uk essay psychology

How to Write a Psychology Essay

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

On This Page:

Before you write your essay, it’s important to analyse the task and understand exactly what the essay question is asking. Your lecturer may give you some advice – pay attention to this as it will help you plan your answer.

Next conduct preliminary reading based on your lecture notes. At this stage, it’s not crucial to have a robust understanding of key theories or studies, but you should at least have a general “gist” of the literature.

After reading, plan a response to the task. This plan could be in the form of a mind map, a summary table, or by writing a core statement (which encompasses the entire argument of your essay in just a few sentences).

After writing your plan, conduct supplementary reading, refine your plan, and make it more detailed.

It is tempting to skip these preliminary steps and write the first draft while reading at the same time. However, reading and planning will make the essay writing process easier, quicker, and ensure a higher quality essay is produced.

Components of a Good Essay

Now, let us look at what constitutes a good essay in psychology. There are a number of important features.

• Global Structure – structure the material to allow for a logical sequence of ideas. Each paragraph / statement should follow sensibly from its predecessor. The essay should “flow”. The introduction, main body and conclusion should all be linked.
• Each paragraph should comprise a main theme, which is illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).
• Knowledge and Understanding – recognize, recall, and show understanding of a range of scientific material that accurately reflects the main theoretical perspectives.
• Critical Evaluation – arguments should be supported by appropriate evidence and/or theory from the literature. Evidence of independent thinking, insight, and evaluation of the evidence.
• Quality of Written Communication – writing clearly and succinctly with appropriate use of paragraphs, spelling, and grammar. All sources are referenced accurately and in line with APA guidelines.

In the main body of the essay, every paragraph should demonstrate both knowledge and critical evaluation.

There should also be an appropriate balance between these two essay components. Try to aim for about a 60/40 split if possible.

Most students make the mistake of writing too much knowledge and not enough evaluation (which is the difficult bit).

It is best to structure your essay according to key themes. Themes are illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).

Choose relevant points only, ones that most reveal the theme or help to make a convincing and interesting argument.

Knowledge and Understanding

Remember that an essay is simply a discussion / argument on paper. Don’t make the mistake of writing all the information you know regarding a particular topic.

You need to be concise, and clearly articulate your argument. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences.

Each paragraph should have a purpose / theme, and make a number of points – which need to be support by high quality evidence. Be clear why each point is is relevant to the argument. It would be useful at the beginning of each paragraph if you explicitly outlined the theme being discussed (.e.g. cognitive development, social development etc.).

Try not to overuse quotations in your essays. It is more appropriate to use original content to demonstrate your understanding.

Psychology is a science so you must support your ideas with evidence (not your own personal opinion). If you are discussing a theory or research study make sure you cite the source of the information.

Note this is not the author of a textbook you have read – but the original source / author(s) of the theory or research study.

For example:

Bowlby (1951) claimed that mothering is almost useless if delayed until after two and a half to three years and, for most children, if delayed till after 12 months, i.e. there is a critical period.

Maslow (1943) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled a person seeks to fullfil the next one, and so on.

As a general rule, make sure there is at least one citation (i.e. name of psychologist and date of publication) in each paragraph.

Remember to answer the essay question. Underline the keywords in the essay title. Don’t make the mistake of simply writing everything you know of a particular topic, be selective. Each paragraph in your essay should contribute to answering the essay question.

Critical Evaluation

In simple terms, this means outlining the strengths and limitations of a theory or research study.

There are many ways you can critically evaluate:

Methodological evaluation of research

Is the study valid / reliable ? Is the sample biased, or can we generalize the findings to other populations? What are the strengths and limitations of the method used and data obtained?

Be careful to ensure that any methodological criticisms are justified and not trite.

Rather than hunting for weaknesses in every study; only highlight limitations that make you doubt the conclusions that the authors have drawn – e.g., where an alternative explanation might be equally likely because something hasn’t been adequately controlled.

Compare or contrast different theories

Outline how the theories are similar and how they differ. This could be two (or more) theories of personality / memory / child development etc. Also try to communicate the value of the theory / study.

Debates or perspectives

Refer to debates such as nature or nurture, reductionism vs. holism, or the perspectives in psychology . For example, would they agree or disagree with a theory or the findings of the study?

What are the ethical issues of the research?

Does a study involve ethical issues such as deception, privacy, psychological or physical harm?

Gender bias

If research is biased towards men or women it does not provide a clear view of the behavior that has been studied. A dominantly male perspective is known as an androcentric bias.

Cultural bias

Is the theory / study ethnocentric? Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterprise. In some texts, over 90% of studies have US participants, who are predominantly white and middle class.

Does the theory or study being discussed judge other cultures by Western standards?

Animal Research

This raises the issue of whether it’s morally and/or scientifically right to use animals. The main criterion is that benefits must outweigh costs. But benefits are almost always to humans and costs to animals.

Animal research also raises the issue of extrapolation. Can we generalize from studies on animals to humans as their anatomy & physiology is different from humans?

The PEC System

It is very important to elaborate on your evaluation. Don’t just write a shopping list of brief (one or two sentence) evaluation points.

Instead, make sure you expand on your points, remember, quality of evaluation is most important than quantity.

When you are writing an evaluation paragraph, use the PEC system.

• Make your P oint.
• E xplain how and why the point is relevant.
• Discuss the C onsequences / implications of the theory or study. Are they positive or negative?

For Example

• Point: It is argued that psychoanalytic therapy is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority.
• Explain: Because psychoanalytic therapy involves talking and gaining insight, and is costly and time-consuming, it is argued that it is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority. Evidence suggests psychoanalytic therapy works best if the client is motivated and has a positive attitude.
• Consequences: A depressed client’s apathy, flat emotional state, and lack of motivation limit the appropriateness of psychoanalytic therapy for depression.

Furthermore, the levels of dependency of depressed clients mean that transference is more likely to develop.

Using Research Studies in your Essays

Research studies can either be knowledge or evaluation.

• If you refer to the procedures and findings of a study, this shows knowledge and understanding.
• If you comment on what the studies shows, and what it supports and challenges about the theory in question, this shows evaluation.

Writing an Introduction

It is often best to write your introduction when you have finished the main body of the essay, so that you have a good understanding of the topic area.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your introduction.

Ideally, the introduction should;

Identify the subject of the essay and define the key terms. Highlight the major issues which “lie behind” the question. Let the reader know how you will focus your essay by identifying the main themes to be discussed. “Signpost” the essay’s key argument, (and, if possible, how this argument is structured).

