Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Psychology (UCAS Code: C800)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
The Secretary
School of Psychology
T: +44 (0)28 9097 5445
E: psychology@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.psych.qub.ac.uk

Entrance Requirements

BSc Honours
Psychology 3 yrs (C800)

Entrance Requirements
A-level: ABB + GCSE Mathematics.

There are no specific subject requirements at A-level.

Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

It is important that students who plan to study Psychology should apply to do so, rather than hope to transfer from other pathways once at Queen's.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:

International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, so virtually anything related to the behaviour of humans and animals - normal or abnormal, social or personal, adult or child, subjective feelings or overt behaviour - is of interest to psychologists.

Psychology is a science, and students at Queen's and elsewhere take some modules in statistics and experimental design, as required by our accrediting body, the British Psychological Society (BPS). The Psychology degree programme at Queen's has been consistently rated as 'excellent'.

Course Content

The first two years are spent covering the core syllabus laid down by the BPS and include the following topics:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Conceptual and Historical Issues
• Developmental Psychology
• Experimental Design, Statistics and Research Methods
• Individual Differences
• Psychobiology
• Social Psychology

The syllabus includes laboratory classes and computer use. A wide range of transferable skills - for example, in personal development planning, careers planning, time management, report writing, making oral presentations - is integrated into the syllabus at all levels.

Level 1
At Level 1, the equivalent of four core Psychology modules are taken by all BSc Honours Psychology students. These involve lectures, tutorials, statistics classes and practical laboratory work. Students also choose two additional Psychology modules or two modules from other areas.

Level 2
At Level 2, students normally take six Psychology modules. These involve a mix of lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory work and statistics, and working on a group project.

Level 3
Level 3 modules allow students a choice of specialised topics to suit their interests and career intentions; see the School website for details. Most students will also undertake a substantial empirical study resulting in a thesis.

'Queen's has been a great start to my adult life. I have enjoyed having my independence, but the excellent links to Great Britain mean that I never feel too far away from home. I have made friends for life here.'

Bethany Roxburgh,
Northumberland, England

Learning and Teaching

On the BSc in Psychology, we deliver a high quality learning environment by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures :  Lectures will provide you with core concepts and information about specific topics and will outline theoretical issues and debates. You should not count on lectures to be your sole source of information on any topic or issue as you will be expected to read around the lecture content using the resources provided to accompany the lecture. You should not think that the copy of any PowerPoint presentation used in the lecture provides sufficient information and you can therefore miss the lecture. They do not; they provide a guide to focus your note-taking and understanding. 
• Practicals:You will undertake weekly laboratory practical classes throughout first and second year. These will develop your research methods and design skills and provide you with training in analytical methods and statistics. You will collect data during the classes from class mates or other set tasks. This will provide you with the background to undertake a group project in Level 2 and an individual large piece of research in Level 3. Due to timetabling constraints, and the fact the University considers you should attend the University 5 days per week, we are unable to change your allocated laboratory day, unless in the most exceptional circumstances.
• PDP tutorial sessions:  In Levels 1 and 2 you will meet in small groups to discuss critical aspects of psychology and personal development planning. These are an important part of your educational experience allowing you to develop oral and written presentational skills and to plan for your future career. The sessions will review your exam performance, on a one-to-one basis, with your tutor. In Level 3 this review will be undertaken with your thesis supervisor.
• Group Projects:In Level 2 you will undertake a group project with other students. This will develop team working skills, often so crucial in your future career. You will also make a group presentation at the conclusion of the project. Your will be guided through the process by your supervisor but key to success is your effective working as a team, with all students contributing.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback:  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work.  Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

Studying for a Psychology degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Psychology.

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Psychology, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  Examples of these are: Market research, social work, nursing, advertising, sales, personnel management and careers guidance are all areas for which a psychology degree will provide a good basis.

Psychology graduates will have knowledge of the assessment of personality, intelligence and attitudes, interviewing techniques, questionnaire design and analysis, child development, and methods of teaching and learning.

A psychology degree is also a good basis for many jobs where employees receive additional training e.g. (the police, Armed Forces, advertising and broadcasting) or where they will gain further professional qualifications while working (e.g. banking, accountancy, management, personnel, market research). Psychology graduates may work in an interdisciplinary position with, for example, biologists, engineers, physiologists and physicists. However, employers are usually looking for general or 'transferable' skills, and a psychology degree provides an arguably unique combination of these.

You should also take a look at the Prospects website for further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Psychology Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Psychology graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullemployability statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies,  and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

The School has specialised facilities for human experimental psychology, movement and perception, individual differences, social psychology, child development, psychophysiology and eating behaviour. We have a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory for gathering data in schools and other remote sites. Undergraduate students use these in their second and final years.

Last updated 12.09.13