Psychology: Study of Behavior and Mind

1. PSYCHOLOGY By the Ahmadiyya Muslim Womens’ Student Association

2. “ • Psychology is often defined as the study of behaviour and of the mind. • Through their theories and research, psychologists investigate a diverse range of topics including: • The relationship between the brain, behaviour and subjective experience; • Human development; • The influence of other people on the individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour; • Psychological disorders and their treatment; • The impact of culture on the individual’s behaviour and subjective experience; • Differences between people in terms of their personality and intelligence; • People’s ability to acquire, organise, remember and use knowledge to guide their behaviour. • The courses in Psychology, Psychology and Sociology, and Psychology and Anthropology are approved degree courses for the purpose of giving the graduate basis for registration by the British Psychological Society, provided the minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved. “

3. A-level subjects • Requirements vary from different institutes. • It would help you greatly however, to choose ‘traditional subjects’ which are course specific, such as, Psychology, Sociology, Sciences, Mathematics, English. • If two of you’re A-Level subjects are traditional subjects, it would better your chances when applying, however, it is not detrimental to your entry. • The subjects you take will become important after the A-level grades are released, if you do not get the tariff points previously indicated.  The Admissions Tutor will then give priority to those with two or more ‘traditional’ subjects, hence it would help you to choose more course specific subjects for the degree you have chosen to do.

4. Grade requirements • A-Level: - BBB • This will vary between universities, however, the general consensus is BBB. • A few require A*AA and some require BBC. • The minimum that has been seen is BBB. Two of which must include traditional subjects, e.g. Psychology, sociology. GCSE: • 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade A-C or above are required, must include English and Maths at Grade B or above. • (Again, this varies from universities, however, the majority do require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A-C, which much include Maths and English at grade B or above- this may also vary, some require more, ie, grade A, some less so, however, a minimum would be at least grade C or above.)

5. Top 5 universities (From Guardian online) • Oxford • Cambridge • UCL • Glasgow • Heriot-Watt

6. Duration Structure • BSc: 3 years • Course DescriptionThe course covers the core areas of psychology and a wide range of optional modules, many of which deal with the application of psychological theory and research. The insights, approaches and research skills gained from the degree will be relevant to many areas of your working life, whether or not you take up a career in psychology. • Course content the course is structured to provide you with a strong psychology base right from the start of your studies. At Year 1 (credit Level 4) you take a range of core psychology modules that introduce you to the main areas and methods of psychological study. At Year 2 (credit Level 5) you take core modules that cover areas central to the discipline of psychology, including social, cognitive and developmental psychology and the study of individual differences. Advanced Research Methods further develops your knowledge and skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis. At Year 3 (credit Level 6) you are offered more choice in the modules you take. in the Research Project you select a research topic of particular interest to you and, working with a supervisor, devise, conduct and report on a research investigation relevant to this topic. the remainder of your study in this year is chosen from a wide range of option modules, allowing you to follow your interests in the field. Option modules at Year 3 (credit Level 6) include: Business Psychology clinical Psychology cognitive disorders and neuropsychology critical Psychology educational Psychology Forensic Psychology Health Psychology Music and the Mind Psychology and the internet Psychology of counselling Psychology of Language Psychology of Prejudice Psychology of Sport, exercise and Performance Psychology of Women Psychophysiology Studies in consciousness A module offering Applied Work experience in Psychology allows you to draw on your understanding of psychological research and theory to inform your work experience in a setting relevant to psychology. At each of the credit levels you may take a non-psychology module, for example in social sciences, biological sciences or a language module.

7. Work experience / Extra-curricular activities • You have the option of work experience available in between your course, this is institute specific. • Look into Research early on. Psychology has a very vast base on research for different topics within the subject. This will also give you a better insight as to what your specifically interested in, neuropsychology, counselling, developmental, behavioural etc. • Write for Al-Nusrat magazine • Reading into the subject is vital. Vocational reading on books that are within your reading list is good, reading beyond the reading list is great. This is why it is not an exhaustive list. • Keeping a close eye on degree courses for further education should you wish to take it further, for Masters or chartered courses. The British Psychological Society (BPS) have a list of courses that are accredited, this means that if you have or are thinking to go on a specific course it will be BPS approved as conferring eligibility for the graduate basis for chartered Membership. This is the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist. Link to website: http://www.bps.org.uk/

8. Career opportunities • Teaching • Research • Counselling (a chartered psychologist) • Psychiatrist (eligible to work in the NHS or private hospitals) • Speech and language therapist • Forensic Psychologist • Genetic Psychologist • Engineering Psychologist • Clinical Psychologist • School Psychologist (counsellor) • Personnel management (Psychology is highly valued by Businesses) • Special educations teacher- Working with Children with learning difficulties or disabilities

10. Ways to serve the Jama’at • Psychology can be used and adapted in any environment, anywhere you go, as we all use social skills to meet various people, it will be essential to try and understand them and their way of thinking. • In terms of Tabligh especially, coming across many different people, from different backgrounds, it will be vital to understand their though process, and adapt to that and engage with them accordingly. Psychology will greatly help in such matters. • Teaching wise, you could choose to go down this route, and help to teach psychology in schools, mainly used as an A-level subject, hence a Masters at least would be needed in this subject for that. • Research in this field would also be helpful.

11. Personal Statement Examples • WE CAN HELP!! • Contact AMWSA at amwsa@hotmail.com • Please include the following details: • Name & Majlis • The subject your interested in.

12. Contacts • To contact Ahmadi, female Mathematics graduates and gain further advice contact amwsa@hotmail.com • Please include the following details: • Name & Majlis • The subject your interested in.

13. Additional recommendations • Go to open days, participate in Taster Sessions, and Student Buddying Schemes run at Universities. This will give you an idea of what is included in Psychology. • Ask around. Get as much information from as many different people as possible, teachers, students who have been there and done that. You will find there are many variants within Psychology, from singular specific courses, like, Health Psychology, to more broad open ones, like, combination courses, such as, Psychology and Sociology. You might want to take on a combination degree, for more options available to you after you graduate, or just for a variety within your course, then in your final year you can major in Psychology or the other to whichever you are more inclined towards.

14. Remember to send a letter to Beloved Huzur-e-Aqdas (aba) on a regular basis to seek his invaluable prayers and guidance.

15. Some helpful websites! http://www.bps.org.uk/ The British Psychological Society website. Provides you with invaluable information about Psychology as a discipline and as a career. Course accredited lists. http://allpsych.com/ A lot of informative education on Psychology and all its variants

16. Any questions, comments or feedback... email us at.... amwsa@hotmail.co.uk