Department of Psychology
We pride ourselves on being a collegiate and welcoming department, committed to success for all who work and study here. We are ranked in the Top 15 Psychology Departments in the UK, and Top 100 in the world.Welcome to the Department of Psychology
Durham is one of the world’s leading universities as shown by our World Top 100 position in the QS World University Rankings, where we are ranked 74.
We pride ourselves on being a collegiate and welcoming department, committed to success for all who work here.
Find out more about us Top 10 in Graduate Prospects in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 13th in the Complete University Guide 2024 13th in the Guardian University Guide 2024 Athena SWAN Silver Award winner in 2013 and retained in 2017 & 2022, for promoting gender equality landing-page-section--video-grid u-breakout u-relative u-py-4 md:u-py-6 lg:u-py-10">Why study Psychology at Durham?
Study with us
Undergraduate Study
You will receive a genuinely research-led education. As well as learning the core principles of psychology, you will participate in research through seminars, conferences and research assistantship schemes. You will also have access to our world-leading clinical and experimental facilities, including motion capture, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories.
Postgraduate Study
We offer both taught postgraduate and postgraduate research degree programmes. Our MSc programmes provide students with core skills, ideal for continuing on to complete a PhD, taking a research position, or entering the workplace. Our postgraduate students are supervised by academics with expertise in their fields and have the opportunity to engage with the local vibrant research community.
Undergraduate
Find out more about our undergraduate coursesPostgraduate
Find out more about our postgraduate taught courses and research Find out moreWhat's new?
Filter:Development of communication in chimpanzees echoes that of human infants
Our closest living relatives could help us better understand how communication evolved in humans and how our own language skills emerge.
Global researchFellowship honour for two leading academics
We’re celebrating the news that Professor Deborah Riby from our Department of Psychology, and Associate Professor Nadia Siddiqui from our School of Education, have both been elected to Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, in recognition of excellence in their respective fields, and their wider contributions to the social sciences for public benefit. Durham newsStrengthened connections with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
We are delighted to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). Global researchFetuses react to taste and smell in the womb
Our psychologists have shown the first direct evidence that babies react differently to various smells and tastes while in the womb by looking at their facial expressions. Research newsNovel collaboration project aims to explore Ice Age through art
A new interdepartmental research collaboration between our Archaeology and Psychology Departments are experimenting with the online visual perceptions of Ice Age arts through their newly launched project website, Palaeo Vision: Do you see through Ice Age Eyes? Research newsBonobos make “baby-like” signals to seek consolation from others
Pioneering academics from our top-rated Psychology Department have found in their study that bonobos produce a variety of signals including “baby-like” signals to strategically display distress when they are attacked by other bonobos. Research newsNeed help tackling your procrastination? This could be the book for you!
Professor Fuschia Sirois, a globally renowned expert in the psychology of procrastination in our Department of Psychology, has distilled her game-changing insights into a new book to help procrastinators understand the issue, and how to tackle it. Research news More newsWhy a social media detox may not be as good for you as you think
Associate Professor Niklas Ihssen and PhD student Michael Wadsley from our Department of Psychology explain how cutting your social media use dramatically or even avoiding it completely can reduce the positive effects of social media just as much as the negative ones.
Chimpanzees are not pets, no matter what social media tells you
Research Associate Jake Brooker from our Department of Psychology studies the social and emotional behaviour of great apes. He explains that social media needs to recognise that putting exotic animals in a human context isn't cute and reflects animal abuse.Fellowship honour for two leading academics
We’re celebrating the news that Professor Deborah Riby from our Department of Psychology, and Associate Professor Nadia Siddiqui from our School of Education, have both been elected to Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences, in recognition of excellence in their respective fields, and their wider contributions to the social sciences for public benefit.Social media coverage of war impacts mental wellbeing
An international team of researchers, including members of our Department of Psychology, have established the psychological and mental health impacts of the war on the general public.
Graphic warning labels could reduce people’s meat consumption
A new study from our Department of Psychology has found that cigarette style graphic warning labels could reduce people’s meat consumption.Professor Graham Towl appointed to key crime reduction role
Professor Graham Towl has been appointed as the new chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR) which is a key role to help reduce crime in Scotland.Upcoming events
See all upcoming eventsOur facilities
One of our department highlights is the dedicated laboratory space with equipment linked to teaching on our programmes.
We have outstanding facilities for training in eye-movement recording, motion capture and psychophysics. Find out more about our facilitiesExplore...
Diversity initiatives
Research
Services and Collaboration
Staff
Equality and Diversity
Our department has an "Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (EDI)" which oversees EDI issues across the department. This committee addresses 5 core issues, namely Raising awareness and supporting members of staff in relation to all protected characteristics; Equality issues; Supporting Diversity and Inclusion; Supporting Wellbeing & the Athena Swan charter. Find out more about our diversity initiativesStaff
At Durham we focus on you. We are energised teachers, who love our subject and want to share that passion with you.
Professor Markus Hausmann
Head of Department
Find out more about our staffBlogs and social media
See what our staff and students get up to during their time at Durham University.
Highlights
Being an international student studying at Durham University
Psychology student, Alan from Hong Kong tells us what it's like being an international student in Durham.Day in the life of a second-year Psychology student
Psychology student, Amelia takes us through her day-to-day life at Durham University.Social feeds
Durham UniversityTweets by durham_uni
Get in touch
Contact us to find out more about our courses and research. For current student enquiries please use "All other enquiries" button below
Department of Psychology
Durham University
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
Phone: +44 (0) 191 334 3240
Fax: +44 (0) 191 334 3241
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