Psychology: New students
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students
We will be updating this page regularly as new details of induction and welcome activities are released. Please ensure you check back here frequently for updates, as well as your personal email account, new University of Exeter email account, and your My Timetable for the most up-to-date information from us. (Please note you need to register with the University and activate your IT account to access My Timetable.) If you have any questions about your induction or starting your studies, please contact your Info Point using the details on this page.
Congratulations on your achievement of obtaining a place to study Psychology at the University of Exeter. We look forward to welcoming you to Exeter and working with you over the coming few years.
This page contains some useful information about induction and welcome activities in Psychology. Please also refer to the new students’ website for information about other non-discipline-specific events.
On this page: Welcome from the Head of Department | Important information | Module selection | Your tutors and pastoral care team | Contacts and support
Department online induction
Take a look at our online induction, which aims to help prepare you for life and study in Psychology and gives you an opportunity to meet some of your new coursemates.
New students website
This is a good time to have a read through the new students webpages, particularly the Before you arrive section which includes information about essential and advisable tasks for you to start to work through.
Welcome to the Department of Psychology at the University of Exeter!

You are joining one of the top universities in the country, a member of the Russell Group of top research-led universities, with an outstanding record of employability. As a consequence, you can expect our standards to be very high, our teaching to be excellent and your experience to be one of the best available in higher education.
What you will experience here represents a step up from anything you will have experienced prior to this at school or college. You will be taught by people who don't just use textbooks, but write them—researchers who know exactly what it's like to establish a new finding, discover a new effect, or construct a new theory. They will expect you to learn to operate at the same level as them, and eventually to be capable of doing what they do.
You have time to make this journey, but you cannot afford to waste any of that time. The first year is introductory, and as such does not contribute (in terms of assessment) to your final degree (though you must pass the modules to progress). I encourage you, however, to take full advantage of this introduction, to learn to deal with the change in standards that will apply in your subsequent years. So the first year is for you to practise your skills, to discover the areas of your course that you enjoy the most, and to learn how to think and communicate in the context of your subject. Use it well, and above all engage with your tutors, lecturers and other members of staff. Become part of the discipline and attend our seminars and talks and you will feel the full benefit of studying at Exeter.
We look forward to working with you.
Professor Joanne Smith, Head of Psychology
Important information
Welcome Week runs from Monday 18 September – Sunday 24 September 2023.
The Welcome week 2023 events for Psychology will be held on Tuesday 19th September from 09:00 until 18:00, with some additional events also being held on Wednesday 20th September and Thursday 21st September. Further details of the events including times and locations will be added here closer to the week but please also check your timetable in iExeter for the most up-to-date information.
Please note that if you are unable to attend the induction sessions, information from these sessions will be made available on the Psychology Handbook ELE page.
Students on the BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science programme do not need to attend the Meet your Personal Tutor sessions as they will meet their personal tutor at the PSY &ESS: Directors Welcome & Personal Tutor meeting at 14:00 on Tuesday 19th September in Washington Singer Room 219.
Day | Time | Event | Location | Who should attend |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday 19 September | 09:00-10:00 |
Welcome talks |
Forum Alumni Auditorium Lecture Theatre | All students |
10:00-10:30 |
MEET YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR - Tutor Surnames A-D |
Washington Singer room 219 | Students of Personal Tutor (Surnames A-D) | |
10:30-11:00 |
MEET YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR - Tutor Surnames E-L |
Washington Singer room 219 | Students of Personal Tutor (Surnames E-L) | |
11:00-11:30 | MEET YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR - Tutor Surnames M-P | Washington Singer room 219 | Students of Personal Tutor (Surnames M-P) | |
11:30-12:00 | MEET YOUR PERSONAL TUTOR - Tutor Surnames R-W | Washington Singer room 219 | Students of Personal Tutor (Surnames R-W) | |
12:30-13:45 | Q&A session with current Psychology students | Newman Red | All students | |
14:00-15:00 | INTO: Meet with Programme Co-ordinator | Washington Singer room 219 |
INTO International Year One in Psychology students |
|
14:00-15:00 | PSY & ESS: Director's Welcome & Personal Tutor Meeting | Washington Singer room 234 | BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science students | |
15:00-17:00 | Induction Session & Meet with Senior Tutor | Newman Blue | All students | |
Wednesday 20 September | 10:00-11:00 |
Inbound Study Abroad Students Welcome Talk |
Washington Singer room 234 | Inbound Study Abroad Students |
11:00-12:00 | BSc Psychology with Professional Placement Welcome Talk | Washington Singer room 219 | BSc Psychology with Professional Placement students | |
Thursday 21 September | 11:30-12:30 | How to learn well | Forum Alumni Auditorium Lecture Theatre | All students |
14:00-15:00 | The Scavenger Hunt (Year 1 students) | N/A | Yr 1 students | |
15:00-17:00 | Welcome Party Social | N/A | All students |
BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science
If you are studying BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science students please attend the Psychology Welcome and induction talks and not the Sport and Health Sciences induction. However, you may also wish to make yourself familiar with the Sport and Health Sciences new students page.
