MA (SocSci) (Hons) Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It is about understanding how people think, act, react and interact, and how this understanding can help us, as psychologists, help people on an individual basis but also help address wider societal issues through academic endeavours and professional practice. The possible pathways a degree in psychology can take you on are endless, such is the value of the graduate and psychological literacy and analytical skills you acquire during the degree. Our school brings together world-leading expertise in experimental psychology, cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience in order to advance the understanding of human and animal behaviour.
This degree programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and graduates who complete with at least a second class Honours in the Psychology component would achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is a first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Students studying in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience enjoy an active social life, much of which revolves around the Psychology Society. Away days, evening events, and team building exercises are held at various times throughout the year, at different levels.
Our supportive learning environment enables you to develop an in-depth knowledge of Psychology, while gaining a range of transferable skills to support the next step in your chosen career. Through a combination of lectures, coursework and practical lab classes, well introduce the key theories, literature and experiments in the field: designed to develop your independent research skills, communication and critical thinking. Psychologists are probably best known for their work in the health and education services but psychology graduates can be found in almost any area of life. A psychology degree opens up a wide range of career paths including educational, health, clinical, occupational psychology and counselling. Increasingly graduates are also progressing to successful careers in allied fields such as data skills, teaching, social robotics & artificial intelligence and child & adolescent mental health professions, in addition to research and teaching careers in higher education.

SQA Higher entry requirements
AAABB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
Typically offers will be made at AAAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
Additional requirements: National 5 Maths at grade B
Applicants to Psychology (BSc): Two Higher Science subjects at AA
Applicants to Psychology (MA): Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA
Applicants to Psychology (MA SocSci): Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject. At AA. Higher Mathematics recommended.

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
MD20: ABBBB (also other target groups*)
MD40: AAABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
Additional requirements: National 5 Maths at grade B.
Applicants to Psychology (BSc): Two Higher Science subjects.
Applicants to Psychology (MA): Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject.
Applicants to Psychology (MA SocSci): Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject. Higher Mathematics recommended. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.

A-level standard entry requirements
AAA ABB
Additional requirements: GCSE Mathematics at grade B (or grade 56).
Applicants to Psychology (BSc): Two A-level Science subjects.
Applicants to Psychology (MA/MA SocSci): A-level English or A-Level Humanities subject.

IB standard entry requirements
36 (6,6,5)
Additional requirements: SL4 Mathematics.
Applicants to Psychology (BSc): Two HL Science subjects.
Applicants to Psychology (MA/MA (SocSci): HL English and HL Humanities subject.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.

TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.