October 2008
Study Psychology in Wales
Psychology offers one of the most fascinating subjects of study, that of the human mind and human behaviour. Psychologists study people at all stages in their lives from birth to old age, assessing how people perceive, how they think and use ideas, how they vary in intelligence and personality and how they are influenced by particular environments such as work, school and family.
Studying Psychology is recognised as a valuable asset by potential employees. Head of the new Psychology department at Aberystwyth University Dr Kathryn Bullen recently said: “Whichever course a student opts for, the contribution psychology makes to all aspects of everyday life is immense. Psychology graduates are valued for both their knowledge of human behaviour and their transferable skills such as the ability to provide objective critical analysis allied to valuable research skills.”
A variety of careers is available to graduates with a good degree in Psychology such as clinical psychologist - helping people with mental illness or disability, education psychologist - supporting children and teachers in school system, counselling psychologist - helping people with personal and relationship problems, forensic psychologist – helping to understand the criminal mind and consumer psychologist – helps businesses and organisations to understand their customers.
Wales offers two of the top rated Psychology Departments in the UK at Bangor University and Cardiff University. Psychology is also available at Aberystwyth University, Glyndwr University, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea University, Trinity College Carmarthen, University of Glamorgan, UWIC and University of Wales Newport.
At Bangor University, one of the leading academic departments in the UK and the 3rd largest in the UK, the Psychology Department is housed in a £10 million purpose built centre. In 2008 over £18 million of research grants were captured by the department. Bangor is the lead partner in the Welsh Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience alongside Cardiff and Swansea universities. The Institute was launched in 2007 enabling academics and researchers to collaborate on dozens of research projects. Bangor University’s School of Psychology is the only School in the UK to have a ‘new generation’ Brain Imaging MRI scanner worth £1.5 million. The School of Psychology houses several research centres of excellence including the Centre for Experimental Consumer Psychology and the Wolfson Institute for Clinical and Cognitive Neurosciences.
Like Bangor, Cardiff University’s Psychology department also achieved the highest possible rating in the RAE and is one of the largest departments in the UK. Cardiff offers a four year degree which includes a professional placement. The department’s research interests include forensic, clinical and neuroscientific.
Cognitive Neuroscience has emerged in the past decade as one of the most significant areas of contemporary science and is beginning to transform the understanding of normal and damaged brain function, as well as to inform the treatment of the brain impairments (eg head injury, stroke, dementia, schizophrenia). Forged through the interactions of cognitive science, neuroimaging, and clinical neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience is now the dominant approach in the best psychology and neuroscience institutes in both North America and the UK. Research specialisation in the field of Neuroscience is available at Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea universities.
With such a range of expertise and excellence across Wales there can be no doubt that it is an excellent choice for Psychology at undergraduate and postgraduate level.