Psychosocial Studies
The University of East London has been a pioneer in the area of Psychosocial Studies and has run a unique undergraduate degree programme since 1985. Interest in the approach taken in Psychosocial Studies has grown and there are now significant teaching and research centres across the UK at the University of the West of England, University of Brighton and Birkbeck College (University of London).
This growth is due to the developing awareness of the inadequacy of the traditional division between sociological and psychological disciplines.
The hallmark of Psychosocial Studies is the belief that the traditional boundaries around subject areas often do not help us really understand people and society.
We have a strong commitment to crossing disciplinary boundaries, using ideas from a range. Academic Staff in Psychosocial Studies have come from a range of academic backgrounds including: sociology, psychology, law, literature and cultural studies. You can find more about research in the Psychosocial Studies Area here.
There has always been a particularly strong interest in bringing together insight and knowledge from the clinical world of psychotherapy with academic research. This interest has helped foster the link with the Tavistock Clinic. We validate a number of programmes that are run with the Tavistock. We also run a programme called 'Working Psychosocially with People with Personality Disorder' collaboratively with The Millfields Unit, part of East London Hospital Trust.
There are a number of programmes based in the field.
Psychosocial Studies BA (Hons)
This programme offers new ways of exploring the relationships between individuals and their society. It encompasses both the individual focus of psychology and the broader concerns of the social sciences with society, history and culture. It provides a unique opportunity to study a socially aware psychology, alongside an individual-sensitive sociology, in an interdisciplinary framework. Modules include introductions to psychological and sociological theory, child development, counselling, mental health, consumer behaviour, HIV and criminal behaviour.
Further details on the programme
The programme leader is Dr Heather Price
Psychosocial Studies with Professional Practice BA (Hons)
This is a version of the Psychosocial Studies programme that incorporates a significant placement element at levels 2 and 3. This programme can be an ideal way for people without much work experience to gain invaluable experience in a field they want to pursue a career in, or as a way for people with experience to explore that, and gain academic acknowledgement for it.
MA Psychosocial Studies (by distance learning)
This new programme will be available from September 2013. This new post-graduate programme is seeking to re-frame Psychosocial Studies for the 21st century. This is a cross-disciplinary programme that uses ideas from psychology, sociology, literature, history and cultural studies to understand the shaping of human identities and our experience in the world. The programme directly addresses questions about the nature of the relationship between individuals, in all their psychological complexity, and society that have become increasingly significant at the beginning of the 21st century.
The programme will appeal to those who have studied in sociology or related fields and would like to develop their understanding of psychological theorisation, or those who have a background in psychology and would like to develop their cultural and sociological understanding.
Phd Supervision
Staff are available to supervise Phds on a range of topics. You can find out more about the research interests of Psychosocial Studies staff.
We also offer an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies in conjunction with the Tavistock Clinic and a Diploma and MA by Independent Study in Psychosocial Studies, and several short graduate programmes.
Psychosocial Studies Field Leader:
Tel 020 8223 2799
e-mail: d.jones@uel.ac.uk
Psychosocial Studies Field Administrator:
Anna Costi
Tel: 020 8223 2189