You must register with the university at the start of each academic year. By registering, you agree to observe the University’s rules and regulations, including the payment of tuition fees and other charges by the deadlines. Most students will be asked to register online.
The registration webpage can be found here.
To register, you need to:
- Activate your IT account.
- Use your IT details to go to the iExeter app and log in.
- Follow the ‘Registration’ link.
If you have any problems registering online or your course details are not correct please contact the Student Information Desk on 01392 724724 or submit a SID enquiry.
More information about things you'll need to do before arriving at Exeter can be found in the New Students website.
Your detailed personal timetable will be available to view and download in iExeter from 19 September. Teaching commences on Monday 25 September 2022. How to understand your timetable guide (Word doc).
All timetabling is organised centrally by the Timetable Team. Staff are available to answer any queries that you may have via student.timetable.peterchalk@exeter.ac.uk.
For further information about your timetable, please see the timetabling webpages.
Basic reading lists for each first year module can be found in the module descriptors. All recommended reading should be available through the university library.
Please do not buy any books before you arrive, as guidance will be given in the first lecture of each module.
Learning environments
Your teaching sessions are likely to involve a mix of one or more of the following:
Lectures
A presentation or talk on a particular topic, led by a Module Tutor, and often involving some interactive tasks or opportunities for discussion.
Tutorials
On some modules you’ll have small group tutorials where a tutor supports your learning on a specific topic. These will likely be delivered face-to-face on campus.
Practicals
Many modules will have associated practical sessions. These may be on campus, or they may be a desk-based exercise for you to complete in your own time.
Assessments
Assessments can include:
- essays
- lab reports
- multiple choice exams
- short answer exams
Changing your optional modules
The first year provides you with a broad foundation of knowledge and specialist skills for research and undertaking statistical analysis. You will take 90 credits of the core Psychology modules:
Core modules (90 credits)
Module code | Module title | Term |
---|---|---|
PSY1203 | Introduction to Social Psychology | Term 1 |
PSY1204 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | Term 1 |
PSY1206 | Introduction to Research Methods | Term 1 |
PSY1205 | Introduction to Statistics | Terms 1 & 2 |
PSY1202 | Introduction to Biological Psychology | Term 2 |
PSY1207 | Cognition, Emotion and Development | Term 2 |
Optional modules (30 credits)
We will automatically register you for 2 x 15 credit Psychology modules listed below and they will appear on your student record when you register:
Module code | Module title | Term |
---|---|---|
PSY1105 | Introduction to Behaviour and Evolution | Term 1 |
PSY1126 | Classic Studies in Psychology | Term 2 |
Changing your optional modules
You can request to change your optional modules (PSY1105/PSY1126) which are currently on your student record via the Online Module Change process. You can take up to 30 credits from another discipline or you may decide to swap one of your current optional modules for PSY1208 Work Experience (Psychology).
To request a module change, you must complete a module change form. Links to the module change forms and other relevant information regarding module change can be found on the Module Change hub page.
Any changes are subject to approval and are timetable permitting. You should continue to attend modules that you are currently registered for until your module change has been approved. Module change is open from 9am Monday 18th September 2023 to 12pm (noon) Friday 6th October 2023. It is preferable to register for your modules before the deadline date so you do not miss any scheduled teaching.
You will choose your optional modules at a meeting with your Programme Director Dr Aureliu Lavric. Please check your timetable in iExeter for the date and time of the meeting.
- Descriptions of Psychology modules can be found here.
- Descriptions of Exercise and Sports Science modules can be found here.
In year 1 you will take four 15 credit compulsory modules and four 15 credit optional modules.
