Cardiff School of Psychology - Cardiff University

Cardiff School of Psychology
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
www.cardiff.ac.uk/psych

Cardiff School of Psychology
BRIGHT
WORLD-CLASS
PROSPECTS
RESEARCH
OUTSTANDING
FACILITIES
AWARD-WINNING
STUDENT SOCIETY

1
PROFESSIONAL
RECOGNITIONGREAT
PLACEMENTS
TEACHING
EXCELLENCE
FRIENDLY
ATMOSPHERE
CAPITAL CITY
LOCATION
Are you ready to ?
www.cardiff.ac.uk/thrive

2
Discover the Cardiff Experience
A leading university . . .
◗
You’ll be part of a Russell Group university
– one of the top 24 UK research
universities with global recognition.
◗ You can choose from more than 300
degree programmes. The Cardiff University
degree is known and respected worldwide,
with a substantial number accredited by
the professions and other external bodies.
in an outstanding city . . .
◗
You’ll benefit from outstanding teaching
in a research-led environment. Our highly
qualified staff include two Nobel Laureates
and several Fellows of the Royal Society.
◗
You’ll live in a friendly, compact and safe
city, with all of your study, living and
leisure needs within walking distance.
with able and motivated students . . .
◗
Your money will go further at Cardiff with
capital city attractions at affordable prices
– including one of the lowest rates of all
university cities for student
accommodation.
◗
You’ll be at a first choice university where
demand for places is strong.
◗
You’ll be at an international university with
students from more than 100 countries.
◗
You'll be studying in an environment with
other able and motivated students who
have top grades at A-level or equivalent.
who have excellent career prospects.
◗
You can be confident of your future – in
2010, 94% of our students were employed
or had entered further study within six
months of completing their studies.
◗
You’ll be in demand – Cardiff is among the
top 20 universities targeted by employers
seeking high calibre graduates.

Welcome
3
Welcome
Contents
We study and teach Psychology from the
scientific standpoint. If you choose to
study Psychology at Cardiff we will work
with you on a challenging and
comprehensive programme where you
will be encouraged to understand
behaviour from social, cognitive and
biological perspectives.
You will be supported by enthusiastic
lecturers from the UK’s leading research
department. They will introduce you to
cutting-edge psychological research and
thinking in a stimulating and supportive
environment.
Cardiff: The City 4
Cardiff: The University 6
Living in Cardiff 8
Student Life 9
Cardiff School of Psychology 10
Undergraduate
Degree Programmes 13
Degree Structures and Modules 14
Research, Postgraduate
Programmes 17
Employability and Careers 18
International Students 19
Admissions 20
We will develop your skills in psychological
research and practice via lectures, small
group seminars, and tutorials. We will
support your personal and academic
development via our personal tutor scheme
under which all students have a mentor
who oversees progress throughout the
degree. We also have a vibrant research
community in which we encourage
students at all levels to take an active part.
We offer opportunities for you to witness as
well as participate in current research,
through projects, dissertations and
research vacation schemes.
Experience of psychology in practice can
be gained via our four-year Psychology with
Professional Placement degree. On this
programme you spend the third of four
years of study in a Psychology placement.
This work experience contributes
appreciably to job prospects because of
the practical skills that can be gained. It
also helps decisions about career paths
you might follow. Our degree programmes
will give you excellent prospects to find
graduate employment or pursue higher
training.
Please do visit the School on one of our
open days. I am confident that when you
meet our lecturing staff and see the
magnificent facilities we provide you will
decide that Cardiff is THE place to study
Psychology.
Professor Ed Wilding
Head of School
This brochure will provide you with more
details of our programmes. We hope that it
will give you more than just a flavour
of what we have to offer you. However,
we are always ready to answer any
questions you may have, by post, telephone
or email, or when you come to Cardiff for a
visit. You will find the appropriate contacts
at the end of this brochure.
Important information.
Please read carefully.
The University offers the information
contained in this brochure as a guide only.
It does not constitute a contract and is not
binding on prospective students, students
or the University. While the University
makes every effort to check the accuracy
of the factual content at the time of
publication, some changes will inevitably
occur in the interval between publication
and the academic year to which the
brochure relates (Entry 2013). For example,
degree programmes may have changed in
line with market and student demand, and
research development. Applicants should
not therefore rely solely on this brochure
and should visit the Law School website
(www.law.cardiff.ac.uk) for up-to-date
information concerning course content,
accreditation, and entry requirements for
the relevant academic year when
considering applying to the University.
5000PSYCH0912

