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A highly popular programme which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), our BA degree in Psychology will enable you to explore the fascinating world of human behaviour. Learn about memory, language, creativity, personality, social interaction and brain processes and the reasons for psychological differences between people.
Based at our campuses in Richmond and Kensington in London, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of both the theory and practical application of psychology, as our programme prepares you for a professional career in psychology or any number of career opportunities.
Like our other undergraduate programmes, our BA in Psychology is based on the American liberal arts tradition, which offers a multi-disciplinary approach. So alongside an introduction to Psychology and the History of Childhood in your first year, you’ll also study Research and Writing and Creative Expression, with students from other disciplines, making a truly international education.
You’ll also have the advantage of studying for one degree and acquiring two – one from the UK and one from the US.
In the second year you’ll dig deeper into the discipline as you study Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Biological Psychology.
An exciting range of subjects are on offer in the final two years, from Cognitive Neuroscience to Experimental Methods in Psychology, with really interesting electives where you can specialise such as Psychology and Cinema; the Psychology of Happiness and Well-being; Clinical Psychology and Criminology.
You’ll have the opportunity to be a member of the only Psi Chi chapter in the UK, the International Honor Society in Psychology, which aims to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and to advance the science of psychology. Many of the Society’s members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology.
Develop your research skills through our Mind in Society Psychology Research Centre, which organises talks and conferences on such issues as the concept of resilience and how individuals and communities bounce back after adversity.
As a student of Psychology at Richmond, you will get access to our new Psychology Laboratory to design and conduct your own research with faculty supervision (we have a full-time Lab technician). The Psychology Lab hosts over 40 students actively engaged in research each semester. It’s fantastic preparation for your next steps upon graduation, either further study as a postgraduate student or in a position of employment.
Richmond is a member of highly prestigious US Psychology organisation, Psi Chi
The Psychology Department at the University and the Richmond Psychology Association have established the first UK-based official chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, which aims to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology.
Richmond is the only university or organisation in the UK to have official membership of Psi Chi, providing all of our Psychology students with a unique opportunity to benefit, from helping obtain psychology-related careers to networking, providing online resources to research opportunities.
More than three-quarters of a million lifetime members have joined Psi Chi. Many of the Society’s members have gone on to distinguished careers in psychology, including several presidents of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS), numerous US and international award winners, and various other renowned research psychologists, authors, professors, and practitioners.
Assessment
The teaching and learning strategy adopted within the degree programmes based in the School of Communications, Arts, and Social Sciences is based on the understanding that all students will be treated as active learners. Clearly, the precise approach will vary from course to course, depending on the learning outcomes relevant to each class.
The more generic components of our teaching and learning strategy normally involves a variety of approaches and include delivering many of the following:
Students pursuing degrees in any one of the academic areas in the School of Communications, Arts, and Social Sciences are assessed through their ability to absorb material delivered in the classroom as well as through their ability carry out independent research. There are also a variety of project-based courses in the upper division within which students work in teams. Students are also assessed though a variety of methods, including tests, project briefs and term-papers. Most courses further assess students through the use of end of term exams.
All of our classes follow a University-defined set of Assessment Norms. The purpose here is to ensure equity and fairness for all students.
Psychology Laboratory
As a student of Psychology at Richmond University, you get access to our Psychology Lab to design and conduct your own research and participate in our Psychology research. The Psychology laboratory hosts over 40 students actively engaged in research each semester. The Lab contains:
The facility has two primary tasks. First, it allows you to design, conduct and participate in faculty research, including designing and carrying out your own research projects with faculty supervision. Second, it introduces you, as a psychology student, to a setting of scientific research; preparing you for your next steps upon graduation, whether that be further study as a postgraduate student or in a position of employment.
Examples of the kinds of projects carried out at the lab include:
For more information or to get involved in our research please email us atpsychlab@richmond.ac.uk.
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
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|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
Foundations in Psychology | Probability and Statistics 1 | Human Development | Theories and Systems in Psychology |
History of Childhood | Beginning Human Science Research | Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence | Developmental Psychopathology |
Transitions I | Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology | Social Psychology | Cognitive Science |
Transitions II | Developmental Psychology | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Cognitive Neuroscience |
Scientific Reasoning | Biological Basis of Human Behaviour | Experimental Methods in Psychology | Senior Project in Psychology I: Quantitative Methods |
Creative Expression | Scientific Reasoning in Psychology |
| Senior Project in Psychology II: Qualitative Methods |
Research and Writing I | Research and Writing II |
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Electives
ELECTIVES |
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|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
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| Plus 2 of the following: | Plus 4 of the following OR Internship and two of the following: |
|
| Mind and Language | Psychoanalysis |
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| Psychopathology | Existential-Phenomenological Psychology |
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| Psychology and Cinema | Memory and Awareness |
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| Health Psychology | Psychology of Happiness and Wellbeing |
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| Psychology of Education | Clinical Psychology |
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| Organisational Behaviour | Research in Criminology |
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| World Internship in Psychology (6 CREDITS) |
|
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| Internship in Psychology (6 CREDITS) |
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
|
Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
How to Apply
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Selection process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
BPS accreditation gives graduates the opportunity to gain Graduate and/or Chartered Membership of the Society and access to the widest range of training, development and employment opportunities.
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
“The main reason I chose to study Psychology at Richmond is the duality of the programme. The degree focuses on both qualitative and quantitative research which is unique for an Undergraduate programme, as most other Universities focus on only one aspect of research.
The professors on both campuses are very responsive and keen to assist. They understand students’ needs, helping us to achieve our goals. The courses are very interesting and touch upon a wide variety of Psychology theory and application. Moreover, the academics are experienced researchers, active members of professional Psychology societies whose network and connections is extremely beneficial for students.
The way the Psychology programme is tailored, has increased my interest: the academics, the courses and the environment prepare students to go into any field of Psychology, whereas the internship opportunities offered both in London and around the world are key gate openers to kickstart a brilliant career.”
“I chose Richmond because it gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons, academically due to the dual degree offered and culturally because of the diverse nationalities represented on campus.
My Richmond experience has been unique! What I loved the most is the flexible academic programme, which means that I have been able to take classes that are of interest to me outside of my main area of study.
There is something for everyone, be that academically or outside the classroom. I have had many memorable experiences along the way which will stay with me beyond my time at Richmond”.
“I’m a Psychology major and I’m currently in my last semester.
During my internship I was a research assistant helping with the Social Relationships Study at SGDP (Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre) in the KCL Denmark Hill campus. The study looks at the gender differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults.
My responsibilities included recruiting the participants, managing data entry, mail merges, and online questionnaires sent to the participants and their parents. I also conducted visits in the participants’ houses and administered a battery of tasks, including IQ, memory, and theory of mind tests. During the visits I also shadowed autism assessments. Back in the office I transcribed and scored the tasks and entered the data in SPSS.
Interacting with the participants has definitely been my favourite aspect of the placement. I really enjoyed getting to know the participants and learning more about ASD. The internship has also benefitted me as now I know what the job of a research assistant looks like and learned how to perform the tasks associated with this position. I also developed a greater sense of professionalism and I’m more confident about my future transition from the classroom into the workplace. In addition, the placement has shaped my future career choices as I am now considering pursuing a career in research.
Overall it was a very good experience and I would recommend every student at Richmond to do an internship if they have an opportunity to do so.”
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