Core modules (60 credits)
Module code | Module title | Term |
---|---|---|
PSY1206 | Introduction to Research Methods | Term 1 |
PSY1205 | Introduction to Statistics | Terms 1 & 2 |
PSY1202 | Introduction to Biological Psychology | Term 2 |
PSY1207 | Cognition, Emotion and Development | Term 2 |
Optional modules (60 credits)
You will choose one 15 credit Psychology module from:
Module code | Module title | Term |
---|---|---|
PSY1203 | Introduction to Social Psychology | Term 1 |
PSY1204 |
Introduction to Clinical Psychology | Term 1 |
PSY1208 | Workplace Learning | Terms 1 and 2 |
and three 15 credit Sport and Exercise Science modules from:
Module code | Module title | Term |
---|---|---|
ESS1006 | Human Anatomy and Kinathropometry | Term 1 |
ESS1605 | Foundations of Exercise and Sport Psychology | Term 1 |
ESS1703 | Bioenergetics | Term 1 |
ESS1007 | Human Physiology | Term 2 |
ESS1606 | Nutrition and Metabolism | Term 2 |
Please note:
BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science and BSc Psychology with Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement students must attend the Psychology Welcome Day and not the Sport and Health Sciences Welcome Day. However, you will need to make yourself familiar with your Sports and Exercise Science reading lists and any specialized clothing that you will need to purchase - see the Sport and Health Science new students page.
Your tutors and pastoral care team
Let’s introduce you to some of the key people in our department who’ll be supporting you through your programme of study.
- We are here to help – via email, phone, Teams, or in-person appointment.
- Please come and see us before an issue gets too big.
- Because of our team-based approach, there should always be someone you can speak to for help.
You can find a list of all academic staff in Psychology here, including office locations and contact details.
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be allocated your own dedicated Personal Tutor who will be your first point of contact if you have any queries or concerns about your overall progress and wellbeing. They will see you either on an individual basis or in your tutor group several times across the academic year, to discuss your transition to uni, attendance, progress and ambition. They will set up appointments, and attendance is compulsory and is monitored. You might discuss: generic aspects of studying such as marking conventions, essay/exam technique, planning for your future career.
You can consider your Personal Tutor also as a friendly triage/signposting service – if there is an emerging issue you need help with, they can advise you where to get it and refer you on to the right person. You can make an appointment with them at any time by email, phone, or by visiting them during their weekly office hours.
The relationship you build up with your tutor is an important one, not least because they will sometimes be the person who writes references for you when you start applying for jobs or other positions such as internships.
This short video outlines some of the benefits of our tutoring system:
Helen Foster-Collins is First Year Tutor.
Each student is assigned to a personal tutor. As a cohort, you will also have a Year Tutor and you can reach out to the Year Tutor if you need additional support or additional input. Similarly, tutors can also reach out to Year Tutors if they need additional input from a student/tutee.
Where you may have more complex issues that require ongoing monitoring and support, Helen can help (liaising with our Welfare Advisor, Tim Harris).
If your personal tutor is unavailable, Helen may be able to help.
You can email Helen at Psy-pastoral@exeter.ac.uk. Please include “Helen Foster-Collins” in the subject line.
Louise Pendry is the Senior Tutor.
Personal Tutors and Year Tutors report to Louise. If your Personal or Year Tutors are unavailable, and Washington Singer Information point doesn’t have the answer, Louise may be able to help.
Louise attends Level 2 Health, Well-being and Support for Study Meetings (with our Welfare Advisor, Tim Harris, who chairs them).
If you have any queries regarding your Personal Tutor or Year Tutor feel free to contact Louise at Psy-pastoral@exeter.ac.uk. Please include “Louise Pendry” in the subject line.
Tim Harris is our Welfare Advisor in Wellbeing Services.
Tim works in liaison with tutors to assist students to access support for managing health/wellbeing and impact on studies.
Tim can offer telephone, skype and face to face appointments. To contact him, please email: welfare.peterchalk@exeter.ac.uk
Your degree is made up of a number of different short courses called ‘modules’. Each module is led by a named academic member of staff, but most are taught by a team of tutors who share the lectures and seminars.
Your Module Tutors can be contacted in the same was as you would contact your Personal Tutor to seek help and advice. Your Module Tutors will let you know how to contact them to arrange a meeting, with this information also displayed on the module’s ELE page*.
*ELE is the Exeter Learning Environment, and each module has a dedicated page. On here you will find the information and materials you need to complete the module.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the undergraduate programmes. This may include helping students make choices about their studies, or meeting with individuals who are having difficulties at university. The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology is Dr Aureliu Lavric.
In addition, the Directors of Education have overall responsibility for all the programmes and modules within Psychology. Dr Hazel Mycroft and Dr Tim Fawcett are the Directors of Education for Psychology, and can be contacted at psychologyDoE@exeter.ac.uk.
Contacts and support
Info at Washington Singer: Your Psychology Hub
If you have any Psychology-specific enquires please contact Info at Washington Singer by email psychology@exeter.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1392 724626.
Psychology is based in the Washington Singer building on Perry Road. You can take virtual tours, complete with 360º panoramas, to see what the campus really looks like.
For essential information relating to Psychology please go to our ELE (Exeter Learning Environment) page.