Introductions are very important as first impressions count and they can create a h alo effect in the mind of the lecturer grading your essay. If you start off well then you are more likely to be forgiven for the odd mistake later one.

Writing a Conclusion

So many students either forget to write a conclusion or fail to give it the attention it deserves.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your conclusion.

Ideally the conclusion should summarize the key themes / arguments of your essay. State the take home message – don’t sit on the fence, instead weigh up the evidence presented in the essay and make a decision which side of the argument has more support.

Also, you might like to suggest what future research may need to be conducted and why (read the discussion section of journal articles for this).

Don”t include new information / arguments (only information discussed in the main body of the essay).

If you are unsure of what to write read the essay question and answer it in one paragraph.

Points that unite or embrace several themes can be used to great effect as part of your conclusion.

The Importance of Flow

Obviously, what you write is important, but how you communicate your ideas / arguments has a significant influence on your overall grade. Most students may have similar information / content in their essays, but the better students communicate this information concisely and articulately.

When you have finished the first draft of your essay you must check if it “flows”. This is an important feature of quality of communication (along with spelling and grammar).

This means that the paragraphs follow a logical order (like the chapters in a novel). Have a global structure with themes arranged in a way that allows for a logical sequence of ideas. You might want to rearrange (cut and paste) paragraphs to a different position in your essay if they don”t appear to fit in with the essay structure.

To improve the flow of your essay make sure the last sentence of one paragraph links to first sentence of the next paragraph. This will help the essay flow and make it easier to read.

Finally, only repeat citations when it is unclear which study / theory you are discussing. Repeating citations unnecessarily disrupts the flow of an essay.

Referencing

The reference section is the list of all the sources cited in the essay (in alphabetical order). It is not a bibliography (a list of the books you used).

In simple terms every time you cite/refer to a name (and date) of a psychologist you need to reference the original source of the information.

If you have been using textbooks this is easy as the references are usually at the back of the book and you can just copy them down. If you have been using websites, then you may have a problem as they might not provide a reference section for you to copy.

References need to be set out APA style :

Author, A. A. (year). Title of work . Location: Publisher.

Journal Articles

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Article title. Journal Title, volume number (issue number), page numbers

A simple way to write your reference section is use Google scholar . Just type the name and date of the psychologist in the search box and click on the “cite” link.

Next, copy and paste the APA reference into the reference section of your essay.

Once again, remember that references need to be in alphabetical order according to surname.

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

• Personal Statement Changes 2025
• Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Personal Statements By University
• Accountancy and Finance Personal Statements
• Actuarial Science Personal Statements
• American Studies Personal Statements
• Anthropology Personal Statements
• Archaeology Personal Statements
• Architecture Personal Statements
• Art and Design Personal Statements
• Biochemistry Personal Statements
• Bioengineering Personal Statements
• Biology Personal Statements
• Biomedical Science Personal Statements
• Biotechnology Personal Statements
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples
• Business Personal Statements
• Catering and Food Personal Statements
• Chemistry Personal Statements
• Classics Personal Statements
• Computer Science Personal Statements
• Computing and IT Personal Statements
• Criminology Personal Statements
• Dance Personal Statements
• Dentistry Personal Statements
• Design Personal Statements
• Dietetics Personal Statements
• Drama Personal Statements
• Economics Personal Statement Examples
• Education Personal Statements
• Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• English Personal Statements
• Environment Personal Statements
• Environmental Science Personal Statements
• Event Management Personal Statements
• Fashion Personal Statements
• Film Personal Statements
• Finance Personal Statements
• Forensic Science Personal Statements
• Geography Personal Statements
• Geology Personal Statements
• Health Sciences Personal Statements
• History Personal Statements
• History of Art Personal Statements
• Hotel Management Personal Statements
• International Relations Personal Statements
• International Studies Personal Statements
• Islamic Studies Personal Statements
• Japanese Studies Personal Statements
• Journalism Personal Statements
• Land Economy Personal Statements
• Languages Personal Statements
• Law Personal Statement Examples
• Linguistics Personal Statements
• Management Personal Statements
• Marketing Personal Statements
• Mathematics Personal Statements
• Media Personal Statements
• Medicine Personal Statement Examples
• Midwifery Personal Statements
• Music Personal Statements
• Music Technology Personal Statements
• Natural Sciences Personal Statements
• Neuroscience Personal Statements
• Nursing Personal Statements
• Occupational Therapy Personal Statements
• Osteopathy Personal Statements
• Oxbridge Personal Statements
• Pharmacy Personal Statements
• Philosophy Personal Statements
• Photography Personal Statements
• Physics Personal Statements
• Physiology Personal Statements
• Physiotherapy Personal Statements
• Politics Personal Statements

Psychology Personal Statement Examples

• Radiography Personal Statements
• Religious Studies Personal Statements
• Social Work Personal Statements
• Sociology Personal Statements
• Sports & Leisure Personal Statements
• Sports Science Personal Statements
• Surveying Personal Statements
• Teacher Training Personal Statements
• Theology Personal Statements
• Travel and Tourism Personal Statements
• Urban Planning Personal Statements
• Veterinary Science Personal Statements
• Zoology Personal Statements
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025

Our psychology UCAS personal statement examples below will inspire you to write your own unique statement, and help you understand how students have successfully applied for a psychology degree in the past.

What is a psychology personal statement?

A psychology personal statement is a creative piece of writing that demonstrates your skills, experience and hobbies/extracurricular activities and how they relate to a degree in psychology.

Psychology has always been a popular and therefore competitive subject, so you need to make sure your statement stands out from the crowd and is as polished as you can make it.

How do I write a psychology personal statement?

At Studential, we always recommend students start by making a series of notes about themselves, which they can then use to put together a coherent personal statement. These should include:

• Specific aspects of the course that interest you
• Examples of coursework or projects you have completed
• Books, articles, etc. you have read related to the subject area
• Work experience or voluntary work in this area
• Conferences you have attended
• Personal experiences that sparked your interest in this subject
• What you hope to do once you have completed your degree in terms of your career
• Experiences that show you are a reliable and responsible person, e.g. part-time job, small business enterprise, community and/or charity work, sixth form committee, helping out at school events, etc.

You also need to think about your interests and skills, such as hobbies, other languages you speak, etc. as well as your plans for a gap year (if you're planning on taking one).

Once you have written all these down, you think about your opening paragraph, and begin to get something down. It's a good idea to allocate at least one paragraph to each bullet point to make sure you've covered everything.

When you have your first draft in place, you can revise it and ask your family, friends and tutors for help. Incorporate any feedback, comments and suggestions they offer, and see if they improve your statement.

Keep redrafting until you feel it's as polished as possible - remember, you'll be facing some stiff competition!

What should I include in my psychology personal statement?

• The main aim of your personal statement is to show the admissions tutors why they should pick you to attend their course and university.
• Look at the course content and link it to your personal qualities, future goals and achievements. For example, you might have done some work shadowing at a counselling clinic or peer mentoring at your school or college.
• If you're applying for a joint honours, make sure you cover both subjects in the course.
• For those applying for a postgraduate course, draw attention to any clinical work experience you've completed to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the subject.
• Read our psychology personal statement examples above for inspiration on how to make yours a success (please don't plagiarise them!).
• Remember to avoid using cliches, over-used words or phrases, humour, jokes, or taking any political or religious viewpoints.
• Structure it with a clear introduction, middle and end. You only have 4,000 characters to sell yourself, so try to make every word count!

For more help and advice on what to write in your psychology personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

How do I write a psychology personal statement introduction?

We recommend starting your psychology personal statement with either a story about how you came to be interested in the subject, or picking one or two aspects that you particularly enjoy and why you find them interesting. For example, the following applicant has chosen to talk about their childhood, and the consequences of their behaviour:

"Psychology encapsulates every aspect of our lives. From childhood, the reasons behind why we do what we do has fascinated me; and when I was disciplined for the type of mischief that one commits at a young age, my reasoning for my actions were always “To see what would happen.”

My parents mistook this as an act of mindless disobedience whereas it was in fact my first attempt at social psychology. Then, as I further discovered the leading figures in psychology, my knowledge and love of the intricacies of the human and animal mind grew."

These introductory paragraphs explain why the candidate is keen to pursue a course in psychology at university, while at the same time relating an engaging anecdote from their past, which helps to draw the reader in and make them want to read on further.

Another applicant who has submitted their statement to Studential has decided to talk about their Uncle, who has Asperger's Syndrome, and how they wondered why he was so different from everyone else:

"It was the odd behavioural traits displayed by my uncle, who has Asperger’s syndrome that first generated from a young age my questioning about why he acted so ‘differently’ to the rest of us.

This was part of what led to my interest of studying psychology, as it made me question how and why humans are so disparate from one another, and what part the brain plays in running our everyday lives."

Again, this provides an interesting hook for the reader, while demonstrating why they want to study psychology at a higher level.

These two examples should give you a good idea of how you might go about writing your own unique introduction to your psychology statement, but if you feel you need further inspiration, take a look at our list of over 100 psychology personal statement examples for more ideas.

How do I write the conclusion for my psychology personal statement?

To round off your personal statement, we suggest a paragraph or two about your extracurricular activies and hobbies, and how they have helped you to develop skills that will aid you with your psychology course at university. You may also wish to include a short sentence or two about your future ambitions or career plans, and how a degree in psychology will help you achieve these.

For example, this applicant has chosen to conclude their statement by talking about their current work experience and how it has improved their communication skills, along with their desire to complete a PhD once they've finished their undergraduate degree:

"I currently help people who struggle with language barriers by being a Spanish interpreter in different fields. Observing people from different age and cultural groups gave me first-hand experience considering the effects of stress due to the inability to communicate. This has, in addition to improving my communication skills, taught me how to deal with people from different social groups. I believe these interpersonal skills are valuable in the world of psychological research, in order to build rapport with participants in certain contexts. It has also taught me tolerance for others and the ability to remain poised during stressful situations. To culminate, in regards to my future career plans I would like to remain in further education and do a Phd in psychology- a step forward in my desired career as a researcher."

As another example, you can see how a candidate below chooses to talk to about their work experience with elderly people that have dementia, and how they want to improve their knowledge of the brain and their problem-solving skills:

"Subsequently, I did work experience at St Peter's residential care home. During my placement, I worked with nurses and kitchen staff to provide quality service to the elderly. I assisted in serving tea and lunch and also interacted with the elderly during social activities. This helped me to know how to interact with elderly people with dementia and gain a different perspective on elderly people.

I want to study psychology to further develop my knowledge in the scope of the brain, its anatomy and how it works. I want to learn how to work through problems carefully and logically applying scientific principles. Furthermore, I want to expand my awareness in all the different fields involved in the course, so that I can master any situation that I am presented with in my chosen field."

However you decide to conclude your statement, always try to relate it to the course you are applying for, i.e. psychology, and end on a positive, enthusiastic note that will make the admissions tutor want to make you an offer.

For more inspiration on how to write a conclusion, please take a look at our psychology personal statement examples .

What can I do with a psychology degree?

For those with a psychology degree, there are many career options available, including:

•     Clinical psychologist
•     Counselling psychologist
•     Educational psychologist
•     Forensic psychologist
•     Further education teacher
•     Health psychologist
•     High intensity therapist
•     Occupational psychologist
•     Psychological wellbeing practitioner
•     Sport and exercise psychologist

Other career paths where a psychology degree could be useful include:

•     Advice worker
•     Border Force officer
•     UCAS Careers advice
•     Chaplain
•     Counsellor
•     Detective
•     Education consultant
•     Human resources officer
•     Life coach
•     Market researcher
•     Mediator
•     Neuroscientist
•     Play therapist
•     Policy officer
•     Psychotherapist
•     Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)

For more help and advice on psychology careers, please see Prospects and the British Psychological Society .

What are the best universities for psychology?

Currently the best UK universities for studying psychology at are:

For more information about UK university rankings for psychology, please see The Guardian and The Complete University Guide .

Related resources

How to apply for a psychology degree.

Find out more

UCAS Pyschology Guide

Psychologist Careers

Types Of Psychology Degree

Psychology Personal Statement Writing

• Teesside University Student & Library Services
• Subject LibGuides
• How to write assignments
• Finding Books
• Finding Journal Articles
• Finding Open Access content
• Finding Websites and Statistics
• Finding Newspapers
• Finding Images
• How to Reference
• Doing a Systematic Review
• Finding your module Reading List
• Teesside Advance Recommended Book Bundles

Help with writing assignments

You can improve your skills at writing assignments for your subject area in a number of ways: 

• Read the guidance or view the online tutorial on this page.  They both go through the TIME model (Targeted, In-depth, Measured, Evidence-based) to explain what's required in academic writing.
• Come along to one of our Succeed@Tees workshops. We run a workshop on academic writing, as well as on other types of writing (including critical writing, reflective writing, report writing).  See the http://tees.libguides.com/workshops  for more information, including a list of dates and times.
• Book a one-to-one tutorial with a learning advisor  at the Learning Hub. We can provide guidance on your structure and writing style.

