Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It helps us understand how humans and other animals interpret and respond to the external world.

Our courses offer you:

• A broad grounding in psychological theory.
• Skills in data literacy which employers value highly.
• An open and welcoming student school community.
• Active school society and range of 300+ university societies to find your people.
• Development of good oracy skills which help you stand out from the competition through presentation skills development.
• A versatile degree, enabling you to progress into careers in a wide range of areas.
• The opportunity to build up your CV with embedded experience without the cost of an extra year in industry.
• Lecturers who teach the latest developments in their fields, based on their cutting-edge research.
• Optional units including the popular Science of Happiness course.
• Access to a wide range of third year research projects within our specialisms.

Our research is organised into four broad themes: Health and Wellbeing; Learning and Teaching; Mind and Brain; and Self and Society. In each of these themes we use a wide variety of approaches, such as behavioural experiments, neuroscience techniques, qualitative interviews, computational modelling and mining of big data, among others. 
 
We look for students who are motivated and who show genuine enthusiasm for the subject. You do not need an A-level in Psychology or Maths to study psychology.

Our degrees provide pathways to professional training in psychology and postgraduate programmes.

Our graduates go on to successful careers within psychology-related fields. Other sectors that graduates go into include:

• health
• education
• marketing
• scientific and legal consultancy
• banking and finance
• human resources
• media
• the public sector.

Your first year will introduce important concepts and approaches and experimental methods and analysis. Lectures and tutorials will give you a strong foundation in developmental, cognitive, biological and social psychology. Psychological experiments and research methods units provide you with experience and training in the investigation, analysis and reporting of a range of psychological phenomena.

The second year covers core topics in greater depth, and you will approach psychological investigations at a more advanced level. Your laboratory work will be supported by instruction in advanced techniques of statistical analysis and in the use of statistical software.

Your third year is based mainly on optional units, covering topics that emphasise detailed knowledge of contemporary psychological issues. You will also carry out an original piece of independent research, which may be based in the laboratory or in a local school, hospital or business organisation.

The MSci Psychology and Neuroscience combines psychological science with a cellular, synaptic and systems-level understanding of brain function.

You can also study Psychology with Innovation, giving you interdisciplinary breadth, creative teamwork and entrepreneurial skills.

Sample units may include:

• Issues in Social Psychology
• Genes and Behaviour
• Myths and Misconceptions about Psychology
• Drug Use and Addiction
• Applied Psychology Professions

Our research helps to advance the scientific discipline of psychology and contributes to our outstanding, research-led teaching. Major research areas include brain and behaviour, cognitive science, and physical and mental health.

We collaborate with local, national and international partners, and our outreach team works with schools and members of the public to bring the subject to a wider audience. We have extensive connections with NHS Bristol hospitals.

There is an active undergraduate psychology society, which runs regular events and produces its own magazine.