UCD School of Psychology

• What is psychology?
• What is the difference between psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis?
• Taking a single-subject honours degree in psychology in UCD
• Taking psychology as a minor subject
• Level 1 psychology modules
• Is psychology a difficult subject?
• Is there a lot of mathematics involved?
• Is there a lot of biology involved?
• Is there any practical work involved?
• How do I gain access to the BA in Psychology at UCD?
• What kind of Leaving Certificate results do I need to obtain a place in psychology?
• What are the criteria used in assessing applications from mature students?
• Which books should I buy?
• Is there a society or club for psychology at UCD?
• Which postgraduate courses in psychology are available at UCD?
• Useful websites

If you are considering studying Psychology at UCD, you may find the following information useful.

What is psychology?

Psychology is the study of all aspects of behaviour and mental processes.  It includes topics such as how the brain works, how our memory is organised, how people interact in groups and how children learn about the world.  Because of its breadth virtually everyone can find something in psychology that is of interest to them.  Psychology has links to the natural sciences, the social sciences and the arts, and leads to a variety of career opportunities.  Professional psychologists work in the areas of clinical psychology, educational psychology, organisational psychology, forensic psychology, counselling psychology and health psychology.

What is the difference between psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis?

There are several differences but one of the most important is the training that psychologists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts have. Psychology is an independent discipline which is taught in universities and colleges. A psychologist is someone who holds at least a B.A. or B.Sc. in psychology from a recognised university. More often than not, a professional psychologist will hold a postgraduate degree (e.g. M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.). A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who has specialised in the field of mental illness. Psychiatry is therefore a branch of medicine. Psychoanalysis is a particular approach to psychology and psychiatry, which is based on the theories of Sigmund Freud. A degree in psychology should not be seen as a qualification to psychoanalysis. Separate training programmes for psychoanalysts exist.

Taking a single-subject honours degree in psychology in UCD

UCD students registered for the single-subject honours degree take psychology as one of their major subjects in their first year (stage 1). This means that they take 2 modules in psychology in each semester. These modules are listed below. In subsequent years students specialise in psychology but they may opt to take up to 2 modules each year in other subject areas. Only students who are offered places through the CAO (DN054) may take the single-subject honours degree in Psychology. Approximately 77 such places are offered each year, including places offered to mature applicants.

An undergraduate degree in Psychology in UCD provides a general academic training in the discipline. The degree is recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland and as such it provides the foundation for further postgraduate professional training. This training is offered at a masters or doctoral level, so it usually takes 2 to 4 years of study after the B.A. degree in order to qualify as a psychologist.

Taking psychology as a minor subject

Psychology modules are currently the most popular electives chosen by students in their first year in UCD. The fact that Psychology is such a broad discipline makes it an attractive topic of study for people taking many degrees including, for example, computer science, nursing, neuroscience, physiotherapy and social science. While these students will complete degrees and major in other subjects they will be able to continue to take electives in Psychology later in their degree. This allows them to gain a deeper insight into the aspects of the subject that interest them most.

Level 1 psychology modules

Students in their first year in UCD can choose from among the following modules offered by the School of Psychology:

• Introduction to Developmental and Biological Psychology: This module explores two different ways in which psychologists have tried to explain human behaviour. Biological theories look at the role of the brain and nervous system, while developmental theories examine how people are influenced by their families and the wider environment as they grow up. Students taking this module will explore questions such as: How much do newborn babies know about the world? Can we trust our eyes to see what is there? What impact does past experience have on behaviour?


• Introduction to Applied and Social Psychology: This module provides an interesting mix of academic and applied psychology. The social component provides an overview of the core areas of research in social psychology, including the self, persuasion, conformity, compliance, interpersonal attraction, aggression, altruism and prejudice. The content of the applied component is also varied, including such topics as binge drinking, body image, eating disorders, sexual difficulties, youth suicide, and discrimination. For each topic, we examine both how psychologists have sought to understand the issue, and interventions designed to tackle related problems in a clinical setting or at a societal level.