Guidance on academic writing

Evidence-based.

• Bringing it all together
• Finally ...

• Writing an assignment takes time, more time than you may expect.  Just because you find yourself spending many weeks on an assignment doesn’t mean that you’re approaching it in the wrong way.
• It also takes time to develop the skills to write well, so don’t be discouraged if your early marks aren’t what you’d hoped for.  Use the feedback from your previous assignments to improve.
• Different types of assignments require different styles, so be prepared for the need to continue to develop your skills.

We’ve broken down TIME into 4 key elements of academic writing: Targeted, In-depth, Measured and Evidence-based.

• What is an academic piece of work

Your assignment needs to be targeted .  It should:

• Be focused on the questions and criteria
• Make a decision
• Follow an argument
• How to be targeted
• Academic keywords or clue words

Your assignment needs to be in-depth .  You should consider your questions and criteria thoroughly, thinking about all possible aspects, and including the argument both for and against different viewpoints.

You should:

• Identify topic areas
• Plan your assignment
• Think about your introduction and conclusion
• How to be in-depth
• How to read quickly

An academic writing style is measured. By this, we mean that it’s:

• Emotionally neutral
• Formal – written in the third person and in full sentences
• How to be measured

Your assignment needs to be evidence-based . You should:

• Reference all the ideas in your work
• Paraphrase your evidence
• Apply critical thinking to your evidence
• How to be evidence-based
• How to paraphrase

Once you’ve found all your evidence, and have decided what to say in each section, you need to write it up as paragraphs.  Each paragraph should be on a single topic, making a single point.  A paragraph is usually around a third of a page. 

We find Godwin’s (2014) WEED model very helpful for constructing paragraphs.

W is for What

You should begin your paragraph with the topic or point that you’re making, so that it’s clear to your lecturer.  Everything in the paragraph should fit in with this opening sentence.

E is for Evidence  

The middle of your paragraph should be full of evidence – this is where all your references should be incorporated.  Make sure that your evidence fits in with your topic.

E is for Examples

Sometimes it’s useful to expand on your evidence.  If you’re talking about a case study, the example might be how your point relates to the particular scenario being discussed.

D is for Do

You should conclude your paragraph with the implications of your discussion.  This gives you the opportunity to add your commentary, which is very important in assignments which require you to use critical analysis. 

So, in effect, each paragraph is like a mini-essay, with an introduction, main body and conclusion.

Allow yourself some TIME to proofread your assignment.  You’ll probably want to proofread it several times. 

You should read it through at least once for sense and structure, to see if your paragraphs flow.  Check that your introduction matches the content of your assignment.  You’ll also want to make sure that you’ve been concise in your writing style. 

You’ll then need to read it again to check for grammatical errors, typos and that your references are correct.

It’s best if you can create some distance from your assignment by coming back to it after a few days. It’s also often easier to pick out mistakes if you read your work aloud.

• How to proofread

Online tutorial for writing assignments

We have an online tutorial to support academic writing. Click on the image below or go to Academic writing  to view the tutorial.

Further Reading

• << Previous: How to Reference
• Next: Doing a Systematic Review >>
• Last Updated: Jul 10, 2024 12:00 PM
• URL: https://libguides.tees.ac.uk/psychology

• Find My Rep

You are here

Sage online ordering services are currently unavailable due to network disruption. We are working to restore service as soon as possible. In the meantime, our books are still available widely via retailers and online. Currently we are only able to supply digital inspection copies. These can be requested via this site, or direct from Vitalsource and Kortext . If you need a print copy, please contact your local Academic Sales Consultant, who will be able to arrange to send this once our systems are back online.

I f you need further assistance please visit our Contact us page for further information.  Thank you for your patience and we apologise for the inconvenience.

How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays

• Paul Dickerson - University of Roehampton, UK
• Description

“This book is one I wish I had bought at the start of my Psychology degree.” – Five-star review Essay writing is a key part of the Psychology degree and knowing how to write effective and compelling academic essays is key to success.  Whether it's understanding how to implement feedback you receive on essays, how to stop procrastinating or what makes an effective introduction, this book covers it all. Drawing on insights derived from teaching thousands of students over a 25-year period How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays provides the keys that will unlock your writing potential.

Ace your Assignment  provide practical tips to help succeed

Exercises  help try the theory out in practice

Take away  points highlight the key learnings from each chapter

Online resources  provide even more help and guidance.

Supplements

Paul Dickerson, Emma McDonald and Christian van Nieuwerburgh discuss  study skills, wellbeing and employability  and explore   how university lecturers and student welfare teams can better  support Psychology students  through their university journey.

Students enjoyed this text - they found it easy to read and the author's dry sense of humour appealed to many. Not just for psychologists!

A really useful guide for students, breaking down the components of what constitutes a good essay and written from a subject-specific view - highly recommend

I have recommended this to my first year tutorial groups as it provides them with everything they need to know about producing an excellent psychology essay.

Preview this book

For instructors, select a purchasing option, order from:.

• VitalSource
• Amazon Kindle
• Google Play

Related Products

• Our Process

Sample Undergraduate Psychology Essay

Published by Robert Bruce at December 12th, 2022 , Revised On March 20, 2024

Here is a sample that showcases why we are one of the world’s leading academic writing firms. This assignment was created by one of our UK essay writers and demonstrated the highest academic quality. Place your order today to achieve academic greatness.

View a different grade

The experiment is valid only when there are results of the biased, independent variable. Researchers normally balance a controlled laboratory atmosphere with a natural environment. The more natural the experimental scenario, the harder external variables are regulated. Randomised trial results contribute to novel approaches and conclusions to be evaluated and studied in the field.

Introduction

Scientists explain and understand the workings of the world around them by developing theories that produce testable and falsifiable hypotheses. Theories that stand for research are preserved and refined, while theories that are not accepted or updated are kept. This helps researchers to discern evidence from mere beliefs. The availability of good knowledge by analysis supports wise decision-making in our public and personal lives. In this section, you can see how scientists research and appreciate activities using the scientific method.

Scientific analysis is a vital method to manage our complicated world effectively. Without it, we will have to rely on instincts, the legitimacy of other people, and pure chance alone. While all of us are sure that we can decipher and communicate with the universe around us, history is full of reminders of how mistaken we may be because we do not realise that there needs to be proof to back up statements.

At different points in the past, we must have been confident that the sun rotated around a flat land, that the continents of the universe did not move, and that the mental disorder was caused by possession (Figure 1). By rigorous scientific analysis, we devote ourselves to our preconceived conceptions and superstitions and obtain an empirical view of ourselves and our environment.

Psychologists emphasise actions and the underlying emotional (mental) and physiological (body) mechanisms. The distinguishing feature of the empirical study is that data confirms an argument, compared to other approaches that people use to explain the actions of others, including insight and personal experiences. Scientific understanding is empirical: it is founded on factual, observable facts, which, irrespective of who is studying, can be found again and again.

The mind is not measurable, although actions. We can see the action while someone is crying. It is more difficult to ascertain the cause of the behaviour. Are people weeping because they are unhappy, painful, or happy? Often we can learn why someone reacts by only posing a question, such as, “Why cry? “There are cases where someone is uncomfortable or unable to respond frankly to the question or cannot answer it.

For one, children cannot explain why they weep. The psychologist must then be imaginative to find ways to better explain the behaviour under certain circumstances. This module discusses the generation of scientific knowledge and the significance of knowledge in making choices in our own lives and within the public domain.

Methods of Scientific Research

The experimental method provides psychology with a systematic means to evaluate theory, draw upon mind hypotheses, and obtain insight into the mind. The empirical method provides an analytical methodology for scientific research, which contributes to unbiased world interpretations and strengthens knowledge. Sir Francis Bacon (1561–162 6) first outlined the empirical method that made it possible for many scientific disciplines to solve logical and rational problems.

Field Research

Field research is real-life or natural environment research. They are more likely to exploit a factor under analysis to observe, evaluate, and explain what is present. The study environment reflects ordinary conditions, which retain the naturalness of the environment. Field study subjects may or may not be aware that they are being observed. On the other hand, Regulated laboratory testing is carried out in a research area designed especially for research.

Laboratory Research

Study in laboratories is also defined as closely regulated research, In which the investigator manipulates the specific research element to determine if such manipulation induces changes in the subject. Themes in laboratory analysis may be more carefully chosen and put into environments and are typically considered to engage in a sample.

The analysis element is the variable that a researcher manipulates, known as the experimental or independent variable. The shift calculation is called the measurement criteria. The dependent variable is often named because the adjustment possibly depends on the investigator’s modification of the experimental variable.

Receive feedback on language, structure and layout

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

The usefulness of Scientific Methods

Field experiments are more likely than a laboratory to be descriptive, evolving, correlational, and survey. The biggest benefit of the field study is that they are generalised to real-life circumstances since they reflect more conditions and ecosystems in their natural habitat. Notice that this advantage can be inaccurate. It can be very difficult to determine the generalizability of this analysis due to the lack of monitoring and the hard of correctly characterising the situation in the region. The code of ethics will also influence where the research is located.

Researchers also favour lab designs in the field due to informed consent issues and participants’ privacy problems. Due to better regulation than naturalistic environments by the researchers in general in a laboratory setting, laboratory test experiments are more likely to be a true experimental design.

The advantage of laboratory experiments is those irrelevant variables are more regulated, which may otherwise affect outcomes and become simpler testing situational hints. If all foreign factors are regulated effectively, the observed improvement in the subjects is thought to derive from the manipulated variable.

This approach is similar to creating a connection between cause and effect. However, when looking at such a partnership, care should be taken. There are still risks that the outside impact is unregulated, and the effects are probably caused by accident. The reproducibility is another benefit of lab testing. Cleanly managed and recorded environmental factors. As in every other form of study, in laboratory research, drawbacks can occur. It can be an artificial world that can influence behaviour, thereby modifying the outcomes of subjects.

Ethical issues raised by Psychological Research

Any experiment involving human beings shall be regulated by detailed, stringent rules to preclude damage from the experiment. Any federally funded research organisation, including human subjects, must access an institutional oversight panel (IRB). The IRB is an individual committee mostly made up of executive staff, scholars, and university community members (Figure 1).

The IRB’s goal is to evaluate research ideas concerning individuals. In whatever experiment it accepts, an IRB organisation wants multiple components. Firstly, before engaging in the trial, each subject must sign an informed consent form. An informed consent form defines what participants can expect during the evaluation, including likely risks and consequences of testing.

It also helps students to be conscious that their attendance is purely optional and can be interrupted at any time without any cost. Also, informed consent assures the absolute protection of all data gathered during the experiment. Although the informed acceptance form must be as truthful as possible in explaining precisely what participants are doing, deceit may often be required to prevent the study outcomes from being compromised by participants’ understanding of the exact test issue.

Disappointment requires intentionally misleading trial subjects to protect the experiment’s credibility, but not to the degree that disappointment may be deemed risky. For example, we can use misappreciation in descending the experiment to avoid the information impacting the participants’ answers if we are curious to see how their clothing influences our perception of someone.

In such cases of dissatisfaction, participants must be given an in-depth research briefing with full, truthful information about the study’s intent, how the data gathered could be used, why disappointment had to be used, and how to gain more data on the study.

Evaluation of the Scientific Approaches Application

Due to better regulation than naturalistic environments by the researchers in general in a laboratory setting, laboratory test experiments are more likely to be a true experimental design. The advantages of laboratory experiments are better control over factors unrelated to the outcome and, therefore, a stronger indicator of behaviour.

Some changes detected in subjects are expected to be due to the attribute which has been manipulated if all external factors can be managed effectively. This approach is similar to creating a connection between cause and effect. However, when approaching such a partnership, care should be taken.

There are still risks that the outside impact is unregulated, and the effects are probably caused by accident. Their reproducibility is another advantage of lab testing. Cleanly managed and recorded environmental factors. As in every other form of study, in laboratory research, drawbacks can occur. It may be an artificial environment that may change how participants respond and thereby modify outcomes.

Ethical Issue (Dig Deeper: Ethics and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study)

The ethical standards for science today, sadly, have not always been applied in the past. The army was mobilised to participate in a US test in 1932, a bad, agricultural, black, and male sharecropper from Tuskegee, Alabama. Public Health Service to research black man syphilis (Figure 2).

Six hundred men decided to enrol in the study in exchange for free medical treatment, food, and funeral insurance. Half of the men screened for syphilis positively and became in the trial team (given that the researchers could not randomly assign participants to groups, this represents a quasi-experiment).