4 Cardiff: A capital city
Cardiff: A capital city
“Cardiff is one of the best places to study in
Britain. It has well-situated, cheap housing,
lively nights out, friendly people, great shops
and hundreds of miles of countryside. It is all
that any right-thinking fresher could desire.”
Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities
The University is surrounded by attractive
parkland and is adjacent to Cardiff Castle
and the city centre

Cardiff: A capital city
5
More online at:
www.visitcardiff.com
www.cardiff.ac.uk
www.cardiff.gov.uk
Cardiff is a thriving and attractive city which is widely
recognised as an outstanding place in which to live and study.
It combines all the advantages of a compact, friendly and
inexpensive location with the cultural and recreational
facilities of a modern capital.
Cardiff offers everything from the excitement
of the city to the peace and tranquillity of the
nearby coast and countryside. Such is the
quality of the ‘Cardiff experience’ that in a
recent survey, a large majority of students
said they would like to stay and live in the
city after graduating.
With its distinctive character, good quality of
life, and growing national and international
reputation, it hosts many high-profile sporting
and cultural events, including international
rugby, soccer, cricket and motor sport, Cardiff
Singer of the World and the UK’s largest free
summer festival.
Home to the world-renowned Welsh National
Opera, it boasts prestigious concert venues
such as the Wales Millennium Centre,
St David’s Hall and the Motorpoint Arena,
as well as the iconic Millennium Stadium,
the National Museum and Gallery of Wales,
several theatres and the historic Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff is the location for award-winning
television productions, including Dr Who,
Sherlock, Torchwood and Casualty, and the
Dr Who Experience in Cardiff Bay is a popular
new attraction.
One of the UK’s top shopping destinations,
Cardiff’s outlets range from the 100 stores in
the new £750 million St David’s Dewi Sant
retail centre to indoor and outdoor markets,
and a fascinating network of glass-canopied
Victorian and Edwardian arcades.
Cardiff also has more urban green space than
any other UK city, and offers easy access to
the countryside, coast and mountains.
“Cardiff is a young, vibrant city. A blend of beautiful
old architecture and new, cutting-edge developments.
Cosmopolitan with a large student population.”
Daily Telegraph Guide to UK Universities
The Millennium Stadium nestles in the heart
of the city, and is home to numerous sporting
events and concerts throughout the year
Don’t just take our
word for it…
“Cardiff has it all: grand
civic architecture
in a breezy waterside
location, super-smart city
bars just a short hop
from lovely countryside.”
Guardian University Guide
Come and see for
yourself…
Cardiff benefits from excellent
road and rail links with Britain’s
other major towns and cities.
London, for example, is two
hours by train, and the M4 links
both the west and south of
England, as well as west Wales.
Travel to the Midlands and to
the North is equally convenient.
The journey by road from
Birmingham, for example,
takes only two hours. The main
coach and railway stations are
both centrally placed, and
Cardiff also benefits from an
international airport.
Cardiff is one of the UK’s most successful retail centres
Cardiff Bay, the city’s waterfront

6 Cardiff: A leading university
Cardiff: A leading university
“Cardiff offers a compelling student experience:
Russell Group research credentials, the full gamut of
traditional undergraduate degree courses and relatively
affordable living with hot and cold running nightlife on tap.”
Sunday Times University Guide

Cardiff: A leading university 7
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk
Cardiff University has an international reputation for excellence
in teaching and research, built on a history of service and
achievement since 1883, and recognised by our membership
of the Russell Group of leading research-led universities.
With attractive and compact campuses,
excellent student accommodation, and a
hugely popular Students’ Union, all within
easy walking distance of each other in a
thriving city, it is not surprising that Cardiff is
a university of first choice among wellprepared
applicants.
We admit approximately 4,500 undergraduate
entrants each year, the very large majority of
whom are school and college leavers, and
have top grades at A-level or equivalent.
While competition for entry is strong, Cardiff is
an inclusive university with a good record on
widening access and increasing participation,
and we welcome applications, irrespective of
background, from everyone with the potential
to succeed at Cardiff University.
The University’s Cathays Park campus is
located in and around the impressive
Portland stone buildings, parks and wide treelined
avenues that form Cardiff’s attractive
civic centre. The majority of academic
schools are located here - just a few minutes’
walk from the city centre. The four academic
schools offering healthcare courses
(excluding Optometry and Pharmacy)
are based at the Heath Park campus,
approximately one mile away, which is also
home to the University Hospital of Wales.
Although dating from 1883, Cardiff is focused
on the 21st century, and has modern stateof-the-art
buildings and facilities. The
University has invested £200 million in its
estate in recent years and most academic
schools have benefited from major
refurbishment, including new and wellequipped
laboratories, lecture theatres,
libraries and computing facilities.
The University takes its environmental, safety
and security responsibilities very seriously.
We have recently introduced a comprehensive
Energy, Water and Waste Policy, which is
already making great savings in energy
consumption. To support the safety and
security of all members of the University
community and their property, there is 24-
hour security cover throughout the campus.
What the Guides say
“The University is as
confident and forwardlooking
as the city it’s
located in, and has an
excellent reputation
for the quality of its
teaching and research.
Almost 60% of its
research is ranked as
world leading and it is a
member of the Russell
Group of leading
universities.”
Guardian University Guide
“Cardiff is a tip top uni academically . . . hugely
popular with its students. Is Cardiff perhaps the
best kept secret among Britain’s universities?”
Virgin Alternative Guide to British Universities

