Psychology

Why study BSc Psychology at Goldsmiths

Our cutting-edge BSc Psychology offers a unique approach to the study of human behaviour. The degree will develop your understanding of the processes shaping how individuals think, feel, behave, and interact, via analysis of critical issues in contemporary psychology.

• Real-world relevance: You will analyse real-world issues through a bio-psycho-social model, connecting theory, research, policy, and practice. Themed teaching blocks will address critical topics including social justice, health and wellbeing, and artificial intelligence.

• ** Integrated research focus:** The curriculum places a strong emphasis on research, equipping you with quantitative and qualitative research skills, integrated seamlessly with module content. You'll have access to our fantastic facilities. These include behavioural testing facilities, an EEG suite for brain research, an infant lab with state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods, virtual reality laboratories and a visual perception and attention laboratory.

• Empowered learning experience: We put community at the heart of your learning journey, using group activities, peer support, an academic mentor, and active engagement with the world-leading research of the department. You will develop your own bespoke curriculum through a combination of optional modules in your second and final years.

• Comprehensive preparation for diverse careers: Our contemporary and creative curriculum prepares you for a broad range of careers. You will develop transferable skills essential for graduate level employment. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society and gives you eligibility for Graduate Membership for Chartered Membership, which is required to study various postgraduate courses and to become a fully Chartered Psychologist.

In years 1 and 2 learning will be structured across three interdisciplinary themes:
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Cognition and Culture
Life and Society

Each theme is supplemented by integrated Research Methods training, and Personal and Professional Development.

Year 1 (credit level 4)
You will take the following compulsory modules:
Mental Health and Wellbeing I
Cognition and Culture I
Life and Society I
Research Methods and Statistics I
Personal and Professional Development I
Applications of Psychological Research
Identity, Environment and Agency

Year 2 (credit level 5)
You'll study the following compulsory modules:
Mental Health and Wellbeing II
Cognition and Culture II
Life and Society II
Research Methods and Statistics II
Personal and Professional Development II
Science Communication in Psychology

You'll also select 1 option module from a list provided by the department.

Optional placement year
The degree includes an optional placement year between the second and final year of study. You will be responsible for securing a placement, but we can support you through this process.

The placement year is a great opportunity for you to gain work experience, build confidence and contacts, develop your skills and industry insight, and enhance your career prospects.

You'll be supported throughout your placement year by a placement tutor, who will provide you with guidance and liaison between you and your employer.

Year 3/4 (credit level 6)
Research dissertation
In your final year, you will carry out an individual research project under the close supervision of a member of faculty in the Department of Psychology.

Option modules
You can also choose a bespoke selection of five option modules. The modules currently available are:
Clinical Psychology: Common Presentations and Interventions
Multivariate Statistical Methods in Psychology
Cross-Cultural and Individual Differences in Attention and Awareness
Topics in Neuropsychology
Psychology and Law
Behavioural Genetics
Addictive Behaviours
Psychological Approaches to Music
The Interpersonal Self
Neurodevelopment, Neurodiversity and Education
Cognitive Neuroscience
Social Psychology of Social Problems
Psychology of the Arts, Aesthetics and Attraction
Introduction to Coding With MATLAB
Leadership and Talent Management

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

In Years 1 and 2, each theme will have diverse assessments that are designed to reflect multiple important skills for further study and future employment.

These will include writing assignments (eg case study, opinion piece, policy brief), group work assignments (eg running a small experiment), oral/interactive assignments (eg presentation to a small group, podcast), and written or oral exams (eg timed essay).

Assessments in Research Methods are designed to prepare you for your final year project, giving you a grounding in experimental design, analysis, data visualisation, and interpreting findings.

Assessments in the Professional and Personal Development module will support the skills and competencies needed to succeed throughout your degree and beyond.

If you opt for an industrial placement year, your placement tutor will assess your work.

Final year modules are assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These may include coursework, examinations, group work and projects. All students will complete a written dissertation on their final year project.