Undergraduate study 2013 prospectus

General information

At Loughborough you will study psychology from a social rather than the more traditional cognitive/biological perspective, which is relatively rare in British universities.

Although the degree course covers all aspects of Psychology, we emphasise the social, rather than individual basis of human behaviour. That means that we focus on people in relation to others rather than as self-contained individuals.

Our course is recognised by the British Psychological Society (the professional body of British psychologists) for Graduate Membership of the Society. If you achieve a second class degree or higher (achieved by the overwhelming majority of our students), you are also eligible for the Graduate Basis for Registration (‘GBR’) as a Chartered Psychologist. 

This is the first step towards becoming a professional, practising psychologist. Our social science approach to the study of psychology is reflected in the possibility of studying modules in a second social science subject alongside those in Social Psychology. 

The choice of other subjects is wide and means that you can tailor your course to suit your own particular interests and career intentions. Or, of course, you may choose to select all your options from the Social Psychology modules offered.

Selection

Any combination of arts or science A Level subjects (including General Studies) is acceptable for entry, and we do not recommend or favour any particular subjects. If you are a mature candidate your qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Offers are made on the basis of information on the UCAS form. If you are offered a place you will be invited to visit the Department on an Open Day to talk with staff and current students and to tour the campus.

Teaching and Learning

As well as attending lectures and tutorials, you will learn about psychology in practical and statistics sessions, module clinics, and one-to-one supervision.

The Department’s laboratories are equipped with the latest digital technology including an observation suite and space for interviews, focus groups or experiments in progress. We also carry large stocks of psychological tests and other materials that you will use in your studies.

Assessment

In general, modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations. Practical modules are assessed by 100% coursework. The assessment at the end of Year 1 qualifies you to proceed to Year 2. The final degree classification is determined by performance in Years 2 (40%) and 3 (60%) of the course.

Career Prospects

There are numerous career paths that our students follow after graduation. Some seek further training in order to follow a career as a professional ‘Chartered’ psychologist. Others go on to postgraduate study at Loughborough or other universities in both Britain and abroad.

Our graduates take up careers in social and community work, nursing, IT accountancy, advertising, journalism, personnel, graduate management, the civil service, and the prison service. We often find that they return to postgraduate training in psychology after several years’ employment, when they have gained the necessary experience to supplement their first degree studies.

Course structure

Year 1

Compulsory Social Psychology modules:

• Introduction to Social Psychology A and B
• Controversies in Psychology
• Social Psychology and Relationships
• Practical Social Psychology A and B
• Psychological Statistics A and B

And a choice of optional modules from other Departmental courses in:

• Sociology
• Criminology and Social Policy
• British Politics
• A modern European language
• Communication and Media Studies

Year 2

Compulsory Social Psychology modules in:

• Methods and Ideas in Psychology A: Historical and Conceptual Issues
• Methods and Ideas in Psychology B: Qualitative Research Methods
• Methods and Ideas in Psychology C: Quantitative Research Methods
• Methods and Ideas in Psychology D: Studying Human Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Biological Psychology
• Individual Differences and Personality
• Developmental Psychology

Year 3

Compulsory Social Psychology modules in:

• A research project on a topic of your choice: Social Psychology dissertation
• Advanced Social Psychology A
• Advanced Social Psychology B

And a selection of optional modules in social psychology (e.g., Children’s Interactions; Human Sexualities; Political Psychology; Forensic Psychology; Counselling Psychology; Health Psychology) or from another subject area in the Department. 

Study options and entry requirements

Here you will find information about the various study options available for this course and the entry requirements for each option.

SQA = Scottish Qualifications Authority IB = International Baccalaureate