Objectives
Teaching and research are closely integrated at Sheffield - the department has an excellent reputation for both. We received a rating of Excellent for our teaching and a top score of 5A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. Our purpose-built building houses a lecture theatre, seminar rooms and teaching laboratories. Research and teaching facilities include small laboratory rooms for individual and small-group practical work; visual perception and motor skills experimental laboratories; rooms with one-way vision screens and closed-circuit television for social psychology and for developmental psychology; state-of-the-art neuroscience facilities, including provision for brain imaging research and for neurophysiological recording from single cells. We have extensive general computing facilities for teaching and also powerful computer work stations for online experiments and research in artificial intelligence and robotics. The department has reading rooms for students and a social area with a coffee bar, as well as a vibrant, student-run Psychology Society that organises visits, talks and social events. A Single Honours Psychology degree provides comprehensive cover of all aspects of the discipline, but you are also encouraged to specialise your areas of greatest interest, particularly in the final year. At level one you take approximately half your module choices in Psychology. The introductory modules span a range of topics, including biological psychology, cognition, social psychology, psychological disorders, developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience. At level two you will take modules covering the main areas of psychology, including social psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, individual differences,research methods and thinking/study skills. At level three you select from a range of specialist modules that reflect areas of research expertise in the department. You will also undertake a substantial research project on a topic of your own choice. Our Single Honours degrees in Psychology are accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration of the British Psychological Society (BPS). The Graduate Basis for Registration of the BPS constitutes the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and is a necessary requirement for entry to courses in Clinical, Health and Occupational Psychology. Mature students: In general we're looking for exceptional students who will not feel out of place in an environment where most undergraduates have three As at A Level. Each candidate's application is given careful and individual consideration, so offers vary depending on the case in hand. A Levels, O Levels and GCSEs: We require each mature applicant to show evidence of potential ability to study at university level. Many mature applicants take two A Levels part-time and would normally be required to obtain two passes at grades AB or above. The particular standard required by the department in any case is based on individual circumstances and particular account is taken of how recently a candidate was in full-time education. O Level or GCSE passes in Mathematics and English at grade C (or equivalent) are also required. Open University credits and Access courses: Applicants who have obtained at least 60 Open University credits at level 1, and those who are attending Access courses are also considered. For students attending Access courses, we're looking for people passing 54 or more credits at level 3, as well as a very strong academic reference. Enquiries about Access courses, and about mature entry in general, should be directed in the first instance to Student Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing.
