School of Psychology

Welcome to the School of Psychology. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about starting or returning to your studies. 

Find the section that applies to you – new student, returning student or Masters student.

We’ve also included some helpful links at the end of the page to direct you to anything else you might need.

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, find your faculty welcome and induction information to help you get started.

I’m a new Student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

To enable you to make a flying start to life as a Leeds student, we would like you to complete a few tasks:

  • IT induction: Self Service - Welcome to IT - for students.
  • Register for a username and password (without these two you cannot access the university IT systems).
  • Register for your course. Guidance on registration will be emailed to you and is also available online.

Disability contacts

The School of Psychology has two disability contacts: An Academic Tutor for Disabled Students (Dr Tiina Eilola) and a Pastoral and Wellbeing Officer (Louise Gill) who both assist students with disabilities to access the necessary support throughout their degree.

If you have a disability, we recommend that you contact Tiina, Louise or your Personal Tutor as soon as possible, preferably even before the start of your course.

What sessions and activities do you have planned to welcome me to the School of Psychology?

Your induction timetable consists of different talks and activities that are designed to introduce you to the School of Psychology, explain more about your course and let you meet other students.  

Induction will be in person, on campus. Welcome week will introduce you to the personal tutor scheme, allow you to meet your student community and more.  

For detailed information regarding your induction week:

  • BSc/MPsyc Level One: You will be sent a welcome email which will include a link to your induction timetable in early September.
  • Masters students will be emailed with welcome information and an induction timetable during September. 

Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

All teaching will be on-campus and so you’ll need to be in Leeds for your lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Face-to-face learning will be complemented and supported by a variety of digital technologies, however teaching will be primarily on campus. 

How does assessment work on my programme?

The programme incorporates a wide range of assessments including online exams, presentations, and a variety of written-based coursework assignments. Further details regarding the assessments for each module can be found in the programme catalogue.

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You will meet your personal tutor during induction week and they will arrange meetings with you at particular points in the year. Personal tutors will also be contactable via email and additional meetings can be requested, as required. 

Where can I go for support?

You will be able to arrange meetings, via email, with a range of individuals here to help provide you with the support that you need. 

If you are having any personal difficulties or need wellbeing advice, you can get in touch with our Pastoral Support Team by emailing PsycPastoralSupport@leeds.ac.uk from your University email account, or by contacting Louise or Amy directly using the following email addresses.

Contact the School of Psychology Pastoral Support Team:

For issues relating to your course, you can speak with the year coordinator, and for administrative difficulties, you can contact the Level 1 Student Support Officer, Alison Tindall.  

See the ‘What do I need to do before I arrive?’ section for disability contacts within the School of Psychology. 

What support is available for international students?

The International Student Office provides specialist support services for students from outside the UK. Their website has lots of useful information to explore ahead of arriving in Leeds.

International orientation starts from Monday 18 September. There is a programme of talks, live online webinars, tours and events on offer. There's lots going on to welcome you to Leeds! 

On the practical side we also offer arrival support services to help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds. 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

The university provides a wide range of support for academic skills via its Skills@Library service. The team are available year round to help you improve all kinds of skills to succeed in your degree and run workshops on a variety of academic skills from planning research to evaluating sources.

They also provide drop in sessions for writing help and stats support, as well as bookable one-to-one appointments to discuss specific issues.

For those of you who prefer to develop such skills in your own time and at your own pace, the Skills@Library service provides a range of online resources that you can use.

Personal tutors within the School of Psychology can also provide feedback on practice essays should you wish to complete them.

How will I find out more about my programme?

In the induction sessions you will be given more information about your programme and you will be directed to a Sharepoint site full of information about being a student in the School of Psychology.

There is also an outline of your programme available online via the programme catalogue: 

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it?

For Research Skills modules, you will require access to SPSS. Once enrolled on the degree, you will be able to access this programme for free via the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).

Module leaders will inform you, in good time, should further specialist software be required.  

Once you’ve completed the IT induction and obtained your university username and password, you will also be able to obtain a free copy of Microsoft Office.

Where can I access resources for my degree?

You can access all resources via our online blackboard software, Minerva. This will be updated closer to the start of term.

It may be useful to explore the Student guides for Minerva ahead of time, as this is the University's portal and Virtual Learning Environment: See the Minerva Student Guides for more information.

Some of your teaching may also be delivered using Blackboard Collaborate. See the Blackboard Collaborate Student Guides for more information.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?