8 Living in Cardiff
Living in Cardiff
As a fast developing capital city, Cardiff is a great place to be
a student. It’s large enough to offer you an exciting variety of
activities and entertainment, but small enough for you to feel
comfortable in.
Accommodation
Cardiff offers guaranteed University
accommodation, good quality and value,
and a range of residences to suit individual
preferences and budgets.
All first year undergraduates who apply during
the normal UCAS admissions cycle are
guaranteed a place in University residences.
The University is continually investing in its
student residences, and the views of students
are taken into account at the design stage.
Unusually for a civic university, most of our
residences are within easy walking distance
of lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, the
Students’ Union and city centre.
There are 14 different residences, providing
more than 5,300 study bedrooms and
students can apply for the residences which
best suit their preferences, interests and
budgets. Some 70% have en-suite shower
and toilet facilities and all halls of residence
have computer network connection points
and access to Wi-Fi.
Fees depend on the facilities included and
whether catered, part-catered or self-catered,
but prices compare very favourably with those
of other UK universities.
Besides managing University property,
the Residences Office maintains close
links with the private sector and provides
property listings to students seeking to rent
or share houses or flats.
Student Life
The Students’ Union
Cardiff Students’ Union is one of the biggest,
best and most active in Britain. Solus, the
Great Hall and the Taf Bar are among the
Union’s major attractions. Solus is the
students’ own high quality nightclub, and is
the second largest in South Wales. The Great
Hall is a 1,500 capacity venue for major
concerts and the Taf Bar is the Union’s very
own ‘local’. Other facilities include CF10, a
café offering a variety of hot and cold food,
a general shop and off licence, University
bookshop, computer shop, a games room and
video arcade, five full-size snooker tables and
twelve pool tables, satellite TV, banking and
insurance services.
The Union also has its own letting agency and
Student Advice centre. In addition, it is home
to CU TV and Xpress Radio (the students’
own TV and radio stations) and more than
150 cultural, political, religious, social and
sporting societies.
Jobshop
The Unistaff Jobshop is a student
employment service that provides casual,
clerical and catering jobs around the
University to hundreds of students.
Student Participation
The School of Psychology has a long
standing history of supporting student
participation in University football and netball.
We have entered a men's 11-a-side football
team continuously for the last 21 years to
the University Intra-Mural Games (IMG)
league competition. The team typically
consists of undergraduates, and staff and
postgraduates participate as well. In addition
to the football team (and it's various
associate teams (e.g. 7- and 5-a-a-side and
11-mixed football), the School also has an
active undergraduate netball squad that
participates in the University IMG
competition.
There is also a thriving informal ultimate
frisbee group meeting weekly in Bute Park
during the summer months, consisting largely
of staff and postgraduates, and an (informal)
staff-student frisbee competition.
We are proud to support these ventures
financially to keep costs to a minimum and to
encourage students to participate.
Solus is the Students’ Union high quality nightclub
All study bedrooms in the halls of residence
have computer network connection points
and access to Wi-Fi
The Fitness and Squash Centre is located at
the heart of the main campus

Living in Cardiff
9
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk
www.cardiff.ac.uk/residences
www.cardiffstudents.com
www.cardiff.ac.uk/thrive
Students have access to a wide range of
modern facilities, including Skype booths
What the Guides say
“Cardiff Students’ Union
is the biggest and best
equipped in Britain.”
The Independent
“Cardiff Students’ Union
is independently
recognised as the biggest
and best in Britain.”
Equitable Student Book
“The Students’ Union
provides an excellent
range of facilities, clubs
and societies.”
The Times Good University Guide
“Guaranteed
accommodation in halls
and houses for first
years. Very high quality
and relatively cheap.”
Equitable Student Book
Key
■ Cardiff School of Psychology
■ University Buildings
■ Student Residences
How to find the School
We are located in the Tower Building, which sits at the heart of
the Cathays Park Campus, a short walk from the city centre.
The building is very close to Cathays railway station and is easily
accesible from University halls of residence.