In the test community, the majority are syphilis-free males. However, people who screened for syphilis positively have never been told that they have the disorder. Though syphilis had not been treated at the outset of the research, penicillin was identified as a successful cure in 1947.

However, the participants in this study were not offered any penicillin, and if participants continued their studies, they would not be permitted to obtain care in any other hospital. For 40 years, many participants transmitted syphilis unwittingly to their spouses (and their children born to women after that) and ultimately died because they had not undergone medication for the disorder. This research was stopped in 1972 after the national press noticed the trial.

Any unregulated external variables influencing the dependent variable’s output threaten the legitimacy of an experiment, whether performed in a field or controlled laboratory setting. An experiment is true when only the manipulated independent variable shows effects and when they are generalisable in conditions outside the experimental environment.

The concepts of internal validity and external validity are both referred to. Internal validation directly results from manipulating the independent variable that the observed deviations from the dependent variable. Very strict laboratory regulation is required to optimise internal validity, reducing the study to non-laboratory conditions.

Meanwhile, the more normal the experimental situation becomes, the tougher foreign variables to be controlled. Researchers are typically balanced between a regulated laboratory setting and a natural environment for the environment. This helps the researcher to have ample control to maintain proper internal validation while preserving the realism required to be generalised.

The most effective approach to science typically involves laboratory and field research. New methods and conclusions to be tested and studied in the field are created from the effects of controlled experiments. Conversely, field findings produce novel theories for controlled trials to be evaluated.

Bibliography

Aziz , H. . A., 2017. Comparison between Field Research and Controlled Laboratory Research.

LH, B., B, E., K, J. & L., 2016. From Research Question to Conducting a Randomized Controlled Trial on Continuous Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Prenatal Hydronephrosis: A Rational Stepwise Process… Frontiers in Pediatrics, p. 4.

P, F., B, P., F , F. & B., 2015. Research questions, hypotheses and objectives… Can J Surg 53 .

S, H., S, C. & W, B., 2017. Designing clinical research. 3rd ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott.

Frequently Asked Questions

List down 5 tips to write an excellent psychology essay.

1. Start with a clear thesis statement. 2. Conduct thorough research and cite credible sources. 3. Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 4. Use critical thinking to analyze and interpret evidence. 5. Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and coherence.

You May Also Like

Brain drain’s impact on economic growth and global maternal health. A critical essay on public health management and leadership.

Globalization has provided many opportunities worldwide, including educational, technological, and economic progress. [1] International trade is an excellent opportunity for exchanging goods and services globally.

Discover effects of unilateral free trade on a nation’s economy. Explore global opportunities and challenges in international trade dynamics.

Ready to Place an Order?

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS

+44 (0) 141 628 7445 +44 7388 619137 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday and 10am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

• How It Works

Get university advice on The Student Room app

• Teacher training
• Bangor University
• Birmingham City University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• University of Aberdeen
• University of East Anglia
• University of Hull
• University of Kent
• University of Reading
• A-level choices
• GCSE choices and university
• Choosing a course
• Making firm and insurance choices
• University open days
• Top questions to ask at a university open day
• Ucas Extra explained
• Understanding conditional offers
• University offers: what they mean and what to do next
• Getting the most from Ucas university fairs
• What do I need to get into Oxbridge?
• What to do if you don’t get an offer from your first choice university
• What you need to know about getting a university scholarship, grant or bursary
• AS and A-levels explained
• Is a higher or degree apprenticeship right for you?
• Universities

By Nik Taylor (Editor, The Uni Guide) | 21 September 2023 | 10 min read

Writing a psychology personal statement: expert advice from universities 

 Get tips from the top to help you nail your psychology personal statement 

Share this page

Email & print.

Research the course and make it clear that you understand what it’s all about

• Read more:  how to write an excellent personal statement in ten steps

Keep it focused on you 

… but make sure you understand what the course is all about and keep it academic.

• Read more:  how to write your university application

Answer the question of why you want to study psychology 

• Read more:  teacher secrets for writing a great personal statement

Show the range of your interest

• Read more:  personal statement FAQs

Highlight any relevant work experience

• Read more:  the ten biggest mistakes to avoid when writing your personal statement

And work experience outside the healthcare sector could still be relevant, too

• Read more:  universities reveal all about personal statements

Reflect on your relevant experience

• Read more:  universities explain how to end your personal statement with a bang

Avoid cliches

• Read more:  how to write your personal statement when you have nothing interesting to say

Let it all flow out in your first draft

• Read more:  how long does it take for universities to reply to your application? 

Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly where you want your career to take you yet

And a few final tips from universities…, you may want to look at these..., how to write an excellent personal statement in 10 steps.

Help and advice on putting your application together

Personal statement FAQs

We've gone through some of the most commonly asked personal statement questions and put all the answers in one place

Personal statement secrets – universities reveal all

Want to know how to craft an amazing personal statement? Take some advice from the experts...

Related to this article

Search the uni guide, find further advice or search for information on a course or university.

• Search Advice
• Search courses &/or universities

The Uni Guide and The Student Room are both part of The Student Room Group.

Promoted universities

• Durham University
• Lancaster University
• University of Glasgow
• University of the Arts London
• University of Southampton
• Swansea University
• Aston University, Birmingham
• Ulster University
• Cardiff University

Browse expert advice

• Oxbridge applications
• Ucas application
• Personal statements
• Ucas deadline 2024 countdown
• Clearing and results day
• Preparing for university
• Student accommodation
• Student life
• Student finance
• Advice for parents

About this site

• Cookie policy
• List of universities and colleges
• Privacy notice
• Terms and conditions
• Where we get our info