General enquiries
For all general and IT enquiries please contact SID (Student Information Desk) online or via the iExeter app: log on to iExeter, click on the ‘SID Helpdesk’ tab and select the link to ‘log a new enquiry’.
There is a huge range of information available about accessing support at Exeter – please see the student services directory.
Psychology ELE Hub
For essential information relating to Psychology please go to our ELE (Exeter Learning Environment) page.
Services and support
- Student services – support and services for current students.
- Education support: student hubs – for any questions you may have about Education Support.
- Mitigation Process – information about getting extensions and mitigation for assessments.
Access and wellbeing support
If you have declared a disability on your application form pre-arrival or on a medical form, we would advise you to contact AccessAbility and Wellbeing services by logging an enquiry through the SID helpdesk. They will ensure that you get the additional study support you require e.g. extra time in exams, specific software etc.
Wellbeing services offer mental health support and counselling, as well as self-help resources you can access here.
Our AccessAbility team provide information and advice for students with a disability or long-term health condition. This can include specific learning difficulties, long-term health conditions, sensory or mobility impairments, autism spectrum conditions and mental health difficulties.
If you are eligible, we can help you to set up an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to recommend reasonable adjustments to help you to minimise the impact any disability, long-term health condition or specific learning difficulty may have on your studies. Reasonable adjustments for examinations (such as extra time, laptop usage, specific rooming provision) can be put in place with our support and appropriate supporting evidence.
It is important to note that previous exam adjustments you may have had before registering at the university will not automatically transfer to your study at Exeter.
If you feel you would benefit from any of the Wellbeing support detailed, please do contact our teams as soon as possible so that any support can be arranged for you to start the term confidently.
Here in Psychology we work closely with the Students’ Guild to ensure you get the most out of your time at Exeter.
Welcome Week 2023
Your Students’ Guild is planning Welcome Week 2023 with events from 18 – 24 September.
Student Societies
The Guild oversees nearly 300 different societies, and we strongly encourage you to explore all the taster events during your induction to find groups and activities that match your interests. There really is something to suit everyone (yes, even the introverts amongst you!) and connecting with other students is the key to beginning to feel at home here.
Here are a few societies that could be of particular interest to you as Psychology students:
- Psychology Society
- Women in Psychology
- Be The Change
More about the Guild
But there’s more to the Guild than socialising and sport: they also offer brilliant food outlets, a shop, and an Advice Unit where you can get free, confidential guidance on areas as diverse as your finances, accommodation, welfare, and academic issues such as appeals, mitigation and misconduct.
The Guild also offers specific support to students who are parents, carers, care leavers, asylum seekers, refugees, or are estranged from their families, so if this is you please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more.
All of these amazing services and resources are supported by elected Guild Officers, who are your representatives and work hard with the University to get your voices heard.
Support with studying in English
The Insessional Programme is provided by INTO University of Exeter. It offers a range of courses, workshops and tutorials to international students at the University of Exeter. It is designed to enable students to develop their academic English and provide help and support for studying in English. Further information about the INTO Insessional Programme is available here.
International students' website
Visit the international students' website for information on preparing for your studies and the support available to you, including our airport collection service and mentoring scheme.
We are committed to enabling all students to communicate their views and to receiving suggestions to influence changes to our policies and procedures.
Psychology has an undergraduate and postgraduate Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC), which gives you the opportunity to voice your opinions about studying with us and to comment on a wide range of issues and possible developments.
The SSLC is presided over by Subject Officer (a student elected by the Students’ Guild) and composed of elected student representatives from each year and programme, and appropriate staff representatives. Training for Subject Officers is provided by the Students’ Guild. A standard agenda is provided by the Taught Faculty, and an action log is taken by the discipline Administrator.
If you are interested in becoming a representative for the UG SSLC please sign up to volunteer through the Students' Guild.
Academic Peer Mentorship is a programme designed to help first-year undergraduate students settle into University life, meet fellow students and learn from existing students’ experience.
What kind of help can mentors offer?
Mentors can help Year 1 students get acquainted with the University, its systems (e.g., ELE) and services (e.g., how to register with well-being or societies) as well as share their own personal experience which helped them succeed- e.g., note-taking, revision strategies etc. Mentors are not expected to act as counsellors or personal tutors.
Who can participate?
All Psychology BSc students. Year 1 students can sign up to be mentees and Year 2 & Year 3 students can sign up to be mentors.
How often will I meet my mentors?
Once a month.
However, if you would prefer to meet less regularly than once a month, then you can discuss this with them.
You cannot meet more regularly than once a month.
How can I sign up?
Email our Academic Peer Mentorship Coordinators:
Dr Ioanna Kapantai on i.kapantai@exeter.ac.uk or Dr Helen Foster-Collins on h.foster-collins2@exeter.ac.uk.