Social Psychology

Social psychology examines how individuals are influenced by, relate to and make sense of the social world around them. It occupies a productive middle ground between psychology's attention to individual minds and sociology's focus on social structures, exploring how identity, attitudes, relationships, group dynamics, cultural context and power shape what people think, feel and do. The discipline draws on experimental research, qualitative inquiry and theoretical frameworks to understand phenomena as varied as conformity, persuasion, prejudice, cooperation, consciousness and the social dimensions of wellbeing.

At Leeds Beckett University, this part-time programme, which includes a year abroad, takes a particularly broad and exploratory approach to the discipline. You will discover the multifaceted dimensions of psychology, from social and cultural to political, ecological and spiritual perspectives. The programme covers diverse topics including human consciousness, artificial intelligence, psychoanalysis, positive psychology, persuasion, mindfulness and aspects of spirituality, giving you exposure to a wide range of ways of thinking about mind, behaviour and society.

The year abroad broadens your intellectual and cultural perspective, exposing you to psychology as it is studied and applied in a different national context.

Graduates of social psychology programmes pursue careers in health and social care, community development, mental health services, education, human resources, market research, public policy, social work, counselling (with further training) and research. The combination of critical thinking, research methods, interpersonal understanding and communication skills developed through social psychology is genuinely transferable across sectors. Further study at master's or doctoral level in social psychology, clinical psychology, counselling psychology or a related field is a common next step for those who want to pursue professional or academic careers in psychology.