Who we work with

• Your account settings

Ad privacy settings

Popular tools and features

• A-level Explorer
• Course search

Connect with us

• Personal statement advice: psychology

Applying to university

• Getting started
• UCAS Tariff points
• Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
• Amendments to the Tariff consultation
• Offer rate calculator
• How to use the offer rate calculator
• Understanding historical entry grades data
• Admissions tests
• Deferred entry
• Personal statement advice and example: computer science
• Personal statement advice: English
• Personal statement advice: Midwifery
• Personal statement advice: animal science
• Personal statement advice: biology
• Personal statement advice: business and management
• Personal statement advice: chemistry
• Personal statement advice: dance
• Personal statement advice: dentistry
• Personal statement advice: drama
• Personal statement advice: economics
• Personal statement advice: engineering
• Personal statement advice: geography
• Personal statement advice: history
• Personal statement advice: law
• Personal statement advice: maths
• Personal statement advice: media studies and journalism
• Personal statement advice: medicine
• Personal statement advice: modern languages
• Personal statement advice: music
• Personal statement advice: nursing
• Personal statement advice: pharmacy
• Personal statement advice: physiotherapy
• Personal statement advice: politics
• Personal statement advice: social work
• Personal statement advice: sociology
• Personal statement advice: sports science
• Personal statement advice: statistics
• Personal statement advice: teacher training and education
• Personal statement advice: veterinary medicine
• Personal statement: finance and accounting
• Filling in your application
• Staying safe online
• How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses
• How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
• Fraud and similarity
• How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
• How to end your personal statement
• Introducing the personal statement tool
• Personal statement dos and don'ts
• What to include in a personal statement
• Using AI and ChatGPT to help you with your personal statement
• Using your personal statement beyond a university application
• Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
• Personal statement guides
• References for mature students

If you're writing a psychology personal statement, describing your personal insights into the subject or how you've pursued your interest outside the classroom will impress over quoting Freud or Milgram (which might sound a little pretentious). That's what psychology admissions tutors told us when we asked them what they're looking for in your personal statement.

Five things to include in your psychology personal statement

The University of Bristol highlights five elements of a strong, academically focused psychology statement:

• Ensure it is well structured and well written .  
• Give details of any specific interests or ambitions you have that relate to the content of the course.
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study.
• Provide evidence of when you have pursued your interest in psychology outside the classroom (see above!)
• Give examples of non-curricular activities you are involved in which indicate the contribution you are likely to make to university life. Any relevant work experience you have under your belt is also worth talking about. But if you haven't gained experience in the field directly, think creatively - there might be ways to link observations from your part-time job, voluntary work or extra-curricular activities to psychology. One successful applicant finished her statement with a short paragraph about her Saturday job on a supermarket fish counter, describing the satisfaction she got from knowing how to gut and fillet a mackerel. Linking her experience to psychology in an innovative but relevant way was a lot more interesting than just saying it had improved her teamwork or communication skills, which are a bit broad.

Psychology tutors tell it like it is

Here are some more points to avoid:

• A lack of understanding: ‘Some applicants display a misconception of what psychology is. We want to know that you understand the importance of scientific elements of the course and the importance of statistics and experimentation’.
• Not enough engagement with the subject: ‘Some applicants are rejected because of a lack of commitment to the subject, especially in cases where it appears that they’ve applied for a mixture of courses rather than five psychology ones’.
• Making it too personal: ‘Some applicants expand too much on personal circumstances, such as mental health issues or life events. Studying psychology may not necessarily help, so don't overplay personal stories’.
• Getting the tone wrong: don’t just say you ‘want to help people’ and don’t use inappropriate language like ‘less fortunate people’. Also, avoid inserting sophisticated language or phrases if you don’t fully understand them – ‘straightforward language is never a bad thing’.

Sponsored articles UCAS Media Service

Five reasons to sign up to the ucas newsletter, do you need to take an english test to study at university in the uk, discover your future at oxford brookes.

Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

• Writing essays in science subjects
• Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
• Writing extended essays and dissertations
• Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

• Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions. 

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

• Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
• References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline. 

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

• Approaching different types of essay questions  
• Structuring your essay  
• Writing an introduction  
• Making use of evidence in your essay writing  
• Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of  extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

• The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
• Explanation of the focus of your work.
• Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
• List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources. 

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work . 

Systems & Services

Access Student Self Service

• Student Self Service
• Self Service guide
• Registration guide
• Libraries search
• OXCORT - see TMS
• GSS - see Student Self Service
• The Careers Service
• Oxford University Sport
• Online store
• Gardens, Libraries and Museums
• Researchers Skills Toolkit
• LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
• Access Guide
• Lecture Lists
• Exam Papers (OXAM)
• Oxford Talks

Latest student news

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Try our extensive database of FAQs or submit your own question...

Ask a question

This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript

• Centre Services
• Associate Extranet
• All About Maths

AS and A-level Psychology

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources

Assessment resources

• Answers and commentaries (11)
• Examiner reports (11)
• Mark schemes (19)
• Notes and guidance (2)
• Practice questions (1)
• Question papers (43)
• Paper 1 (31)
• Paper 2 (30)
• Paper 3 (22)
• June 2022 (25)
• November 2020 (23)
• November 2021 (13)
• Sample set 1 (10)
• Sample set 2 (9)
• Sample set 4 (3)
• A-level (69)
• AS and A-level (1)

Showing 87 results

Exampro: searchable past paper questions, marks and examiner comments [exampro.co.uk]

Published 12 Dec 2023

Answers and commentary (A-level): Paper 3 Issues and options in psychology - Sample set 4

Published 18 Nov 2023 | PDF | 746 KB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Paper 2 Psychology in context - Sample set 4

Published 18 Nov 2023 | PDF | 1.8 MB

Answers and commentary (A-level): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - Sample set 4

Published 18 Nov 2023 | PDF | 2.2 MB

Question paper (AS): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 428 KB

Question paper (AS): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 541 KB

Question paper (A-level): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 458 KB

Question paper (A-level): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 774 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 273 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 263 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 327 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (AS): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 379 KB

Examiner report (A-level): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 154 KB

Examiner report (A-level): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 303 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (A-level): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 509 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Psychology in context - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 291 KB

Examiner report (AS): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 133 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (A-level): Paper 1 Introductory topics in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 699 KB

Question paper (A-level): Paper 3 Issues and options in psychology - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 276 KB

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing advice.

Recommended Clearing Universities

Kingston University

London (Greater) · 87% Recommended

Solent University

South East England · 100% Recommended

University of Winchester

South East England · 97% Recommended

Popular Course Categories

Take our quick degree quiz.

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

Search by Type

Search by region.

Recommended Universities

Goldsmiths, University of London

London (Greater) · 92% Recommended

Heriot-Watt University

Scotland · 97% Recommended

SOAS, University of London

London (Greater) · 90% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at uni compare.

University of Westminster

Gain experience and internship opportunities. Explore construction courses.

Explore LIBF's renowned IT programs with flexible learning and enhanced employability

Ranking Categories

Regional rankings.

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 131,500+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice categories, recommended articles, popular statement examples, statement advice.

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

Personal statement examples psychology personal statements.