10 The School
Cardiff School of Psychology
Cardiff School of Psychology is long-established, well
resourced and has an excellent international reputation.
It was awarded the highest possible rating in
the Research Assessment Exercise (see
below). It is called a School, rather than a
Department, because of its scientific and
technical skills that cover many aspects of
modern experimental psychology not usually
found within a single university department. It
is one of the largest in Britain, with an
academic teaching staff of 51 (including 26
professors), and attracts in excess of £5
million annually in outside funding from its
research activities.
The School runs a three-year Psychology
degree programme, and a four-year
Psychology with Professional Placement
programme. In the most recent Government
inspection, the quality of teaching and the
provision of these programmes was awarded
the highest rating of “Excellent”.
Approximately 200 students each year start
the undergraduate degree programmes. The
School also runs a one-year MSc in
Neuroimaging, professional three-year
postgraduate programmes in Clinical
Psychology and Educational Psychology, as
well as having approximately 80 students
carrying out research for their doctorates.
The School is located in a modern building
near attractive parkland, the Students’ Union,
the library facilities and several modern
University residences. It is just a few minutes
walk from the city centre shops. The School
has numerous purpose-built laboratories for
research, coupled with outstanding teaching
laboratories. It enjoys productive links with
nearby industry and hospitals.
The School of Psychology provides
exclusive state-of-the-art computing
facilities to its students
Learning at the frontiers of
knowledge
Cardiff School of Psychology has emerged as
the leading department of its kind in the UK.
The School, one of the largest such
departments in the UK, undertakes a diverse
range of research, which has relevance to
industry, commerce and public policy.
Increasing levels of research income – a key
indicator of its excellence and relevance –
includes a threefold increase of awards from
the Office of Science and Technology over
recent years.
Teaching Methods and
Assessment
Teaching methods range from the formal
lecture to the independent research project,
with practical classes, computer workshops,
video demonstrations and tutorials. At the
beginning of each academic year you will be
given a course handbook for your particular
year of study, which includes details of the
methods of assessment used in your course
and a course synopsis.
There are various forms of in-course
assessment; you will receive information
about these at the beginning of each session.
Small group teaching will allow you to develop
your skills in presenting your arguments,
setting out your ideas and communicating
your newly acquired knowledge, through both
the written and the spoken word. Exams are
typically held at the end of each semester.
Both degree programmes are assessed
through a combination of coursework and
traditional unseen timed examinations.
Institution Research Power
Cardiff University 172.12
University of Birmingham 137.65
University of Sussex 121.50
University of Oxford 121.21
University of Sheffield 109.22
Bangor University 107.25
University of Southampton 105.57
University of Edinburgh 103.98
University of St Andrews 96.62
Notes: This table shows the results of the most
recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE),
carried out in December 2008. The RAE takes
place approximately every five years, and
involves independent panels of experts
assessing the quality of research in UK
universities and colleges. The table shows the
‘Research Power’ of Psychology departments,
calculated by multiplying the average rating of
each member of research staff in the
department by the number of staff submitted
for rating. These latest results follow the highest
possible ratings under the assessments in 1996
and 2001 (this consistency being recognised by
membership of the elite 6* category by the
Higher Education Council for England).
While the exact figures vary by year of study,
approximately 35-45% of assessment is by
coursework and the remainder by traditional
examinations.
Final year undergraduates undertake a
research project that will draw on the
research skills that they have learned. The
project carries marks that contribute
significantly to the final degree class.

