Psychology

Major Subject

12 hours per week

Students select one Major and one Minor subject per week

Overview

Are your choices truly your own? What drives someone to commit a crime, or an ordinary person to follow the crowd? Does your online profile reveal the real you? Step inside the science of the human mind, from the inner workings of the brain to the pressures of social media, and uncover what really drives the way we think, feel and behave. Along the way, you’ll debate the big questions psychologists are still trying to answer, and discover surprising truths about yourself and the people around you.

Designed by our expert academic team, this psychology summer school is for 15–17-year-old international students, whether you’re new to the subject or already familiar with it.

By the end of this summer course, you’ll have a clearer sense of whether to pursue further studies in psychology, behavioural science or related fields at university.

Pre-University students in discussion in the cloisters at Winchester College
Two students giving an end-of-week presentation at Discovery Summer Winchester
Pre-University students working together in a classroom at Winchester College
Pre-University students chatting outside an ivy-covered wall at Winchester College
Sample Topics

Each week, you'll tackle different topics to build a clear understanding of psychology and its real-world applications.

The Brain and Behaviour

Discover how the brain regions shape your moods and decisions. Is personality hard-wired, or can the brain rewire itself? If our actions are driven by biology, how responsible are we for what we do?
Free Will vs Determinism

Forensic Psychology

What really drives someone to commit a crime? Weigh up the roles of biology, upbringing and social circumstances in criminal behaviour, then step into the shoes of a Forensic Psychologist to discover how offender profiling, interview techniques and rehabilitation programmes help solve crimes, deliver justice and prevent reoffending.
Nature vs Nurture

Social Influence

Why do ordinary people sometimes do extraordinary, and even shocking, things when part of a group? Uncover the hidden pressures of conformity, obedience and peer influence, and debate whether “just following orders” can ever excuse wrongdoing. Is our behaviour shaped more by who we are, or by the situation we find ourselves in?
Situational vs Dispositional

Cyberpsychology:

How are smartphones and social media reshaping the way young people think, feel and connect? Investigate the psychology behind likes, endless scrolling and online identity, and find out what the evidence really says about screen time and wellbeing. Do our online profiles reveal who we truly are, or a carefully polished version we want the world to see?
Authentic Self vs Curated Self

Skills & Outcomes

This challenging summer programme will equip you with key skills for success in psychology. 

  • Debate: Build confidence in articulating and defending your views on psychology’s biggest questions and its real-world use.
  • Critical thinking: Evaluate science, popular myths and misleading headlines
  • Understanding behaviour: Explain why people think, feel and act as they do.
  • Ethical reasoning: Weigh up the moral questions behind Psychological conversations.

Activity Programme

Wide range of daily activities

Pre-University

Full details

Minors

Choose one each week