Psychology

Psychology
Kent is one of the top 100 universities for Psychology in the world, with special expertise in facial recognition, social (in)equality, child development, and morality.

Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course will give you the foundations for a career in psychology addressing a current shortage of psychologists in the UK, particularly in mental health.

You will have the opportunity to learn from world renowned experts specialising in topics such as moral psychology and trust in artificial intelligence, consequences of conspiracy theories, language development in children, imagination, and cognitive neuroscience.

You will explore the big questions around psychology, such as ‘Why do people commit crime?’, ‘What are the origins of mental health problems?’, ‘Is professional successes the result of nature or nurture?’.

You will also be introduced to fundamentals of data and statistics – essential for understanding psychology – and you will develop the skills to plan, conduct and analyse your own research.

With an optional year abroad or year in professional practice you can extend your learning further. Or diversify your learning by adding “a year in” computing, data analytics, language, management, television and online broadcasting. This is ideal if you want to specialise or take your psychology skills in a different direction on graduation.

Foundation Year

After successful completion of the foundation year, you progress to the three or four-year Psychology courses.

Year in Professional Practice

This is a four-year course where you spend a year in practice between your second and final years. You undertake project work with professional applied psychologists in organisations such as the NHS, the Prison Service or a research establishment.

Year Abroad

You spend the third year studying at one of our partner universities in Europe. Shape your degree outside the classroom by participating in our student-led Psychology Society who host regular events, including co-run seminars with our academic team exploring current questions. Step in to our active community.

Year 2

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Developmental Psychology

  You'll gain knowledge of the crucial factors that influence us from before birth, through infancy and childhood, and into adolescence. Through engaging with key theories and methods you'll gain an in-depth understanding of how biological and cultural factors impact every child’s development, alongside developing key skills for a career in Psychology or further afield.

• Conducting, Using, and Evaluating Research

  In Conducting, Using and Evaluating Research, you will gain experience of the research process from data collection through to the production of professional-standard research reports. You will have the opportunity to work on both qualitative and quantitative data, and to understand the different ways in which these can be used to answer fundamental questions about human behaviour. Building on Making Sense of Psychological Data, you will continue to learn how to apply and interpret statistical tests that will allow you to ask and answer more complex and interesting questions.

• Brain and Cognition

  This module gives you grounding in methods, techniques and issues in cognitive neuroscience. It will focus on the biological bases of human behaviour (neural development and plasticity; anatomy and physiology of the nervous system), and on key cognitive processes such as perception, memory and higher levels of cognition with a particular focus on how these processes are instantiated in the brain.

  You'll learn about the methods used to study and modulate these processes, such as the recording of physiological signals, brain-imaging, brain stimulation and psychopharmacology.

• Personality and Social Psychology

  You'll be introduced to the major scientific discoveries in personality and social psychology, and learn what personality is, why it differs between people, and how social situations and intergroup dynamics can bring out the best and worst in people. You'll develop the ability to ask and discuss clever scientific questions about human nature and social phenomena, as well as the skills to design bulletproof scientific studies to find answers to these questions and test your research ideas.

Optional modules may include the following

• Topics in Business Psychology

• Understanding Psychological Distress: A normal reaction to adverse experiences?

• The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

Please see our website for module information.

Year 3

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Using Practical Psychology

  Psychological tests from diagnostic measures, to personality tests, to tests of cognitive function have wide-ranging applications in areas including business, health, education and the law. They can be used to inform interventions at the individual, group, organisational and social levels, and are among the most important tools used by professional psychologists. You'll be introduced to some key psychological tests and learn how they can be used in real-world situations. You'll gain an understanding of how they are administered and scored, as well as developing a critical perspective on their use. You'll also learn how to make recommendations based on the results of these tests, and to propose interventions related to them.

• Psychology Project

  The Clinical Psychology Project is the capstone of your degree, as you bring together what you have learned in the first two years of your studies to produce a thorough, professional research report relevant to clinical psychology. You'll evaluate existing evidence in your chosen area, develop your hypotheses and research questions, and select and run appropriate statistical tests to answer these questions. You'll then present your findings in an accessible and professional style, and discuss how they fit within and build on psychological knowledge relevant to the field of clinical psychology.

Optional modules may include the following

• Business Psychology in Context

• Forensic Psychology: Real-World Applications

• Cognition in Action

• Challenging and Diversifying Perspectives on Distress

• Study Design and Data Collection

Please see our website for module information.

Foundation Year

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Academic Skills Development

  Unlock your potential and gain the essential skills for academic success at university. You’ll develop effective study habits, learn to manage your time, and gain strategies for independent learning. You’ll conduct academic research, by learning to find, evaluate, and use academic sources, while avoiding plagiarism. Your writing skills will be developed through extended writing activities, referencing, proofreading, and editing. You’ll also improve your communication skills by learning how to structure a presentation and use visual aids. You’ll develop your critical thinking through analysis, evaluation, and argumentation.

• Statistics

  Statistical techniques are fundamental tools in being able to measure, analyse and communicate information about sets of data. You will develop an understanding of the core concepts of probability and statistics and apply these in various contexts. You will consolidate basic mathematical skills and develop your analytical and problem-solving skills. You will master a range of techniques and methods and will be able to communicate statistical ideas clearly using appropriate notation.

• Research Methods for Foundation

  Using effective research methods is an essential skill for success at university and beyond. But what exactly is research? How do we do it and why? Exploring key aspects such as conducting research, ethical implications, understanding and interpreting data, and detecting bias, you’ll master the fundamentals of research methods and develop your skills in analysis.

• Foundation Project: Research and Reflection

  Dive into a project that sparks your curiosity and hones your academic skills, as you choose a topic you’re passionate about and transform your research into a compelling essay. This module allows you to develop and apply the learning from your Autumn term module ‘Academic Skills Development’.  You will improve your research and writing skills further and refine your use of sources. While you conduct your reading and research, you’ll engage in reflective practices improving your ability to assess and evaluate your learning using various reflective models.  Independence and time management are key skills you’ll develop as you navigate this module.

• Key Theories and Evidence in Psychology

  Learn about key areas of psychology including mental health, memory, and perception, and how both biological and social factors have an essential role to play in our understanding of these fascinating ideas.

• The Science of Psychology

  Learn about the history of psychology, and how it has developed. Explore key research methods used in psychological research, and cover some of the foundational studies that helped to develop the field. You will be introduced to key topics including child development, attitudes, group processes, and motivation. By considering both classic and modern studies in this area, you will learn more about how the science of psychology has changed over time. There is a particular focus on how studies can be designed and evaluated which will help you to develop your scientific understanding and critical thinking skills.

Year in Professional Practice (Optional)

Year in Industry

You spend a year on placement within an organisation that delivers a form of psychological service, such as the National Health Service, Home Office, Department for Education or social services (subject to availability of placements and achieving an average mark of 60% at Stages 1 and 2).

The marks awarded for this year are based on performance on the placement, a Reflective Diary kept by the student (marked on a pass/fail basis), a poster presentation about the placement experience, and the report of a research project conducted while on placement. The research report and the Reflective Diary must be submitted before the autumn term of Stage 3.

Year Abroad (Optional)

Go Abroad

Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally.  You experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability.

You spend a year degree between Stages 2 and 3 studying at one of our partner universities in Europe.

You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stages 1 and 2 to proceed to the year abroad. If the requirement is not met, you are transferred to the equivalent three-year programme. The year abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification.

Year 1

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

• Succeeding at University and Beyond

  You'll gain essential information and opportunities to develop skills that will see you through the next years of your course. From academic writing to self-reflection and career planning, this modules gives you a thorough grounding in how to learn effectively and independently, and to use this learning to think and write like a psychologist.

• Research Methods: Science and Psychology

  In this module, you will learn the essentials of the scientific method, and how we can use this to design psychology experiments effectively. Through a critical examination of classic studies in psychology and seeing how they can be updated with modern methods, you will develop essential critical thinking skills that will help you understand the history and future of the study of psychology. This module will help you understand how to operationalise and measure variables, and how different types of data can be analysed.

• Biological and Cognitive Psychology

  You'll start on an in-depth journey into cognitive and biological psychology, introducing you to the foundational theories, methodologies, and critical issues within these fields. Students will also examine the nuances of psychopathology, including the nature and treatment of psychological disorders, and the psychological aspects of social cognition, sleep, and dreaming.

  Each lecture within the module is designed to not only impart theoretical knowledge but also to encourage you to critically engage with current research, methodologies, and debates in the field of psychology. Through this comprehensive programme, you are equipped with a deep understanding of the cognitive and biological bases of human behaviour, preparing you for further study or careers in psychology and related disciplines.

• Making Sense of Psychological Data

  A fundamental part of being a psychologist is using data to get answers to questions about how people think and behave. You'll build on what you have learned about psychology and science in Research Methods – Science and Psychology, exploring how to use generic and specialist software to produce descriptive statistics and test hypotheses. You'll also learn how to present your findings in graphical and written form in line with professional requirements to allow you to communicate your findings to a range of audiences. You'll develop an understanding of which types of tests can be used on which types of data, and what conclusions can be drawn from these tests.

• Understanding People and Groups

  Learn how people think, feel and act in relation to themselves, others, and the world around them. From personal choices to group conflicts, you'll gain a solid understanding of people and groups, and learn about the psychological underpinnings of the brighter and darker sides of human nature. Using fascinating real-life examples, we'll introduce you to classic concepts and research as well as emerging areas in personality and social psychology. You'll learn about their relevance to everyday life, and inevitably, you'll learn something about yourself, as you develop the ability to critically reflect upon psychological ideas and research findings and identify some of the most pressing questions related to human behaviour and the social world.

• Big Questions in Psychology

  Psychology allows us to ask and answer fundamental questions about what it means to be human. This is why it is one of the most exciting subjects you can study. By considering essential research from different areas of psychology, you'll develop your ability to use psychological evidence to build a convincing argument, and to see things from different perspectives.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society