Discovering passion and purpose: my journey with psychology

While I was exploring my university options, I was truly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available. I knew I wanted a university that would provide a strong educational foundation for my career, but I also wanted a flexible curriculum that would allow me to explore my interests and inspire me with new passions. That is when the Psychology course at the University of Dundee caught my attention – and I’ve never looked back!

Engaging curriculum with flexibility

One of the standout aspects of the Psychology course at Dundee, for me, is the diversity of modules on offer, particularly in the first two years. You get to choose electives from a range of different subjects, giving you the chance to see how psychology interacts with other disciplines. This flexibility allows you to explore the joint honours degrees that the University offers. As well as the electives, the course has a wide variety of psychology modules. Whether your primary interests lie in cognitive and biological psychology or in social and development psychology, there are plenty of opportunities to delve into every aspect of the field and gain a true understanding of what psychology is.

During the final year of your degree, you can choose modules that align with your specific interests and truly tailor your studies to your personal passions.  

The course also includes a strong focus on developing statistical analysis skills and research methods. Learning how to design experiments, analyse data and interpret findings are all key parts of the research modules. Whilst this may seem daunting at first (especially for those who, like me, are not naturally inclined towards statistics), these modules have been essential in building my confidence with data and preparing me for my final year thesis. Who knows – maybe Dundee will be the place where you discover your passion for statistics!  

State-of-the-art facilities

The dedicated psychology labs are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. From EEG (Electroencephalogram) machines, for recording brain activity, to eye tracking software, this equipment allows the University to engage in innovative research and help advance the academic world.  

Additionally, the Scrymgeour building is home to the dedicated psychology study space, which is an ideal space to prepare for exams or work together on group projects. I have found that having a dedicated study room makes a significant difference in the quality of work produced and provides a space for me to meet others within the same discipline. The walls of the study space are also covered in gorgeous wooden panelling so it’s safe to say I’m biased towards a bit of a dark academia study vibe!

Supportive learning environment  

One of the elements that I truly appreciate at Dundee is the support given by the faculty. Lecturers are genuinely invested in providing us with the highest level of education and care. Any questions are always approached with the appropriate level of consideration. Lecturers are keen to work with students in their labs, and to have research assistants on whatever new project they are working on. I have found that feeling valued by members of the faculty has motivated me to push myself further in my studies and allowed me to picture what life could be like after graduation.