Experimental Psychology

Overview

The Experimental Psychology programme from University College London (UCL) helps students develop academic or complementary careers including clinical or educational psychology, and consultancy or applied research. A strong benefit of studying here is exposure to these diverse careers.

We offer an outstanding research and teaching environment providing opportunities for graduate students to work with world-renowned researchers across a wide spectrum of topics. Our research focuses on understanding the psychological and biological bases of behaviour, to improve the health and wellbeing of both individuals and society. Research in the department includes behavioural neuroscience, perceptual and cognitive sciences and cognitive neuroscience. 

We host several research centres and institutes including the Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre, the Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience, and the Birkbeck/UCL Centre for Neuroimaging. Research facilities available to members of staff comprise state-of-the-art equipment for most types of behavioural research, scanning facilities (MRI), eye- and motion-tracking facilities as well as TMS facilities.

Careers

Many students who complete a PhD in the department stay in academia, either going on to become postdoctoral researchers or research assistants, and ultimately professors. Some go on to further training in fields such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, consultancy or applied research. 

Others enter industry in consultant and professional roles. A PhD degree taken at UCL is recognised both nationally and internationally as a qualification of the highest status.

Employability

Experimental psychology provides a number of career pathways. Many of our former students progress into academic research as postdoctoral researchers, and ultimately become professors. 

Many instead expand their training into complementary fields such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, consultancy or applied research. One of the major benefits of studying in experimental psychology is the opportunity to form long-lasting connections with other students who follow these diverse career paths.