Cardiff School of Psychology. Undergraduate Degree Programmes.

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1 Cardiff School of Psychology Undergraduate Degree Programmes

2 Cardiff School of Psychology BRIGHT WORLD-CLASS PROSPECTS RESEARCH OUTSTANDING FACILITIES AWARD-WINNING STUDENT SOCIETY

3 1 PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITIONGREAT PLACEMENTS TEACHING EXCELLENCE FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE CAPITAL CITY LOCATION Are you ready to?

4 2 Discover the Cardiff Experience A leading university... You ll be part of a Russell Group university one of the top 24 UK research universities with global recognition. You can choose from more than 300 degree programmes. The Cardiff University degree is known and respected worldwide, with a substantial number accredited by the professions and other external bodies. in an outstanding city... You ll benefit from outstanding teaching in a research-led environment. Our highly qualified staff include two Nobel Laureates and several Fellows of the Royal Society. You ll live in a friendly, compact and safe city, with all of your study, living and leisure needs within walking distance. with able and motivated students... Your money will go further at Cardiff with capital city attractions at affordable prices including one of the lowest rates of all university cities for student accommodation. You ll be at a first choice university where demand for places is strong. You ll be at an international university with students from more than 100 countries. You'll be studying in an environment with other able and motivated students who have top grades at A-level or equivalent. who have excellent career prospects. You can be confident of your future in 2010, 94% of our students were employed or had entered further study within six months of completing their studies. You ll be in demand Cardiff is among the top 20 universities targeted by employers seeking high calibre graduates.

5 Welcome 3 Welcome Contents We study and teach Psychology from the scientific standpoint. If you choose to study Psychology at Cardiff we will work with you on a challenging and comprehensive programme where you will be encouraged to understand behaviour from social, cognitive and biological perspectives. You will be supported by enthusiastic lecturers from the UK s leading research department. They will introduce you to cutting-edge psychological research and thinking in a stimulating and supportive environment. Cardiff: The City 4 Cardiff: The University 6 Living in Cardiff 8 Student Life 9 Cardiff School of Psychology 10 Undergraduate Degree Programmes 13 Degree Structures and Modules 14 Research, Postgraduate Programmes 17 Employability and Careers 18 International Students 19 Admissions 20 We will develop your skills in psychological research and practice via lectures, small group seminars, and tutorials. We will support your personal and academic development via our personal tutor scheme under which all students have a mentor who oversees progress throughout the degree. We also have a vibrant research community in which we encourage students at all levels to take an active part. We offer opportunities for you to witness as well as participate in current research, through projects, dissertations and research vacation schemes. Experience of psychology in practice can be gained via our four-year Psychology with Professional Placement degree. On this programme you spend the third of four years of study in a Psychology placement. This work experience contributes appreciably to job prospects because of the practical skills that can be gained. It also helps decisions about career paths you might follow. Our degree programmes will give you excellent prospects to find graduate employment or pursue higher training. Please do visit the School on one of our open days. I am confident that when you meet our lecturing staff and see the magnificent facilities we provide you will decide that Cardiff is THE place to study Psychology. Professor Ed Wilding Head of School This brochure will provide you with more details of our programmes. We hope that it will give you more than just a flavour of what we have to offer you. However, we are always ready to answer any questions you may have, by post, telephone or , or when you come to Cardiff for a visit. You will find the appropriate contacts at the end of this brochure. Important information. Please read carefully. The University offers the information contained in this brochure as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract and is not binding on prospective students, students or the University. While the University makes every effort to check the accuracy of the factual content at the time of publication, some changes will inevitably occur in the interval between publication and the academic year to which the brochure relates (Entry 2013). For example, degree programmes may have changed in line with market and student demand, and research development. Applicants should not therefore rely solely on this brochure and should visit the Law School website ( for up-to-date information concerning course content, accreditation, and entry requirements for the relevant academic year when considering applying to the University. 5000PSYCH0912

