Psychology and Sociology BSc

About the Course

Psychology is often defined as the study of behaviour and of the mind. Through their theories and research, psychologists investigate a diverse range of topics including:

• The relationship between the brain, behaviour and subjective experience;
• Human development;
• The influence of other people on the individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour;
• Psychological disorders and their treatment;
• The impact of culture on the individual’s behaviour and subjective experience;
• Differences between people in terms of their personality and intelligence;
• People’s ability to acquire, organise, remember and use knowledge to guide their behaviour.

Sociologists are concerned with developing theories that explain the changing nature of social behaviour in their own and other societies. The kinds of question with which they are concerned are: What is society? How and why is it changing? What are the opportunities for future change and development?

A central theme of Sociology at Brunel is the study of the development of techno-cultural phenomena such as new communications technology and environmental issues which straddle traditional conceptual distinctions between the social, the natural, the technical and the material.

Among the more specific interests of Brunel sociologists are, for example, the social construction of technology, social theory, contemporary social structure, celebrity culture, the influence of the media, environmental risk, media regulation, urban spaces, comedy cultures and crime and addiction. These various interests are strongly reflected in the options available at Level 3 of our degree course.

Psychology brochure
Sociology and Communications brochure

Aims

This course combines the wide structural insights of sociology with the rigorous techniques of psychology to give you a broad intellectual grounding in all aspects of human behaviour.

Enquiries

Dr Andrew Clark
Admissions Tutor

Helen Stevenson
Admissions and Marketing Administrator
School of Social Sciences
Tel +44 (0)1895 265952
Email helen.stevenson@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Psychology BSc
• Psychology with Professional Development BSc
• Sociology BSc
• Sociology with Professional Development BSc
• Anthropology BSc
• Anthropology with Professional Development BSc

Special Features

• The degree provides graduate basis for registration and membership with the British Psychological Society (assuming a 2.2 or above is achieved). This can be important as an entry qualification for postgraduate professional training in psychology.
  
  
• A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, including a lab for infant research in visual and cognitive development, brain imaging facilities (fMRI, EEG), psychophysics, eye tracking and the use of information technology.
  
  
• We take particular pride in both the quality of our teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.
  
  
• We enjoy greater funding than many other comparable academic schools and departments in Britain.

Facts and Figures

School of Social Sciences

Psychology and Sociology are within the Social Sciences at Brunel.

Our courses will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with your discipline. Within Psychology, there are a number of dedicated experimental laboratories, including a lab for infant research in visual and cognitive development, and a psychophysics / EEG lab.

We take particular pride in both the quality of our teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.

Course Content

Level 1

• Foundations of Psychology I: Learning and Social Psychology
• Foundations of Psychology III: Brain and Cognition
• Statistics and Research Methods I
• Statistics and Research Methods II
• Introduction to Sociology
• Globalisation
  

Level 2

• Advanced Research Methods
• Advanced Data Analysis
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Biological Psychology
• Social Divisions
• Work and Society
  

Level 3

Core

• Dissertation (individual supervision on a topic of your choosing)
  

Options

Students take four optional modules, at least three of which should be from the following list:

• Inter-Group Relations                        
• Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
• Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder   
• Evolutionary Psychology                
• The Psychology of Consciousness
• Drugs, Hormones and the Brain                              
• Health Psychology
  

The fourth option may be an approved non-Psychology module within the School of Social Sciences.

Teaching and Learning

Our approach

We pursue excellence in both teaching and research. Our aim is to produce degree programmes which combine innovative and classical teaching methods with leading-edge research, and which recognise the value of practical work experience in the learning process. We take great pride in both the quality of teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students.

Practical skills

This course will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with psychology. A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, psychophysics and the use of information technology.

Staff expertise

All members of the academic staff are actively engaged in research and many have international reputations in their field. Their innovative findings feed into your courses to ensure that teaching is up-to-date.

Hours

Each module will involve two to three hours of contact time per week. Students will also spend a great deal of their time in private study and preparing assignments.

How will I be taught?

Teaching methods include tutorials, seminars, laboratory classes and integrated or formal lectures.

Assessment

Students are assessed using a range of methods, including coursework assignments, poster presentations, oral presentations and seen and unseen examinations.

Employability

Brunel graduates will develop a range of transferable skills that are useful in the wider workplace. Psychology degrees are highly regarded by employers in many fields and sociologists are in increasing demand in many sectors such as social welfare and policy, in local government and administration, medicine, education, research and in industry.
 
Students will acquire knowledge in new information and communications technologies and rigorous training is provided in methodologies and research skills. Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited courses provide eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC). On completion students will acquire a range of skills, which include the following:

• Communicate effectively, both face-to-face or in writing
• Understand, analyse and use complex data
• Retrieve and organise information from different sources
• Handle primary source material critically
• Engage in effective team work
• Solve problems and reason scientifically to consider alternative approaches and solutions
• Make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on a question
• Use personal planning and project management skills to become more independent and pragmatic

Careers

With a good degree in psychology, you may go on to train as a clinical, educational, occupational or research psychologist. Other careers include work with adults or children with disabilities, counselling, personnel management, market research and advertising, prison and probation work.

Sociologists are in increasing demand in many sectors in social welfare and policy, in local government and administration, in medicine, in education and research, and in industry. If you are thinking of a career in any of these fields, it may also be possible to select work experience in these areas.

Psychology degrees are valued by business and other employers.

Placements

This course is also available as a four year sandwich course (with Professional Development) which includes two high quality placements in a variety of settings.

Around 40% of Psychology students include sandwich placements as part of their degree which are predominantly carried out in a range of public sector and research environments.

Placement leavers from Psychology experienced the following outcomes:

• 88.7% progressed into employment or further study
• 63.8% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 60.0% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £17,481.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time

International students: £12,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level Typical offer AAB, with at least two of the three A-levels should be in traditional subjects (General Studies not accepted). Applicants who have already achieved at least ABB at A-level and have Personal Statements showing a strong interest in the course and transferable skills will also be considered. Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within this range.
• Irish Leaving Certificate AAABB.
• Scottish Advanced Highers AAB.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Society, Health and Development plus an A-level at Grade B for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*D*D in a related subject.
• IBDP 35 points.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above to include English Language, Maths and Science (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

Non-traditional A-level subjects

The following list of A-level subjects are generally considered “non-traditional”. Within your A-level qualifications we would ideally look for two subjects not on this list. Taking one of these subjects at A-level is not detrimental to your chances. The subjects you take will become important after the A-level grades are released, if you do not get the tariff points previously indicated. The Admissions Tutor will then give priority to those with two or more ‘traditional’ subjects.

Non-traditional subjects include: Accounting; Art and Design; Business Studies; Communication Studies; Dance; Design and Technology; Drama/Theatre Studies; Film Studies; Health and Social Care; Home Economics; ICT; Leisure Studies; Media Studies; Music Technology; Performance Studies; Performing Arts; Photography; Physical Education; Sports Studies; and Travel and Tourism.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.