Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, examining how people think, feel, perceive, learn, remember, and act, both individually and in social contexts. It is one of the most wide-ranging of the sciences, drawing on biology, statistics, philosophy, and social science to build an understanding of human experience that is both empirically grounded and practically useful. Its questions, from how memory works to what drives aggression, how children develop language, and why people help or harm strangers, have relevance across almost every domain of professional and public life.

At the University of Sussex, you will study in one of the UK's largest schools of psychology, learning from academics who are active researchers in the areas they teach. The programme provides a thorough grounding in the core areas of psychological science, including cognitive, developmental, social, biological, and individual differences psychology, alongside training in research methods and statistical analysis that are central to the discipline. This four-year degree includes a foundation year, providing a supported entry into degree-level study for students who may not have followed the conventional A-level route or who would benefit from additional preparation.

In the third year you will have the opportunity to apply for a professional placement, giving you experience in a workplace setting and a clearer sense of how psychology operates in practice.

You will develop strong analytical and quantitative skills, the capacity to evaluate evidence critically, and the ability to design and carry out empirical research. You will also build communication skills through report writing, presentations, and collaborative projects, which are central to professional psychological work.

Graduates from psychology degrees work in mental health services, education, human resources, marketing, health and social care, research, and many other fields. For those who wish to become a chartered psychologist in a specialist area, further postgraduate training is required. The degree also provides excellent preparation for postgraduate study in psychology, neuroscience, health, or social science.