The School
11
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/psych
Personal Tutors
At the start of your first year, you will be
assigned a personal tutor, who is a member
of the academic staff of the School. Personal
tutors are there to advise on academic, nonacademic
and personal matters in a
confidential and informal manner. We aim to
overcome any problems, however big or
small, as quickly as possible.
PsyCardiff: Cardiff University’s
Psychology Society
PsyCardiff is among the most active societies
here at Cardiff University. The society
consistently maintains Gold Award status, the
highest award that can be given to any
student society and was recently named the
UK’s Best University Society at the National
Placement and Internship Awards. PsyCardiff
is an inclusive, student-led society that gives
you the chance to be part of a fun and tightknit
community, here to support you and
ensure that you have the most extraordinary
time at university! To do this PsyCardiff
provides you with an array of both social and
academic opportunities. PsyCardiff’s diverse
range of socials, including our annual tripabroad,
provides you with the opportunity to
mix and mingle with fellow course mates.
Additionally staff-student events give you the
chance to see your tutors in various settings;
from the sports pitch to the stage! Getting a
job after graduation can seem like a daunting
task, so we organise a series of careers-talks
to make sure you know about all of the
exciting places that a psychology degree from
Cardiff can get you. If that’s not enough, we
also provide the extraordinary opportunity to
attend the annual British Psychology Society’s
conference at a highly discounted and
subsidised price, keeping you up to date with
the world of psychology. Finally, PsyCardiff’s
well-established collaborations with various
volunteering organisations and charities
enables you to gain that valuable experience
that is often considered crucial for
employment.
So, if we have the pleasure of meeting you –
be sure to get involved in all that PsyCardiff /
Cardiff University’s Psychology department
has to offer! Wishing you the best of luck with
your application and exams.
Joshua-Leigh Eldridge (President) and
Hannah Chandler (Vice-President)
above: Students have access to the very
latest equipment
below: The School of Psychology

Undergraduate Degree Programmes
13
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
• BSc Psychology (UCAS Code: C800)
• BSc Psychology with Professional Placement (UCAS Code: C810)
The Psychology degree programmes have
been designed to be stimulating, flexible and
relevant to the needs of a career in
psychology. As one of the largest psychology
schools in Britain, the School has the
flexibility, expertise and training to suit
different purposes and interests. Cardiff is
one of only a few universities in Britain to
offer a four-year Psychology with Professional
Placement degree programme.
The School offers two undergraduate
degrees. The Psychology programme is a
three-year course, while the Psychology with
Professional Placement programme is a fouryear
course. Both degree programmes are
accredited by the British Psychological
Society (BPS) as conferring Graduate
Membership and Graduate Basis for
Registration.
Tracey Brandwood
“The Psychology with Professional
Placement Programme is a great way for
you to gain some excellent, relevant work
experience while studying for your
undergraduate degree. There is a wide
range of different placements to choose
from, both in the UK and abroad. I spent a
year in Toronto working as a research
assistant, which was a huge advantage
when I was applying for postgraduate
courses, since it gave me the chance to
get relevant experience within a particular
field.
For me, working as a research assistant
gave me great insight into what is
expected of postgraduates, and also into
the different types of research being
conducted within my area of interest. For
others it enabled them to work alongside
a particular type of psychologist, which
they found helpful when deciding what
career path to take.”
Above: We provide both formal and informal
work spaces to you, and you will get lots of
opportunities to work in groups or as part of
a team
Left: You can get "Hands-On" (or "Heads-
On") experience with cutting-edge EEG
research

14 Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Level 1
The beginning of a university course is an
important period for any student. It is a
period in which you will discover a new way of
life and a new way of learning. Level 1 covers
the first six months of the course, and is
designed to give you a sound foundation in
psychology research and psychological
thinking.
You will study three modules during Level 1.
The “Introduction to Psychology” module will
provide an introduction to psychological
research in areas including social, cognitive,
biological, and abnormal psychology, as well
as research on individual differences.
“Practical Psychology” will introduce practical
techniques for psychological research,
including statistics for data analysis and the
use of IT. “Psychological Research” covers
contemporary issues in psychology, and is
designed to encourage critical and analytical
thinking in the approach to psychology
research.
Level 2
Level 2 covers the next 18 months of the
course, and builds on the topics and issues
covered during Level 1. It continues to
develop important themes in contemporary
psychology, while placing particular emphasis
on critical thinking as well as the ability to
interpret and integrate research findings and
psychological theories.
You will study nine modules during Level 2.
Each of these modules focuses on a
particular area of psychology, including
developmental, cognitive, biological,
abnormal, social, and perceptual psychology.
Level 2 modules will develop and extend your
understanding of each topic beyond what
was covered in Level 1. Training in skills of
research design, statistics and computing
continues during Level 2.
The Behavioural Neuroscience group
investigates the biological basis of
human behaviour