6 4 Cardiff: A capital city Cardiff: A capital city Cardiff is one of the best places to study in Britain. It has well-situated, cheap housing, lively nights out, friendly people, great shops and hundreds of miles of countryside. It is all that any right-thinking fresher could desire. Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities The University is surrounded by attractive parkland and is adjacent to Cardiff Castle and the city centre

7 Cardiff: A capital city 5 More online at: Cardiff is a thriving and attractive city which is widely recognised as an outstanding place in which to live and study. It combines all the advantages of a compact, friendly and inexpensive location with the cultural and recreational facilities of a modern capital. Cardiff offers everything from the excitement of the city to the peace and tranquillity of the nearby coast and countryside. Such is the quality of the Cardiff experience that in a recent survey, a large majority of students said they would like to stay and live in the city after graduating. With its distinctive character, good quality of life, and growing national and international reputation, it hosts many high-profile sporting and cultural events, including international rugby, soccer, cricket and motor sport, Cardiff Singer of the World and the UK s largest free summer festival. Home to the world-renowned Welsh National Opera, it boasts prestigious concert venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, St David s Hall and the Motorpoint Arena, as well as the iconic Millennium Stadium, the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, several theatres and the historic Cardiff Castle. Cardiff is the location for award-winning television productions, including Dr Who, Sherlock, Torchwood and Casualty, and the Dr Who Experience in Cardiff Bay is a popular new attraction. One of the UK s top shopping destinations, Cardiff s outlets range from the 100 stores in the new 750 million St David s Dewi Sant retail centre to indoor and outdoor markets, and a fascinating network of glass-canopied Victorian and Edwardian arcades. Cardiff also has more urban green space than any other UK city, and offers easy access to the countryside, coast and mountains. Cardiff is a young, vibrant city. A blend of beautiful old architecture and new, cutting-edge developments. Cosmopolitan with a large student population. Daily Telegraph Guide to UK Universities The Millennium Stadium nestles in the heart of the city, and is home to numerous sporting events and concerts throughout the year Don t just take our word for it Cardiff has it all: grand civic architecture in a breezy waterside location, super-smart city bars just a short hop from lovely countryside. Guardian University Guide Come and see for yourself Cardiff benefits from excellent road and rail links with Britain s other major towns and cities. London, for example, is two hours by train, and the M4 links both the west and south of England, as well as west Wales. Travel to the Midlands and to the North is equally convenient. The journey by road from Birmingham, for example, takes only two hours. The main coach and railway stations are both centrally placed, and Cardiff also benefits from an international airport. Cardiff is one of the UK s most successful retail centres Cardiff Bay, the city s waterfront

8 6 Cardiff: A leading university Cardiff: A leading university Cardiff offers a compelling student experience: Russell Group research credentials, the full gamut of traditional undergraduate degree courses and relatively affordable living with hot and cold running nightlife on tap. Sunday Times University Guide

9 Cardiff: A leading university 7 More online at: Cardiff University has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research, built on a history of service and achievement since 1883, and recognised by our membership of the Russell Group of leading research-led universities. With attractive and compact campuses, excellent student accommodation, and a hugely popular Students Union, all within easy walking distance of each other in a thriving city, it is not surprising that Cardiff is a university of first choice among wellprepared applicants. We admit approximately 4,500 undergraduate entrants each year, the very large majority of whom are school and college leavers, and have top grades at A-level or equivalent. While competition for entry is strong, Cardiff is an inclusive university with a good record on widening access and increasing participation, and we welcome applications, irrespective of background, from everyone with the potential to succeed at Cardiff University. The University s Cathays Park campus is located in and around the impressive Portland stone buildings, parks and wide treelined avenues that form Cardiff s attractive civic centre. The majority of academic schools are located here - just a few minutes walk from the city centre. The four academic schools offering healthcare courses (excluding Optometry and Pharmacy) are based at the Heath Park campus, approximately one mile away, which is also home to the University Hospital of Wales. Although dating from 1883, Cardiff is focused on the 21st century, and has modern stateof-the-art buildings and facilities. The University has invested 200 million in its estate in recent years and most academic schools have benefited from major refurbishment, including new and wellequipped laboratories, lecture theatres, libraries and computing facilities. The University takes its environmental, safety and security responsibilities very seriously. We have recently introduced a comprehensive Energy, Water and Waste Policy, which is already making great savings in energy consumption. To support the safety and security of all members of the University community and their property, there is 24- hour security cover throughout the campus. What the Guides say The University is as confident and forwardlooking as the city it s located in, and has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. Almost 60% of its research is ranked as world leading and it is a member of the Russell Group of leading universities. Guardian University Guide Cardiff is a tip top uni academically... hugely popular with its students. Is Cardiff perhaps the best kept secret among Britain s universities? Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities

