Dear Students,
Welcome (or welcome back) to the School of Psychology and the new 2025–2026 academic year! We hope you are excited to begin or continue your journey with us.
As the leaves begin to turn and the Waterside campus fills once again with the energy of new and returning students, we are reminded of the vibrancy and purpose that define our community. The quieter summer months have allowed for reflection, planning, and progress on several fronts—but nothing compares to the buzz of campus life when our students return, ready to learn, connect, and grow.
This year, we are thrilled to announce a rich calendar of events designed to foster community, intellectual engagement, and wellbeing. From the Welcome Week Social on 23rd September to our Halloween Dress-Up Fundraiser and a Field Trip to London’s Science and Natural History Museums, there is something for everyone. We also invite you to join us for our monthly Park Run, the Big SU Festival, and a thought-provoking debate on Behaviourism in November. Full details can be found on the course NILE site and in our Agenda Post for September, October and November – also on this site.
We are proud to share that the School continues to evolve and innovate. With all our courses undergoing exciting development, refinements and enhancements following review and planning over the summer period, informed by student feedback, refinements to the British Psychological Society core curriculum, and the innovations of our academic staff. In addition, for those of you considering post-graduate study at the completion of your undergraduate degree – discussions are underway to explore the viability of standalone CPD modules across our postgraduate offerings, as well as the introduction of new post-graduate courses to our offerings in the coming years. In staffing news, we welcome new external examiners to our courses, including Dr Ashley Bennett and Dr Valeria Occelli! We also extend our thanks to those concluding their terms as our appointed externals.
As we begin this new academic year, we remain committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to continue your studies, we are delighted to have you with us.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr David Saunders
Head of School – Psychology & Behavioural Sciences
