The BSc (Hons) in Psychology is a four-year course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The School also offers an MA in Psychology, which may be more suitable for students who wish to take psychology alongside Arts subjects. The psychology element within both the BSc and MA degree programmes is exactly the same.
Alongside psychology, in the first year of the studies, students will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year they will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two.
The first two years of study provide an introduction to a variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology as well as a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.
The skills they gain in statistical analysis, research and presentation will prepare them for their final two years, during which they will have the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of advanced subjects. These subjects can be broadly described as (but are not limited to):
- social psychology
- developmental psychology
- evolutionary and comparative psychology
- behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
- cognitive psychology
- perceptual psychology
- clinical and abnormal psychology.
During the final year, students will also have the opportunity to carry out a research project on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the School.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.
