Edge Hill University Psychology Departmentprides itself on creating a learning andresearch environment that provides studentswith an exceptional student experience andequips them with the knowledge andtechniques needed to succeed in the 21stcentury. Our students benefit from the threethings that make up excellent highereducation, namely studying in a first classresearch environment, in a University rankedGold for its teaching, and excellent ‘valueadded’ activities during the degree.

Our BSc degree courses are accredited by theBritish Psychological Society (BPS), thefoundation for BPS ‘Chartership’ in areas suchas Clinical Psychology or Forensic Psychology.Our 2018 BPS Accreditation highlighted the

outstanding research opportunities availablefor our students. We have also been ranked inthe top 10 in the National Student SatisfactionSurvey for Assessment and Feedback, and wehave achieved these results by integratingemployability skills within our specialistmodules, supporting students with a range oflife-long outstanding skills.

We think that the best way for us todemonstrate our success is to showcase theachievements and experiences of ourstudents. Here is a selection of case studies,including stories of student and graduatesuccess, to introduce you to the enterprise,engagement and work-related learningactivities that enrich our programmes.

Visualising Success

Professor Rod NicolsonHead of Department of Psychology

Visualising Success: Employability

Dragons' Den is part of the final-year Reflections and Future Directions module on thePsychology programmes taught by Professor Geoff Beattie. Students develop a practicalapplication of psychology and make a commercial pitch to a panel of experts - Fran Cassidy,ex-Marketing Director of ITV, Manus Wynne TV Producer/Director and Geoff.

The initiatives were very diverse, demonstrating a range of practical and commercial applicationsof psychology in areas like helping dementia sufferers, caring for the homeless, promotingsustainability, and time management in our busy digital society.

The winning group, comprising Bethan Crook, Lauren Challis, Amy Corrigan and JessicaDearden presented Comf-ease - a revolutionary new way to listen to music, in a comfortablesoft headband with built-in speakers, specifically designed for children with autism. The Dragonsliked the very practical simplicity of their proposal combined with their astute observations of itspotential therapeutic benefits.

The professionalism of the presentations was particularly impressive this year.The winning group not only demonstrated sound psychological understanding buttextbook marketing innovation too. I have no doubt that the class of 2018 will findmany rewarding opportunities to use their talent in successful future careers.Fran Cassidy Dragon and Owner and Founder of Cassidy Media Partnership

Dragons Den

Business experts make students an offer atpractical psychology competition

Visualising Success: Work-Related Learning

Catalyst Psychology is a social enterprise providing child and educational psychology serviceswithin the Greater Manchester area. This is supported by a team of qualified EducationalPsychologists, Assistant Psychologists and administrative staff who help deliver a number ofpsychological services in schools. Catalyst Psychology has been a partner of Edge Hill Universityfor a number of years, and has supported many undergraduate psychology students onplacement to enable them to gain invaluable experience relating to the role of an EducationalPsychologist. Additionally, Catalyst Psychology contributes to our undergraduate curriculum,specifically within the BSc Educational Psychology strand of our programmes.

All students who have been fortunate to undertake placement work with Catalysthave reported having extremely rewarding and meaningful experiences. This hasnot only enriched opportunities for the purpose of course assignments, but alsodeveloped key transferable skills relevant to a range of educational-based roles.

Dr Linda Kaye Programme Leader Educational Psychology

EducationalCatalyst

Our partnership with social enterprise CatalystPsychology provides valuable student placements

Visualising Success: Enterprise and Engagement

Throughout her time studying, not only has Janice excelled in her assignments, but she developeda highly successful educational campaign that runs in secondary schools across the North West.

She felt that anti-social behaviour in young people needed tackling, and as part of her AppliedPsychology module, she was set the task of designing a project to help people in a community.Through her engagement with multi-agency organisations, she identified that tougher interventionswere needed within schools for anti-social behaviour. The scheme has proven to be a greatsuccess across the North West and is supported by the local police and Apex Charitable Trust, andJanice was awarded Edge Hill’s Reverend Jesse Jackson Scholarship in recognition of her work.

In addition to the initiative, Janice also works closely with Apex in developing peer mentoringschemes for supporting vulnerable women and finding solutions to develop their future prospects.

She is a great example of how an enthusiastic and keen mind can make greatprogress on supporting real-world concerns. We recently invited Janice to speakwith our final year students on her work with her charity and how she has appliedher course knowledge. It is great to see Janice so engaged with enthusing andsupporting others in her vision.Dr Linda Kaye Programme Leader Educational Psychology

Inspiring hope through community initiative

Janice AdamsBSc (Hons) Psychology, 2013

Visualising Success: Work-Related Learning

Tom took advantage of the opportunities available to him whilst studying at Edge Hill byparticipating in the research internship scheme provided by the Department of Psychology. Thescheme offers a unique experience for students in working as part of a professional researchteam. He took on a key role in data collection, through administering research procedures toparticipants and assisting with the reporting of results.

After graduation, Tom knew he wanted to take up a graduate opportunity here at Edge Hill, andsince then has been named as a co-author on two research papers which have been publishedin prestigious scientific journals.

