Psychology

About us

‌Psychology at Portsmouth comprises a vibrant combination of academics, students, researchers and support staff. Since its inception in 1969, it has evolved into the dynamic and multifaceted department it is today.

The Department’s permanent staff complement consists of approximately 35 academics, five administrators and four technicians. There are currently six Research Fellows and about 28 research students located in the department.  

The Department of Psychology produces a regular newsletter. Click the download links below to keep up to date with our latest activities.

Courses

The Department’s student population consists of approximately 550 undergraduates studying on our BSc Hons Psychology and BSc Hons Forensic Psychology programmes, another 250 students on our programmes with Psychology as a minor route, and about 60 students registered on our Masters programmes. Our aim is to provide a friendly, supportive and stimulating learning environment for students, so that they are drawn into the excitement of psychology at every stage in their lives.  With us, students develop their skills and knowledge but they also have the chance to create new knowledge with us.  So as well as attending taught units in the core cognate areas of psychology and research methods and statistics our students also carryout cutting edge research with us as volunteers, for degree credit, on externally funded summer bursaries and as paid Project Support Assistants (PSAs). This way our research programmes thrive and our students benefit from learning by doing, developing not just their research skills but their project and self management, communication and problem solving skills also.  This approach means that our students perceive us as more than just their teachers instead they are an integrated part of our academic community, sharing with us our enthusiasm for psychology: they are our partners in creating knowledge. Thus we have developed a culture in which teaching and learning are not conceived of as the transmission of received wisdom but about exploring and questioning.

Research

The Department focuses on four main areas of research with internationally renowned staff:

Forensic Psychology

Situated Action and Communication

Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology

Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing

We are committed to the integration of all our activities within our areas of research excellence. We take very seriously our mission for the creation and provision of knowledge of the highest quality. 

Location

Since 1996 the Department has been based in the King Henry Building, an attractive and convenient location located on the University's Guildhall Campus, close to the City Centre and the Portsmouth & Southsea main-line railway station. Within ten minutes walk from the department are Southsea and the Gunwharf Quays, a seafront development including restaurants, shops, cinemas and other entertainment facilities. The proximity to the city centre and seafront is a unique feature of life in Portsmouth and a large attraction for the students who choose to study with us.