1. The Undergraduate Experience in Psychology Dr. Donncha Hanna School of Psychology QUB

2. Aims Introduce my background Outline the UG experience (focusing on 1 st & 2 nd year) Highlight the main psychology careers Say something about Statistics anxiety Take any questions

3. What is my background? 1999 obtained undergraduate degree 2003 employed as a Teaching Fellow 2004obtained a PhD and Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching 2005 employed as a Lecturer in Statistics, Research Methods and Design

4. First year…. Some compulsory Psychology modules (some GCSE/A-level content overlap) Marks do not count towards final degree but the modular system is linear Low no. of hours (normally around 13/14 contact hours per week)

5. Entry requirements Popular subject Entry requirements AAB in 2007 (likely to be ABB in 2008) High calibre students Students are a relatively equal footing academically so motivation often distinguishes between them

6. Settling in…. Large class sizes (180) and unfamiliar surroundings can be intimidating Tutorials & Lab classes Advisor of studies PsySoc Other university clubs & societies Important to establish habits in first year

7. Drop Out Rates Always highest towards the end of first year Lack of engagement (failure to attend, make friends, inform advisor of problems, etc.) Non-attendance at labs & tutorials Failed part of the course

8. Drop Out Rates Always highest towards the end of first year Lack of engagement (failure to attend, make friends, inform advisor of problems, etc.) Non-attendance at labs & tutorials Failed part of the course Course fails to meet expectations (Bsc)

9. Second year… No module choice in second year; due to BPS accreditation (GBR) Beware of joint honours! Second year is about demonstrating a breadth of knowledge (even in the areas they don’t like!) Marks do count towards their degree It is hard work!

10. Areas covered: Cognition Perception Developmental Individual differences Psychobiology Social Research Methods & Staistics

11. Second year… Currently students are failing to engage appropriately This year one students had a mean 70+ mark Low attendance Recommended readings, integration of text, plagiarism, etc University is different from school!

12. Third year… Module choice; students can choose their modules Must complete their thesis Assess depth of knowledge Tend to demonstrate ‘exit velocity’ Report enjoying their third year

13. Careers Clinical Counselling Educational Forensic Health Occupational Sport & Exercise Teaching & Research

14. Careers… A ψ degree does not mean you are a psychologist! Not all the students will become professional psychologists (more like 10% to 15%) Competition is fierce & will take at least another 3 years It’s a very ‘employable’ degree What they want to do often changes

15. Statistics Anxiety Statistics is part of the ψ degree! Psychology students demonstrate high statistics anxiety 50% do not realise statistics is a substantial part of their degree Statistics anxiety is related to performance, procrastination and may be related to drop out rates

16. Conclusion Ensure students have researched their degree (e.g. Stats) Engage with the programme in first year Second year is crucial to their final mark A ψ degree does not mean you are a psychologist! It is a diverse, enjoyable & rewarding degree