• Introduction to the History of Psychology and Understanding Research: This module provides an introduction to the history of psychology by examining the life and work of some of its most important pioneers, including Ivan Pavlov and Sigmund Freud. Moving to current practice in psychology, it also provides an introduction to research methods such as laboratory and field-based experiments, surveys and interviews. A key aim of the module is to provide students with the necessary skills to identify good practice in research design and analysis.


• Introduction to the Psychology of Perception and Cognition: The study of perception is concerned with how we acquire knowledge about the external world through our senses. How do we come to experience colours and sounds, tastes and smells, and objects and faces? Cognitive psychology explores how our minds work in seeking, storing and using our knowledge of the world, ourselves and other people. How does our memory system work and what goes on in our heads when we imagine something? This module introduces students to the principles, methods and findings of contemporary psychology as applied to the fields of perception and cognition

Is psychology a difficult subject?

All subjects at the university level require a considerable amount of reading and study. How easy or difficult students find a particular subject depends on their ability, interests, and motivation to study the subject.

Is there a lot of mathematics involved?

Statistics is widely used in psychology and courses in statistics are a part of every psychology degree. This news often causes anxiety among new students, particularly those with a background in Arts. Any student who attends the psychology lectures and tutorials and does the assigned reading should have no difficulty with statistics. The most important thing is to avoid developing a fear of the subject in advance.

Is there a lot of biology involved?

Courses in biological psychology are a part of every psychology degree. Some biology may also be covered in other psychology courses. As with statistics, you will have no problems with this subject if you attend the lectures and tutorials and do the assigned readings.

Is there any practical work involved?

There is no practical work in the first year of psychology. In the second year, students are required to complete supervised practical work in experimental psychology, survey research and psychological testing. In the final year, every student must complete a research project, which counts for 20% of the final degree.

How do I gain access to the BA in Psychology at UCD?

70 places are offered by the CAO each year on the basis of Leaving Certificate results. An additional 7 places are available to non-traditional students who qualify for entry under the New ERA scheme. In all cases, application for places must be made through the CAO.

What kind of Leaving Certificate results do I need to obtain a place in psychology?

The points needed are determined by supply and demand and vary from year to year. It is therefore impossible to specify the points that will be needed in advance.

What are the criteria used in assessing applications from mature students?

The School of Psychology welcomes enquiries from mature students. A variety of factors are considered. These include traditional academic qualifications, such as Leaving Certificate results, professional qualifications and experience, life experience, evidence of recent study, and the reasons given for wanting to take a degree in psychology.

Which books should I buy?

Most courses require that students have access to certain books. Students should pay particular attention to reading that is described as "required" or "essential". Many of the books are available in the short loan collection of the library but the demand on library resources is such that some of these books may be difficult to obtain. In such cases, it would be in your interests to buy the book. One way of cutting down on the cost is to have two or three friends buy a copy between them. You may also be able to find a second-hand copy of the book. The Students? Union holds a book sale at the start of the academic year.

Is there a society or club for psychology at UCD?

Yes, it is called the "Psychology Society". It is a thriving and popular society, which holds guest lectures and social events for students throughout the year. Further details can be obtained from the UCD web page (click on "Social & Sports" and then "Societies") or from the Fresher Stand.

Which postgraduate courses in psychology are available at UCD?

The School of Psychology at UCD offers a taught MA degree in Social and Organisational Psychology, a practitioners Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, as well as research degrees at both Masters and PhD level in most of the basic areas of psychology. The School of Education and Life-Long Learning also offers a taught postgraduate degree in Educational Psychology.

Useful websites:

You can find out more about taking an undergraduate degree in UCD on the UCD Horizons website: http://www.ucd.ie/horizons/

The Psychological Society of Ireland has a website with very good information about careers in psychology: http://www.psihq.ie/training_careerGuide.asp

The British Psychological Society website allows you to download an excellent booklet on careers in psychology: http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers_home.cfm