Applied Psychology and Sociology
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | A level grades BBB (300 points) |
|---|---|
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English speaking applicants. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | BTEC National Diploma - DDM A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis such as HND, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish qualifications, Access Diplomas and Foundation courses. |
|---|---|
| Planned Intake | 30 |
| Selection Process | Selection is primarily on the basis of UCAS forms. Offers are made in terms of points. We do not include General Studies in our offers. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students. |
| Professional Recognition | Students will be eligible for graduate membership of the British Sociological Association. |
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This popular joint degree programme offers you a stimulating opportunity to combine psychological and sociological approaches in studying human behaviour at the individual and social level.
The University of Surrey Psychology and Sociology Departments have outstanding, internationally recognised research reputations. We gained superb research ratings in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. The Department of Sociology was again ranked in the UK’s top six, with most of our research rated internationally excellent or better (30 per cent achieving world-leading status). 85 per cent of the Department of Psychology’s research achieved the internationally recognised rating or better, with 10 per cent deemed world-leading. This vibrant research activity is integrated into the teaching of all students, so you will benefit from being taught by experts at the forefront of their field.
Further information
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology and Sociology | CL83 | 4* years |
Our Degree
Psychologists and sociologists have a commitment to both research and its practical application. In recent years both subjects have made important advances in the application of their concepts and research methods to the understanding of human affairs and contemporary problems.
Psychology and sociology cover most areas of human behaviour – both individual and social. They have overlapping interests in the study of social interaction and small groups. The two disciplines approach the study of human behaviour using scientific methods which draw on different sources of explanation. The psychologist examines how we perceive and act upon the world, whereas the sociologist studies how people create a complex social world, which constrains or facilitates action. By following our Applied Psychology and Sociology degree, you will gain an advanced knowledge of each perspective and at the same time acquire a broad base of cross-disciplinary skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design and data analysis. You will also acquire other transferable skills – for example, numeracy, report writing, experience of group work, and presentational skills – all of which are highly sought by employers.
We place particular emphasis on the application of psychology and sociology to ‘real world’ problems – whether in the area of industry, urban development, social welfare, health education, clinical practice or leisure and recreation.
Programme Overview
Throughout your degree, emphasis will be placed on the integration of theory and practice. You will initially focus on the development of a basic knowledge of key psychological and sociological concepts, together with theoretical and practical training in research methodology. During your final year you will be able to pursue a more specialised programme of study based around your own interests.
Level 1 is designed to provide you with some of the basic tools and analytic methods of these two subjects, their practical areas of study and contemporary issues and problems.
During Level 2 you will build on the foundation of Level 1 in the areas of basic Psychological Processes, Sociological Theory, Social Psychology, Research Methods and Computing. It also provides you with strong preparation for your professional training year.
At Level 3 you will have the opportunity to specialise in those areas which are of most interest to you. You will have the choice of four psychology modules and two 20-credit modules from a wide range of subjects. A third of your final year is spent on an individual project chosen according to your own interests and written up as an 8000–12,000- word dissertation.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Psychology modules:
- Biological Bases of Psychology 1
- Cognitive Psychology 1
- Developmental Psychology 1
- Social Psychology 1
- Psychology Research Methods 1
- Introduction to Statistics for Psychology
Sociology modules:
- Sociological Theory 1
- Sociology of Contemporary Societies
- Social Research Methods 1
- Quantitative Methods 1
Level 2
Psychology modules:
- Biological Bases of Psychology 2
- Cognitive Psychology 2
- Developmental Psychology 2
- Social Psychology 2
- Psychology Research Methods 2
- Professional Skills
- Sociology modules:
- Sociological Theory 2
- Social Research Methods 2
- Quantitative Methods 2
Level P
- Professional training year
Level 3
Options include:
- Individual Difference
- Neuropsychology
- Environmental Psychology
- Health and Clinical Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Sociology of Childhood
- Deviance and Social Control
- Technoscience and Cyberculture
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
- Dissertation in either sociology or psychology
Professional Training
Our programme provides the opportunity for you to spend your third year with an outside organisation gaining invaluable work experience. Through the professional and research activities of staff, we have extensive connections with institutions and organisations throughout Britain. These include hospitals, schools, clinics, government and private agencies, personnel and occupational guidance agencies and consultancies, as well as commerce and industry and a wide range of social services. This enables you to be placed in a work setting that really reflects your individual interests, needs and career aspirations. You will find that the degree programme equips you to work in a broad range of situations and the placement allows you the chance to see in practice how the two disciplines complement each other.
The majority of our placements are paid, usually in the region of £10,000–£15,000 per annum. If you choose to take an unpaid placement, you can claim additional financial support and may also work a reduced amount of time. Organisations that have participated in the scheme include Surrey County Council, the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police Service, National Crime and Operations Faculty, Great Ormond Street Hospital, primary, secondary and special schools, educational psychology services, youth organisations, Sure Start projects, NHS clinics for adults and children, and charities.
Ten reasons to study Applied Psychology and Sociology at Surrey
- High quality teaching in both psychology and sociology
- A stimulating educational experience
- Sociology at the University of Surrey rated second in the entire country by The Times Good University Guide 2009
- Experience a vibrant range of teaching methods
- We are at the forefront of the use of computerbased teaching resources
- Extensive international links in research and teaching
- International student exchange opportunities
- The professional training year will benefit you bacademically, personally and professionally
- You will be eligible for graduate membership of the British Sociological Association
- If you do a Psychology dissertation, and take the Individual Difference module in your final year, you will be eligible for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society
Top for Jobs
Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
- Department for Constitutional Affairs – Policy Officer
- Headway – Community Support Officer
- QinetiQ – Human Factors Consultant
- Metropolitan Police – Intelligence Analyst
- NHS, Chertsey – Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Starting salaries in 2006 (most recent year for which figures are available) reached £23,000, with an average of £18,500.
Career Opportunities
Our Applied Psychology and Sociology graduates are found across a wide range of occupational areas, with the skills they acquire useful in many different roles. However, many are attracted to careers that enable them to directly use aspects of their degree studies, applying what they have learned and the skills gained whilst an undergraduate. This centres on an interest in society and the challenges and demands that members of a society face.
Many organisations are anxious to recruit psychology and sociology graduates for their specific training and analytic skills. The broad curriculum on our programme produces a wellrounded individual, who communicates well with other professionals. In addition to this, our programme meets the basic prerequisites for admission to courses in specialist areas such as clinical, educational or occupational psychology, and social work.
As a graduate of our programme you will be well placed to enter a variety of professions such as personnel management, teaching, social work and journalism, or research careers in health, police or government organisations, and in academic institutions. You will be able to make a contribution to planning and decisionmaking based on a knowledge of human needs, motivation, abilities and limitations. Recent graduates have embarked on careers in personnel, research and development, survey and market research, and career guidance.
Facilities
You will be able to take advantage of a valuable range of facilities on this programme, including a recently expanded and fully networked computer laboratory and video editing suite. The programme also makes increasing use of online resources, including online module guides and student discussion forums. Within the Department of Sociology you will have access to a student common room where you can hold informal meetings and study group sessions, or just make yourself a cup of coffee and contemplate your wider reading.
Assessment
Many modules are assessed entirely by exercises or project work, others are assessed by coursework and an examination. Each module in the first year must be satisfactorily passed for you to enter the second year. Your first-year marks do not count towards your final degree result. This is based on assessment during your second year (40 per cent) and your final year (60 per cent).
At the end of your second year you will sit an examination that consists of six assessed modules, and the examination at the end of your final year is made up of optional modules and a dissertation. You will also be required to submit a detailed report on your professional placement.
Academic Support
You will be allocated a personal tutor during your first week at the University and will normally keep this tutor throughout the degree programme. They will provide advice to you on personal and academic matters, including reviewing your progress on the programme, advising on module, placement and career options and providing information about wider support services at the University.
Contact Details
T: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681