10 8 Living in Cardiff Living in Cardiff As a fast developing capital city, Cardiff is a great place to be a student. It s large enough to offer you an exciting variety of activities and entertainment, but small enough for you to feel comfortable in. Accommodation Cardiff offers guaranteed University accommodation, good quality and value, and a range of residences to suit individual preferences and budgets. All first year undergraduates who apply during the normal UCAS admissions cycle are guaranteed a place in University residences. The University is continually investing in its student residences, and the views of students are taken into account at the design stage. Unusually for a civic university, most of our residences are within easy walking distance of lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, the Students Union and city centre. There are 14 different residences, providing more than 5,300 study bedrooms and students can apply for the residences which best suit their preferences, interests and budgets. Some 70% have en-suite shower and toilet facilities and all halls of residence have computer network connection points and access to Wi-Fi. Fees depend on the facilities included and whether catered, part-catered or self-catered, but prices compare very favourably with those of other UK universities. Besides managing University property, the Residences Office maintains close links with the private sector and provides property listings to students seeking to rent or share houses or flats. Student Life The Students Union Cardiff Students Union is one of the biggest, best and most active in Britain. Solus, the Great Hall and the Taf Bar are among the Union s major attractions. Solus is the students own high quality nightclub, and is the second largest in South Wales. The Great Hall is a 1,500 capacity venue for major concerts and the Taf Bar is the Union s very own local. Other facilities include CF10, a café offering a variety of hot and cold food, a general shop and off licence, University bookshop, computer shop, a games room and video arcade, five full-size snooker tables and twelve pool tables, satellite TV, banking and insurance services. The Union also has its own letting agency and Student Advice centre. In addition, it is home to CU TV and Xpress Radio (the students own TV and radio stations) and more than 150 cultural, political, religious, social and sporting societies. Jobshop The Unistaff Jobshop is a student employment service that provides casual, clerical and catering jobs around the University to hundreds of students. Student Participation The School of Psychology has a long standing history of supporting student participation in University football and netball. We have entered a men's 11-a-side football team continuously for the last 21 years to the University Intra-Mural Games (IMG) league competition. The team typically consists of undergraduates, and staff and postgraduates participate as well. In addition to the football team (and it's various associate teams (e.g. 7- and 5-a-a-side and 11-mixed football), the School also has an active undergraduate netball squad that participates in the University IMG competition. There is also a thriving informal ultimate frisbee group meeting weekly in Bute Park during the summer months, consisting largely of staff and postgraduates, and an (informal) staff-student frisbee competition. We are proud to support these ventures financially to keep costs to a minimum and to encourage students to participate. Solus is the Students Union high quality nightclub All study bedrooms in the halls of residence have computer network connection points and access to Wi-Fi The Fitness and Squash Centre is located at the heart of the main campus

11 Living in Cardiff 9 More online at: Students have access to a wide range of modern facilities, including Skype booths What the Guides say Cardiff Students Union is the biggest and best equipped in Britain. The Independent Cardiff Students Union is independently recognised as the biggest and best in Britain. Equitable Student Book The Students Union provides an excellent range of facilities, clubs and societies. The Times Good University Guide Guaranteed accommodation in halls and houses for first years. Very high quality and relatively cheap. Equitable Student Book Key Cardiff School of Psychology University Buildings Student Residences How to find the School We are located in the Tower Building, which sits at the heart of the Cathays Park Campus, a short walk from the city centre. The building is very close to Cathays railway station and is easily accesible from University halls of residence.