Discover personal statement examples written by students accepted onto psychology and related courses. Read through the examples to help shape your own personal statement.

Calling all curious minds! BPS Accredited degrees at Swansea

Delve into the brain and behaviour with Swansea's Psychology degrees. Tailor your studies to your interests, take a Year in Industry or kick-start your research career. Apply now!

Investigate the mind, help others.

Study Psychology at Bradford, a BPS accredited degree, for the perfect start to a future bettering other peoples' lives and mental health.

Psychology Personal Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Psychology and Philosophy Personal Statement

For centuries humanity has pondered the definitions of truth and fals...

Psychology Personal Statement

While growing up, an individual experiences countless differing field...

My first experience in the field of psychology was in year 9, I was a...

My desire for wanting to pursue psychology in higher education not on...

Psychology influences our everyday decisions and moulds us into who w...

Criminology and Psychology Personal Statement

Little interests me more than trying to unwind the endless enigma of ...

“What was life without connection?” Oliver Sacks is highlighting that...

A few years ago, I watched as one of my best friend battled with anor...

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think” (Margaret M...

Submitted by Gianna

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages and the correlation between childhood act...

Submitted by Karolina

Paul Valery stated' The purpose of psychology is to give us a complet...

Submitted by Bethany

BSc Psychology Personal Statement

My decision to study psychology was not a difficult one. It is someth...

Submitted by Maisie Glover

Psychology with Criminology Personal Statement

Psychologist Phillip Zimbardo is quoted to have said “I have been pri...

Submitted by Antoinette

Every few minutes since the age of 9 I have put on hand cream. It was...

Submitted by Suri

Psychology with Business Personal Statement

Psychology's wide applications to everyday life, such as how psycholo...

Submitted by Cindy

Psychology with Foundation Year Personal Statement

“It is not primarily our physical selves that limit us but rather our...

Submitted by Caroline

Psychology and Neuroscience Personal Statement

Purpose for learning is a key difference between animal and human bra...

Submitted by Chloe

The dynamics of psychology affect our everyday lives and behaviour wh...

Submitted by Jenny

Psychology has drawn me in since I began studying it at GCSE. For me,...

Submitted by Lauren

The mind has a daily impact on our lives; influencing every decision,...

Submitted by Keren

Psychology with Forensic Psychology Personal Statement

Psychology has been part of my life indirectly for many years, from t...

Submitted by Sasha

During the holidays of 2016, I took part in some scientific based wor...

Psychotherapy and Counselling: Practices and Principles Personal Statement

I have always desired to understand feelings, behaviour and the human...

Find the latest from Uni Compare

University of Chester

Chester offers guaranteed accommodation for firm applicants, find your place today!

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff has it all - lively nightlife, a diverse character, and stunning coastlines.

Recommended Course

University of Sunderland

Sunderland is ranked as a top 50 UK University (Guardian University Guide 2024), find out more here.

University of East London

UEL and the University of South Florida have announced collaboration together, click here to learn more!

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

UWTSD are ranked 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities (NSS 2023) - learn more here!

Coventry University

Awarded Gold in the TEF Rankings 2023, learn more here!

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Goldsmiths, UOL

342 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

337 courses

467 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

610 courses

Uni of Sunderland

332 courses

West London IoT

Escape Studios

Uni of East London

570 courses

Uni of Winchester

258 courses

Uni of Chester

630 courses

893 courses

Uni of Westminster

515 courses

Uni of Bradford

393 courses

126 courses

Queen's Uni

634 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

459 courses

Staffordshire Uni

478 courses

Middlesex Uni

670 courses

Northeastern Uni

Cardiff Met Uni

500 courses

Coventry Uni

780 courses

Ravensbourne

103 courses

Uni of Surrey

740 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

651 courses

UWE, Bristol

495 courses

ARU Writtle

Uni of Suffolk

222 courses

Highlands & Islands

451 courses

Wrexham Uni

294 courses

709 courses

Swansea Uni

1360 courses

826 courses

Leeds Arts University

Uni of Roehampton

468 courses

Uni of Leicester

436 courses

Uni of Kent

588 courses

Nottingham Trent

930 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

795 courses

Uni of Huddersfield

784 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

598 courses

Uni of Reading

692 courses

Uni of Essex

1397 courses

Bath Spa Uni

512 courses

Uni of Hull

Kingston Uni

619 courses

Uni of Brighton

521 courses

Edge Hill Uni

400 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

779 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

876 courses

FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU

Degree Course Quiz

Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.

The Study Blog

Term Paper Writing Help

If you aren't sure whether you are good at expressing yourself through writing, then if you find it difficult to do so (e.g., when trying to write an english essay), we can help you overcome those obstacles by assisting you in improving your communication through writing. We help students compose essays or other types of papers for their courses. Now is the time to come visit us!

How to Overcome the Complexity of a Nursing Essay

There aren't many alternatives for professional translations. Before writing a good summary of something, you need to know your subject well enough to be able to write an accurate one. A research paper requires mastery of research language, a deep understanding of their subjects to be able to write about them clearly, and a careful consideration of possible problems before proposing solutions. Students often have trouble understanding medical terminology when they first encounter it, because they have never heard of these words before. When writing a cohesive psychology essay, students must be familiar with some psychological concepts. We have a wealth of experience under our belt, so we know where they need help. Although you may be able to find better deals elsewhere, there is no way to tell if these sites offer superior customer service and top-quality results. Read customer reviews before making any online purchases. If you don't think there's a market for them, it's perhaps best to skip them.

Professional Help from Copywriters

If you would like us to write anything from an essay in history to a term paper for you, we’d be happy to oblige. When writing something, there's a precise formula for choosing the best word. You can rest assured that you'll receive an expertly written paper from those who know exactly what they're doing. No need to write anything down today; there are no reasons why you shouldn't let others edit your document for you. Don't waste your time trying to convince them to do it for you, instead, invest it in something more productive! Order term papers online and go there! Founded in a simple belief that we are capable of delivering top-quality content to you, we offer a range of guarantees. Test it out yourself! The results must be presented after all the research has been completed.

Cheap Business Essay Writing Services

Before being accepted into our company, we underwent extensive background checks. Check their credentials to confirm that they have been writing professionally for some time. If they are members of professional associations, check, for instance.

Fun Tips to Spend Orthodox Easter Away from Home

In "Student Life"

Welcome to the New Bloggers

In "Degree Essentials"

Mastering Warwick as a Postgraduate

In "Looking After You"

Comments are closed.

Copyright, 2023