Psychology (Study Abroad)

Through this programme, you will develop a detailed understanding of psychology and have the exciting opportunity to take your studies overseas, exploring a new culture and enhancing your academic network. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which is essential if you wish to pursue a career in professional psychology in the UK, and follows the main themes of modern psychology:

• Brain and Behaviour: how neural disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease affect behaviour

• Cognitive Psychology: our reactions to colours, smells, speech and music

• Developmental Psychology: the ways in which infants perceive space, patterns, objects and events

• Social Psychology: how our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are shaped by the presence of others

In the first year, you will gain an in depth overview of the main study themes through our Understanding Psychology module. You will explore the theories underpinning these areas, learn to evaluate scientific journals, and develop your ability to construct formal arguments. Running parallel to this, you will also undertake the Investigating Psychology module, which will equip you with important practical skills for conducting research in psychology, such as data analysis and report writing.

As well as these core modules, you will also take a minor subject, which can be another science, or a subject that is selected from a different part of the University, such as a social science or management programme.

During your second year of your degree, you will study a specialist module for each of the key strands; deepening your understanding and testing your knowledge. You will also explore Personality and Individual Differences, which will introduce you to important theoretical questions and allow you to critically discuss research implications.

In addition to these themes, Research Methods and Statistics modules will be covered this year. These will expand your knowledge of research methods, develop key skills and enable you to gain a detailed understanding of analysis and reporting.

Third year modules will be taught overseas at one of our partner institutions, which currently includes institutions in the US, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia. You will choose specialist modules from the host university, allowing you to gain cultural and personal skills as well as expanding your professional network.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster. Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

Returning to Lancaster for your fourth year, you have the freedom to choose from a range of topical modules, as well as carrying out your own research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Structured Work Experience
Alongside your academic study, you will have the opportunity to gain voluntary work experience through our Psychology Employability Programme, allowing you to develop invaluable skills for either a career in psychology or a graduate programme. You can choose between working part-time in the community with charities and organisations that support vulnerable people, or working alongside staff in the Psychology Department on their ground breaking research projects. Crucially, every placement will provide you with experience and skills that are valuable to both psychology careers and more general graduate level occupations, strengthening your CV and enhancing your employability.