Psychology
Where minds are opened
Hands-on training in research methods
If you already have a degree in another subject, but would like to move to psychology, the MSc in Psychology is a conversion course also conferring BPS GBC, meaning you can then access the postgraduate courses required for training to become a professional psychologist. You can further develop your studies with postgraduate degrees in our School (MSc and PhD in research).
Whichever course you choose, you will gain a thorough, critical understanding of the theory, research and intellectual history of psychology. You will gain hands-on training in research methods and conduct your own projects. Being a UEL psychology graduate will equip you with the qualification and skills needed to enhance your employability both within and outside of psychology.
About us
We have been pioneering higher education teaching in psychology here in East London since 1962. We are rightly proud of our location and the diversity it brings in ideas, and community, our students and staff.
We offer courses and module combinations with curricula uniquely designed to reflect the lives of our students, and our local communities, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Our BSc (Hons) Psychology is accredited by the BPS for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), as are our BSc in Child Psychology, Clinical and Community Psychology and Forensic Psychology.
We are launching exciting new BScs in Environmental Psychology, Cyberpsychology and Psychology with Positive Education in Sept 2021. Studying a BPS accredited course will give you the opportunity to gain graduate or chartered membership (GBC), an important requirement for becoming a professional psychologist. We also offer Foundation Year courses to ensure your readiness to study for the full BSc.
Why choose us?
We have wide expertise in multiple fields of research and practice, focusing on 'real world' impact, engaging with local communities on issues of global concern, e.g. child development, gambling and addiction, mental health treatments. With this extensive knowledge, our academics lead in teaching our students to become excellent thinkers, responsible citizens, accomplished consumers and producers of psychological knowledge in our diverse, modern societies.
All our psychological sciences programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Accreditation offers a platform to achieve GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartership) with the BPS, enabling our graduates to access further opportunities such as postgraduate study, professional training and employability.
Our close links with industry, in all its forms, offer students learning opportunities to enhance their employability skills. Through dedicated time in academic lectures, we encourage students to evaluate not only how their learning can help them use psychology in everyday life but also successfully enter the world of work.
Our staff
Find out more about our staff by visiting our School of Psychology.
Our facilities
Students can access a range of specialist facilities with their research project supervisor and supported by a team of technicians. We have dedicated research facilities offering state-of-the-art neuroimaging, including EEG, tCS, fNIRS, eye-tracking and virtual reality systems. We also have extensive equipment for biophysical recording, a library of psychological assessments, and suites for data analysis and for video and audio recordings.
Our Baby Development Lab is led by Dr Sam Wass and works closely with local communities to understand how noisy environments impact early development. It includes facilities for dual EEG (i.e. to record live brain activity at the same time from children and adults), fNIRS, screen-based and mobile eye-tracking systems. We also have miniaturised wearable microphones, cameras and biophysical recording equipment to allow us to record outside the lab, in 'real-world' settings. The lab has received funding from the Nuffield Foundation, Economic and Social Research Council, Leverhulme Trust and European Research Council.
The School has recently purchased eight OWL cameras which allow us to 'live' broadcast 360 degree video of seminars, to provide an immersive experience for remote students.
Modern campus
Our modern campus includes seminar space, tutorial rooms and lecture theatres specifically designed for engaging in active learning. We encourage independent learning by providing student and staff access to specialised research and laboratory facilities, computer networks and databases, within both the School and the University library, with specialist facilities for our professional courses. Students enjoy a full provision of library services, including a dedicated librarian for the School of Psychology.
The University's contacts within the local NHS trusts offer a wide variety of work experience and opportunities for research. The programme leaders were innovative in their presentation of lectures and seminars. They gave a first-hand account of the profession and provided a good understanding of what to expect when working in the mental health field.
Eileen Ward
Clinical and Community Psychology, BSc (Hons)
What we're researching
We have prioritised research which is relevant to the lives of our students and our local communities. We have developed strong relationships with our local organisations, with a specific focus on at-risk and vulnerable communities, such as children living in difficult environments, individuals experiencing mental ill-health, refugees, and people vulnerable to addictive behaviour.
We have invested in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for our Research Suite and provide associated training to students and staff. We provide opportunities for students to gain valuable research experience through internships and research placements. This is part of our strong commitment to developing future research leaders. We have a vibrant and growing PhD student community with many alumni going on to secure prestigious post-doctoral positions and academic lectureships.