We will publish a list of core texts on Minerva. Many of these are available online or via the library. We recommended waiting for the first lecture when staff will let you know how heavily they will rely on the textbook so you can make an informed decision about whether to purchase them. 

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them?

Within the department itself, there is a student area on the ground floor, through the glass doors. This area has comfy seating, a couple of desktop PCs, outlets to charge devices, a community library with textbooks and water cooler. We are currently working to expand the facilities available to students.

We are also hoping to make other rooms available in the School of Psychology for study space, along with those already available in the libraries on campus.

You will have access to any equipment you need for any project or practical work, and your supervisor or practical leader will be able to give you more detail about this as needed.   

For more information, read the where to study on campus page.

How will I get to know other students?

We appreciate that an important element of any programme is having the opportunity to meet, work with, and get to know other students. With this in mind, we have designed the programme to be as interactive as possible.  Each module will include interactive activities and some modules involve a large degree of group-based working. You will also get to meet other students in your tutor group. 

The School is arranging social sessions during induction week and your first week of teaching, and these will be listed on your induction timetable. Following induction, any social activities will be shared via the newsletter, email and other channels.

We also offer a peer mentoring scheme, Peer Assisted Study,  where you will be mentored by students in levels two and three. You will meet regularly as a group and your mentors will be able to provide you with support to help you settle in, and guidance to help you with your studies.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school?

Yes, we run a Peer Assisted Study (PASS Scheme). You will meet regularly with a group of other first year students and two leaders who are level two or three students. The leaders will plan activities for each session to help you build your skills and knowledge of psychology. The sessions will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions in an environment that isn’t intimidating, and you will also be able to learn from the experience of the leaders.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course reps are currently being recruited for all levels for the 2023/24 academic year

Apply to be a course rep via the short application form (Microsoft Form).

For more information about the role visit our course rep Padlet.

  • Course reps liaise with other students on the course to garner views, opinions, feedback and represent the course on student-staff forums.
  • It is the perfect opportunity to develop key transferable skills for your future career.
  • If you are approachable, organised and proactive we would love you to apply.

NB: The role does not necessarily involve extensive public speaking to large audiences.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, over 300! Visit the Leeds University Union website for more information.

I’m a returning student

How will my programme be delivered? Will I be required to attend face-to-face sessions?

All teaching will be on-campus so you’ll need to be in Leeds for your lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Face-to-face learning will be complemented and supported by a variety of digital technologies, however teaching will be primarily on campus. 

There will also be plenty of opportunities for you to interact with other students on your course through varied group activities. You will have access to a wide range of resources to support your learning including e-books, online journals, and locally designed learning resources. You will continue to be supported by your personal tutors and our student education team throughout your degree.  

All the materials for the taught sessions will be made available online to help support all students. 

What do I need to do before I arrive?

You will need to ensure you are enrolled on your modules and register online, you should already have received information about how and when to do this. 

Read the guidance about how to register online.

What sessions and activities do you have planned to welcome me back to the School of Psychology?

We have a welcome session planned for you which will be led by your new year co-ordinator and will provide more information about the year ahead.

Later on in the term we’re planning events to celebrate milestones such as your first assignment submission of the year, we’ll provide further information nearer the time.

There is also lots going on during Welcome Week across the wider University, and the events are not just for new students.

Find out more about what Leeds University Union have planned via their events page.

The page will be updated as we approach Welcome Week, but here you’ll find a wide range of activities, events, fairs and Give-it-a-go sessions (GIAG). Most are free and fully accessible.

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it?

For the Research Methods 3 and 4 modules, you will require access to SPSS. You will be able to access this programme for free via the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).

Module leaders will inform you, in good time, should further specialist software be required.

Once you have completed the IT induction and obtained your university username and password; you will also be able to obtain a free copy of Microsoft Office.

How will tutorials/seminars, practical or lab sessions be managed?

As in previous years, Level 2 undergraduate students will complete four practicals in the forthcoming academic year in the Research Skills 3 and 4 modules, two in each module. The same topics and analysis techniques will be covered as in previous years, if the practical involves any data collection this may be carried out online. However, the practical classes themselves, along with any interactive data analysis sessions, will still form an integral part of our practical classes and these will be delivered face-to-face. 

At Level 3 data collection for major projects can be conducted face-to-face or online. Students will also be supported by their project supervisor through face-to-face meetings as and when required. 

How does assessment work on my programme?

