The psychology courses at Abertay focus on the science of the mind. It is about understanding how our brain influences how and why we behave in certain ways. In order to come to an understanding of such a complex organ as our brain, psychologists study behaviour and cognition using evidence gained from many different areas.
We can learn a great deal about human behaviour by understanding the behaviour of non-human animals, particularly our closest living relatives, the primates. We can consider how our past environment has shaped the way our brain works, use psychological principles in the workplace or sporting arena, and inform policing procedures by using psychology to help understand crime and criminal behaviour.
Abertay has the best psychology research in Scotland of any modern university, according to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. These expert researchers are active in teaching on our psychology courses, ensuring our students are informed by the very latest developments in psychology.
Psychology staff are actively involved in the Scottish Institute of Policing Research, and we also have a large research group that investigates evolutionary and biological approaches to behaviour, studying both human and animals. We also contribute to multidisciplinary projects with colleagues in computing, and others studying social, developmental, cognitive, sports and clinical psychology.
Our psychology courses can open many doors. There are many opportunities in clinical psychology, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and alcohol, drug and substance misuse support. Some psychology graduates undergo further training to become forensic psychologists or work with the security forces in defence, security and terrorism, while others move into coaching psychology or environmental psychology.
Many psychology graduates enter careers that do not have the term psychologist in the title but still draw on the excellent skills and knowledge gained whilst studying the subject. Recent graduates from our degrees have gained employment working for local authorities, the police as data analysts, and research assistants in academia and private research firms.
The psychology courses on offer at Abertay are:
BSc (Hons) Behavioural Science
BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychobiology
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BA (Hons) Social Science
BSc (Hons) Sport and Psychology
MSc/PGDip Psychology
