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The BSc Psychology course offers a comprehensive three-year programme, focusing on psychology from a scientific perspective. Emphasizing social, cognitive, and biological aspects of psychology, the course is taught by practicing researchers, including leading experts in the field.
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this programme meets the rigorous quality standards set by the BPS, ensuring you receive an education of the highest caliber.
Ranked among the top 10 psychology programmes in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2024), the course provides an opportunity to gain professional experience through the Psychology with Professional Placement option, which is unique among psychology departments. This allows students to apply their learning in real-world settings, enhancing their career prospects.
With 96% of graduates employed or pursuing further study within 15 months of completing their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021/22), this degree offers excellent employability prospects. Additionally, 95% of the department's research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), meaning you'll be taught by experts who are actively addressing global challenges in psychology.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, with wide applications in fields such as health, education, industry, and social services. The programme develops both quantitative and qualitative skills, enabling students to understand and predict human behavior. Overall, this accredited course offers an enriching academic environment designed to prepare you for a successful career in psychology or related fields.
Hands-on Research Projects:
You will gain practical experience in conducting psychological research. Throughout the course, you will design and run your own experiments, developing both research and analytical skills.
Final Year Research Project:
In your final year, you will have the opportunity to work on an original piece of research on a topic of your choice. Past projects have explored diverse topics such as cognitive psychology, mental health, and neuropsychology, providing you with the chance to dive deep into areas that interest you.
Work Placements:
The university offers the option to gain professional experience through placements during the second year. These placements can be at external organizations, charities, or in the university’s on-site clinics, providing real-world experience in fields like mental health, speech and language therapy, and dementia care.
Psychology Clinics:
You can gain experience working in the university’s NHS-partnered clinics, such as the Anxiety and Depression in Young People Clinic, or the Speech and Language Therapy Clinic. These clinics offer valuable hands-on learning experiences in clinical settings.
Research Assistant Roles:
You may be able to work as a research assistant on cutting-edge psychology projects, allowing you to contribute to grant-funded research, learn from active researchers, and develop your skills in academic research.
Study Abroad Options:
The course provides a study abroad option in your final year, enabling you to study at one of the university’s international partner institutions. This global experience adds a valuable dimension to your learning and can improve your understanding of psychology in different cultural contexts.
Conferences and Networking:
Throughout the course, you may have the opportunity to present your research at academic conferences, which can help you network with professionals in the field and enhance your CV.
Collaboration with Industry Experts:
The university is home to internationally acclaimed researchers who are involved in both the course design and delivery. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with these experts on groundbreaking projects, gaining insight into the latest developments in psychology.
Specialized Equipment and Labs:
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including eye-tracking and electrophysiology labs. These resources will enable you to conduct high-quality research and gain practical experience using advanced psychological tools.
Volunteering Opportunities:
The university also encourages volunteering opportunities in local communities or with partner organizations. These placements not only provide hands-on experience but also enhance your employability and personal development.
Diverse Career Pathways:
A BSc Psychology degree from Cardiff University opens doors to various careers in sectors such as health, education, social services, and business. Graduates can work in mental health care, human resources, marketing, research, and education, or pursue roles in clinical, forensic, or health psychology.
Postgraduate Study:
If you're interested in becoming a professional psychologist, the BPS accreditation of the degree means you're eligible to pursue postgraduate training in areas like clinical, educational, forensic, or health psychology. Cardiff offers various master’s and doctoral programs, including the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, which prepares you for the role of a clinical psychologist.
Further Research Opportunities:
For those interested in an academic career, the university’s strong research culture provides opportunities to pursue MPhil or PhD programs. Graduates can contribute to groundbreaking research in psychology and related disciplines, working alongside experts who are tackling major societal challenges.
Mental Health and Clinical Services:
Graduates often go on to work in clinical settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and social care organizations. You could work as a psychological wellbeing practitioner, or support people with mental health issues, offering therapeutic support or assisting in the development of care plans.
Employment in Industry and Business:
Many psychology graduates apply their skills in business and industry. Areas like human resources, organizational psychology, and market research provide opportunities for psychologists to use their understanding of human behavior to improve organizational practices, enhance employee wellbeing, and optimize productivity.
International Opportunities:
With a globally recognized degree, many graduates find work opportunities abroad, whether in healthcare settings, academia, or research projects. The study abroad experience also provides a unique global perspective on psychology that can be beneficial when pursuing international careers.
Teaching and Education:
Graduates can go on to become psychology teachers or lecturers, either in schools, colleges, or universities. With additional qualifications, you could teach psychology at the secondary or tertiary level, sharing your expertise with future students.
Public Health and Social Services:
Many psychology graduates go on to work in public health initiatives or community outreach programs. Roles in social services, public health campaigns, and community mental health work are common, where graduates use psychological principles to improve wellbeing on a larger scale.
Graduate Schemes:
With the transferable skills gained during the course, psychology graduates are highly sought after for graduate schemes in large companies. These programs offer structured development in areas like management, marketing, consulting, and leadership development.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
For those wishing to expand their qualifications, Cardiff University encourages CPD through workshops, training, and additional certifications. This is particularly beneficial for those wanting to specialize further in a particular area of psychology or gain expertise in new psychological tools and techniques.
Accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS): The BPS accreditation allows graduates to pursue further training to become a chartered psychologist in the UK.Diverse Career Pathways: Graduates can work across various sectors, including healthcare, education, social services, business, marketing, human resources, and research.Postgraduate Training Opportunities: Graduates are eligible to apply for postgraduate study in clinical, forensic, health, or educational psychology, among other fields.Further Research Careers: Those interested in academic careers can pursue MPhil or PhD research programs, contributing to world-leading research projects in psychology.Mental Health Services: Graduates often work in clinical psychology, mental health care, and therapeutic services, supporting individuals with mental health challenges.Graduate Schemes: Many students enter competitive graduate schemes in large corporations, where their knowledge of human behavior is valuable for management, consulting, and leadership roles.Clinical PsychologistForensic PsychologistOccupational PsychologistEducational PsychologistCounseling PsychologistHealth PsychologistResearch Assistant / ResearcherHuman Resources (HR) or Recruitment ConsultantMarketing or Consumer PsychologistNeuropsychologistSocial WorkerPsychiatric Technician / Mental Health Support WorkerLife Coach or TherapistCriminal Justice or Law Enforcement RolesSports Psychologist
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