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PSYCHOLOGY
The University of Liverpool
Eleanor Rathbone Building
Bedford Street South
Liverpool L69 7ZA
T: +44 (0)151 794 2957
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology
MEMBER OF THE RUSSELL GROUP

EB/RH JUN 2013

Psychology
The School of Psychology at the University of Liverpool
is one of the countrys leading research and teaching
establishments and uses its expertise to gradually
introduce students into a broad, varied and fascinating
programme of study. Through your time with us, you
will acquire in-depth knowledge of the discipline and
a set of key skills that will be essential in a wide range
of employment settings and for higher degrees and
postgraduate research.

Introduction to Psychology 01
Research in context 04
An investment in your future 06
Programme details 08
Applications and admissions 13

WHY CHOOSE PSYCHOLOGY

AT LIVERPOOL
The foundations for a bright career. Choose
either of our Psychology degrees, and you lay
the foundations for a promising career path.
Students who satisfactorily complete either
degree may be offered places on one of our
postgraduate degrees with the solid career
opportunities that they can open up.

Work experience opportunities. Students

also have the opportunity to undertake a
two-week assessed work placement, offering
practical experience in the field and an excellent
opportunity to learn about careers related
to Psychology.
Accredited programmes. Our degrees are
fully accredited by the British Psychological
Society (BPS), and so satisfy the statutory
requirements for pursuing various careers
and pathways to postgraduate study within
Psychology (including Clinical, Forensic
and Educational Psychology).

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

01

Contents

Getting a degree in Psychology can be the

first step towards a variety of careers. As well
as supplying the foundations for a career in
psychology, the experience and skills you will
acquire are appreciated by potential employers
in a wide range of professions.

Research excellence. The School has

some of the worlds leading academic experts,
research centres and laboratories, providing
opportunity for learning about, participation
and collaboration in world-class research.
The School has a large number of staff
bringing depth and breadth to its research
and teaching portfolio.
Exciting city location. We are based in the
heart of one of Europes most lively, vibrant
and welcoming cities. This has allowed us
to build an extensive network of links with
secondary education, hospitals, police,
Government and other organisations.

HOW YOU LEARN

Our undergraduate programme is taught
using a balanced mix of lectures, seminars
and tutorials and practical laboratory sessions.
Students are encouraged to work in small
groups from the beginning of the programme
and some of the practical work in the second
year is done as teamwork. The third year
research project is done either individually
or in groups of three at the most.

HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED

The modules in each year must be passed
in order to progress to the next year of study.
The final degree classification is calculated
from grades obtained in Years Two and Three.
The weighting between second and third
years is 30/70%. Assessed work, including
essays, case studies, oral presentations,
group work, and experimental reports,
together with examination results contribute
to the final degree classification.

STUDY ABROAD
As part of your Psychology degree
programme you may have the opportunity
to study abroad. Studying abroad has huge
personal and academic benefits, as well as
giving you a head start in the graduate job
market. Psychology students can currently
apply to study in Europe at the University of
Padova, Italy and at the following international
educational institutions: University of Hong
Kong, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia),
McGill University (Montreal, Canada), and the
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
(Chicago, U.S.A.). For more information visit
www.liverpool.ac.uk/goabroad

80
86.3

02/03

of our graduates are employed or

in further study within six months
of graduating (DLHE 2010/11)

30% of research activity deemed

world-leading or internationally
excellent, and a further 50%
internationally recognised.
(RAE 2008)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

Researchincontext
The University of Liverpool is a research-intensive
university, and many of our academic staff are leading
researchers in their fields. What this means for you
as a student is that your learning will be informed
by the very latest developments in Psychology.
An example of the cutting-edge research taking
place in the School and its real-world application
is Dr Emma Boylands work on the marketing
of foods to children. Dr Boyland, who is a
member of the International Association for
the Study of Obesitys STANMARK committee,
is recognised as an expert in this field and
her work has had a direct impact on the
development of WHO guidelines to national
governments on introducing effective regulatory
frameworks and monitoring their effectiveness.

04/05

Children in the UK spend much of their

leisure time using media, particularly television
and the internet, and this means that they
are exposed to widespread food marketing
for products high in fat, sugar and salt. This
marketing, which often uses cartoon characters
and other techniques to grab and hold their
attention, has a powerful influence over their
food choice decisions and increases the
amount of unhealthy food they eat. Therefore,
it has been recognised that food marketing
contributes to rising levels of overweight
and obesity.

Liverpool is playing a leading role in undertaking

on-going, systematic monitoring of food
promotion on UK television and demonstrating
the detrimental impact of this marketing on
childrens diets. In 2009 the UK government
introduced regulations to limit the advertising
of unhealthy foods to children on television,
but their effectiveness is being questioned.
Dr Boyland said: Young people are still
exposed to extensive marketing for unhealthy
foods. Many of the techniques that appeal
specifically to children, such as the use of
promotional characters, are not sufficiently
addressed. Increasing use of the internet,
particularly social media, brings new challenges
for researchers and policy makers alike.
Innovative and robust research is crucial
for providing evidence-based policy options
that will help influential international health
organisations like the WHO advise world
leaders on how to protect children from being
bombarded with messages promoting foods
that are potentially damaging to their health.

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

Psychology is something Ive always been

interested in. The Forensic department
here is one of the best in the country and
when I came to the Open Day I just fell
in love with it. I didnt realise how good
a network this university has. Its not just
the degree or the qualification, its the people
you meet and the network that you build
up so your professional career already
has a bonus from doing the course here.
CHLOE BARRETT-PINK
PSYCHOLOGY BSC (HONS)

See what Chloe had to say about

studying Psychology at Liverpool
www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/video

RECENT EMPLOYERS

Students who satisfactorily complete either

undergraduate degree may be offered places
on one of our postgraduate degrees with the
solid career opportunities that they can open
up. Masters programmes include:

Companies employing our graduates

in recent years include:

MSc in Investigative and Forensic Psychology

MSc in Research Methods in Psychology

Psychology opens the door to many careers

in an increasing number of areas (The Times)
QUALIFYING YOU FOR LIFE
A Psychology degree can equip you for
any job in which you will have contact with
other people. It provides you with a wide
range of key academic and transferable skills
such as an understanding of how to manage
projects, work as a team, think analytically,
write cogently and conduct effective research.
A degree from the School is valuable in many
sectors such as public relations, personnel,
advertising, marketing, retail, teaching,
social work, finance, politics and sports.
For example, Peter Erskine, who graduated
from the University in 1973 with a degree
in Psychology, chose a career in marketing.
He went on to become Chief Executive
of the telecommunications giant O2.

06/07

Importantly, our degrees are accredited by

the British Psychological Society as conferring
eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered
Membership, providing a minimum standard
of qualification of Second Class (Honours)
is achieved.

A Psychology degree from the University

of Liverpool can therefore be the necessary
stepping stone towards becoming a professional
or Chartered Psychologist working as a
counsellor or as a clinical, occupational or
educational psychologist and large numbers
of our graduates have used it as the foundation
for further postgraduate research and practice.

WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES

Students have the opportunity to undertake a
two-week assessed work placement, offering
practical experience in the field and an excellent
opportunity to learn about careers related
to Psychology.

CAREER PROSPECTS
Around 60% of our graduates are involved in
health related, social, public service, commercial,
retail or financial employment within six months
following graduation. About 25% of our
graduates go on to postgraduate study and
training many within other leading research
institutes as well as in the School itself.

Studying Psychology at the University of Liverpool

was a great experience which has enabled me to
enter into a fulfilling and profitable career. The
high quality of teaching, supervision and support
I received as a student in the Psychology School
fuelled my interest in psychology and applied
research and my enthusiasm for a career where
I could put what I had learned into practice. The
wide scope of the course at Liverpool gave me a good
understanding of the subject while the practical
elements provided me with useful and transferable
skills that employers really value. I completed a
postgraduate programme after my degree and was
able to go straight into a career as an occupational
psychologist after completing my studies.
CLAIRE MILLET
OCCUPATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST,
ROBERTSONCOOPER LTD
(BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGISTS)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

NHS
Business Services Authority
Marks & Spencer
Camelot Retail Sales
Unilever
Deloitte Audit
Tax & Corporate Finance Services

Graduate
Profile

Aninvestment
inyourfuture

POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

Prog ammedetails
Degrees at a Glance

UCAS Code

Psychology BSc (Hons)

C800

08

Psychology BSc (Hons) (2+2 programme

with Foundation element)

C801

12

Length (Years)

Page

This subject can be taken as part of a Combined Honours degree.

See www.liverpool.ac.uk/combined-honours for further details.
For additional details contact David Reese, Wirral Metropolitan College
E: enquiries@wmc.ac.uk T: +44 (0)151 551 7777
Entrance Requirements
See www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses for current entrance requirements.

WHICH DEGREE

08/09

Psychology at Liverpool offers two

Psychology degrees: BSc Psychology
(C800) and BSc Psychology 2+2 (C801).
The four-year degree that is run in collaboration
with Wirral Metropolitan College (C801) feeds
into the C800 at Year Two. The C801 degree
is designed for students with non-standard
qualifications who do not currently qualify
for the C800 degree.

Psychology BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: C800
Programme length: 3 years
The University of Liverpool provides a
world-class degree in Psychology from one
of the worlds leading research led Universities.
The undergraduate programme draws upon
the research excellence of the Faculty enabling
us to provide a high quality curriculum across
the full range of fields within the discipline.

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

In addition, our focus upon transferable skills

provides a degree suitable for a diverse array
of career choices. The degree is accredited by
the British Psychological Society and provides
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
making it an excellent platform for postgraduate
study. The curriculum allows students to follow
pathways of module choice enabling them
to develop specialist knowledge in a range
of subject areas (eg Clinical, Forensic, etc).
Entry to the undergraduate degree programme
is available to applicants with a wide array of
qualifications and backgrounds. Outstanding
applicants may be offered conditional places
on linked postgraduate courses provided by the
University of Liverpool allowing our graduates
to further enhance their career prospects.

PROGRAMME CONTENT
Each year students are provided with access
to eight modules across two Semesters, with
a range of compulsory and optional modules
in Psychology. Our teaching programme is
research-led in that modules are available
that are delivered by leading researchers
from a range of disciplines across the Faculty
of Health and Life sciences. These modules
therefore reflect the research expertise of the
staff and cover the broad area of Psychology
at a number of levels: from the study of brain
mechanisms which underlie behaviour through
to the analysis of human behaviour in social
contexts. Included, are a wide and diverse
range of topics which include coverage of
the following main areas, social and abnormal
psychology, cognitive and developmental
psychology, individual differences and crosscultural psychology, biological and physiological
psychology, as well as a consideration of the
historical and philosophical underpinnings
of the discipline of psychology.

In addition to providing this comprehensive

overview of the field, our undergraduate
programme in Psychology also provides
a unique opportunity for specialisation
from the first to the final year of study.
Students in their final year are encouraged
to apply for entry to our range of taught
postgraduate courses in Psychology
(eg our MSc Investigative Psychology
which is accredited by the BPS Forensic
Division and therefore provides access
to a career as a Forensic Psychologist).
Students are able to select modules in such a
way that they can develop module portfolios
relevant to their chosen careers. If students
wish to work in a specialist field there are a
range of optional modules taught by leading
Psychologist that allow students to develop
specific expertise in the chosen discipline
area. In the final year, module choices can be
tailored into pathways (eg Clinical, Forensic,
Neuroscience, etc) and also work on a oneto-one basis with an individual member of
the academic staff across both semesters to
develop an in depth research project which can
be on a topic relevant to the chosen specialism.
To support the demands of study at a leading
university, a series of support mechanisms are
also in place. Throughout the first year, you will
regularly work within a small peer group that is
under the supervision of an individual member
of the academic staff. These sessions develop
key study skills directly relevant to supporting
excellence in their approach to learning and
personal development within Higher Education.