12 10 The School Cardiff School of Psychology Cardiff School of Psychology is long-established, well resourced and has an excellent international reputation. It was awarded the highest possible rating in the Research Assessment Exercise (see below). It is called a School, rather than a Department, because of its scientific and technical skills that cover many aspects of modern experimental psychology not usually found within a single university department. It is one of the largest in Britain, with an academic teaching staff of 51 (including 26 professors), and attracts in excess of 5 million annually in outside funding from its research activities. The School runs a three-year Psychology degree programme, and a four-year Psychology with Professional Placement programme. In the most recent Government inspection, the quality of teaching and the provision of these programmes was awarded the highest rating of Excellent. Approximately 200 students each year start the undergraduate degree programmes. The School also runs a one-year MSc in Neuroimaging, professional three-year postgraduate programmes in Clinical Psychology and Educational Psychology, as well as having approximately 80 students carrying out research for their doctorates. The School is located in a modern building near attractive parkland, the Students Union, the library facilities and several modern University residences. It is just a few minutes walk from the city centre shops. The School has numerous purpose-built laboratories for research, coupled with outstanding teaching laboratories. It enjoys productive links with nearby industry and hospitals. The School of Psychology provides exclusive state-of-the-art computing facilities to its students Learning at the frontiers of knowledge Cardiff School of Psychology has emerged as the leading department of its kind in the UK. The School, one of the largest such departments in the UK, undertakes a diverse range of research, which has relevance to industry, commerce and public policy. Increasing levels of research income a key indicator of its excellence and relevance includes a threefold increase of awards from the Office of Science and Technology over recent years. Teaching Methods and Assessment Teaching methods range from the formal lecture to the independent research project, with practical classes, computer workshops, video demonstrations and tutorials. At the beginning of each academic year you will be given a course handbook for your particular year of study, which includes details of the methods of assessment used in your course and a course synopsis. There are various forms of in-course assessment; you will receive information about these at the beginning of each session. Small group teaching will allow you to develop your skills in presenting your arguments, setting out your ideas and communicating your newly acquired knowledge, through both the written and the spoken word. Exams are typically held at the end of each semester. Both degree programmes are assessed through a combination of coursework and traditional unseen timed examinations. Institution Research Power Cardiff University University of Birmingham University of Sussex University of Oxford University of Sheffield Bangor University University of Southampton University of Edinburgh University of St Andrews Notes: This table shows the results of the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), carried out in December The RAE takes place approximately every five years, and involves independent panels of experts assessing the quality of research in UK universities and colleges. The table shows the Research Power of Psychology departments, calculated by multiplying the average rating of each member of research staff in the department by the number of staff submitted for rating. These latest results follow the highest possible ratings under the assessments in 1996 and 2001 (this consistency being recognised by membership of the elite 6* category by the Higher Education Council for England). While the exact figures vary by year of study, approximately 35-45% of assessment is by coursework and the remainder by traditional examinations. Final year undergraduates undertake a research project that will draw on the research skills that they have learned. The project carries marks that contribute significantly to the final degree class.

