Psychology at Bangor

Psychology helps us to understand the complexities of the human mind and behaviour. It allows us to gain insight into why people do the things they do, and how our thoughts and feelings can affect our behaviour.

At Bangor, we are interested in understanding the psychology of the brain and mind through the lifespan. We are interested in:

• development
• pre-disposition to mental disorders
• cognitive processes
• linguistic comprehension
• healthy ageing
• artificial intelligence
• behaviour change.

To answer some of those big questions, we first need to understand HOW the brain works - the physiology of the mind and ways we can support and promote mental well-being. At Bangor, our labs and teaching facilities have state-of-the-art technologies. You will gain experience in our research labs, as both a participant and a researcher, using technologies such as Event-Related Potential (ERPs), eye tracking software, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We are also one of the only UK psychology departments to have our own MRI scanner for research into brain function and physiology. We also lead the field in research and training in therapeutic techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy.

By studying Psychology at Bangor, you will:

• learn about human behaviour and mental processes
• discover how the mind and body interact to influence behaviour
• explore the latest developments in psychology
• use state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories

As a psychology department, we pride ourselves on delivering internationally excellent research as well as providing a research-led exceptional student experience.

As an undergraduate research participant at Bangor, you will have opportunities to experience these facilities and laboratories from Year 1, and in Year 3 you will become a ‘researcher’ and collect your own data for your dissertation in our state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, our Year 1 ‘Brain and Mind’ module provides a unique opportunity to hold a human brain.

Pursuing a Psychology degree allows you to learn how to analyse scientific data and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Bangor University is one of the top universities for Psychology in the UK, with a long-established track record for excellence in teaching and research. Our research (86% rated as world-leading or internationally excellent - REF 2021) feeds directly into our teaching. You will have a vibrant learning experience with world-class academics.

With small class sizes in practical sessions and regular drop-ins for statistics and skills, you will benefit from close contact with academic staff who are experts in their field of research.

Our unique and sector-leading Psychology Oral Presentation Practice Sessions will help you develop your communication skills. Gain the confidence to tell the world about the research you generate!

A better understanding of psychology can be beneficial in a variety of different career paths, such as social work, healthcare, and teaching. As a psychology student at Bangor University, you will have the opportunity to take part in research projects, enabling you to expand your soft skills while you study. 85% of our students go on to work or study within 15 months of the course (Discover Uni).

Bangor University offers a wide range of psychology courses, from BSc and MSc to PhD, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations. Many of our degrees are pathways to further study, such as our MSc in Counselling, postgraduate courses in Mindfulness, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, or a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Did you know that the Doctoral training programme in Bangor was the first of its kind in the UK?

We also offer excellent career support, giving students access to networking opportunities and one-to-one advice.

By studying Psychology, you'll gain an understanding of the diverse ways in which people think, feel, and behave, and how these differences can impact our lives.

Learn to respect and empathize with people who have different beliefs, values, and backgrounds, and appreciate the unique perspectives they bring. This knowledge can help us to appreciate and understand our own identity, as well as the identities of others. It will also give you a greater appreciation for diversity.

Bangor University is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of university life. We are dedicated to promoting respect for everyone regardless of their:

• gender
• sexuality
• race
• ethnicity
• disability
• age
• religion
• status

Psychology holds an Athena Swan Bronze award and, through the appointment of student representatives, we incorporate our students’ opinions in the development and support of our courses.

Psychology is not afraid to tackle the big issues facing humankind in the 21st Century. If this interests you, a Psychology degree at Bangor University could be what you are looking for!

Accreditation by the BPS ensures a high standard of teaching delivery. It ensures that our assessment practices are fair and transparent and that we have strategies in place for inclusive assessment. Furthermore, accreditation places limits on the staff to student ratio ensuring that you have access to high-quality, research-led, lecturing staff. BPS accredited degree must include all core areas of psychology and must prepare graduates with subject-specific skills. This is achieved through the core and optional modules available on Bangor’s Psychology degrees. All students undertaking a BPS accredited degree must carry out empirical studies collecting and evaluating their own data, in line with active research in the School.

Each of the following are covered by our curricula to ensure graduate basis for chartered membership:

• Biological Psychology – the neuropsychological and biological basis of brain function and behaviour.
• Cognitive Psychology – the study of how we think, learn, communicate with one another and so on.
• Developmental Psychology – typical and atypical development across the lifespan from infancy to old age.
• Individual differences – a broad topic covering how and why we differ from one another in terms of intelligence, personality, emotion and mental health.
• Social Psychology – all aspects of human interaction from group dynamics to leadership styles and how and why humans might conform to authority.
• Conceptual and Historical issues in Psychology – the study of psychology as a science, including historical paradigms and methodologies and a discussion of the political and ethical issues within psychology.
• Research methods – skills in data collection and analysis allowing application of multiple perspectives to questions within psychology
• Empirical project – a substantial piece of research involving the collection and analysis of original data.

The Brigantia Building on College Road houses academic and administrative offices for Psychology. 
Psychology undergraduates will visit Brigantia when they need to meet with personal tutors and project supervisors, as well as when they tend to various administrative aspects of student life.

The Department of Psychology has its own research dedicated MRI/fMRI facility in the Brigantia building. Facilities within the Bangor Imaging Unit include a research and teaching dedicated 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, MRI compatible EEG, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), stimulus presentation systems, and eye tracking systems. In addition to anatomical and functional MRI, the scanner is equipped for 4D cardiac, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

The Miles Dyslexia Centre provides language and literacy teaching support and assessment for children and adults.  The Centre also conducts research into the neurocognitive and behavioural basis of reading and writing. The Miles Dyslexia Centre comprises of a team of researchers and educational practitioners, developing best-practice teaching and assessment methods, combined with cutting-edge scientific research.

The Lloyd Building on College Road houses a number of different research labs used by students and researchers within the Department of Psychology at Bangor University. 

The Department of Psychology has open-access eye-tracking facilities in the Lloyd building. Facilities within the Open Access Eye-Tracking lab include a remote eye-tracker Eyelink 1000 plus, HD LCD monitors, Ultravoice Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Microphone, audio mixer, and over ear headphones.

Eye trackers work by using infrared light to track the position of the eyes. In this lab, a chin rest is also available to help stabilise the participant’s head and to ensure that their eyes are at the correct distance from the eye tracker. 
 

The Department of Psychology has open-access electrophysiology and topographic facilities in the Lloyd building. Facilities within the Psychology Open-access Electrophysiology and Topographic (POET) Lab include ActiveTwo multi-channel high resolution biopotential measurement system from BioSemi, pin-type active electrodes, EEG headcaps. The lab also includes a remote eye-tracker Eyelink 1000 plus for EEG measurements with simultaneous eye tracking.

In the POET lab, participants are tested inside an electrically shielded Faraday cage with acoustic dampening. Faraday cages are used to enhance the quality of the EEG data by blocking electromagnetic signal interference from the measurement room. 

In this lab, there are also cameras and an intercom system available for researchers to regularly check on the participants during the testing session. This ensures that the participants don’t feel too isolated from the outside world whilst inside the testing room.

In the control room, there are three desktop computers dedicated to data analysis.
 

The Department of Psychology has a 3-D vision and hand function laboratory that contains a Qualisys Miqus motion capture system for precise measurement of hand movements, as well as various bespoke pieces of equipment, including visual displays for presenting virtual 3-D visual stimuli, and tools and simulated prostheses for studying use of mechanical devices

The lounge area in the Wheldon Building is equipped with a printer, a vending machine, and comfortable seating options, where students can sit and chat with their peers before their classes, or study in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Wheldon Building's computer lab is a versatile facility equipped with 80 computers. This lab supports a range of practical sessions, such as statistics and academic writing.

Pontio is Bangor University’s arts and innovation centre. Some of the modules offered by the Department of Psychology are delivered in Pontio Level 5, a large lecture theatre that can seat up to 450 students.

When using the MRI scanner to take images of the brain, it is of vital importance that participants keep their head (and body) as still as possible. The Brigantia building houses a state-of-the-art mock scanner that is equipped with a sound system to play scanner sounds, and MoTrak, a software which allows fine-grained head motion tracking. The mock scanner is designed to familiarise participants, particularly children, with being in the scanner environment.

This lab contains a unique prototype stereoscopic 3-D display designed to investigate how we see in 3-D and in particular to explore solutions to various problems experienced when using media such as VR systems, 3-D movies etc. As well as perceptual measures of depth perception, the system can measure where the eyes are looking, and the distance at which eye’s lens is focused. The experiments require that only the experimental stimuli are visible, and so the room is blacked out when in use.

The Brigantia building houses a state-of-the-art EEG lab that features two testing booths, including BioSemi systems for high-resolution biopotential measurement, and CRT monitors for displaying visual stimuli during testing sessions. The lab is also equipped with several EEG caps. The testing booths are designed to provide a quiet and controlled environment for data collection. Researchers can also monitor participants during testing sessions using cameras and an intercom system to ensure their safety and comfort.