Department of Psychological Sciences Birkbeck, University of London Dr. Clare Press UCAS Admissions Tutor

What is Psychology? Psychology: the study of human behaviour and mental functioning Psychologists are interested in how people think, feel and act Most people recognise its appeal - Hundreds of ‘pop psych’ books & magazines As social beings, we are curious about others

An exciting time to study Psychology An exciting time to study Psychology: How does the brain give rise to behaviour? A key challenge facing 21 st century science People have sought to understand human behaviour for a long time… B.F. Skinner I. Pavlov Plato

A scientific training Psychology is a science Students will learn how to interpret existing research within psychology And also learn how to conduct their own novel experiments – they will be contributing to knowledge as well as finding out what we already know

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES, BIRKBECK

Active research environment Those lecturing will also run a lab, where they supervise students and other employees undertaking research Students’ own research as part of their degree will be undertaken within these labs Also opportunities to be involved in ongoing work in labs – giving a flavour of this career, and helping to boost applications for a variety of psychology- related careers. Students are welcome to attend the departmental research lectures and seminars attended by members of staff.

Students will therefore be taught by those at the forefront of knowledge in their field Opportunity to publish their project in a scientific journal And find out about new research before it’s even published Please note: Birkbeck’s research excellence is also demonstrated by the fact that the last two Research and Assessment Exercises (RAEs) Birkbeck’s Department of Psychological Sciences was ranked 5 th in the UK for research excellence Active research environment

Leading Research Centres Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues (ISCFSI) Here, we conduct research related to the development, functioning, and well being of children and families and to addressing pressing social issues. Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (CBCD) Otherwise known as the ‘Babylab’, here we study how babies learn and develop, particularly during the first 2 years of life. Birkbeck and UCL Centre for Neuroimaging (BUCNI) Here we use an 1.5 T MRI scanner to investigate the development of language, social cognition, and cognitive control, as well as adult cognition.

Leading Research Centres Mace Experimental Research Laboratories in Neuroscience (MERLiN) Here, we conduct electrophysiological, optical and psychophysiological research, for example tracking where people look when they are processing faces. Birkbeck Research Into Developmental GEnomics (BRIDGE) lab The BRIDGE lab is a new molecular biology facility for genomic research. Storage and analysis of DNA and RNA.

BSc PSYCHOLOGY AT BIRKBECK

BSc in Psychology The BSc Psychology programme at Birkbeck introduces students to the various areas covered by contemporary psychology – clinical, cognitive, developmental, learning and social (BPS accredited)

BSc Psychology: course overview Clinical Psychology Developmental Psychology General Foundations of Psychology Introduction to Research Methods Psychobiology Psychobiology II History and Philosophy of Psychology Individual Differences Perception, Attention and Performance Research Methods Social Psychology Learning and Memory Reasoning and Decision Making Advanced Research Methods Critical Analysis Language Two option modules Project BSc Psychology Year 3 options (choose 2) Brain and Cognitive Development Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Family Studies Genetics and Psychology Health Psychology Human Evolution and Evolutionary Psychology Plasticity, constraint, expertise and talent Theoretical Debates about Human Memory The Final-Year Project allows students to pursue their particular academic interests while being supervised by specialists in your chosen field. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

BSc Psychology Duration: Full Time 3 years / Part Time 4 years (PT includes a ‘Route 1A’ option with extra help) Lectures are between 6 and 9 pm, and held at the Bloomsbury campus Full Time: 4 evenings per week, Part Time: 2 or 3 evenings per week For more info, visit: ology_full_time

Learning Support We are unusual in having (two) department specific learning support officers Great if students are struggling with certain elements of the course Also great for other students, to achieve the best that they can

WHAT NEXT?

What next? Recent graduates in our department (Psychological Sciences) have gone onto: £28k median salary of graduates in full-time work after 6 months

Postgraduate options BSc Psychology (BPS accredited) Full or part-time options Postgraduate taught courses MSc/MA in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology MSc in Cognition and Computation MSc in Psychological Research Methods MSc/MA in Developmental Sciences MSc/MA in Educational Neuroscience PG-Dip/MSc in Psychology (3 or 4 years, part-time) Postgraduate research degrees Masters in Research in Psychology (MRes) Masters in Research in Neuroimaging (MRes) MPhil/PhD in Psychology

Psychology careers:

Career opportunities University researcher Clinical psychology Occupational psychology Educational psychology Human resources Forensic psychology Sport & Exercise Health psychology Counselling If interested in what further training is required for each career, see:

It’s a great degree for keeping options open - Proof of quantitative, critical, analytical & presentation skills Career opportunities Caring professions Nursing Sports injury therapy Sports & Fitness Police Finance Business & industry Graduate schemes Marketing Public Relations Advertising Personnel management Law Accountancy Medicine Journalism Education, teaching Sales Students shouldn’t panic if they’re not sure what to do after university… They don’t have to be a psychologist! Attractive to many employers

Student members of the BPS also receive notification of Careers events led by specialists in their fields What next?

Find out more Birkbeck’s Psychology degree: students/prospective-students Further training required for each career: Research assessment of departments: ult/files/Attachments/2014/12/17/x/o/z/sub pdf ult/files/Attachments/2014/12/17/x/o/z/sub pdf

QUESTIONS?