[wingerboy8]

I am hoping to apply to the likes of Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham. Does anyone know how scientific the psychology course is at each of these uni's? It will be an important factor in deciding which one i'd like to apply to.

By scientific I mean whether the uni focuses on biological and cognitive psychology (scientific), or whether the uni incorporates a lot of social/learning/developmental (less scientific)

Cheers

[Symph]

Well, here (Birmingham) there is quite a lot of 'science stuff'. From my vague recollection, first year modules were research methods, biological bases A+B, cognitive psychology A+B and learning A+B (followed by C+D for 2nd year). Even the social/developmental modules incorporate a lot of biological factors and you have to know your parts of the brain and related treatments.

For third year you have to choose at least one neuroscience module in the first semester (but can do two, I did!) then the second semester you must do one cognitive module and one social.

Basically there isn't really a focus/bias to one or the other, however I'd argue the less scientific parts are still more scientific than you would find at some universities.

What does make Birmingham a good choice is the amount and standard of research going on here. You are guaranteed to find at least one researcher conducting experiments on something you are interested in and you will be able to get involved, which will give you a better experience of 'proper scientific' psychology.

[skotch]

All BPS accredited courses will be science-based and any Russell Group uni, being research unis, will also have a strong scientific element.

I think you'd be hard-pushed to find a psychology course that isn't scientific considering the content that you are studying - you're studying how the mind works and why people do what they do/are as they are. All of this requires an empirical, hypothesis-driven approach in order to fully get to grips with how complex humans are.

If you're not into science, then psychology isn't for you, you should do philosophy instead.

Edit: Didn't properly read your post, sorry! But my advice still applies!

You're going to have to look at course content as BPS accredited courses will all have the same conditions that they need to meet - usually these conditions are met in the first year, so first years will be studying pretty much the same general topics - cognitive/psychbiology/developmental/social.

Social and developmental are still both scientific, but are less biological. If you're looking for less biological courses, then you'll have to delve into the course content of each uni. Maybe email someone at each uni to find out more?

[GodspeedGehenna]

(Original post by skotch)
Social and developmental are still both scientific

Good joke.

[skotch]

(Original post by GodspeedGehenna)
Good joke.

I thought you were banned?

Also, they still require a scientific approach in order to study them.

[GodspeedGehenna]

(Original post by skotch)
I thought you were banned?

Also, they still require a scientific approach in order to study them.

Got temp banned for a month.

Those fields wouldn't know the scientific method if it slapped them in the face. They can't even agree on how to measure the fictional constructs that they invent.