Course summary

Psychology deals with the understanding and explanation of behaviour and experience, and with how these change and develop throughout our lives. Psychologists are interested in many factors that affect our behaviour - from biological bases to social influences. They also study how we perceive our environment; how we think, learn and remember; how we communicate, both through language and non-verbally; and how we differ from one another in personality and abilities. Psychology is an experimental and observational science, in which evidence from research studies is used to develop and evaluate theories. Psychology is a science in the sense that it seeks to understand mind and behaviour through experimentation, observation and measurement. Insight and intuition are helpful skills, but they are not sufficient. Psychology is not simply the study of mental illness. If you are expecting psychology to tell you how to read other people's minds, then you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you enjoy controversy and the critical evaluation of ideas, and if you like investigating questions using a scientific approach, then you will probably enjoy psychology. Gaelic Studies at Aberdeen is the perfect programme and location to explore the Gaelic language, its history, literature and Gaelic culture up to the present day. Whether you are a native speaker or complete beginner, you will be inspired by our world-leading experts in the Gaelic field and gain valuable skills and wide career options. We have been teaching Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and culture for a hundred years, led by teachers and researchers passionate about Gaelic and whose work directly influences Scottish policy on keeping Gaelic alive, healthy and important in Scotland today. You will learn more about Scotland's oldest living language and develop your Gaelic skills in a friendly and supportive environment, either as your main focus of study or in addition to other subjects – for example you may be a teacher keen to add teaching in Gaelic language to your skill set. Today, there are nearly 3,000 people in north-east Scotland with knowledge of Gaelic and our students and staff play an important role in the local community through Gaelic-interest clubs, activities, networks and organisations. The most recent national assessment of university research placed Aberdeen as the third best in the UK for psychology.