Our research with local communities delivers impact that is applied globally, leading to wide media coverage and securing major international and national grants (e.g. European Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Economic and Social Research Council). In REF2014 our research impact was rated 100% 4*, one of only four departments in the UK to receive the highest rating.
Careers
As well as being the essential foundation for the psychology professions, our programmes pave the way to a broad range of career pathways. The learning, skills and confidence acquired by students on our programmes reflect the knowledge and competencies required by diverse professions and meet the expectations of the job market.
A third of our graduates become professional psychologists but many others go into different graduate careers - health and social welfare, sport and leisure, education, human resource management, consumer research and advertising, media, market research and community work. If you choose to continue your studies, your degree in psychology will be the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist, whether it is in the field of clinical, educational, counselling or forensic psychology.
Some of our industry partners are the NHS Trusts across the North Thames region, MIND, Terrence Higgins Trust, Centrepoint, Women's Aid, National Autistic Society, Young Gamblers and Gamers Education Trust (YGAM), and many others where our students gain experience alongside professionals.
At UEL, you'll have access to:
- Employability skills training such as interview techniques and CV writing.
- Career Assessment, giving you the opportunity to learn about yourself and Career Coach will help you to discover career suggestions based on your interests.
- UEL Skills Academy, where external professionals deliver sessions on the competencies most prized by graduate employers.
- Internships, placements and volunteering opportunities from our work placements team.
- Professional mentoring scheme, matching students with staff from major companies.
- Networking opportunities and annual careers fair.
- Support with setting up your own business.
Our location
Our location in one of Europe's largest regeneration areas and our extensive links to local employers will also give you access to fantastic internships and placements. From heavy industry to high-tech, health and social care to the arts, there are so many opportunities right on our doorstep.
Career Coach
Use our online Career Coach to find out the different career paths that your chosen subject area can lead you to.
Get information on specific careers, job roles, potential wages and available jobs in the sector.
Or take a quick quiz to find a career to match your personality type!
Accreditation
All of our psychology degrees are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society. This accreditation is a mark of quality that students and employers understand and value. Studying a BPS accredited course will give you the opportunity to gain graduate or chartered membership of the Society.
Undergraduate courses
BSc (Hons) Clinical and Community Psychology
Clinical and Community Psychology is all about learning from, and initiating positive change with, vulnerable and marginalised people and groups. The focus is not just on the individuals themselves, but on how factors in society have an impact on lives.
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BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology
On our popular combined Criminology and Psychology course we'll give you an expert insight into the causes and consequences of crime - and how it is dealt with by the criminal justice system.
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BSc (Hons) Cyberpsychology
It is difficult to overestimate the impact of modern technology on individuals and society as a whole. From social media and personal digital assistants, all the way to healthcare and education, new technologies have transformed the ways in which people interact with and make sense of the world. These changes are addressed by the new field of cyberpsychology.
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BSc (Hons) Environmental Psychology
You will learn how to apply your theoretical and research knowledge to practical problems. This programme is led and hosted by the School of Psychology, and we work in collaboration with the UEL's centre of excellence - the Sustainability Research Centre (SRI) - to deliver some of the material, placement work and co-supervise projects.
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BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology
Our exciting and highly stimulating Forensic Psychology course will equip you for a future career in various roles within the wider criminal justice system. The course is not solely focussing on individuals and the reasons behind the crime but also examines how the various social and psychological factors have an impact on lives and, in turn, offending behaviour.
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BSc (Hons) Psychology
You will develop a good knowledge of the influences on, and factors involved in, human functioning in all the core areas of psychology.
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BSc (Hons) Psychology with Child Development
Your degree in Psychology with Child Development will develop your knowledge and understanding of children and young people from a psychological, cognitive, social, emotional and cultural perspective.
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BSc (Hons) Psychology (Distance Learning)
This course is ideal if you're committed to living or working away from our School of Psychology in east London. Wherever you're based, our academic and administrative teams will support you. They're highly experienced in supporting distance learners.
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BSc (Hons) Psychology with Positive Education
The BSc Psychology with Positive Education equips you with the knowledge and skills for a wide range of professions, including educational psychology, research or teaching. The programme links psychology and positive education, providing the knowledge and skills spanning both disciplines.
Read morePostgraduate courses
MSc Psychology
This is a conversion course for students with a first degree in another subject area. It means you could go on and train to be a professional psychologist – for example, by studying for a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
MPhil PhD Psychology
Studying for a PhD with UEL's School of Psychology will push you to the limit - and you'll be supported all the way by our world-class academic staff.
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