Psychology and Sociology

Psychology

Psychology as a formal scientific discipline emerged in Europe about 130 years ago as the science of mind and behaviour. The focus of psychology is people what and how they think and feel and how they relate to others. Psychology is a research discipline and uses the experimental methods of traditional science as well as an increasingly wide range of other research methods.

Our programme investigates theories of psychology and their applications in contemporary society. We emphasise human rather than animal behaviour, and the applications of psychology. The degree programme integrates theoretical psychology, techniques of psychological investigation and the major areas of applied psychology. Our programme will provide you with a thorough grounding in theory, research and practice in contemporary psychology, a high-level practical and research experience, specialist professional skills and expertise, and a broad intellectual training.

Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of social relations, be they on the micro level of group interaction or the macro level of the nation state and global society. Sociology is not only interested in economic relations but in behaviour that is guided by norms and values, culture and belief. It draws upon insights from sociological theories and applies them to contemporary social issues, thus developing them further. Sociology tries to provide answers to questions such as: what is the structure of contemporary society? How has it developed? What changes do we observe? Which institutions govern social action? Why do they change? Which actors shape social change?

Key benefits

Psychology

The Human Psychology degree has been taught at Aston University since 1972 and is highly regarded. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) awarded Aston's Psychology programmes a score of 22 to of 24 in the most recent round of assessments, which places us in the excellent category. Aston is also outstandingly successful in graduate employment. In 2003, 88% of Aston graduates entered employment and in Psychology 75% entered employment compared with 72% nationally.

Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of social relations, should they be on the micro level of group interaction or the macro level of the nation state and global society. At Aston University we provide a sound training in techniques of sociological research and analysis. Combining cross-country and historical analysis, this will help you to understand the society we live in. Students will gain the skills to carry out their own empirical research, based on theoretical paradigms and methodological tools. Through a range of teaching and assessment methods, we provide a variety of learning experiences and include ample opportunity for students to express themselves and develop their abilities.

Teaching and assessment

Psychology

You will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching methods, including:lectures, tutorials and seminars,Laboratory experiments,Pod and vodcasts of lectures, individual and group project work, computer-assisted learning Assessment is by a combination of continuous assessment (approximately 40%) and exams (approximately 60%). Degree clarification is based mainly on final-year performance.

Sociology

You will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching methods, including:

• lectures, tutorials and seminars

• exercises and case studies

• group and individual project work

• use of our extensive computing facilities

• corporate investigation and analysis

Students will be assessed in individual modules by end-of-semester (January & May/June) examinations and by assignments conducted and submitted

Personal development

Psychology

You can choose between a 3 year, full time and a 4 year sandwich Combined Honours degree with Human Psychology. You will have the option to set your studies in context by taking a psychology or related professional placement. The placement year is one of the key factors in Aston's employment success and its educational value was highly praised by the QAA inspectors. Recent psychology placement employers include North Birmingham Mental Health Trust, Birmingham Childrens Hospital, and the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA).

Many students also take business placements, often in human resource management, where a psychology degree is highly valued. A years work will improve your employment prospects and prepare you for your future career. A placement year can also transform your academic progress, as you return to study refreshed from seeing the practical relevance of psychology in action.

Our emphasis on applied and Human Psychology provides an excellent springboard for careers in diverse professions. The decline in manufacturing and the growth of the service sector puts psychology graduates at a premium-they have insight into motivation and behaviour and know about people, relationships and group dynamics, have excellent communication and teamwork skills, are trained the critical and analytic and can design, conduct and analyse and evaluate research, all of which are valued by employers.

Combined Honours Psychology Graduates go on to pursue a very wide range of career paths. Graduates can enter business and commercial careers, caring and social careers, teaching and local government careers and many others. Progression rate to a first job is very high for Aston students and career prospects are good.

Sociology

The placement year at Aston University has an enviable reputation. This year provides the opportunity to develop professional skills by spending a year in paid employment.

When Sociology is combined with French and/or German, a year abroad must be spent in a French/German speaking country to develop language based skills. Students may choose to work in a well-known and established company, or as a teaching assistant in a school abroad, or follow a university programme at one of our ERASMUS partner institutions.

Students are carefully prepared for the year abroad during their first two years at Aston, with excellent support both before and throughout the placement year. LSS has a dedicated and highly experienced placement officer, who works with students individually to help them plan and organise for this exciting and rewarding year.

Aston University has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK. The courses ensure that students gain academic knowledge as well as developing a wide range of skills that are valued by employers. Aston's Sociology graduates are articulate and intellectually sophisticated; they are able to discuss in informed, analytical and critical ways the most important issues facing today's society.

In combination with the other Combined Honours subjects, Sociology provides a good basis for a wide variety of work, wherever there is demand for an understanding of social processes. This includes management in the private, public and voluntary sectors and, with further professional training, careers in social work, education and communications.

Career prospects

Psychology

Combined Honours Psychology Graduates go on to pursue a very wide range of career paths. Graduates can enter business and commercial careers, caring and social careers, teaching and local government careers and many others. Progression rate to a first job is very high for Aston students and career prospects are good. For example, employment destinations for Combined Honours Psychology students in 2003 included Lloyds TSB, NHS, Xerox UK Ltd and Vodafone.

Sociology

The programmes are constantly under review to ensure that the currency and scope of the courses are suitable to today's needs and requirements of our graduates, who find employment in many different organisations and businesses, including political parties, business organisations, the Civil Service, semi-public agencies, journalism and academia.