Why Choose Psychology?
Psychology requires you to develop your understanding of the most complex structure - the human brain. You will learn how the brain works and how it influences every aspect of human activity. As part of your studies with us in all our degree schemes you will gain insight into the complexities of human behaviour and begin to understand the puzzle of why we behave the way we do asking questions such as “do our genes or society influence our behaviour most”, “what is the optimal way to resolve conflict” and “why is learning a second language so challenging for adults?”.
From the beginning of your degree you will be introduced to the key ideas, theories and research findings that make up contemporary psychology. You will be introduced to the central concepts in social psychology, individual differences, biological psychology, and will start the process of developing the skills you need to investigate human behaviour as you learn the research methods employed by psychologists. Each year of our degrees has been carefully thought through to enable you to develop and refine your thinking about psychology providing both stretch and challenge as you work towards graduation.
Career Opportunities
Studying psychology provides an excellent overall education and psychology graduates progress into a variety of careers such as teaching, industry, social services, the media, information technology, computing, marketing and government agencies. The transferable skills highly valued by employers are fully integrated into all psychology degree schemes.
You will develop proficiency in areas essential for your future career including advanced research skills, problem solving, data handling and analysis, written and oral communication and group working skills.
Two thirds of psychology graduates are employed three months after graduation with a further quarter undertaking postgraduate study. Recent figures suggest that only 15% of psychology graduates seek postgraduate psychology qualifications which require degrees accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
All the psychology honours degree schemes are designed within the requirements for psychology of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). In addition, all the degree schemes will provide the basis for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) through accredited conversion courses. Accreditation has yet to be sought at Aberystwyth University but it is anticipated that application will be made within the foreseeable future. To learn more about BPS accreditation at Aberystwyth a short FAQ booklet is available to download using the following link BPS FAQ Document.
For those that wish to continue working with psychology, a graduate career in the following may be what you're aiming for:
- Clinical Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Consumer Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Sports Psychology
The university offers excellent career guidance for students that have either defined career paths or those who are uncertain of what they want to do after graduation Other sources of support include help and advice about study skills or personal difficulties, advice regarding financial concerns in addition to how to take the important first steps into professional life after completing your degree. All these services can be accessed via the comprehensive student support service available on campus which includes the Students Advisory Service the Signpost Mentoring Scheme and the Language and Learning Centre.