13 The School 11 More online at: Personal Tutors At the start of your first year, you will be assigned a personal tutor, who is a member of the academic staff of the School. Personal tutors are there to advise on academic, nonacademic and personal matters in a confidential and informal manner. We aim to overcome any problems, however big or small, as quickly as possible. PsyCardiff: Cardiff University s Psychology Society PsyCardiff is among the most active societies here at Cardiff University. The society consistently maintains Gold Award status, the highest award that can be given to any student society and was recently named the UK s Best University Society at the National Placement and Internship Awards. PsyCardiff is an inclusive, student-led society that gives you the chance to be part of a fun and tightknit community, here to support you and ensure that you have the most extraordinary time at university! To do this PsyCardiff provides you with an array of both social and academic opportunities. PsyCardiff s diverse range of socials, including our annual tripabroad, provides you with the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow course mates. Additionally staff-student events give you the chance to see your tutors in various settings; from the sports pitch to the stage! Getting a job after graduation can seem like a daunting task, so we organise a series of careers-talks to make sure you know about all of the exciting places that a psychology degree from Cardiff can get you. If that s not enough, we also provide the extraordinary opportunity to attend the annual British Psychology Society s conference at a highly discounted and subsidised price, keeping you up to date with the world of psychology. Finally, PsyCardiff s well-established collaborations with various volunteering organisations and charities enables you to gain that valuable experience that is often considered crucial for employment. So, if we have the pleasure of meeting you be sure to get involved in all that PsyCardiff / Cardiff University s Psychology department has to offer! Wishing you the best of luck with your application and exams. Joshua-Leigh Eldridge (President) and Hannah Chandler (Vice-President) above: Students have access to the very latest equipment below: The School of Psychology

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15 Undergraduate Degree Programmes 13 Undergraduate Degree Programmes BSc Psychology (UCAS Code: C800) BSc Psychology with Professional Placement (UCAS Code: C810) The Psychology degree programmes have been designed to be stimulating, flexible and relevant to the needs of a career in psychology. As one of the largest psychology schools in Britain, the School has the flexibility, expertise and training to suit different purposes and interests. Cardiff is one of only a few universities in Britain to offer a four-year Psychology with Professional Placement degree programme. The School offers two undergraduate degrees. The Psychology programme is a three-year course, while the Psychology with Professional Placement programme is a fouryear course. Both degree programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring Graduate Membership and Graduate Basis for Registration. Tracey Brandwood The Psychology with Professional Placement Programme is a great way for you to gain some excellent, relevant work experience while studying for your undergraduate degree. There is a wide range of different placements to choose from, both in the UK and abroad. I spent a year in Toronto working as a research assistant, which was a huge advantage when I was applying for postgraduate courses, since it gave me the chance to get relevant experience within a particular field. For me, working as a research assistant gave me great insight into what is expected of postgraduates, and also into the different types of research being conducted within my area of interest. For others it enabled them to work alongside a particular type of psychologist, which they found helpful when deciding what career path to take. Above: We provide both formal and informal work spaces to you, and you will get lots of opportunities to work in groups or as part of a team Left: You can get "Hands-On" (or "Heads- On") experience with cutting-edge EEG research

16 14 Undergraduate Degree Programmes Level 1 The beginning of a university course is an important period for any student. It is a period in which you will discover a new way of life and a new way of learning. Level 1 covers the first six months of the course, and is designed to give you a sound foundation in psychology research and psychological thinking. You will study three modules during Level 1. The Introduction to Psychology module will provide an introduction to psychological research in areas including social, cognitive, biological, and abnormal psychology, as well as research on individual differences. Practical Psychology will introduce practical techniques for psychological research, including statistics for data analysis and the use of IT. Psychological Research covers contemporary issues in psychology, and is designed to encourage critical and analytical thinking in the approach to psychology research. Level 2 Level 2 covers the next 18 months of the course, and builds on the topics and issues covered during Level 1. It continues to develop important themes in contemporary psychology, while placing particular emphasis on critical thinking as well as the ability to interpret and integrate research findings and psychological theories. You will study nine modules during Level 2. Each of these modules focuses on a particular area of psychology, including developmental, cognitive, biological, abnormal, social, and perceptual psychology. Level 2 modules will develop and extend your understanding of each topic beyond what was covered in Level 1. Training in skills of research design, statistics and computing continues during Level 2. The Behavioural Neuroscience group investigates the biological basis of human behaviour

