree in another field, but who wish to develop a professional career in Psychology.
View courseThis course offers the chance to gain expertise and theoretical understanding of psychology, supported by the development of practical skills and a relevant clinical placement.
View courseA member of staff, expert in the chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme. Offered full-time and part-time.
View coursePsychology 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.
Prof. Ian Albery
Ian Albery is Professor of Psychology and Director of Research and Enterprise for the School of Applied Sciences.
James Binnie
James Binnie is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Course Director of the BSc Psychological Counselling.
Dr Janice Brown
Janice Brown is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Course Director of Undergraduate Psychology.
Dr Elisa Carrus
Elisa Carrus is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Dr Claudia Civai
Claudia Civai is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology.
Prof. Lynne Dawkins
Lynne Dawkins is a Professor of Nicotine and Tobacco Studies.
Dr Rachael Elward
Rachael Elward is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Prof. Daniel Frings
Daniel Frings is Professor of Social Psychology and Course Director of the MSc Addiction Psychology and Counselling.
Dr Daniel Kolubinski
Dan Kolubinski is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Dr Elisa Lewis
Elisa Lewis is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Jaimee Mallion
Jaimee Mallion is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Dr Alex Marchant
Alex Marchant is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Course Director of the MSc Psychology.
Nick McCubbin
Nick McCubbin is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Prof. Antony Moss
Antony Moss is Professor of Addictive Behaviour Science and Director of Education and Student Experience for the School of Applied Sciences.
Dr Elizabeth Newton
Elizabeth Newton is an Associate Professor of Psychology.
Dr Preethi Premkumar
Preethi Premkumar specialises in studying the biosocial vulnerability model of psychosis, notably schizotypy and family stress. She is the module leader for the Year 1 module, Introduction to Psychology.
Prof. Paula Reavey
Paula Reavey is Professor of Psychology and Mental Health, and Course Director of the MSc Mental Health and Clinical Psychology.
Dr Nicola Rycroft
Nicky Rycroft is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology.
Dr James Smith-Spark
Jamie Smith-Spark is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Head of the Division of Psychology.
Prof. Marcantonio Spada
Marcantonio Spada is Professor of Addictive Behaviours and Mental Health, and Director of Student Recruitment for the School of Applied Sciences.
Dr Serra Tekin Eriksson
Serra Tekin Eriksson is a Lecturer in Psychology.
Dr Allan Tyler
Dr Allan Tyler is a Lecturer in Psychology. He is Admissions Tutor and co-Academic Integrity Co-ordinator (Psychology). Allan specialises in qualitative research methods and liminal populations.
Dr Eleni Vangeli
Eleni Vangeli is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology.