Before you arrive: Postgraduate - The University of Nottingham

Our School of Psychology is a thriving community of students, scholars and support staff and we look forward to welcoming you to it.

To help you here is some useful information about starting university and studying with us.

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the School of Psychology. Psychology is one of the broadest, most exciting, highly relevant, and rapidly changing fields of science there is. It encompasses the perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and actions of people from infancy to old age, as well as comparable phenomena and interactions in groups, societies, animals, and computers.
Professor Claire Gibson, Head of School

Before you arrive

1 Get set up

Follow the instructions on the university's central Welcome pages to make sure you have completed what you need for registration. You’ll then be able to get your student ID when you arrive, get your university email address and IT account set up. It will also let you know what to do when you arrive at your accommodation.

2 Complete the onboarding module

This module explains the basic concepts and knowledge on cultural backgrounds, identities, views, and practices that impact individuals and communities around you. The topics will inspire you to think, learn with your peers and develop necessary skills for your personal and professional development.

Complete the onboarding module

3 Consider your optional modules

Your course may include a mixture of compulsory and optional modules, you will be given more information about this once you start your course. If you are required to take any optional modules, you will select these after you arrive in Nottingham, but it may be helpful to look at possible module choices via the Module Catalogue.

4 Prepare for Welcome Week!

This Moodle page will contain information about Welcome Week. You will be able to access this after you have completed your IT online registration.

Reading Lists

When you enroll on your modules, you will see a reading list that contains various textbooks and other sources. You are not required to buy any textbooks as they are all available in the library. Lots of the textbooks are available as eBooks.

Here are some examples of recommended reading lists:

MSc Computational Neuroscience, Cognition and AI - Reading List (see FAQ tab)
MSc Cognitive Neuroscience - Ideas for reading
MSc Psychology (Conversion) on campus and via DL - Reading List
MSc Developmental Disorders - Reading List

Equipment

The School of Psychology has several computer rooms available for students, so it is not necessary to purchase a laptop; however, many students do and find it useful to have their own device.

If you do choose to purchase or bring a device with you then please check the minimum specification for Windows PCs here.

Any Apple Mac/Macbook will meet the minimum specifications.

We advise not to purchase Chromebooks, iPads, tablets or similar as they cannot run the apps required on the course.

The university offers a laptop loan service and other support for students who do not have access to personal devices.

Access guide

A guide to accessibility of University Park Campus, including the Psychology Building is available on the Accessible app or on the AccessAble website.