For current entrance requirements and

full module details, see www.liverpool.ac.uk/
undergraduate/courses

We also offer support for making career

choices. In the first year of study, this includes
opportunities to consider potential career
pathways within and outside of the discipline
of Psychology, and reflect on those personal
skills which will need developing and
strengthening over the next three years. In
the second year, students in these groups
work together on a small research project
with their personal tutor as preparation for
their final year project. This tutorial system also
provides close support and contact in a manner
that allows the student to enhance their own
personal development but at the same time
offers a close degree of pastoral care to cope
with any difficulties that can emerge. All in all
our focus upon research (eg data gathering
and critical analysis), transferable (eg
communication and team-working) and other
skills (using Information Technology) ensures
that Psychology at the University of Liverpool
provides a world-class degree that will equip
you with a qualification that places you at the
head of the queue in accessing a whole range
of postgraduate qualifications and professions.

Year One

10/11

Students take eight modules that provide

an introduction to the principal topic areas
and basic methods of research in Psychology.
You will be required to pass all modules (120
CAT points) to progress into Year Two. The
curriculum is delivered in a range of formats
and supported by online resources through
the Universitys virtual interactive teaching
environment (VITAL). In addition to lectures
there are also class based practical sessions
and other types of small group work.

From the beginning of Year One a member

of the academic staff is appointed as the
students Academic Advisor. You will have
regular fortnightly tutorials with them during
term time covering general skills along with
academic topics linked to the curriculum
and postgraduate careers.
In Year One you will have your first opportunity
to begin developing a specialist portfolio.
Psychology modules on offer include: Social
and Abnormal Psychology; Development,
Personality and Intelligence; Cognitive
Psychology; Biological Psychology; Methods,
Statistics and Computing; Professional Skills
in Psychology; International Psychology;
Transferable Skills.

Year Two
You will take eight modules that revisit in
depth the core topics of Psychology (eg
Social Psychology, Behavioural Neuroscience,
Developmental, etc). All modules must be
passed in order to progress to Year Three
and assessments contribute 30% to the overall
degree classification. The majority of modules
are compulsory to ensure the students achieve
the basic curriculum necessary for accreditation
by the British Psychological Society.

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

Students evolving specialism is enhanced

in Year Two through the Field Placement
where you are encouraged to undertake
a two-week placement in a professional
context relating to their evolving career choice.
The Field Placement, which is assessed by
an oral presentation to a group of peers,
provides an invaluable opportunity to investigate
psychology-related careers. There are also
a further two modules (15 CATS points each)
which are focused upon developing the
students research skills to complete the
training in psychological methods necessary
for the third year research project. The second
of these research skills modules is a small group
project under the supervision of the personal
tutor and provides an opportunity to undertake
a pilot study for the individual project in Year
Three. During Year Two students also have
the opportunity to apply for internships within
some of the Facultys research laboratories.

Year Three
Students take eight modules (120 CATS
points) in areas relating to Psychology and
assessments contribute the remaining 70%
to the overall degree classification. Central
to the year is the Research Project (two
of the eight modules or 30 CAT points). This
is a piece of empirical work designed as a
platform for students to display the application
of their prior learning to a research topic that
can be related to their chosen specialisation.
The project can act as an important precursor
to careers or postgraduate study. The topic is
chosen in collaboration with a member of the
academic staff and students often work closely
with a research group of postgraduates and
research assistants.

Given their close links to research expertise

in the various Institutes data from projects
are sometimes published in scientific
journals providing additional contributions
to a graduates curriculum vitae. In addition,
students are free to choose six optional
modules (15 CATS points each) from
various pathways to complete their
chosen specialism portfolios. At this level
all modules are taught by a member of staff
from the Research Institutes who are actively
researching the area under discussion and
are often world leaders in their respective
fields. This ensures that study in Year Three
will provide an unparalleled opportunity to take
the students to the cutting edge of research on
a variety of topics. Also the high level of choice
available allows students to tailor their module
choice toward their chosen careers or taught
programme of postgraduate study.
This subject can be taken as part
of a Combined Honours degree. See
www.liverpool.ac.uk/combined-honours
for further details.