The programme incorporates a wide range of assessments including online exams, presentations, and a variety of written-based coursework assignments.  Further details about each module's assessments are in the programme catalogue. 

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

Your personal tutor will arrange a meeting with you at particular points in the year. Meetings will be held face-to-face in the Psychology building. Personal tutors will also be contactable via email and additional meetings can be requested, as required. 

Where can I go for support?

You will be able to arrange meetings, via email, with a range of individuals here to help provide you with the support you need.

If you are having any personal difficulties or need wellbeing advice, you can email our Pastoral Support Team at PsycPastoralSupport@leeds.ac.uk from your University email account, or by contacting Louise or Amy directly using the following email addresses.

The School of Psychology Pastoral Support Team:

For issues relating to your course, you can speak with the year coordinator Martin Farrell or Michael Jestico.

For administrative queries contact Amanda Doviak and Hannah Oxley via the programme support inbox (psyc-progsupport@leeds.ac.uk):

  • Queries they can help with include module enrolment; attendance; study abroad and year in industry; DBS checks; changing programmes; cubicle keys and booking; access to Minerva modules, registration etc.

For issues relating to assessment contact Megan Lee and Jenny Nansera via the assessment inbox (psyc-assessment@leeds.ac.uk):

  • Queries they can help with include assessment marks; online exams; progression; coursework submission etc.

Disability contacts

The School of Psychology also has two disability contacts: the Academic Tutor for Disabled Students (Tiina Eilola) and the Pastoral and Wellbeing Officer (Louise Gill). If you have a disability, and have not already done so, we recommend that you contact Tiina, Louise or your Personal Tutor as soon as possible, preferably even before the commencement of the new academic year.

What support is available for international students?

The International Student Office provides specialist support services for students from outside the UK. Their website has lots of useful information to explore ahead of arriving in Leeds.

International orientation starts from Monday 18 September. There is a programme of talks, live online webinars, tours and events on offer. There's lots going on to welcome you to Leeds! 

On the practical side we also offer arrival support services to help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds. 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic support?

The university provides a wide range of support for academic skills via its Skills@Library service. The team are available year round to help you improve all kinds of skills to succeed in your degree and run workshops on a variety of academic skills from planning research to evaluating sources.

They also provide drop in sessions for writing help and stats support, as well as bookable one-to-one appointments to discuss specific issues.

For those of you who prefer to develop such skills in your own time and at your own pace, the Skills@Library service provides a range of online resources that you can use.

Personal tutors within the School of Psychology can also provide feedback on practice essays should you wish to complete them.

How will I find out more about my programme?

In the induction sessions you will be given more information about your programme and you will be directed to a Sharepoint site full of information about being a student in the School of Psychology.

There is also an outline of your programme available online via the programme catalogue: 

Where can I access resources for my degree?

You can access all resources via our online blackboard software, Minerva. This will be updated closer to the start of term.

See the Minerva Student Guides for more information.

Some of your teaching may also be delivered using Blackboard Collaborate. See the Blackboard Collaborate Student Guides for more information.

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?

We will publish a list of core texts on Minerva. Many of these are available online or via the library. We recommended waiting for the first lecture when staff will let you know how heavily they will rely on the textbook so you can make an informed decision about whether to purchase them. 

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them?

Within the department itself, there is a student area on the ground floor, through the glass doors. This area has comfy seating, a couple of desktop PCs, outlets to charge devices, a community library with textbooks and water cooler. We are currently working to expand the facilities available to students.

We are also hoping to make other rooms available in the School of Psychology for study space, along with those already available in the libraries on campus.

You will have access to any equipment you need for any project or practical work, and your supervisor or practical leader will be able to give you more detail about this as needed.   

For more information, read the where to study on campus page.

How will I get to know other students?

We appreciate that an important element of any programme is having the opportunity to meet, work with, and get to know other students. With this in mind, we have designed the programme to be as interactive as possible.  Each module will include interactive activities and some modules involve a large degree of group-based working. You will also get to meet other students in your tutor group. 

We also offer a peer mentoring scheme, Peer Assisted Study,  where you will be mentored by students in levels two and three. You will meet regularly as a group and your mentors will be able to provide you with support to help you settle in, and guidance to help you with your studies.

Are there any peer mentoring schemes operating in my school?

