Psychology | Subject area | University of Essex

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What drives people to act, respond, remember and recognise things in the way they do? How do we understand relationships and interpret the actions of others?

Are you curious about how our minds work and what drives human behaviour? Psychology is all around us, and affects every aspect of life. From what makes people tick, to the underlying psychology of choice, emotion, motivations and beliefs.

Psychology is not limited to the study of the brain, by exploring the science behind the mind you will gain the skills to build complex arguments, critically analyse evidence and understand how therapy can make a positive impact on people’s lives.

At Essex, undergraduate students can take part in our Research Experience Scheme, giving you the opportunity to work alongside our academics on an ongoing research project. Placements last for one term, and you will assist a researcher with tasks including library research, experiment set-up and design, and collecting, organising and analysing the data.

Career opportunities expand much further than becoming a psychologist, prospects also include working in education, forensic sciences, data analysis, health and marketing.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A profile shot of a student, facing the right side of the shot, wearing a large black EEG cap which covers the head and chin.

In the centre of the photo is a computer screen showing two computer-generated figures in white on a black background. To the right of the photo is a student sitting with their back to the camera. On the left, mostly out of shot, is a second person pointing at the screen with their left hand and index finger.

In the centre of the photo is a computer screen showing two computer-generated figures in white on a black background. To the right of the photo is a student sitting with their back to the camera. On the left, mostly out of shot, is a second person pointing at the screen with their left hand and index finger.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

Why study here?

Benefit from our unique mix of practical based assessment and innovative teaching methods.
You have unparalleled access to facilities such as EEG, TMS and eye tracking.
90% of our psychology students expressed overall satisfaction with their course (NSS 2019).

"I chose to study at Essex because it's well known for its great facilities and research in the Department of Psychology... I was fortunate enough to be part of the Research Experience Scheme in my first year which was a great opportunity to understand more about research."

Frida Torgersen bsc psychology

THE Awards 2018 - Winner University of the Year

We provide a stimulating and vibrant research environment that allows both our staff and students to successfully shape the future of our expanding research-intensive department.

We give you the freedom and the facilities to study, experiment, explore and research why we think, feel and act the way we do. Psychology is linked to many other fields including biology, linguistics, medicine, sociology and economics. All branches of psychology seek to explain people’s behaviour.

Psychology is not limited to the study of the brain, by exploring the science behind the mind you will gain the skills to build complex arguments, critically analyse evidence and understand how therapy can make a positive impact on people’s lives.

At Essex, postgraduate taught students can take part in our Research Experience Scheme, giving you the opportunity to work alongside our academics on an ongoing research project. Placements last for one term, and you will assist a researcher with tasks including library research, experiment set-up and design, and collecting, organising and analysing the data.

Career opportunities expand much further than becoming a psychologist, prospects also include working in education, forensic sciences, data analysis, health and marketing.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A profile shot of a student, facing the right side of the shot, wearing a large black EEG cap which covers the head and chin.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

In the centre of the photo is a computer screen showing two computer-generated figures in white on a black background. To the right of the photo is a student sitting with their back to the camera. On the left, mostly out of shot, is a second person pointing at the screen with their left hand and index finger.

In the centre of the photo is a computer screen showing two computer-generated figures in white on a black background. To the right of the photo is a student sitting with their back to the camera. On the left, mostly out of shot, is a second person pointing at the screen with their left hand and index finger.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

Why study here?

We are ranked among the top 250 psychology departments in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2019).
Use state-of-the-art research equipment including eye-tracking, EEG, neurostimulation (TMS, TDCS, TACS), virtual reality, the Babylab and the Human Sexuality Lab.
88% of our postgraduate psychology graduates are in professional employment or further postgraduate study within six months of graduating from Essex (DLHE 2017).

"Essex was an easy choice for me based on its excellent research... I am now employed as a Treatment Consultant for drug and alcohol rehab, which is a rewarding career helping people to understand their addictions."

Elizabeth Blue MSc Cognitive NeurosciencE

THE Awards 2018 - Winner University of the Year

We provide a stimulating and vibrant research environment that allows both our staff and students to successfully shape the future of our expanding research-intensive department.

We give you the freedom and the facilities to study, experiment, explore and research why we think, feel and act the way we do. Psychology is linked to many other fields including biology, linguistics, medicine, sociology and economics. All branches of psychology seek to explain people’s behaviour.

Psychology is not limited to the study of the brain, by exploring the science behind the mind you will gain the skills to build complex arguments, critically analyse evidence and understand how therapy can make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Career opportunities expand much further than becoming a psychologist, prospects also include working in education, forensic sciences, data analysis, health and marketing.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A woman wearing a blue EEG cap looking directly at the camera. A second person standing on the right of the shot is adjusting some sensors attached to her face, one above her left eyebrow and the other just underneath the same eye.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

A student wearing an EEG cap is sitting in front of a large computer monitor. A second student is standing next to them, injecting some gel in to one of the cap sensors. Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is standing in the background, next to a second computer, watching them.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

Professor Silke Paulmann from the Department of Psychology is sitting in the middle of the shot with a plastic model of the human brain which is partially taken apart. A student is sitting either side of her, looking at something she is pointing at on the model.

A photo of a computer screen which is showing results from an eye-tracking test. It includes a picture of the top right quarter of the subjects face, and a close-up shot of their eye.

A photo of a computer screen which is showing results from an eye-tracking test. It includes a picture of the top right quarter of the subjects face, and a close-up shot of their eye.

A profile shot of a student, facing the right side of the shot, wearing a large black EEG cap which covers the head and chin.

Why study here?

We are ranked among the top 250 psychology departments in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2019).
We have excellent research facilities including well-equipped, purpose-built laboratories in the Centre for Brain Science.
We offer a range of PhD studentships and funding opportunities.

Two women looking at a PC screen

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