School of Psychology

Undergraduate Programmes

If you are looking for information about a particular aspect/year of the degree programme:

• 1st Year
• 2nd Year
• 3rd Year
• Modules
• Class Reps

Introduction

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes, and includes individual and social, human and animal, normal and abnormal aspects. Most people find psychology intrinsically interesting. Even a little knowledge of psychology is useful in most career paths. Students might consider studying for a psychology degree if interested in: becoming a professional psychologist in an applied areas such as clinical psychology, the health services, education or industry; lecturing in psychology in a third-level college; carrying out psychological research in a university or other research centre; or improving their general education by studying an interesting and useful discipline with careers of a more general type in mind, for example, the media, information technology or management.

Degree Programmes in Psychology at NUI, Galway

For full details please see the University Calendar.

Denominated BA in Psychology

Students admitted to the BA (Psychology) - CAO Code GY104 will take the subject Psychology in First Arts together with three other subjects. Having passed First Arts successfully, students will study Psychology as a stand-alone subject in Second and Final Arts. A further fifteen students will join the class in second year in accordance with regulations set out in the University Calendar. See below for further details. Students in this programme, study Psychology only in their second and third years and acquire a qualification that is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

There are fifteen (15) places on the Denominated programme available to students of the BA (Omnibus) who complete Psychology at First Arts and who wish to transfer to the BA (Psychology) in Second Arts. Places will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student’s first year of attendance, where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects. The order of results in the subject ’Psychology’ attained at the First Arts Examination (Semester 1 & 2) shall determine the offer of Transfer places. Students will not be allowed repeat First Arts Psychology with a view to improving performance.

Students of the BA (Omnibus) - CAO Code GY101 and the BA CONNECT programmes (CAO Code GY110, GY111, GY114, GY115) who successfully complete Psychology at First Arts may proceed in Second Arts with the subject Psychological Studies and one other of the subjects completed at First Arts. There are limits in the numbers of students admitted to Second Arts in Psychological Studies (minimum 100).

'Places for Psychological Studies will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sitting (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examination in the student’s first year of attendance (2008 – 2009), where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subject outright (40% or higher). Results of the Second Sitting can only benefit students where a Deferral has been granted by the College Office. Student will not be allowed to repeat First Arts Psychology with a view to improving performance.’

The order of results in the subject ’Psychology’ attained at the First Arts Examination (Semester 1 & 2) shall determine the offer of places into Second Year Psychological Studies.

The Higher Diploma (Conversion) is provided for students who have completed the BA in Psychological Studies. By combining this one-year diploma with a BA in Psychological Studies, students cover course content equivalent to that offered in the denominated BA programme. Numbers allowed onto the Higher Diploma are limited and entry is based on academic merit.

Selection for Second Year Psychology / Psychological Studies

As indicated previously your performance in First Year Psychology is based on multiple components:

• Introductory Psychology 1 & 2 (exam at end of each semester)
• Psychology Laboratory & Tutorial 1 & 2
• • Assignments
  • Research Participation
• Attendance

Each individual module within Psychology must be passed. There are four modules in total.

University guidelines for progression into Second Year Denominated Psychology & Psychological Studies are outlined above. For full details see the University Calendar.

The top 15 students in 1st Arts Psychology are offered places in Denominated Psychology, while the next 100 students are offered places in Psychological Studies (provided they have met all academic requirements, see above and the University Calendar for further details). If a student declines a place in either Denominated Psychology or Psychological Studies, then an extra place becomes available in the respective list and the next person on that list is offered that place. A student offered Denominated Psychology may decline the place offered but choose to take up a place in Psychological Studies instead. If this happens then the next person in line for Denominated Psychology will be offered a place in that course.

When offers are made during the summer after the examinations, students are provided with a limited time (usually about 2 weeks) within which to respond. If a student does not respond by the specified due date, this is taken by the School to mean that he or she is declining the place offered.

Note that offers of places are sent to the last known address of the student. If a student changes address then he or she is responsible for notifying the School of that change. Otherwise, the student may be sent an offer to his or her old address, fail to realize that an offer has been made, miss the due date for replying, and lose their place.

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