17 Undergraduate Degree Programmes 15 Final Year In the final year, the School offers a choice from a range of modules. This gives students the opportunity to pursue the specific interests that they have developed during the previous years of their course. The specialized modules on offer in the final year allow students to go into topics in more depth, and cover the latest research in these areas. Typical Final Year Modules Stress and Disease Neuroscience of Learning & Memory Structural & Functional Neuroimaging Speech Communication The Development of Psychopathology and Criminality Attitudes and Attitude Change Work Psychology Animal Learning & Cognition Memory Processes & Memory Disorders Decision Making Vision and Action Environmental Psychology Emotion: Social and Neuroscience Perspectives Supervised Final Year Project All final year students will undertake a psychology research project. Students choose a research area and the precise project is decided in discussion with the supervisor. The project forms a large component of the final assessment, and gives students a chance to carry out brandnew research in an area in which they are interested. Professional Placement If you are taking a four-year Psychology with Professional Placement degree, you will spend your third year in a professional placement approved by the School, subject to availability. Students complete placements in diverse environments both in the UK and overseas. These include prisons, hospitals, research units at other universities, rehabilitation clinics, counselling centres, and industrial placements. Your progress is monitored by School staff and you must complete a report of your work. Jenna Spinks If you are wondering whether you should have a year in a professional placement, then I would strongly suggest that you do. It is an experience you could not gain from anywhere else during your degree and a placement year can really help you stand out when you apply for jobs or places on postgraduate courses. I did a clinical placement. It was a year that I would not have wanted to miss out on, and the part of my degree that I have learnt the most from. It is an excellent way of putting what you are learning into practice. Researchers in the Perception & Action group use head-mounted displays and eyetrackers to study how sensory information is processed

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19 Research 17 More online at: Research Following the independent assessment of research quality in UK universities, the School achieved a top ranking indicating that it is undertaking research of international excellence. The School s strong reputation for the quality of the research that it conducts attracts research grants in excess of 5 million per year from a variety of sources. The research of the staff and postgraduate students leads to the publication of many articles in scientific journals. In order to undertake research, staff need to keep abreast of developments in their field and also to maintain modern research facilities. This is of direct benefit to you because their lectures will include the latest available knowledge and you will have access to modern research facilities for your practical project. The current research interests of the School are widespread and include the following areas: The effects of parental relations on childhood depression Psychological influences on fertility Studies of patients with brain damage and their ability to identify faces The effects of various drugs on learning and memory How our brains support remembering and forgetting Higher Degrees Cardiff School of Psychology has numerous students studying for a PhD or MPhil by research, as well as a number of postgraduate taught programmes: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Doctorate in Educational Psychology MSc in Neuroimaging Methods and Applications Diploma in Psychology There are excellent opportunities for students to enter a PhD programme following completion of their undergraduate degree. Cardiff School of Psychology has a strong emphasis on research-led teaching and has a series of programmes that encourage undergraduates to consider a career in research. In particular, there are a variety of bursaries available for students to gain paid research experience working in a research laboratory in Cardiff School of Psychology during the summer between their second and third years of study. CUBRIC, Cardiff University's Brain Research and Imaging centre is a purpose-built high-profile facility and an integral part of the School of Psychology

20 18 Employability and Careers Employability and Careers The Psychology degrees at Cardiff will equip you with the skills you will need to embark on a wide range of possible careers. Careers in Psychology At the present time, graduates of the School have little difficulty in finding employment and enter an increasingly wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors. A Psychology degree is favoured by many potential employers because it reflects a university education which develops both literacy and numeracy skills. Psychologists are also employed on an increasingly wide scale in educational, health and social services, for which appropriate postgraduate training is essential. This is why many of our graduates go on to continue their studies and also why it is important that all of the School s programmes are recognised by the British Psychological Society. Careers and Employability Service The University offers a careers and employability service for students, graduates and postgraduates. You can access careers information, explore your options and speak to a consultant who can advise you of opportunities relating to your degree or preferred field, including advice on postgraduate degrees. The service offers guidance on preparing a CV and job applications and gives you the chance to meet and network with top graduate recruiters at Careers Fairs and events. If you are looking for work experience, the careers service can assist with planning and organising your placement. 32% 32% 36% Employment/Training Destinations of 2011 Cardiff Psychology Graduates Public Service 36% (e.g. NHS, Education) Professions / Commerce 32% Further Study 32%