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What is Experimental Psychology?

Psychology is a sophisticated and diverse subject which employs an impressive range of research tools. The subject includes studies of the brain, the different ways that we perceive the world and the effects of social and cultural influences on people’s behaviour. During your degree, we will cover all these topics and many more. We will also encourage you to think critically and constructively about the research that has been done in these areas of psychology.

The course allows you to study intensively within the discipline of psychology.  After the preliminary examinations you will have the opportunity to specialise in psychology alone.  

Why Study Psychology at Oxford?

Undergraduate Psychology at Oxford is taught as a scientific discipline, involving substantial amounts of practical work and experimentation. The course concentrates on biological, human experimental, cognitive, social and developmental psychology. (Psychoanalysis and related areas are not taught as part of this course).

The degree is intellectually stimulating and you will be encouraged to take a critical and enquiring approach to your studies. Our teaching style is aimed at supporting and developing you as an individual, so that you can maximise your full potential.

Experimental Psychology has excellent facilities and very close links with neuroscience, including neurophysiology and neurology, and also philosophy and linguistics. Students benefit from the Department being one of Britain's most active centres for psychological research, with an outstanding international reputation.

Students can elect to graduate after three years with a BA degree. Alternatively, they can decide to remain for an optional fourth year composed of a research-intensive, clinically-focused or translation-focused extended project. Students who complete the fourth year will graduate with a Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. Experimental Psychology can be studied either on its own as a MSci in Experimental Psychology (C830) or with a combination under the BA or MSci Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics

The course is accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society; provided you have studied sufficient psychology and achieved the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours (2:2).

If you have any further questions, please email admissions@psy.ox.ac.uk.

Apply by

For entry in October 2025:

UCAS Application Deadline: 15 October 2024

Registration for the Pre-Interview Admission Tests: 15 August - 4 October 2024

Course code

C830 (Experimental Psychology)