Not only did his experience as a research intern provide Tom with a goodfoundation for the completion of his own dissertation, and his degree as a whole,but for his work as a research intern, Tom also received the award for Edge HillUniversity Student Employee of the Year on campus for 2016.

Dr Alex BalaniDepartment of Psychology

Being published is just the beginning

Thomas Leatherbarrow BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2015

Visualising Success: Work-Related Learning

BSc (Hons) Psychology student Lydia Suffling began her placement with the Human Resources(HR) department of global technology company IBM in June 2015, in Portsmouth. During hertime there, she rose to the challenge of an additional new role within a fast-paced team in London,assisting with a large-scale project. As this placement formed part of her degree, an additionalchallenge for Lydia was to complete reflective coursework assignments, analysing her workplaceexperience in the context of relevant psychological literature. Lydia believes that her insight intothe demands of the workplace have been greatly enhanced by her placement experience.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey with IBM – not only have I increasedmy skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, project managementand organisation; I have also learnt about my own style of learning and enjoymentin the workplace.

Lydia SufflingBSc (Hons) Psychology

WorkSatisfaction

Developing skills and self-knowledge on placement with IBM

Visualising Success: Enterprise and Engagement

After overcoming her own mental health issues while studying, Lauren achieved a First ClassHonours degree and came second in the Dragons Den initiative presentation. She was also oneof the few to be selected for the Department of Psychology’s research internship scheme.

Having the opportunity to be part of an internship programme at Edge Hill provided Lauren witha broadened skill set as it involved dealing with Structural Magnetic Resonance Images, paperand admin work and liaising with participants. This opportunity provided her with excellentresearch, computer and organisation skills and she describes it as “a fantastic opportunity aspart of second year, to live a day in the life of an academic researcher in Psychology”.

Lauren is passionate about Clinical Psychology and she will be pursusing this next year at theUniversity of Manchester, where she has been successful in attaining one of the 26 places onthe MSc Clinical and Psychology course.

I feel as though I am tremendously fortunate and forever grateful for all the staffand students at Edge Hill who have provided their time, advice and guidance. Theongoing encouragement total support has enabled me to study MSc Clinical andHealth Psychology, so for that, I thank those personally involved in the mostamazing experience of my life so far.Lauren O’PreyBSc (Hons) Psychology

Opportunities lead to Masters for Lauren

Lauren O’PreyBSc (Hons) Psychology, 2017

Visualising Success: Alumni

Knowing how fiercely competitive the graduate employment market is for Psychology, Maddisonchose to take advantage of the research internship scheme provided by the Department ofPsychology, in order to get a better understanding of working in a professional research team.She took on a key role in data collection, including work on alcohol-administration procedures.This allowed her to gain key transferable skills whilst enhancing her experience during her studies,which has allowed her to stand out from the crowd.

After gaining a First for her dissertation in her final year, Maddison has been working towards acareer as an Assistant Psychologist in her work with a supported living unit for adults with mentalhealth problems and learning disabilities in York, as well as working as a Research Assistant atYork St John University.

In such a competitive graduate employment market, every piece of additionalexperience and recognition which a graduate can obtain to make them stand outfrom the crowd is vital. Maddison had the opportunity to gain such experience andrecognition during the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at Edge Hill, and sheaccredits her successful application to the skills and expertise afforded by theinternship scheme.

Dr Rebecca MonkDepartment of Psychology

Creating change for adults with mental health problems

Maddison BarnesBSc (Hons) Psychology, 2016

Visualising Success: Enterprise and Engagement

Throughout her time at Edge Hill, Jade made the most of her experience by taking advantageof the opportunities provided to her. She participated in the research internship scheme whichenriched her student experience and enhanced her skills of working as part of a professionalresearch team. Jade graduated in 2015 after completing an outstanding final year dissertationwhich explored the relationship between attachment styles and emotion regulation.

Determined to continue studying Psychology and by working incredibly hard during her degree,Jade was able to gain a place at Nottingham Trent University. Through her continuous hard workand dedication, she is currently in her second year of studying for her PhD in Psychology.

This PhD training will enable Jade to stand out above the crowd in the highlycompetitive employment market and enable her to continue to explore thefascinating world of Psychology.

Dr Helen WallDepartment of Psychology

Standing out from the crowd

Jade Streete BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2015

Edge Hill University’s Department of Psychology is committed to providing a supportiveforward-thinking learning environment equipped to furnish students with unique learningexperiences, enhancing employability outcomes. Here is our mission and vision for achieving this:

Work-Related Learning To actively promote and encourage work-related learning through opportunities, asreflected in our funded Research InternshipScheme for second year students.

Enterprise To inspire and support enterprising activitiesin our students, demonstrated through theDragons Den assignment in our Reflect andFuture Directions module.

Engagement To endeavour to maintain and establish newrelationships with external partners andcommunities, such as our partnership withsocial enterprise Catalyst Psychology.

Research To continue producing nationally andinternationally recognised applied andtheoretical research, addressing a broadrange of societal and importantcontemporary psychological issues.