Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of eight departments in the School of Health and Life Sciences. British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation has been in place for undergraduate Psychology provision at Glasgow Caledonian University (and its predecessors) since the mid 1970s. As well as the BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology programme, the department offers the only BPS accredited MSc Forensic Psychology programme in Scotland. Three further BPS/HCPC accredited/approved doctoral training programmes in Psychology are also offered, including DPsych programmes in Counselling Psychology, Health Psychology and Sport and Exercise Psychology.

At GCU, Psychology is strongly focussed on the application of psychological knowledge and research for the common good. Our three DPsych programmes form our Applied Psychology Doctoral Framework (APDF) which offers a highly effective postgraduate training model. The APDF offers shared profession-specific teaching, while also delivering domain-specific training. Students benefit from shared teaching and learning on ‘core’ topics, allowing for wider integration with other students studying on the APDF while still developing a very strong professional identity within their own domain of study. This is a highly innovative model of postgraduate teaching and is the only one of its kind currently offered in Scotland.

Research

Research within the Psychology Department covers many areas, including Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Sport & Exercise Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Applied Social Psychology, amongst others. Academic staff contribute strongly to broader university research themes, notably within the Safeguarding Health Through Infection Prevention Group, Ageing Well Group, Living with Stroke and other Long-term Conditions Group, Musculoskeletal Health Group, Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Group, Healthy Lives and Relationships (including the Substance Use and Misuse Group and the Parenting and Family Support Group). The department is also active in Knowledge Transfer and Commercial activities through a range of consultancies.

Explore our research

Degree courses

BSc (Hons)

Applied Psychology

Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS code
Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	C810

Learn psychological theory and research and their real-world applications. This course is a fantastic route to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

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Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS code
BSc (Hons)	Full time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	C810

DPsych

Counselling Psychology

Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
Full time	3 years	Sep 26	Glasgow

Take existing skills in psychology and apply them to advanced clinical practice and postgraduate research. Choose a career pathway in professional practice and academia.

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Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
DPsych	Part time	6 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow

MSc

Forensic Psychology

Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow

Apply existing analytical and evaluation skills to forensic psychology. Progress to a career in the public/private and third sectors, working in the courts, law enforcement, prisons, hospitals, mental health or social work.

DPsych

Health Psychology

Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
Full time	Three years	Sep 26	Glasgow

This three-year taught doctorate in Health Psychology offers training in psychotherapeutic skills, research and behaviour change. It is accredited by the BPS and HCPC.

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Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
DPsych	Part time	6 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow

DPsych

Sports and Exercise Psychology

Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
Full time	Three years	Sep 26	Glasgow

Choose to progress to a career as a sport and exercise psychologist. Apply existing skills in psychology and sport sciences to the understanding, predicting and explaining of changes in mental processes relating to sport and exercise.

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