Undergraduate Degree Programmes
15
Final Year
In the final year, the School offers a choice
from a range of modules. This gives students
the opportunity to pursue the specific
interests that they have developed during the
previous years of their course. The
specialized modules on offer in the final year
allow students to go into topics in more
depth, and cover the latest research in these
areas.
Typical Final Year Modules
◗ Stress and Disease
◗ Neuroscience of Learning & Memory
◗ Structural & Functional Neuroimaging
◗ Speech Communication
◗ The Development of Psychopathology and
Criminality
◗ Attitudes and Attitude Change
◗ Work Psychology
◗ Animal Learning & Cognition
◗ Memory Processes & Memory Disorders
◗ Decision Making
◗ Vision and Action
◗ Environmental Psychology
◗ Emotion: Social and Neuroscience
Perspectives
Supervised Final Year Project
All final year students will undertake a
psychology research project. Students
choose a research area and the precise
project is decided in discussion with the
supervisor. The project forms a large
component of the final assessment, and
gives students a chance to carry out brandnew
research in an area in which they are
interested.
Professional Placement
If you are taking a four-year Psychology with
Professional Placement degree, you will
spend your third year in a professional
placement approved by the School, subject
to availability. Students complete placements
in diverse environments both in the UK and
overseas. These include prisons, hospitals,
research units at other universities,
rehabilitation clinics, counselling centres, and
industrial placements. Your progress is
monitored by School staff and you must
complete a report of your work.
Jenna Spinks
“If you are wondering whether you should
have a year in a professional placement,
then I would strongly suggest that you do.
It is an experience you could not gain
from anywhere else during your degree
and a placement year can really help you
stand out when you apply for jobs or
places on postgraduate courses.
I did a clinical placement. It was a year
that I would not have wanted to miss out
on, and the part of my degree that I have
learnt the most from. It is an excellent
way of putting what you are learning into
practice.”
Researchers in the Perception & Action
group use head-mounted displays and eyetrackers
to study how sensory information is
processed

Research
17
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/psych
Research
Following the independent assessment of research quality in
UK universities, the School achieved a top ranking indicating
that it is undertaking research of international excellence. The
School’s strong reputation for the quality of the research that
it conducts attracts research grants in excess of £5 million
per year from a variety of sources. The research of the staff
and postgraduate students leads to the publication of many
articles in scientific journals.
In order to undertake research, staff need to
keep abreast of developments in their field
and also to maintain modern research
facilities. This is of direct benefit to you
because their lectures will include the latest
available knowledge and you will have access
to modern research facilities for your practical
project.
The current research interests of the School
are widespread and include the following
areas:
◗ The effects of parental relations on
childhood depression
◗ Psychological influences on fertility
◗ Studies of patients with brain damage
and their ability to identify faces
◗ The effects of various drugs on learning
and memory
◗ How our brains support remembering and
forgetting
Higher Degrees
Cardiff School of Psychology has numerous
students studying for a PhD or MPhil by
research, as well as a number of
postgraduate taught programmes:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Doctorate in Educational Psychology
MSc in Neuroimaging Methods and
Applications
Diploma in Psychology
There are excellent opportunities for students
to enter a PhD programme following
completion of their undergraduate degree.
Cardiff School of Psychology has a strong
emphasis on research-led teaching and has a
series of programmes that encourage
undergraduates to consider a career in
research. In particular, there are a variety of
bursaries available for students to gain paid
research experience working in a research
laboratory in Cardiff School of Psychology
during the summer between their second and
third years of study.
CUBRIC, Cardiff University's Brain Research
and Imaging centre is a purpose-built
high-profile facility and an integral part of
the School of Psychology

18 Employability and Careers
Employability and Careers
The Psychology degrees at Cardiff will equip you with the skills
you will need to embark on a wide range of possible careers.
Careers in Psychology
At the present time, graduates of the School
have little difficulty in finding employment
and enter an increasingly wide range of
careers in both the public and private
sectors. A Psychology degree is favoured by
many potential employers because it reflects
a university education which develops both
literacy and numeracy skills. Psychologists
are also employed on an increasingly wide
scale in educational, health and social
services, for which appropriate postgraduate
training is essential. This is why many of our
graduates go on to continue their studies and
also why it is important that all of the
School’s programmes are recognised by the
British Psychological Society.
Careers and
Employability Service
The University offers a careers and
employability service for students,
graduates and postgraduates. You can
access careers information, explore
your options and speak to a consultant
who can advise you of opportunities
relating to your degree or preferred
field, including advice on postgraduate
degrees. The service offers guidance on
preparing a CV and job applications and
gives you the chance to meet and
network with top graduate recruiters at
Careers Fairs and events. If you are
looking for work experience, the careers
service can assist with planning and
organising your placement.
www.cardiff.ac.uk/carsv
32%
32%
36%
Employment/Training Destinations
of 2011 Cardiff Psychology Graduates
● Public Service 36%
(e.g. NHS, Education)
● Professions / Commerce 32%
● Further Study 32%

