1. Getting into competitive subjects Psychology - an admissions perspective Lee Hennessy, University of Bath Heather Willes, Lancaster University November 2009

2. BSc Psychology 4 year programme with compulsory work placement Focus on: cognitive psychology health psychology social psychology Psychology at Bath

3. Compulsory Working with a professional psychologist in an apprentice role Usually unpaid Possibilities are varied Most final year dissertations arise out of research work done during the placement year Invaluable as a preparation for career choice. Placement abroad possible Placements

4. Research at Harvard University (USA) Forensic psychology in Melbourne (Australia) and Liverpool (UK) Alcohol and drug addiction work in Britain, Australia and the United States Family therapy Market research Helping construct a new reading test with educational psychologists Working on the WHO Quality of Life Project Research with the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Studying autism in children Recent placements include:

5. Typical Offers QualificationRequirements GCSE An A grade in Mathematics and English if not offered at AS or A2 level A level AAA - One or more in the natural and/or social sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Politics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics) Welsh Baccalaureate Core plus AA at A level IB 38 points overall with 7,6,6, at Higher Level Cambridge Pre-U D3 x 3 in Principle subjects

6. No applicants do not have to be elite athletes to come to study psychology at Bath or indeed have any interest in sport at all! But we will show a preference for applicants who show a strong interest in psychology demonstrated by: relevant extra-curricular activity evidence of study in addition to core subjects such as additional AS level or an extended project What Else?

7. Bath Psychology Numbers

8. Psychology at Lancaster Degrees offered: Single major: Psychology Psychology in Education Combined major: Biology with Psychology French/German/Italian or Spanish with Psychology Linguistics and Psychology Marketing with Psychology Organisation Studies and Psychology Psychology and Statistics The Sunday Times

9. Typical offer levels QualificationRequirements A-levelsAAB (Psychology A-level not required) International BaccalaureateAt least 31 points overall, but with 17 from best 3 HLs (will change in 2011) BTEC National Diploma3 x Distinctions Advanced DiplomaGrade A in Progression Diploma plus A in A-level as ASL Scottish HighersAAABB Pre-U3 x D3/M1 grades in principal subjects Access DiplomaPass Access Diploma with Distinction in relevant Level 3 units

10. Psychology at Lancaster

11. Psychology in UK HEIs Number of UCAS choices to Psychology (C8) – degree courses by 15 January Entry year 200973,317 Entry year 200870,294 % increase4.3%

12. A-level Psychology

13. Issues and Challenges Impact of 14-19 reforms: Introduction of A* at A-level Changes to A-level assessment Extended Project Diploma qualifications Baccalaureates and Pre-U Growth of Mathematics as A1/A2 subject Employability Admissions Tests Variable tuition fees Possible changes to UCAS process