As you already know, we run a Peer Assisted Study (PASS Scheme). As a returning student you can be part of the scheme by mentoring others, using your experience and knowledge to guide new students through their first few months at university, by planning activities for each session to help first years build skills and knowledge of psychology.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course reps are currently being recruited for all levels for the 2023/24 academic year

Apply to be a course rep via the short application form (Microsoft Form).

For more information about the role visit our course rep Padlet.

  • Course reps liaise with other students on the course to garner views, opinions, feedback and represent the course on student-staff forums.
  • It is the perfect opportunity to develop key transferable skills for your future career.
  • If you are approachable, organised and proactive we would love you to apply.

NB: The role does not necessarily involve extensive public speaking to large audiences.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, over 300! Visit the Leeds University Union website for more information.

I’m a Masters student

What do I need to do before I arrive?

To enable you to make a flying start to life as a Leeds student, we would like you to complete a few tasks:

Disability contacts

The School of Psychology has two disability contacts: An Academic Tutor for Disabled Students (Dr Tiina Eilola) and a Pastoral and Wellbeing Officer (Louise Gill) who both assist students with disabilities to access the necessary support throughout their degree.

If you have a disability, we recommend that you contact Tiina, Louise or your Personal Tutor as soon as possible, preferably even before the start of your course.

How will my programme be delivered this year?

All teaching will be on-campus and so you’ll need to be in Leeds for your lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Face-to-face learning will be complemented and supported by a variety of digital technologies, however teaching will be primarily on campus. 

The final semester 1 timetable will be published in September. 

What sessions do you have planned to welcome me to the School of Psychology?

We will hold a Welcome Session for all MSc and MPsyc students on Wednesday 27 September where you will meet the Programme Manager for your course and receive key information.

The session starts at 10.30am until 12pm. We’re hoping to provide tea, coffee and cakes as well. The location be will on your timetable. This is intended to be an informal session in which you can find out more about your course and participate in a friendly quiz with your new coursemates.

Further, sessions related to prepare you for your course (such as academic integrity and language support for international students) will follow. Details will be provided via email and sessions will be added to your timetable.

How will tutorials/seminars, practical or lab sessions be managed?

For those on one of the two MSc courses, students will undertake an MSc project. Those on the MPsyc programme will have the option to complete an MPsyc project.  

For the 2023/24 academic year, the following will be implemented:

  1. Data collection will be collected online or in the lab.
  2. Meetings with supervisors will be conducted via a mixture of face-to-face and online meetings. 

How does assessment work on my programme?

The programme incorporates a wide range of assessments including online exams, presentations, and a variety of written-based coursework assignments. Further details regarding the assessments for each module can be found in the Module Catalogue. 

How will I meet my academic personal tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You will meet your personal tutor at particular points in the year. Personal tutors will also be contactable via email and additional meetings can be requested, as required.

Where can I go for support?

You will be able to arrange meetings, via email, with a range of individuals here to help provide you with the support that you need. 

If you are having any personal difficulties or need wellbeing advice, you can get in touch with our Pastoral Support Team by emailing PsycPastoralSupport@leeds.ac.uk from your University email account, or by contacting Louise or Amy directly using the following email addresses.

Contact the School of Psychology Pastoral Support Team:

For issues relating to the course, you can speak with the programme leads:

For administrative queries contact Amanda Doviak and Hannah Oxley via the programme support inbox (psyc-progsupport@leeds.ac.uk):

  • Queries they can help with include module enrolment; attendance; study abroad and year in industry; DBS checks; changing programmes; cubicle keys and booking; access to Minerva modules, registration etc.

For issues relating to assessment contact Megan Lee and Jenny Nansera via the assessment inbox (psyc-assessment@leeds.ac.uk):

  • Queries they can help with include assessment marks; online exams; progression; coursework submission etc.

See ‘What do I need to do before I arrive?’ for disability contacts within the School of Psychology.What support is available for international students?

The International Student Office provides specialist support services for students from outside the UK. Their website has lots of useful information to explore ahead of arriving in Leeds.

International orientation starts from Monday 18 September. There is a programme of talks, live online webinars, tours and events on offer. There's lots going on to welcome you to Leeds! 

On the practical side we also offer arrival support services to help you have a smooth arrival in Leeds. 

Where do I turn if I need extra academic or language support?

The university provides a wide range of support for academic skills via its Skills@Library service. The team are available year round to help you improve all kinds of skills to succeed on your degree and run workshops on a variety of academic skills from planning research to evaluating sources.

They also provide drop in sessions for writing help and stats support, as well as bookable one-to-one appointments to discuss specific issues.

