Psychology, Social and Applied Psychology

Psychology with a social and applied focus is a degree that takes the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour and grounds it in the real-world contexts in which people think, feel and interact. Social psychology examines how people influence one another, how group dynamics shape individual behaviour and how social environments affect mental health and wellbeing. Applied psychology asks how these insights can be put to work in education, healthcare, organisations, criminal justice and public policy.

Together they produce a degree that is both academically rigorous and oriented towards meaningful practical application.

At Royal Holloway, this three-year full-time programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, satisfying the Graduate Basis for Chartership. It includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your academic development. The work placement gives you direct exposure to how psychology is applied in a real professional setting, whether in research, healthcare, education, HR, forensic services or another applied context.

The year abroad broadens your academic perspective and international experience.

You will develop the full range of psychological research skills, including experimental design, statistics, qualitative methods and the critical reading of scientific literature, alongside your engagement with the substantive content of social and applied psychology. Royal Holloway's location in the wider London area provides good access to applied psychology employers and research opportunities.

Graduates are well placed for postgraduate training in clinical psychology, educational psychology, occupational psychology or forensic psychology, all of which build on BPS-accredited undergraduate study. Direct employment in research, mental health support, HR, education, criminal justice and organisational consulting are also common destinations.