Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
Bachelor's degree
In Cambridge
Description
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Type
Bachelor's degree
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Location
Cambridge
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Start date
Different dates available
Overview Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge Psychology is very diverse – overlapping with and contributing to many other disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy and sociology. Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) at Cambridge gives you the opportunity to study cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology within the broader context of the behavioural sciences. The course covers, for example, cognitive psychology, psychopathology, language, brain mechanisms, gender, family relationships and influences, personality, and group social behaviour. A wide range of options enable you to study the topics that interest you most in greater depth. Teaching and facilities In the Department of Psychology, you’re taught by lecturers and researchers of international excellence. Subject societies and seminar programmes offer regular talks from guest speakers too. In addition to this academic expertise, you have access to the Department library and specialist collections held in associated departments’ libraries – amounting to around 50,000 books and more than 150 periodicals – as well as other resources and computing facilities. Additional course costs All students are required to have a University approved calculator (c£20). Full course details are available on the PBS website and if you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Department (see fact file, right). Professional accreditation and careers The University’s teaching of psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means that students who successfully graduate (with at least second class Honours) achieve the ‘graduate recognition’ needed to pursue a career in psychology. Many students continue with further study and research, and graduates are eligible for admission to professional courses in clinical, educational, forensic or...
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Start date
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About this course
Entry Requirements Typical offers require A Level: A*AAIB: 40-41 points, with 776 at Higher Level For other qualifications, see our main Entrance requirements pages. Course requirements Required by all Colleges: no specific subjectsRequired by some Colleges: A Level/IB Higher Level Biology or Mathematics, A Levels/IB Higher Levels in two science/mathematics subjects All undergraduate...
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Subjects
- IT
- Psychology
- Teaching
- Philosophy
- University
- Neuroscience
- Sociology
- Options
Course programme
Teaching is provided through lectures, classes or seminars, and supervisions. Some papers include a practical element, which takes place in laboratories.
You can typically expect two lectures a week for each paper. You also have one or two supervisions a week to discuss your work and develop your reasoning and ideas.
Year 1 (Part IA)In Part IA, you take a total of four papers, two of which are compulsory:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Psychological Enquiry and Methods (this includes practical demonstrations and exercises)
The remaining two papers are chosen from a selection of up to nine options. The optional papers available each year may vary but subjects usually include:
- biological and social anthropology
- education
- evolution and behaviour
- politics
- philosophy
- computer science
- sociology
At the end of the year, you sit a three-hour written examination in each paper.
Year 2 (Part IB)Part IB provides a foundation for the research-led teaching of the final year while also allowing you to begin to specialise in those areas that most interest you.
You take four papers in total. All students take:
- the Social and Developmental Psychology paper
- the Cognitive Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology paper, which teaches research methods and includes laboratory work
- two optional papers
The optional papers are selected from a range of around 19 available. The subjects may change from year to year but typically include papers in:
- biological and social anthropology
- history and philosophy of science
- education
- neurobiology
- philosophy
You sit a written exam in each paper at the end of the year.
Year 3 (Part II)In your final year, you undertake a research dissertation of between 6,000 and 10,000 words on a psychology topic of your choice. You also choose a further three papers from a selection available, each of which is assessed by a written examination.
The subject of these papers may change from year to year but typically include the following topics:
- social and developmental psychology
- cognitive and experimental psychology
- behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
- legal psychology
- criminology
- linguistics
- selected subjects from those offered at Part IB
For further information about studying Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge see the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos website.
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences