Psychology Graduates Make the Greatest Human Resources Professionals By Hanane Zahrouni One of the leading universities in Europe providing private education, BPP, which stands for its founders, Alan Brierley, Richard Price and Charles Prior, was established in 1976 as a university college. It is now providing psychology courses from its newly opened Health school. The college, which started specializing in accountancy qualifications, expanded very quickly due to the demands of ‘a more globally connected UK business sector.’ Since 2007, when the university gained its respect making history by becoming the first publicly owned private company to be granted UK degree awarding powers by the Privy Council. Now, it is currently educating students in a variety of courses, which cover undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, MBAs, short courses and many more flexible study options as well as ongoing development for professionals. It has over 6,500 students at its UK Law, Business and Health schools as well as training over 30,000 accountants, which are based at main city schools in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester in addition to regional centres across the country. According to BPP, one of its new undergraduate courses has become a good grounding for a career in a variety of disciplines. A BSc (Hons) degree in psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society, with the university based in London, which can be completed in either 2 or 3 years. All of their courses are designed to be career-relevant in the current workplace by focusing on both theory and practical sessions, for those who are searching to alter their profession or those who are just starting out. Practitioners from our School of Health have held senior positions in education training posts - and not purely academic roles. This makes the learning aspect more relevant and realistic to the workplace today. Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental life, which BPP aims to cover with an emphasis on the application of psychology to real-world complications using pure and applied research in areas such as cognitive, biological, developmental and social and research methods. Other specialist areas in the field include clinical, health and neuroscience, organizational and forensic. With vast opportunities and paths, studying psychology can lead to careers in health and social services to communications and the media. According to the University of Surrey, many organizations employ psychology graduates in careers, which require specific psychological training, and skills in areas such as human resources, research and development and well as career guidance. This is because graduates tend to have gained
throughout their years of study both communication and analytical skills, which lead graduates to also gain careers in other disciplines such as law, accountancy and teaching. The university made headlines last year in 2011, when it set its tuition fees the lowest in the UK, at £5k per year for the three-year degree programme, with students eligible in applying for government student loans. This however does not affect its quality of teaching and support. Christine O’Grady says: “As a privately owned university, BPP does not receive government funding for its places, and therefore has no restrictions on fee levels or caps on places. Programmes are delivered by professionals and academics, whose focus is only on teaching - they do not get involved in any research projects, and therefore student contact and support is high.” In addition, the careers team has strong links with employers and professional bodies through professional education business, which also enable students to have access to specialists within sectors as well as eligibility for exemptions towards other qualifications. Based on postgraduate programmes at BPP, employability is around 86%. HZ All of its programmes are available on UCAS listed under BPP University College of Professional Studies. In addition, spaces on clearing are still available. If you would like more information about the university and its courses, please call 0800 138 7192 or visit www.bpp.com/ug.