Why SHS?

As the world grows more complex and more challenging, there is great demand for the skills in which we specialise. The ability to understand and interact intelligently with our environment and the way we react to it is an important one. So why choose SHS?

Vocational theme:

• All the School's programmes have a strong vocational theme and are designed to provide the specific and general skills needed for employment.

Applied focus:

• We have a very applied focus and have new and innovative Divisions able to offer greater scope for inter-disciplinary work. This is most evident in the School's Behavioural Science course. It is one of the most sought-after courses at the University and allows you to either specialise in Sociology or Psychology after year 2, or maintain both as Behavioural Science, giving a complete grounding in both disciplines.

Think like a scientist:

• As a graduate in Behavioural Science, Psychology and Sociology you will be able to think and perform as a scientist: you will be skilled in carrying out empirical work, including the collection and analysis of data and the planning and development of projects and studies. These are highly transferable skills, and employers in both the public and private sectors recognise a qualification in behavioural science as desirable in many fields, wherever issues of behaviour are important.

Direct entry:

• The School has extensive experience in meeting the needs of students who enter the later years of its programmes with qualifications from other institutions, or who enter through access programmes. We have a large proportion of mature students, around one third of our student body, and we welcome applications for recognition of prior experience and learning.

Local and global student community:

• Many of our students are from Tayside and the north-east of Scotland, but we also have international students adding their experience and diversity to the School.

Professional accreditation for Psychology:

• Our Psychology programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society for entry to postgraduate training for professional practice. Tutors in the Division of Clinical Psychology are external practitioners who contribute teaching in advanced and specialist areas, and provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in clinical Psychology.

Focus on social issues:

• The Sociology Division has special interests in the areas of the mass media, crime and penology, the body, and environmental issues. The Division focuses on social and policy issues affecting the local community.

Continuing professional development:

• The Division of Nursing and Counselling works closely with nursing and health professionals, designing a wide range of full-time, part-time and continuing professional development courses.

Excellence in sport:

• The recently commissioned sport performance and monitoring facility is the new centrepiece of the Division of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The Division reflects the School's rapidly developing courses in sport coaching, sport development, and health and sport studies.

Healthcare expertise:

• The Division of Nursing and Counselling is the University's centre of expertise, experience and professional guidance in relation to education, research and consultancy in healthcare.

Clinical Psychology links:

• The Division of Psychology ensures successful collaboration between psychology staff within the School and external clinical psychologists. The benefits for the University are a significant input to teaching in advanced and specialist areas, greater opportunities for students to gain experience of the major field of applied clinical psychology, and significantly enhanced opportunities for collaborative research.

Learning in a friendly environment:

• Close links with industry and professions result in a thriving and exciting environment which promotes an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience within a friendly and supportive setting.

International links:

• The School has links with institutions throughout the world. Participation in the European Union co-operation programmes Erasmus and Socrates generates many opportunities for student study placements in Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Spain and Sweden. These important links add to the vibrancy of the School through the involvement of students from other European universities who undertake a study period in Dundee.

Research-based Honours projects:

• Staff in all Divisions of the School are active in research and consultancy. Teaching in the later years of courses incorporates the latest developments and discoveries. Honours students have opportunities to undertake projects linked to staff research to advance knowledge or practice in their chosen fields.

Study for a higher Degree:

• The diversity of research and consultancy activities carried out by the School's teaching staff also creates opportunities for the pursuit of MPhil and PhD research degrees on a full-time or part-time basis.