BSc Psychology
I’ve always known that
I wanted to study something that focused on people’s behaviour, and psychology felt like the perfect fit. At the same time, I’m a homebird - I love my space, and staying close to home was important to me. Oxford Brookes was the best option because it allowed me to study a subject I was passionate about while keeping my commute manageable alongside my part-time job.
One of the things I’ve really enjoyed about the course
is the flexibility in research. Essays often start with broad questions, and we’re encouraged to explore areas that interest us. If there’s something specific I want to focus on - or avoid - I have that choice. I also like how we’re given opportunities to take part in real psychological studies. We’re given the opportunity to be participants in research carried out by lecturers or postgraduate students, which was a great way to experience the practical side of psychology. One study I took part in looked at the differences in handwriting speed between people with and without dyslexia - it was fascinating to see how small details like that can contribute to wider research.
With such a large course,
At odd times it can feel like you’re a bit disconnected, compared to what you experience at A-level, but the university support system is still strong. Each student is assigned an Academic Advisor, and we meet with them regularly before assignments. These meetings help us shape our ideas and refine our research, which is really useful. They also provide feedback meetings after we get our grades back, helping us improve for the next assignment.
If I could give one piece of advice,
it would be to stay organised. I use Google Calendar, a planner, and a notepad to track deadlines - anything to avoid the stress of cramming the night before! I also break down big assignments into smaller, manageable tasks, which has made a huge difference in my grades. Another thing that’s really helped is tracking all my feedback in a Google Sheet. It’s easy to read feedback once and forget about it, but writing everything down helps me spot patterns and make sure I’m improving with every essay.
The course has helped me develop so many valuable skills,
not just in psychology but in general academic and personal growth. From literature searching and referencing to conducting studies and writing reports, I’ve learned how to take research and apply it effectively. University has also pushed me to improve my time management and social skills. I had the same friendship group since Year 7, so meeting new people was a challenge at first, but I’ve now built a really solid group of friends on my course. Living at home instead of in student accommodation was another adjustment, but it’s helped me develop independence in a different way.
I know I want to continue studying after this
either through a master’s or even a PhD - but I haven’t narrowed down a specific career path yet. Psychology is such a broad field, and there are so many directions I could take. I know I want to work with people, whether that’s in counselling, HR, or something else entirely. There’s still plenty of time to find what I’m most passionate about, and I’m keeping my mind open to all the opportunities this course and university have to offer.