For current entrance requirements and

full module details, see www.liverpool.ac.uk/
undergraduate/courses

Programmewith
aFoundationYear
Psychology BSc (Hons)
(2+2 programme with
Foundation element)
UCAS code: C801
Programme length: 4 years (2+2)
Interested in studying for a BSc (Hons)
Psychology degree, but feel that you have
a non-standard academic background?
Then here is a programme thats been
designed for you. It is intended for students
from a variety of vocational, academic and
non-academic backgrounds typically who
may have had a break in their education. C801
is run in collaboration with Wirral Metropolitan
College and those on the programme benefit
from facilities at both locations. Successful
completion of the first two years (Year Zero
and Year One) allows transfer to the second
year of C800. Class sizes at Wirral are limited
to enhance learning and group support.

PROGRAMME CONTENT
Studies at Wirral Metropolitan College
are based on six modules a year, with
a mix of introductions to Psychology as
well as complementary studies and IT skills.
Psychology modules undertaken over the
four years aim to provide an understanding
of the principal methods and background
of Psychology (along with approaches to
the possible biological basis of consciousness)
before developing your awareness of
psychological application to real world issues.
There is also a research project, where youll
undertake an experiment or field observation
based on a research question.

Year Zero
Introduction to Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Research Methods and Statistics
Complementary Studies
IT
Group Practicals

Year One
History, Philosophy and Evolution
Approaches to Mental Health
Methods, Statistics and Computing
Transferable Skills
Social and Investigative Psychology

Applications
and admissions
We welcome applications from all over the
world, and its our aim to make the process
of applying as smooth as possible.
The information that follows is a brief guide
to applying for programmes of study at the
University of Liverpool. For full details of our
applications and admissions policy, please
visit our website at www.liverpool.ac.uk/
ug-admissions

MAKING AN APPLICATION
THROUGH UCAS
Applications for full-time undergraduate
study are made via UCAS, the Universities and
Colleges Admissions Service, using UCASs
online application system at www.ucas.com
The University of Liverpool institution code
is LVRPL L41.

WHEN TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATION

For up-to-date information please visit
www.ucas.com

For information on English language entry

requirements visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/
international/countries/english-language or
contact Student Recruitment and Admissions
T: +44 (0)151 794 6730 E: irro@liverpool.ac.uk
ask.liv.ac.uk/help/undergraduate

MATURE STUDENTS
We welcome applications from candidates
who are not applying directly from school
or college, or who have non-standard
qualifications, or who wish work or life
experience to be taken into account as part
of their application. For further information
see www.liverpool.ac.uk/maturestudents

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

We give equal consideration to all applicants
and welcome applications from students
with disabilities. Please contact the Disability
Support Team on T: +44 (0)151 794 5117
to discuss your support needs before you
submit your UCAS application.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Year Two
As for C800 Year Two (see pages 10 and 11
for details).

Year Three

12/13

As for C800 Year Three (see page 11 for details).

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute

of Learning and Teaching > Psychology
www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology

For current entrance requirements and

full module details, see www.liverpool.ac.uk/
undergraduate/courses

For full details on the programmes we offer

and detailed entrance requirements, visit
www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/undergraduate
We accept a wide range of other qualifications,
eg EU and international qualifications. For more
detailed information on entrance requirements
see our online prospectus www.liverpool.ac.uk/
study/undergraduate/courses

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY

The University of Liverpool attaches the
greatest importance to its policies and activities
to promote diversity and equality of opportunity.
Full details on these policies can be found online
at www.liverpool.ac.uk/diversity-and-equality

DISCLAIMER
Every effort has been made to ensure that
information contained within this brochure
is accurate at the time of going to press.
However, the matters covered are subject
to change from time to time, both before
and after a candidates admission.