Exploring the World with Psychology

The University of York's Pre-University Summer School is a residential programme designed for students aged 16-18 to get a taste of what it means to study at a top university in the UK.

The programme combines a chosen academic subject option with co-curricular sessions on academic, intercultural and employability skills and a fun-packed schedule of cultural and social visits and activities.

Exploring the World with Psychology:
Psychology can be found within all aspects of daily life and society. Join us to explore just a small part of what psychology can tell us about the worlds of technology, health and wellbeing, neurodiversity and prejudice.

On this short course, you will learn how technology has changed the way we interact with one another and how psychology can help us to understand these new interactions. You will take a look at the psychology that explains why people have negative attitudes towards others and what we can try to do about this. You will investigate the impact that our gender, childhood, personalities and stress levels can have on our health and wellbeing. You will also discover what it really means to live and grow up being neurodiverse, trying to navigate the world with, for example, dyslexia or ADHD, and why listening to lived experiences can help improve research and our understanding.

Course leader

This course is offered by the Department of Psychology, one of the world’s top psychology departments, excelling in both teaching and research.

Target group

The programme is open to all students aged 16-18 who are currently in secondary or further education. Participants must have had their 16th birthday before the programme starts.

Course aim

The programme is designed to help students prepare for university study through:
- an in-depth exploration of the chosen academic subject option and the teaching and learning methods at undergraduate level
- the development of key academic skills needed for success at university
- intercultural training and employability skills
- university preparation sessions and insight from current students