Experimental Psychology

Psychology has been defined as the science of mental life and its scope includes a wide variety of issues. It addresses such questions as: how do we perceive colours? How do children acquire language? What predisposes two people to get on with each other? What causes schizophrenia?

Psychology at Oxford is essentially a scientific discipline, involving the rigorous formulation and testing of ideas. It works through experiments and systematic observation rather than introspection.

The Oxford Experimental Psychology Department is widely regarded as one of the leading psychology departments in the UK. The department’s size and its commitment to research, as well as to excellence in teaching, means there are typically four or five research seminars each week, in addition to undergraduate lectures and classes. At present, there are particularly strong research groups in the fields of human cognitive processes, neuroscience, vision, developmental and social psychology.

Experimental Psychology students go on to follow careers in fields such as professional psychology, teaching and research, as well as finance and industry. Some careers will require additional study and/or training. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

Rachel, who graduated in 2006, is now a client consultant at Nunwood. She says: ‘Since graduating I have worked for two large market research companies specialising in brands and advertising research. My degree helped me to develop my analytical skills as well as gaining project management experience which have been invaluable in my chosen career path.’ Bella, who graduated in 2007, is now a talent manager. She says: ‘I started my career roughly one week after graduating, as a graduate trainee at TVF Media. My role involves all areas of talent management, including recruitment, training, salary and bonus remuneration, and employment law.

Parts of my degree, for example the statistics and social psychology modules, have really helped me in my job.’