High marks for Psychology at the University of Teesside

The Psychology section at the University of Teesside has just been awarded top marks for Curriculum and Learning Resources in a subject review carried out by the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

The subject, which is among the most popular at the University, gained an overall score of 20 out of 24 in the review and Professor Tim Blackman, Director of the School of Social Sciences, said: "We are particularly pleased with the result and the fact that the assessors highlighted the excellence of the teaching they observed. Our students benefit from high quality teaching, excellent learning resources and a curriculum that gives their degrees recognition by the British Psychological Society."

One student with a definite enthusiasm for the subject is 22-year-old Michelle Holford, who has just graduated from the University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology, and is now going on to do a Master of Science (MSc) in Evolutionary Psychology at Liverpool.

After leaving school with 'A' levels in English Literature, Biology, Economics and General Studies, Michelle took a year off and went to work in South Africa for the charity, Project Trust.

Michelle, who lived at Wellsley Road, Middlesbrough while at University, said: "I had originally planned to study English but had to change course when I received a disappointing grade. I'd always been interested in Psychology, looking at what made people tick, so I applied to four Universities. Mum took a call from Teesside while I was getting ready for South Africa and she recommended it, she said the Psychology tutors were friendly and helpful."

Her self-financed post in South Africa involved teaching sex education in an area where one in four people are HIV positive and the use of condoms is rare. Michelle also taught English to young children. "It was a fantastic experience, I'd recommend it to anyone. The work helped me to mature and become much more focused when I started the degree," said Michelle.

The Psychology degree was also a positive experience. Michelle added: "The course was really enjoyable and the lecturers were so enthusiastic. My favourite modules were the Biology and Behaviour options and Evolutionary Psychology. The latter applied Darwinian principles to everyday behaviour. One area we looked at was sexual selection; for example men who select younger partners are looking for potential healthy mothers and women who marry more affluent men are making an investment for future children. It's given me an interest to pursue the subject at post-graduate level, and the MSc will look at behaviour in primates as well as humans.

"The University's facilities were good, particularly the Computers in the Psychology laboratories and the Internet access in the Learning Resource Centre. I had access to on-line journals, which was invaluable for my final year dissertation, which studied parental investment, sexual selection and resource holding females."

It wasn't all work and no play for Michelle at Teesside, as she played squash and for the Women's Rugby First team. "I'm quite fond of Middlesbrough and am sad to leave," said Michelle.

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