Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Science

The Department of Psychology and Pedagogic Sciences offers a range of vocationally orientated and research informed programmes to cater for students at all levels from foundation and undergraduate to postgraduate study and research degrees.

Our programmes are recognised nationally and internationally and many are endorsed by the associated national lead industry body or major organisation in the field. These include the British Psychological Society (BPS) and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). Our Foundation Degree in Football Education, Coaching and Development is run in partnership with Chelsea Football Club. We are seeking to be one of the first universities in the UK to have our sports coaching programmes endorsed by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).

As a St Mary’s student you will experience excellent teaching and learning informed by the latest research. A valuable feature of our programmes which helps distinguish our students is the exceptional range of opportunities available to gain and apply knowledge and skills in exciting real world contexts.

You will be joining an inclusive community of students and staff who are passionate about their subject area and professional development. As a learner at St Mary’s you will have access to a comprehensive range of pastoral and academic support services to help you achieve and develop in your chosen career pathway.

Our campus has excellent facilities to support our psychology and sport degrees such as the Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track, the Performance Education Centre, and specialist laboratories. Being located in London means our programmes offer outstanding access to major events and key organisations in the industry both locally and nationally. We are proud to be the top university in London for Job Prospects (WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2017).

Psychology

Within one year of graduating 92% of our Psychology graduates are in employment or further study, the 5th highest across the UK (Department for Education LEO data, 2017). Our Psychology graduates have gone on to obtain a rewarding careers, example job titles include:

• Health Psychologist (NHS)
• Mental Health Support Worker
• Assistant Psychologist (in many varied social care and educational settings)
• Primary or Secondary teacher
• Popular further study and qualification pathways include:
  • Clinical psychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Child development
  • Educational psychology
  • Mental health and law
  • Primary and secondary teaching

Sports coaching and physical education

Graduates from our Sports Coaching programmes and Physical Sport and Education programmes go onto a diverse range of occupations within the sport and education sectors with 95% in training or employment within 6 months of graduating (HESA, 2017). Example job titles of graduates from our Sports Coaching programmes and Physical Sport and Education programmes include:

• Primary or Secondary Teacher
• Development Centre Lead Coach
• Academy Coach (in professional sport)
• Performance Analyst (in professional sport)
• Sport and Exercise Scientists
• Sport Psychologists
• Learning Support Assistant
• Youth Sport Development Officer
• Own business start-up