Frequently asked questions

Is abnormal psychology covered within any topic areas of the degree course?

The BSc Psychology course does involve abnormal psychology, although there is not a module which specifically goes by that name. In the first year, abnormal psychology is often mentioned in the context of many other topics. One second year course entitled Topics in Applied Psychology involves practical applications of psychology, including clinical psychology.

In the final year, students are allowed to choose from a number of specialised option modules, one of which is called Topics in Psychopathology. This module covers most psychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive and many others.

There is also a final year option called - Cognitive Neuropsychology which also covers topics like schizophrenia and acquired dyslexia from a brain type of perspective. We are lucky in that the Department of Psychology provides a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, so we have access to a number of practising clinical psychologists who offer specialised lecture options.

I am trying to decide whether I should live at home or on campus. Although I would prefer to live at home, I do not know how many hours of lectures etc I would be expected to attend.

Although the hours of scheduled lectures can change slightly year on year, they do not change drastically. This year, first years attend seven hours of timetabled lectures per week, a one hour tutorial most weeks, a one hour workshop, and a two/three hour laboratory session each week. So there are around 11-12 hours contact time each week.

I am trying to decide whether doing a psychology degree as a mature student will fit in with my child-care commitments.

Although the degree is completed on a full-time basis, the first year only involves around 12 hours a week contact time. Of course, students are also expected to spend a considerable amount of time in independent study by completing their course work commitments and so on.

The majority of classes are scheduled to be held within school hours, although we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case. Occasionally group assignments, say for tutorial sessions, might clash with a student's child-care responsibilities.

If it is possible, the first year tutor will try to assign such students to groups where the timing is more convenient. However this is not always possible. Most mature students find that juggling child-care and studying is a challenge, but it is certainly 'doable' and extremely worthwhile.

I would like to be a clinical / educational / forensic / counselling etc psychologist. Is this the right degree for me?

The first step on the path to any career in psychology is a BPS accredited psychology degree. For any of the career paths, mentioned above, further qualifications are required.

The British Psychological Society has a career section containing information about how to follow these career paths.

You may find it extremely useful to visit this website, where there is a document available called: SoYouWantToBeAPsychologist. You can download this document and it will give you all the information you need.

I have done the first year of a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at another university? Can I transfer in to your second year?

In order to accept a student on to the second year of our degree course, we would have to ascertain whether the modules taken by the student in their first year were compatible with the modules taken in our first year. This is for several reasons.

Even very good degree courses vary in content. If students have not taken a module that we offer in the first year, they would then find it very difficult to take it at a more advanced level in the second year.

Moreover if a student had not taken modules consistent with our BPS accreditation, then they could risk not having a BPS accredited degree.

Therefore we require that students wishing to transfer into the second year of the course, provide us with written evidence regarding the content of modules they have taken in their first year.

This evidence will then be considered by the School of Psychology Accreditation of Prior Learning Panel and a decision will be made.

I have done the first and second years of a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at another university? Can I transfer in to your third year?

We do not except transfers into our third year.

I have completed part of a psychology degree at a non-UK university, can I complete my degree at UH?

We only accept transfers from psychology degree courses that are accredited by the British Psychological Association.

Do you offer any scholarships?

The University of Hertfordshire does offer scholarships.  Read more about the scholarships.

I am a mature student and even though I did O-levels and A-levels, it was many years ago. What would you suggest?

You probably fulfil standard entry criteria but it might be difficult for you to jump straight back in to academic study after such a long absence. One suggestion is to take an ACCESS course.

ACCESS courses are specifically designed for to prepare mature students for higher education. They usually include study skills, core English and maths, and use of IT in studying.

A humanities and social sciences ACCESS course would probably be appropriate and will also include some psychology, sociology and history, although content will vary from institution to institution. So even though you may not need an ACCESS course in order to meet our entry requirements, it might be helpful for you to do so.

I am over 21 and have no formal academic qualifications. I have always wanted to study psychology, is there any chance I would be accepted?

We welcome applications from mature students, in fact many of our current students are from non-traditional academic backgrounds.

We would suggest that you take an ACCESS course before applying in order to prepare your self for higher education.