For those of you who prefer to develop such skills in your own time and at your own pace, the Skills@Library service provides a range of online resources that you can use.

We are also fortunate to have an assigned academic from the language centre to support our taught postgraduate students with language skills relating to academic study.

Nancy Woods runs weekly workshops linked to your course content, and also offers one-to-one appointments. She can provide support with any questions you may have about your written or oral skills, or help you understand and work on any feedback you have received on assessments. Email Nancy Woods at N.A.Woods@leeds.ac.uk.

The workshops and the one-to-one sessions are open to all taught postgraduate students, but may be of specific interest to students whose first degree was in a language other than English.

You will also be assigned an academic personal tutor who can also be a helpful source of general academic advice and support.  

How will I find out more about my programme?

In the induction session you will be given more information about your programme and you will be directed to a Sharepoint site full of information about being a student in the School of Psychology that will be available for you throughout your course.  

There is also an outline of your programme available online via the programme catalogue: 

How will I get to know other students?

We appreciate that an important element of any programme is having the opportunity to meet, work with, and get to know other students.  With this in mind, we have designed the programme to be as interactive as possible.  Each module will include interactive activities and some modules involve a large degree of group-based working.

We will work together, with course reps, to identify additional ways for you to get to know one another after induction week, throughout your year in the school. Following induction, any social activities will be shared via the newsletter, email and other channels.

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it? 

For Advanced Research Skills modules, you will require access to SPSS. Once enrolled on the degree, you will be able to access this programme for free via the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).

Module leaders will inform you, in good time, should further specialist software be required.  

Once you’ve completed the IT induction and obtained your university username and password, you will also be able to obtain a free copy of Microsoft Office.

Where can I access resources for my studies?

You can access all resources via our online blackboard software, Minerva. This will be updated closer to the start of term.

It may be useful to explore the Student guides for Minerva ahead of time, as this is the University's portal and Virtual Learning Environment: See the Minerva Student Guides for more information.

Key readings will be available online and/or via the library. Through licenses with various publishers, the university subscribes to a wide range of academic journals enabling you to access these journals free of charge via the university library webpages.  

Do I need to provide my core reading texts?

For most modules, reading is focused on journal articles rather than textbooks. However, for any core textbooks, a limited number of copies will be available in the library. Unfortunately, the university, like other universities, is unable to purchase enough copies for each student to have their own copy of each core text. Depending on availability and how extensively you wish to use these textbooks, you may want to purchase these relevant texts.

What facilities are available for my course, and how can I take advantage of them?

Across the campus we have four extensively stocked libraries with study environments. In the Edward Boyle library there is a postgraduate research hub where you can book space to work both individually or in a group. We also have Wi-Fi across the whole campus and multiple computer clusters.

Within the department itself, there is a student area on the ground floor, through the glass doors. This area has comfy seating, a couple of desktop PCs, outlets to charge devices, a community library with textbooks and water cooler. We are currently working to expand the facilities available to students.

We are also hoping to make other rooms available in the School of Psychology for study space, along with those already available in the libraries on campus. For more information, read the where to study on campus page.

The department also has licenses for a number of computer packages that can enable students to run studies and experiments online.  This has proven to be an effective way of collecting data for Masters level projects.  University wide licenses for online meeting packages such as MS Teams enable you to participate in online sessions, meetings with lecturers, tutors and fellow students.  Minerva also houses a range of module-specific materials.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course reps are currently being recruited for all levels for the 2023/24 academic year

Apply to be a course rep via the short application form (Microsoft Form).

For more information about the role visit our course rep Padlet.

  • Course reps liaise with other students on the course to garner views, opinions, feedback and represent the course on student-staff forums.
  • It is the perfect opportunity to develop key transferable skills for your future career.
  • If you are approachable, organised and proactive we would love you to apply.

NB: The role does not necessarily involve extensive public speaking to large audiences.

Are there any societies I can join for the school/programme?

Yes, over 300! Visit the Leeds University Union website for more information.

Where can I find relevant career information for postgraduate students?

The Careers Centre is able to offer guidance, we have LinkedIn and Facebook groups, resources on Minerva, and there’s also a range of websites available containing careers guidance for postgraduate students: 

Where can I find opportunities for work to develop my career?

You will receive regular newsletters advertising opportunities for psychology students, the Careers Centre and your personal tutor will be able to offer advice, and you can also take a look at the following websites: 

Other useful links