International Students
19
International Students
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/psych
www.cardiff.ac.uk/international
Cardiff University has a long tradition of
welcoming international students. With over
3,500 international students currently
studying at Cardiff, representing over 100
countries, the University has a multi-cultural
environment. We also have facilities to
match, which include a strong International
Office that offers help with visas, enrolment,
finding accommodation and other practical
matters that will make your life easier from
the moment you apply to Cardiff. The School
of Psychology is internationally recognised in
both research and teaching, and we have a
correspondingly wide range of students and
staff from all over of the world. Currently we
have students from Malaysia, China, India,
Canada and the USA, as well as students
from many different European countries. We
are proud to have such a diverse range of
students attend our School and we make
every effort to make their study here a
rewarding experience.
Scholarships Reserved for
International Students
We are keen to see as many high performing
international students as possible at Cardiff
and for this reason we offer School of
Psychology scholarships to international
students of full fee-paying status. Our
scholarships are based on academic
achievement and reward students who
achieve excellence in their examinations.
Those students who successfully obtain a
scholarship receive a substantial reduction on
fees for the following year. Please refer to the
International Scholarships section of the
Psychology web-page for more information
and terms and conditions.
Entry Requirements
Our typical entry requirements for
international students are BBB to AAA at A-
level, but we also accept local equivalents (a
selection of requirements for the most
common countries is shown below). We also
require an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent
and evidence of competence in
mathematics.
Huey Ren Tan
“Studying in Cardiff is very enjoyable as
it's a happening city, yet you can find
peaceful getaways closeby. You get the
best of both worlds here - you can study
hard first, relax, and party hard after that.
I'm proud to say I'm living life to the full
here!"
Hong Kong
BBB in the HKALE or 3.4
in the Associate Degree
India
School-leaving certificate
(Standard XII) with 85%
overall
No individual subjects
below 70%
Malaysia
BBB in STPM
SPM English 1119 Grade
B or above accepted in
lieu of IELTS
Norway
Vitnemål fra den
Videregående Skole
(Upper Secondary Leaving
Certificate) with a mark of
at least 5.0 overall. This
qualification should be
endorsed with “general
studiekompetanse”
Singapore
SIPCAL with BBB at H2
USA
SAT1 with score of 600
or above in Maths and
Critical Reading
Grades 4 or 5 in two or
more Advanced
Placement tests
We are proud to be a truly international School, both in terms of students and staff

20 Admissions
Admissions
To be considered for entry onto the course
you should apply online via the UCAS website
using the UCAS Apply facility. To use this
facility you need to log on to: psych.cf.ac.uk.
The website will provide you with information
on how to apply and explain the procedure.
Applications should be made by 15th
January.
After we have received and considered your
application, we may invite you to visit the
School sometime during the period
November to early March. There will not be a
formal interview, but there will be a guided
tour of the School, Students’ Union and
campus. You will meet students and staff,
providing us with the opportunity of getting to
know more about you and enabling you to
find out what life is like as a psychology
student at Cardiff.
Typical number of places available in the first
year: 200
Typical number of applications: 1,000
Entry Requirements
For up-to-date information about typical entry
requirements, visit the admissions section of
the School of Psychology website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/psych
Most students offer three A-level subjects
(excluding General Studies).
6-unit and 12-unit GNVQs are also
considered. These must be combined with
two or one A-levels, respectively.
For a school-leaver offering A-levels (or a
mixture of A-Levels and GNVQs) a typical
offer would be AAA or AAB. If the student is
taking at least one of the following subjects:
Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
Mathematics, a typical offer would be AAB.
For students studying for a Welsh
Baccalaureate, our typical offer would be a
pass in the Core, plus A in each of 2 GCE A
level subjects, at least one of which must
come from the following list: Biology, Human
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics.
General Studies is not acceptable at AS or A
level.
We welcome applications offering an
International Baccalaureate. Here the typical
offer would be 35 points, 18 of which must
be at Higher Level.
We also require a minimum of grade B for
GCSE English (or Welsh as a first language)
and Mathematics (or Statistics).
We welcome applications from overseas
students and from students offering different
qualifications as well as relevant work
experience.
Open Day
A University-wide Open Day is held in April
each year and provides the opportunity to
visit all schools in addition to residences, the
Students’ Union and sports facilities.
Applicants to whom offers are made may also
be invited to one of several Open Days run by
the School of Psychology, which will provide
more detailed information on the courses
that we offer. The Admissions Tutors are very
willing to discuss queries, either by email,
telephone or letter.

