Darja Wischerath
Psychology, MA
Introduction
Are you interested in what makes people tick? Do you want to understand why people do the things they do? If you are fascinated by people's behaviour this programme is for you.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- C802
- Pathway Programme Available
- Undergraduate Foundation Programme
As the study of mental processes and behaviour, Psychology is interested in what makes people tick, why they do the things they do and what happens when it goes wrong?
Psychology covers a wide range of theoretical and applied disciplines; in our degree you will study how we think, perceive, develop, and change. Importantly you will also learn how to “do” psychology and will receive rigorous training in the methods that are used to study human behaviour and the mind.
Our psychology department provides a supportive and stimulating environment for undergraduate students. All of our degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) guaranteeing an internationally recognised high standard of education.
Psychologists can work in clinical and organisational settings. You may support children and families, adults towards improved mental health, winning and endurance in sports, profiling, or counselling, HR, and behavioural roles. We are all intrigued by self-awareness, why we behave as we do.
The Different Degrees
Psychology at Aberdeen is offered as a BSc or a MA degree. The Psychology element of either programme is exactly the same and they are both equally valued as Psychology degrees. MA students have typically done arts and humanities subjects at school. In the first 2 years within the MA you will be able to take any arts course (e.g., sociology, philosophy, languages) and any science courses that you have the pre-requisites for (many of the science courses require you to have e.g., biology at higher/A-Level). BSc students typically have school qualifications in science subjects and do subjects like maths, biology and chemistry alongside psychology in the first 2 years.
What You'll Study
There is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Honours degree and a Designated degree in Psychology. Entry to honours occurs at the end of second year, and is based on academic performance.
Compulsory Courses
- Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
- Introductory Psychology I: Methods and Applications (PS1011)
- Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
- Introductory Psychology II: Methods and Applications (PS1511)
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
Optional Courses
Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
How You'll Study
The School of Psychology provides an exciting and vibrant research-led learning environment for students. We combine traditional teaching methods with innovative techniques to deliver an enhanced undergraduate experience.
Teaching
- Award-winning lectures and seminars with flexible course choice choices in fourth year that allow you to focus your degree on your speciality, e.g. Forensic Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Advanced Topics in Language;
- Practicals, experimental research projects, tutorials, and debate workshops that let you apply your knowledge;
- Independent reading and online quizzes.
Assessment
- Essays, project reports, examinations via essays and multiple choice questions;
- Presentations, posters, blogs, wikis, and peer-assessment.
Support
- An active psychology society running educational and social events that bring staff and students together;
- Peer-assisted learning where you get help from other students who have already completed the courses you are taking;
- Facebook support groups that allow you to get to know your fellow students, ask questions, and have informal discussions with both staff and students.
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Psychology?
- You will be introduced to state-of-the-art concepts and theories taught by award-winning teachers and world-class researchers, exposing you to the latest thinking in the field.
- You will benefit from the key strengths within the School of social psychology, neuroscience, language, perception and industrial psychology.
- We have a wide range of course options available in 4th Year to allow you to specialise in areas such as clinical, forensic, language and developmental psychology.
- You will have the opportunity to gain experience using specialised laboratories and equipment including those for brain imaging analysis, eye movement recording, movement analysis and visual neuroscience.
- To help you get a job we have an employability programme for our students which includes: internship opportunities, online resources, career talks and networking events.
- Psychology graduates are eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society, this is a first step towards becoming a professional Psychologist.
- In the final year students have the opportunity to do a unique research project to a professional level. A number of final year projects have gone on to be published in internationally renowned journals.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipWhat Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBC
Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Minimum: BCC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
Entry from College
Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
International Applicants who do not meet the Entry Requirements
The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| RUK | £9,535 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
The School of Psychology at Aberdeen has an employability programme that provides support throughout your degree and beyond, helping to ensure our graduates get those all-important jobs and post-graduate study opportunities. Perhaps the most important aspect of this is our internship programme:
Internships: A range of Psychology-specific internships are available to fourth year students, including placements with Forensic, Clinical and Educational Psychologists. These internships provide vital experience that will ensure you stand out to future employers.
Our employability programme also includes the following:
- Career talks: Find out more about the range of career options available and learn from the experience of past graduates and chartered Psychologists.
- Employability officer: A member of academic staff who can be contacted directly for career advice and help in locating and successfully applying for relevant work and volunteer experience.
- Networking event: Connect with more than 80 employers and chartered Psychologists at our annual networking event.
- Online materials: A dedicated range of materials including: career paths of former graduates, answers to frequently asked questions, links to relevant work and volunteering experience.
- Lectures from professional Psychologists: You will have the opportunity to attend lectures provided by a range of chartered Psychologists.
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
The School of Psychology provides an exciting and vibrant research environment. Our degrees are taught by a range of experts across our 3 research themes: Cognition, Perception and Attention and Social Cognition.
- Director of Undergraduate Teaching
- Dr Helen Knight
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
World Class Facilities
There is a range of specialised laboratories including those for brain imaging analysis, eye movement recording, movement analysis and visual neuroscience.
Psychophysiology Centre
This facility consists of several spacious rooms that house electroencephalographic (EEG) equipment and sound-attenuated, shielded testing booths.
Eye Tracking Facilities
The School of Psychology has four in-house eye trackers. The Eyelink 1000 system allows the recording of eye gaze at a sampling rate of 1000 Hz.
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX