FAQs
What is the difference between the IoPPN and King’s?
King’s College London (KCL) is the university, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is one of the nine faculties (schools) that make up King’s College London.
The IoPPN delivers study courses and carries out research within the fields of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience. The IoPPN has existed, in different formats, for over a century and was born out of the famous Maudsley Hospital, one of the first hospitals to recognise and work in the field of mental health. For much of its history it was known as the Institute of Psychiatry, and it became part of King’s College London in 1997.
Is the course accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)?
Our BSc Neuroscience and Psychology course is accredited by the BPS. The BPS has commended five areas of particular strength, including our emphasis on ‘research-led teaching and the potential for students to benefit greatly from the research expertise of the IoPPN’.
Does the course include any placements or the option to study abroad?
Yes. Students can choose either the Study Abroad year or the IoPPN Professional Placement Year option when applying. Alternatively, students may choose a three-year pathway when applying and, in their second year choose to transfer onto a four-year pathway.
What are the different pathways and UCAS codes for Neuroscience and Psychology at King’s?
There are particular codes indicating that you would like to join the 4-year degree programme (with a placement year or studying for a year abroad as detailed above). However, if you are a UK student it does not matter which pathway you apply to at this stage. You will be able to join either 4-year pathway or indeed leave them in your second year of study (dependent on averaging a 2:1). If you are applying from overseas and will require a visa it is worth applying for either of the 4-year pathways as this means you are given a visa for that entire period. You would be able to join the 3-year path in year 2 if you wished.
What are the arrangements for required vs optional modules on the BSc Neuroscience and Psychology degree?
As this is a joint honours program, all students will take the same modules in the first two years. In the final year, students can choose to do a research project (which counts as three modules) investigating one of a wide range of topics if they want to be eligible for Graduate Membership with the BPS. They can choose the remaining five to seven modules from a wide range of optional modules covering all flavours of neuroscience and psychology.
What can we expect in terms of timetabled hours in class/lectures?
In the first two years, around 14-16 hours per week. In the third year, timetabled hours will vary depending on module choice. However, it is likely that timetabled hours will be slightly lower in Year 3, as there is greater emphasis on independent work or study.
What is the balance of exams vs coursework?
For your first and second year, there is a mixture of exams and coursework. In the third year, it will depend on your module choice.
Do first year marks count in the overall result?
First year marks do not count in the overall result. The final mark is a weighted average of your marks across years two and three.
How many staff are there on the programme?
There are around 20 full-time academic staff who make a major teaching contribution to the Neuroscience and Psychology course. In addition to our core academic team, trained postgraduate or postdoctoral teaching assistants will help to run seminars, practical sessions and may assist with assessment. We also have a very large number of research staff who contribute smaller amounts of time for research teaching as part of in-course activities or through supervising final year research projects
Which campus will I be based at?
Teaching will primarily take place at our Denmark Hill Campus, which is the IoPPN home campus. In year 1, and the first semester of year 2 one or two days a week you will be attending Psychology lectures at our Guy’s campus. Being at Denmark Hill has the advantage of being close to and taking advantage of the space/researchers there and getting a taste of postgraduate opportunities they may be available.
I see that King’s has both a BSc Psychology degree and a BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology; is it possible to switch between those two degree programmes when I am part way through my degree?
These programmes have several modules in common, and are both accredited by the BPS, but are not designed to allow you to switch from one programme to the other. As part of your degree you will take a number of core modules from the BSc Psychology in years 1 and 2, and in year 3 you will have the opportunity to select optional modules from this programme.
What can I expect to do after I graduate?
Neuroscience and Psychology graduates have many opportunities based on their wide- ranging knowledge of human behaviour and the nervous system, a thorough grounding in experimental research methods in psychological and neural sciences, training in some of the latest technological and methodological approaches in cognitive and systems neuroscience and the computational, statistical and analytic skills required to work with complex and big data.
You will develop the mind-set required for project-based interdisciplinary team-work, be comfortable working across levels of analysis, from cells and molecules to cognitive and cultural processes, and will develop problem solving and effective communication skills.
You can go on to work in a variety of career pathways, including science communication, museum work and public engagement, scientific publishing, scientific research and teaching in neuroscience and psychology, pharmaceutical industry and drug development, biotechnology, bioinformatics, data science, health science and health services research, or study further to become a professional psychologist, e.g. a clinical, educational, occupational psychologist, or apply their knowledge to a range of roles in the field of health and social care.
Who can I speak to if I have more questions about the course?
If your questions relate to the course, you can contact: enquiries_bscneuropsy@kcl.ac.uk.
If you have an admissions related question, please email: prospective@kcl.ac.uk.
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