Psychology and Sociology

Moving to the new campus allowed us to bring together the disciplines of Psychology and Sociology at QMU and provided an exciting opportunity to refresh and enrich the courses. The design and delivery of these courses provide opportunities for students to realise their potential as learners. Students develop into critical and evaluative thinkers. Through engagement with both academic disciplines students discover how both Psychology and Sociology contribute to how we understand psycho-social events and phenomena occurring in our everyday lives.

At QMU, we offer a BSc (Hons) Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and an integrated BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology. These courses offer a fully integrated learning experience and the modules which students take are not part of any other awards. Staff are enthusiastic and committed, their research interests and activities are reflected in the teaching and provide a learning environment which is challenging and socially and practically relevant.

Students are encouraged to explore the historical origins, development and limitations of Psychology and Sociology. As well as developing detailed and up to date knowledge and understanding of specialist areas of Psychology and Sociology, students explore practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis applied in each of the disciplines.

Our approach to learning and teaching

Students will be taught through a range of different methods from traditional lectures to self directed learning. Students will learn how to acquire and utilise knowledge for themselves, whether by locating existing knowledge or discovering new knowledge. Students develop skills in information retrieval, practical investigation, data collection and analysis. In addition students will develop study skills, information technology skills and social and interpersonal skills.

There is a wide range of different ways in which students are assessed. In addition to traditional exams and essays, students will submit scientific reports and make oral presentations and poster presentations. In the later years of the courses, students have a range of optional modules to choose from. These reflect areas of specialisation and contemporary interest and provide an interface with the research interests and activity of the academic staff.

Research

Academic staff in the subjects of Psychology and Sociology at QMU have a wide range of specialist interests. Their research activities cover a broad spectrum of interest and in some cases involve collaboration with international partners from India, Sweden and Australia as well as other Scottish and UK universities. Many staff members are interested in applications of their work to real world contexts and have particular expertise in the application of a diverse range of social science research methods.

Career prospects

Around 20% of graduates choose to become professional psychologists. Other graduates go on to work in education, social services, industry, marketing government agencies and the media. Many Psychology and Sociology graduates find work in areas such as social and community work, consumer and social research, marketing, education and human resource management.

Around 20% of graduates undertake further academic study. Psychology and Sociology are ideally suited to provide a challenging and motivating environment in which students can develop intellectual and personal skills which prepare them for engagement with a wide range of real life applications. The diversity and scope of the disciplines, and of the methods of inquiry which they adopt, afford an excellent academic opportunity for the intellectually curious student.

CASE STUDY

Anna Trejnowska, BSc (Hons) Psychology

I left Poland to study Psychology and English at the University of Wolverhampton. However, psychology was my main interest and I wanted to move to Edinburgh, so I applied to QMU – and due to my previous course, I was able to enter into Year Two. I really enjoyed the course – especially the last two years; it was intellectually challenging with interesting lectures and tutorials. I enjoyed the opportunity to study with other students and share ideas. The relationship between students and staff was great and were always available to meet with students to discuss any concerns.At the end of Year Three, I was chosen to help my lecturers carry out research on paranormal beliefs. I conducted and transcribed interviews. It was really exciting to be able to see how the academic work gets done ‘from the kitchen’.

Initially my career aspiration was to become a clinical psychologist so I looked for a relevant part-time job to get some experience. I used the university’s JobShop and found a job as a nursing assistant in the Royal Edinburgh Psychiatric Hospital and worked there for the last two years of my degree. It was great being able to apply my knowledge in a work-setting. However, because of the research project I did, I decided that I wanted to pursue an academic career in psychology, rather then go down the clinical route.

After graduating, I went back to QMU working as a research assistant in psychology and got lots of experience: I worked on three different projects. I am now included within the authors of the reports that came out of the work too; and I also did some teaching, which I enjoyed very much. I am now studying towards a Masters in Occupational Psychology back at Wolverhampton University.

Our courses

»BSc/BSc (Hons) Psychology

»BSc/BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

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