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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 74th as a department. 

We pride ourselves on being a collegiate and welcoming department, committed to success for all who work here.

Find out more about us
Top 5 in Graduate Prospects in The Times UK University Rankings 2025
11th
11th in the Complete University Guide 2025
15th
15th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Athena SWAN Silver Award winner in 2013 and retained in 2017 & 2022, for promoting gender equality
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Welcome new students 2024

We're looking forward to helping you settle into student life and make the most of your experience. We encourage you to meet staff and familiarise yourself with the Department, by preparing as much as possible before your course begins

Your next steps

Why study Psychology at Durham?

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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 courses

Postgraduate

Find out more about our postgraduate taught courses and research

What's new?

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Research reveals how sighted and blind people’s brains change when they learn to echolocate

New research from our Department of Psychology has shown that the brains of sighted and blind people adapt in a similar way when they learn to use sound echoes to understand the world without vision.
A graphic of a human brain in bright colours

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.
A young chimpanzee stands in grassland

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.
Image of Professor Deborah Riby and Associate Professor Nadia Siddiqui

Strengthened 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).
A group of people standing in front of a sign that says Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Fetuses 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.
4-D ultrasound scan of a baby showing a laugh face reaction

Novel 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?
Ice age arts 2

Why 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.
Person looking at a smartphone

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.
A chimpanzee looking directly into the camera

Brain cells as traffic controllers

A groundbreaking study led by Dr Marco Bocchio in our Department of Psychology reveals how specific brain cells called interneurons can act as our in-built traffic controllers.
Abstract colourful image of a person's head and brain.

New study highlights how friendly social behaviours are contagious for chimpanzees

Researchers from our top-rated Psychology department have discovered that social bonding behaviours in chimpanzees, like grooming and play, can spread through groups much like contagious yawns or laughter in humans.
Two chimpanzees play on the ground outside. Photo credit: Dr Jake Brooker

Our 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 facilities

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 initiatives
Group of colourful wooden people

Staff

At Durham we focus on you. We are energised teachers, who love our subject and want to share that passion with you.

'What I think makes Durham's Psychology course truly excellent is the contagious passion and excitement each of the staff have for Psychology.'

Liam
Level 1 
Find out more about our staff

Blogs 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.
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Day in the life of a second-year Psychology student

Psychology student, Amelia takes us through her day-to-day life at Durham University.
Group of postgraduate students discussing their work in a seminar room

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

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.