Behavioural Studies

Behavioural Studies at Aberdeen brings together internationally recognised researchers in social cognition, health cognition and occupational/industrial psychology in a supportive and stimulating teaching environment.

Why Aberdeen?

• There are a range of specialised laboratories including those for brain imaging analysis, eye movement recording, movement analysis and visual neuroscience.
• The School is the oldest in the UK, being founded over 100 years ago, and maintains a strong commitment to providing a supportive and stimulating environment for undergraduate studies

Programmes

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Psychology

Study Abroad

Students intending to do a Behavioural Studies degree can study abroad as part of their degree programme in second year, subject to approval of the overseas curriculum by the Head of School.

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

Courses are available at levels 1 to 4. There is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Honours degree and a Designated degree in Psychology. Application for entry to Honours occurs at the end of second year, and is based on academic performance achieved during that year. Students not continuing to Honours Psychology may complete the Designated degree or the Behavioural Studies Honours degree.

First Year

The Concepts and Theory course includes lectures and workshops on: Biological Psychology; Lifespan Development; Animal Learning and Behaviour; Cognitive Psychology; Perceptual Psychology; Social Psychology. The Methods and Applications course includes lectures and practical classes on all aspects of research methodology and descriptive data analysis in psychological research.

Second Year

There are lectures on: Developmental Psychology; Behavioural Neuroscience; Language and Cognition; Organizational Psychology; Perception; Social Psychology; Clinical Psychology. The Methods and Applications course build on the research methodology gained at level 1 to examine more complex experimental designs and statistical methods.

Third and Fourth Year (Honours)

At level 3, there are lectures, tutorials, and practicals on: Biological Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Human Memory and Language; Perception; Psychological Assessment; Social Psychology.

At level 4, students carry out and report a library-based review project. They also select six options, currently from the following list: Evolutionary Psychology; Human Neuropsychology; Applications of Cognitive Neuroscience; Abnormal Psychology; The Cognitive Neuroscience of Person Perception; Cognition and Learning; Neuropsychology of Visual Awareness; Perspectives on Social Attribution; Brain and Body; Human Factors.

Variations

Students doing the Joint Honours programmes (all Psychology programmes are BPS accredited) take a full prescribed curriculum of level 3 Psychology courses split across third and fourth year, and complete a smaller empirical project in their final year. The Major-Minor degrees include language courses at levels 1, 2 and 4. At level 4, students select four of the Psychology options instead of six.

It is also possible to study Behavioural Studies as a BSc degree. Please refer to the Science section of the prospectus for more information.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching is by means of lectures, laboratory practicals, workshops and tutorials, and individual supervision of a thesis topic in fourth year. Assessment is by means of examination and continuous assessment.

Careers

Behavioural Studies graduates have many employment opportunities (occasionally after further postgraduate training) in psychology-related fields. Further areas benefiting from an understanding of the human mind and behaviour include careers in education, business, marketing and advertising.

Further details of opportunities for graduates can be obtained from the BPS website http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers_home.cfm

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Behavioural Studies.

Entrance Requirements

SQA Highers - BBBB
A Levels - BBB
IB - 30 points, 15 points at HL
ILC - BBBB

For further details of entrance requirements click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide