Established in 2007, the Department of Psychology is one of six academic units in the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Our vision is to be internationally recognised as a centre of learning and research that advances knowledge, addresses contemporary social issues and improves people’s lives.

Research

Using social psychology as a lens, the Department focuses on exploring and understanding the key social issues of our times. Through our expertise in social psychology (i.e., social identity, social cognition, social inclusion and marginalisation), we have become one of the leading contributors to social/psychological literature in Ireland and abroad.

Clinical and health psychology and experimental psychology are key developing areas of our research agenda, and most of our research students and members of staff participate in one or more groups associated with these emerging research themes.

Academic Programmes

We offer two accredited undergraduate programmes: BA Psychology and Sociology and BSc Psychology. Common to both degrees is the concept of studying 'people in their context' and the application of psychology to everyday life and social issues. Both programmes are accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

We offer a number of Master’s programmes: MSc Psychological Science, MA Psychology and MSc Global-MINDS. The MSc Psychological Science includes streams in Applied and Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Research Methods. The MA Psychology enables students who have completed a non-accredited undergraduate degree to complete their psychology education. The MSc Global-MINDS is delivered jointly by UL and partner universities in Lisbon, Oslo, Istanbul and Warsaw. 

Many of our master’s graduates have completed PhDs and taken professional clinical psychology programmes in Ireland and abroad.

We also offer two Doctorate-level programmes, the Structured PhD and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The Structured PhD is a four-year programme offered within the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. Funded by the Health Service Executive, the Department’s three-year professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology qualifies graduates as PSI-accredited clinical psychologists.

International Focus

The Department has a strong international flavour. Academics and researchers originate from Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America and beyond. Our student body is similarly international. Large numbers of students visit UL on Erasmus or international exchanges and internships. This global outlook supports our goal of promoting internationalisation and diversity in programmes and research.