21
More online at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/applyingtocardiff
www.ucas.com
www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships
Equal Opportunities
Cardiff University is committed to promoting
equality and diversity in all of its practices
and activities, including those relating to
student recruitment, selection and
admission. The University aims to establish
an inclusive culture which welcomes and
ensures equality of opportunity for applicants
of all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, family
structures, genders, nationalities, sexual
orientations, races, religious or other beliefs,
and socio-economic backgrounds. This
commitment forms part of the Equality and
Diversity Policy which is available at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/cocom/equalityanddiversity/
index.html
Notes for Welsh Language
Applicants
We recognise that if you are a Welsh speaker
you may feel more comfortable speaking to a
Welsh speaking personal tutor. Provided there
are Welsh speaking members of staff in your
subject area, every effort will be made to
allocate a Welsh speaker to you. If you wish,
you can also submit your assessed work and
take your examinations through the medium
of Welsh, regardless of the language of
tuition of the course you are following.
Some of the accommodation at
Senghennydd Court and Talybont North
student residences has been allocated for
Welsh speakers and learners who would like
to be grouped together. If you would like to
take advantage of this please make a note of
this on your accommodation form.
Applicants with Disabilities
Cardiff School of Psychology welcomes
applications from disabled students and
admits all students on the basis of their
academic abilities alone. We encourage
students to disclose their disabilities and/or
specific learning requirements to enable us to
make the necessary reasonable adjustments.
If you have a disability and would like to visit
the School and talk to a member of staff
about the courses we run and any specific
requirements you may have, please feel free
to contact us; Tel: 029 2087 6707 or Email:
psychology-ug@cardiff.ac.uk
Further information
Student Advisory Service
50 Park Place
CardiffCF10 3AT
Tel: 029 2087 4844
Email: studentadvisory@cardiff.ac.uk
Web: www.cardiff.ac.uk/advis
Tuition Fees and Financial
Assistance
The University charges an annual fee which
covers all tuition fees, registration and
examinations other than the re-taking of
examinations by applicants not currently
registered. Please note charges for
accommodation in University Residences are
additional.
Tuition Fees
Please see the following website for more
information:
Scholarships and Bursaries
For more information please visit the
following website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships
Useful websites for information about tuition
fees and financial assistance:
Cardiff University website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/fees
Student Support Centre website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/financialsupport/index.html
DfES Student Support web pages:
www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/
Welsh Assembly Student Finance web pages:
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Student Finance England:
www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk
Student Loans Company www.slc.co.uk
International Students
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and are
usually released in February/March. Details
will be published on the following website:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/international
Alternatively you may contact the International
Office, tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4432, for more
information.
This brochure is printed on paper sourced from
sustainably managed sources using vegetablebased
inks. Both the paper used in the
production of this brochure and the
manufacturing process are FSC ® certified.
The printers are also accredited to ISO14001,
the internationally recognised environmental
standard. When you have finished with this
brochure it can be recycled, but please consider
passing it onto a friend or leaving it in your
careers library for others to use.
Thank you.
This document can also be
made available in large print
(text), Braille and on audio
tape/CD. To request an
alternative format,
please contact
Laura Roberts:
Tel: 029 2087 4455
Email:
RobertsL9@cardiff.ac.uk

To find out more about the Cardiff School of Psychology,
please visit our website www.cardiff.ac.uk
Got questions about student life?
Get them answered at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/thrive
Some of our current students are sharing their experiences online through their Facebook
pages, so if you want to know what life as a student at Cardiff is really like, then you can
find out now. There is also lots of information about what is happening in Cardiff, including
articles written by our students, videos, and much more.
Enquiries
Tel: 029 2087 6707
Email: psychology-ug@cs.cardiff.ac.uk
Undergraduate Enquiries
School of Psychology
Cardiff University
Queen's Buildings
Park Place
Cardiff CF10 3AT
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