MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
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BSc (Hons) Psychology
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree that provides a rigorous scientific understanding of the human mind, brain, and behaviour. This three-year program delves into the core areas of psychology, ensuring graduates are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, a crucial step for pursuing professional careers in psychology. Students explore how psychology applies to individuals, institutions, and broader societal contexts. The program emphasizes developing critical thinking, research methods, and data analysis skills through a blend of theoretical learning and practical application in dedicated psychology laboratories. St. Mary's fosters a supportive learning community with research-active staff, ensuring a high standard of teaching and a comprehensive grounding in the discipline.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Psychology program at St. Mary's is structured to provide a comprehensive and BPS-aligned education in the core areas of psychology. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge through modules such as "Research Methods and Statistics 1 & 2," "Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology," "Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology," and optional modules like "Everyday Psychology" and "Deconstructing Psychology." The second year deepens this understanding with core modules including "Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis," "Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics," "The Social Brain," and "The Developing Mind," alongside various optional modules that allow for exploration of "Frontiers in Psychology" or applications in education, business, or sport. The final year culminates in an "Independent Project" (an empirical research project) and offers advanced optional modules covering areas such as "Applied Child Psychology," "Psychology of Education," "Political Psychology," "Health Psychology," "Perception," and "Counselling Psychology." Learning is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical laboratory sessions, preparing students for a range of assessment methods including essays, reports, presentations, and exams.
Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Psychology program at St. Mary's University is strongly informed by the active research interests of its academic staff, who are deeply engaged in contemporary psychological research. Faculty expertise spans diverse areas including non-traditional romantic relationships, intergroup relationships, attentional biases associated with anxiety, intergenerational relationships within family contexts, decision-making, 1 and visuomotor processing. This active research engagement ensures that the curriculum remains current, evidence-based, and provides students with insights into cutting-edge developments in the field. Students are actively encouraged to engage in critical inquiry and develop their own research skills, culminating in a significant "Independent Project" (empirical research project) in their final year. This opportunity allows them to conduct original research in an area of their choosing, under the supervision of research-active staff, thereby contributing to the scientific understanding of psychology.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a valuable aspect of the BSc (Hons) Psychology program at St. Mary's University, designed to enhance student employability and provide practical experience. While a dedicated placement year is available as an alternative program variant (BSc Psychology with a Placement Year), the standard BSc (Hons) Psychology program still offers opportunities for students to undertake work placements as part of their degree. The university's Workplace Learning Team supports students in finding suitable placements in various sectors, including charities, schools, hospitals, care settings, and businesses. These placements allow students to apply their psychological knowledge and research skills in real-world professional environments, gain practical experience, develop transferable skills such as communication and data analysis, and build professional networks. The program also encourages students to attend talks hosted by guest speakers from various psychological professions, further connecting them with industry developments and career pathways.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Psychology program at St. Mary's University integrates a global perspective by exploring human behaviour and mental processes within diverse cultural and international contexts. The curriculum examines how psychological theories and research findings may vary or apply across different societies and populations. Core modules, particularly those touching upon social psychology and developmental psychology, inherently consider cross-cultural differences in human experience and behaviour. The program's BPS accreditation ensures its alignment with international standards of psychological education. Furthermore, the broad applicability of psychological principles, whether in understanding global mental health challenges, international relations, or diverse organisational cultures, equips graduates to work in an increasingly interconnected world. The focus on research methods also prepares students to engage with and contribute to a global body of scientific psychological knowledge.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Psychology program at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, provides a comprehensive and British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited education in understanding the human mind, brain, and behaviour. This rigorous three-year degree equips graduates with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, a foundational requirement for numerous professional psychology careers. The curriculum delves into core psychological domains, emphasizes robust research methods and statistical analysis, and fosters critical thinking. Graduates are highly valued for their analytical capabilities, communication skills, and understanding of human behaviour, making them attractive to a diverse range of employers beyond traditional psychology roles.
Assistant Psychologist: This role often serves as a crucial stepping stone towards becoming a chartered psychologist (e.g., clinical, forensic, educational). Graduates provide support to qualified psychologists in clinical, forensic, or research settings, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP): PWPs work within NHS Talking Therapies services (formerly IAPT), assessing and supporting individuals with common mental health problems like anxiety and depression, often using guided self-help and low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques. This role typically requires further specific training.
Human Resources Officer: Psychology graduates are well-suited for HR roles due to their understanding of human behaviour, motivation, group dynamics, and communication. They can work in recruitment, training and development, employee relations, and organisational development within various industries.
Market Researcher / Consumer Insights Analyst: The strong research methods and statistical analysis skills developed in a psychology degree are highly sought after in market research. Graduates collect and analyse data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and trends to inform business and marketing strategies.
Social Researcher: Graduates can work for government departments, charities, or research agencies, conducting research on social issues, public opinion, and policy effectiveness. Their expertise in research design, data collection, and analysis is invaluable.
Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) / Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP): These roles involve providing early intervention and support for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties in school or community settings, often requiring specific postgraduate training.
Probation Officer / Prison Officer (with further training): A psychology degree provides a strong foundation for roles within the criminal justice system, where understanding human behaviour, rehabilitation, and risk assessment is crucial. Further training or specific entry schemes are typically required.
Counselling Support Worker / Mental Health Support Worker: Graduates can provide frontline support and care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges in various settings, including hospitals, community centres, and charities. This often involves active listening, empathy, and supporting recovery journeys.
Data Analyst: The statistical and analytical skills honed during a psychology degree are highly transferable to data analysis roles across sectors. Graduates can interpret complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, and insights that inform decision-making in business, healthcare, or government.
Charity Worker / Project Coordinator (Health or Social Care): Psychology graduates are well-suited for roles in non-profit organisations focusing on mental health, social welfare, or community development. They can coordinate projects, provide advice, or work in advocacy, using their understanding of human needs and social dynamics.
