Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

What will you learn?

During your first year, you will be introduced to the core areas of biological, cognitive, develop mental and social psychology. As well as theoretical principles, the modules cover the applied aspects of these subjects, for example in clinical, education and engineering settings. You will learn statistical methods of analysis and how to plan, carry out and report on psychological or cognitive neuroscience experiments. You will also have the flexibility to select up to two modules from other schools.

The BSc Psychology and BSc Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience courses are identical in the first year to give you a good grounding in psychology. It is possible to change between the two degree courses at the end of first year. Both degree courses offer equally good career opportunities. The main difference between the two degrees is that psychology and cognitive neuroscience is more focused on biological processes, whereas the psychology course is pure psychology.

In your second year, you will expand your understanding, deal with more advanced theoretical problems, continue training in relevant research methods and be given greater independence in undertaking research. Practical sessions run in a series of five-week group projects and are accompanied by further statistics courses. Psychology and cognitive neuroscience students have specialist practical classes, focusing on neuroscience-based topics, as well as a series of extra lectures focusing on contemporary neuroimaging techniques.

There are opportunities to spend one or two semesters in your second year at our campus in the UK. The final year allows you to choose from a variety of advanced topics. If you are studying for the cognitive neuroscience degree, you will need to take 40 credits of cognitive neuroscience modules and the remaining credits can be any of the other modules on offer. However, psychology students have the flexibility to choose from both psychology and cognitive neuroscience modules.

You are also required to conduct an independent research study during your final year. Acting under the supervision of lecturers, you will be expected to take the initiative in designing and carrying out the research yourself, and completing a full research project report.