Exploring Psychology

We run a number of psychology events throughout the year for A-level students interested in studying Psychology at university. Please see below for further details.

Is University right for me?

We are excited to invite you, your students and their parents to a unique and informative event.

The event will take place on 17th October 2024 (18:00-20:00) in Shilling Building, Royal Holloway, University of London.

The Psychology department at Royal Holloway recognises the intense pressure A-level students have to make important decisions at such a young age. We know that given this pressure, many will be asking themselves ‘Is University right for me?’. This event is specifically designed for students aged 16-18 who are contemplating their future educational paths. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of what university life entails and to help students make informed decisions about their next steps. The event will have a focus on psychology undergraduate degrees, but we encourage all students to attend, as the advice will be transferable.

Tickets are free and you can sign up following the Eventbrite link.

If you have any questions, please email Matt.Talbot@rhul.ac.uk.

• Main Talk by Dr. Matthew Talbot: Dr. Talbot, a Forensic Psychology researcher and Teaching Fellow at Royal Holloway, will offer a thought-provoking presentation on the realities of university life. He will tackle prevalent misconceptions, explore the genuine nature of the university experience, and emphasize the importance of early career planning. Dr. Talbot will provide a nuanced perspective on how university differs from school and will provide an honest and reflective discussion on the pitfalls that can arise whilst future planning in your late teens/early 20s. Additionally, he will address when university might not be the best fit, helping students to make well-informed decisions about their future.
• Roundtable Discussion: Hear directly from current university psychology undergraduates as they share their experiences around adjusting to university life, gaining work experience and any benefits/ regrets that have arisen from their choices. This session will include an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.
• Snacks and Socialising: Join us for a relaxed socialising session after the talks, with non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks. This is a great chance for students and their families to speak informally with current students and university staff, gaining personalized advice and answers to any questions about university life.

Psychology Taster Day

In this taster day, specially designed for Yr 12 students, you’ll get a glimpse into the variety of topics in psychology and the psychology research being conducted at Royal Holloway. This taster session includes two mini-taster lectures, lab tour(s), Q&As with staff and current students. We will soon announce the dates of the event.  

Previous Taster Lectures

Professor Ryan McKay (morning): “I swear: the sacred and the profane in language and law.”

Swear words have a unique linguistic power. In the first part of this talk I will describe my research into whether there are universal sound patterns in profanity. In the second part of the talk, I will discuss swearing in a different context – the courtroom.

Professor Victoria Bourne (afternoon): “Why statistics may be the most fun, relevant and useful thing you will ever study!"

 When someone decides to study psychology, statistics is rarely the area of the subject that they are most excited about. In this talk I will aim to convince you that statistics, and research more broadly, is the most engaging and fun part of learning how to become a psychologist.

We hosted Lab tours & Interactive Demonstrations session. 

National Psychology Competition

A-level students can put their Psychology skills to the test in our annual psychology competition for schools. For more information about the competition day, visit our Psychology competition page

The 2024 competition took place on 19th June 2024.

We will soon announce the date for the 2025 conpetition.

School Research Opportunities

Take part in ongoing research and get first-hand experience of what happens in our Psychology department.

To find out more, check out the list of current studies recruiting participants from schools or email Matt.Talbot@rhul.ac.uk. 

South East Research Network for Schools (SERNS)

Are you a teacher in Surrey and the South East and interested in hearing more about up-to-date research into student mental health, wellbeing and literacy? Find out more about the South East Research Network for Schools (SERNS)