Psychology Degree Courses in Southampton, UK

Psychology at the University of Southampton:
Located in Hampshire on the south coast of England (just 75 miles south-west of London),The University of Southampton offers a range of psychology-related degrees including a single, highly-focused, BSc Psychology honours degree that is recognised by the British Psychological Society. We also provide post-graduate and research degree programs, including MSc Degrees specializing in Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Research Methods in Psychology.

Undergraduate Degree Programs:

BSc (Hons) Education and Psychology (3 years)
This programme is designed for students who possess a broad range of interests in the interdisciplinary area of Education and Psychology. As such, it provides a valuable first qualification for those seeking employment in a variety of related settings including private or public sectors, social and educational research, local authorities, educational development within community learning, education welfare or education-related work within charity organisations.

In addition, it will provide a useful stepping stone to further study in Education or Psychology either Masters or then Doctorate level, or in PGCE Primary and Post-Compulsory Education and Training.

BSc (Hons) Psychology (3 years)
In the first year, we lay the foundations for understanding the basic principles of psychological theory, of the research methods and analysis that will be used, and introduce students to practical psychology experiments. We also require undergraduates to select two non-psychology options and encourage them to widen their perspectives with subjects they may not have tried previously, for example philosophy or oceanography.

Students will be cover material from each of the six key research areas of psychology: Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Health Psychology; Learning and Behaviour Analysis; and Social and Personality Psychology. Both research methods and practical tuition will be extended in preparation for the final year project.

Postgraduate Degree Programs:

MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology (1 year)
The MSc in the Foundations of Clinical Psychology offers a curriculum in which the central aim is to provide an educational experience which sets the profession of Clinical Psychology into a European and International context. Home students will have an appreciation of international professional issues and international students will gain an understanding of how to apply the principles of clinical psychology to developing service provision in their home countries, as well as gaining an understanding of service provision within the UK.

The programme will serve as an academic stepping stone to completion of a PhD in Psychology and will supplement students’ experience for application to professional training offered by Doctoral Programmes in Clinical Psychology.

MSc Health Psychology (1 year)
Health psychology is the educational, scientific, and professional contributions of psychology to: understanding the promotion and maintenance of health and the aetiology of illness, the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of physical illness, the study of psychological, social, emotional, and behavioural factors in physical illness, the improvement of the health care system, and formulation of health policy. This course aims to train people who will become scientist-practitioners working in a range of health settings.

MSc Research Methods in Psychology (1 year)
This Research Methods in Psychology (RMP) Master’s programme was developed to conform to the guidelines for ESRC recognition of postgraduate training. The programme provides advanced training in a variety of research methods and data analytic techniques.

The main aim is to equip you to conduct research in your chosen field that is of high quality and impact. In order to promote self-motivated learning we have designed a programme in which you apply the skills you are taught to your own research questions. Therefore, in addition to classroom instruction, you will receive structured support as you develop your research questions, plan and execute the research, analyze the data, and prepare reports describing your findings.

Research Degrees:

Doctorate Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych)
This three-year programme leading to a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych), has been established for over 30 years at the University of Southampton. It involves a mix of taught and research activities. Trainees join a thriving academic group which also offers postgraduate qualifications in Health Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Cognitive Therapy.

On successful completion (the length of the programme cannot be reduced through the accreditation of prior learning or experience (AP(E)L), they are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to use the protected title 'Clinical Psychologist', and to apply to become a Chartered Psychologist (C Psychol), with the British Psychology Society (BPS).

Doctorate Educational Psychology (DEdPsych)
This three year training programme prepares students for a professional qualification which will enable them to work in Children’s Services and to provide help with the major developmental and educational problems presented by children to parents, teachers in schools, and in other agencies.

MPhil/PhD by research
This is a pure research programme, normally completed within 3-4 years of full-time work, or up to 7 years of part-time study. Unlike our other doctoral-level programmes, the MPhil/PhD by research is not tied to a particular area of professional practice, but can lead to a broad range of careers in academia and industry. As is usual in UK universities, you would register initially for an MPhil award and transfer to PhD (upgrade) after one year.

MPhil/PhD Health Psychology Research and Professional Practice
This programme is designed for graduates with an MSc in Health Psychology who are engaged in research or practice in a health-related area, and specifically wish to achieve Chartered Psychologist and/or Health Psychologist status.

The programme conforms closely to the Division of Health Psychology’s Stage 2 requirements and encompasses all the necessary components for the five core competencies of generic professional, research, behaviour change interventions, teaching and consultancy. The programme has BPS accreditation (for PhD level only) HCPC and approval (for MPhil and PhD levels).

CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) Training:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a collaborative and evidence based psychological treatment. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBT for a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and personality disorders. Courses include:

- Postgraduate Certificate in CBT Theory
The postgraduate certificate introduces provides a grounding in the principles and theory of CBT for those who wish to focus on theoretical development in the first instance, or researchers. You can choose from a mental health or long term health conditions pathway.
Candidates usually hold a good degree in psychology or professional equivalent.

- Postgraduate Certificate in CBT (Advanced level practice)
If you already have experience of working with CBT and/or have already undertaken some previous CBT training but wish to specialise in a particular area, then this programme will enable you to improve skills and show evidence of competent practice. You may choose from the optional modules and must include a minimum of one supervision module (and add up to at least 60 CATS)

- Postgraduate Certificate in CBT (Introductory level practice)
If you wish to start using CBT in your practice, then this programme will provide you with a grounding in the application of CBT concepts and methods in therapeutic practice. It will enable you to reach advanced beginner level on the CTS-R, represented by a score of 30 out of 72(Blackburn, James, Milne & Reichelt, 2000). You can choose either a mental health or a long term health conditions pathway.

- Postgraduate Diploma CBT for Anxiety and Depression (IAPT)
All the following modules are core to this programme and must be taken over one year.  Although a University Diploma requires 120 CATS points, the IAPT Diploma requires more in order to comply with IAPT curriculum and BABCP Level II accreditation requirements.

- Postgraduate Diploma in CBT (Advanced level practice)
This programme offers you the opportunity to develop your CBT skills and knowledge to the level of a competent CBT practitioner. The modular structure allows you to specialise in the areas in which you are most interested and those that will meet the needs of your clinical practice. This programme is accredited by BABCP at Level I.