Studying psychology at the University of Westminster isn’t just about lectures and seminars, but a blend of hands-on experience along with engaging discussions in the vibrant setting of Central London. Read on to get a glimpse into the fascinating topics and hands-on activities that Saumya and Anandi, two psychology students, explore during a week in the life at the University of Westminster.
Monday
We start the day with a Psychology of Counselling and Psychotherapy lecture. This week, we’ve been working on implementing theories we’ve learnt in our module to practise. In our seminar, we worked on practicing psychoanalytic approaches by reading case studies and discussing how various experiences in life impacted personal decisions.
After the session, we grabbed coffee at the Regent Street campus café and brainstormed ideas for our upcoming group project. The collaborative environment at Westminster always makes these discussions insightful.
Tuesday
Tuesdays are busy! The day begins bright and early with Psychological Research in Practice, where we learn about novel studies taking place at Westminster. We also discussed public involvement in research, particularly strategies to build trust and connection between researchers and the wider public.
During our lunch break, we visited the Tottenham Court Road street food market and grabbed a bite for lunch. One of the best aspects of studying at Westminster is that we get to explore central London.
That afternoon, we dove into the intriguing subject of Resistance and Acceptance in Humanistic Approaches in Psychotherapy learning about the crucial role of acceptance in dealing with life’s challenges.
Wednesday
Wednesdays are all about putting theory into practice. As part of our coursework, we conducted a practical experiment on memory recall, where participants were divided into two groups: one listened to calming music while studying a word list, and the other studying in complete silence.
We measured their recall accuracy through a timed quiz immediately after the study session. Analysing the results was eye-opening, as it challenged some of our initial hypotheses about the role of external stimuli in cognitive performance. The calming music group performed slightly better, suggesting that specific environmental factors might enhance memory retention, though individual differences also played a significant role.
Outside of class, we attended an employability event focused on career opportunities for psychology students. The event featured talks by alumni working in various specialisations, including Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology and Counselling. The event highlighted different career paths within the field of psychology and provided advice on postgraduate study, professional development.
Thursday
Thursday is a more relaxed day with the Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to Therapy lecture and seminar. We enjoy engaging in reflective discussions about these therapies, their efficacy, and how they are applied in clinical contexts, as well as participating in activities that build our knowledge of counselling skills and approaches.
After the lecture, we have a ritual of going to the gym at the Regent Street campus, which is free for students!
Friday
Fridays are dedicated to one of the most thought-provoking modules in our degree, Exploring Consciousness. This module challenges us to dive deep into what it means to be a conscious human being.
Our session began with a debate on free will vs. determinism, where we discussed whether our decisions are truly our own or shaped entirely by external factors. The highlight of the day was a group activity involving thought experiments. In this scenario, we imagined a world where Artificial Intelligence achieved human-like consciousness. We were tasked with evaluating whether such an AI could possess self-awareness and emotions like humans, using principles from cognitive psychology.
The discussions were intense, blending logic with creativity, and gave us a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human mind. As the day ended, we couldn’t help but reflect on how these ideas shape not only psychology, but also broader discussions about humanity and technology.
Studying Psychology at the University of Westminster is a truly incredible experience. The course helps us develop our theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, and there’s no better place to learn than in the heart of London. The friendly environment makes it easy to connect with like-minded peers, along with boundless opportunities to discover the city inside and out.
We hope that this peek into our week gave you an idea of the exciting and rewarding nature of the course.
About Westminster
As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. To find out more about our Psychology courses, visit our website.
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