Undergraduate

Psychology specialist pathways

Students working in Leeds City Campus Social Space

Choose to study one of our specialist Psychology pathways, and you can tailor your studies in your preferred area of interest from year one. Follow the pathway throughout your studies, and you'll graduate with a degree in your chosen specialism accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Psychology at Leeds Trinity University is far from a one-size-fits-all degree – it’s designed to give you choice, flexibility, and the freedom to follow your passions. Programme Leaders Dr Paul McGivern and Dr Candice Whitaker explain how, from your very first year, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the areas of Psychology that interest you most. Rather than being restricted to a fixed curriculum, you can shape your learning journey to reflect your ambitions and curiosity.

At Leeds Trinity, we understand that every student is different. That’s why our Psychology degree offers tailored pathways, allowing you to specialise in the topics that inspire you. Whether you’re fascinated by cognitive processes, intrigued by social behaviour, or passionate about mental health and wellbeing, you’ll find modules that align with your goals. This flexibility means you’re not just studying Psychology, you are creating a degree that’s uniquely yours.

Dr McGivern and Dr Whitaker describe three types of Psychology students: The Explorer, who wants to discover a broad range of topics before deciding on a focus; The Specialist, who already knows their area of interest and wants to dive deep; and The Pathfinder, who is driven by a clear career goal and wants a degree that supports that journey. No matter which category you fit into, our programme ensures you have the tools and opportunities to succeed.

Studying Psychology at Leeds Trinity University isn’t just about theory, it’s about applying knowledge to real-world challenges. Through practical experiences, placements, and applied projects, you’ll develop skills that employers value. When you graduate, your chosen pathway will be highlighted on your degree certificate, showcasing your expertise and helping you stand out in a competitive job market.

Your future in Psychology starts here – and it’s yours to shape.

Your degree, your pathway

Mix and match modules across the following optional, ‘hop on, hop off’ specialist pathways:

Our Counselling Psychology pathway explores how psychological approaches help people improve well-being, navigate emotional challenges, and lead more fulfilling lives. You’ll examine how evidence-based therapies alleviate distress and promote effective functioning.​

On this pathway you will discover

  • The main schools of counselling psychology and how they differ in their approaches to people and psychological change.​
  • How culture, identity, and values influence the therapeutic relationship.​
  • The importance of empathy, active listening, and unconditional positive regard in supporting clients.​
  • The ways counselling psychology is evolving through digital therapy and online interventions.​

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics , including; ​

  • Compassion and positive psychology,​
  • Well-being, burnout, rehabilitation, and psychological functioning across justice, healthcare, and community settings.​

Our Education and Child Development Psychology pathway explores how children learn and grow through both cognitive and behavioural lenses. You'll examine how motivation, memory, and individual needs shape learning and support across educational settings.​​

On this pathway you will discover

  • How children learn and develop from birth through adolescence.​
  • The major theories of child development and how they compare, including the work of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bowlby.​
  • What inclusive education looks like and how to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).​
  • How education policy and practice can reduce or sometimes reinforce inequality.​

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics , including;

  • Language and literacy development in children.​
  • Collaboration and support between schools and families for children with SEND.​
  • Psychological factors influencing learning and achievement, including motivation and well-being.​

Are criminals born or made? Can serious offenders be rehabilitated? On our Forensic Psychology pathway, you’ll explore theories of crime and the psychological factors that drive offending behaviour.​​​

On this pathway you will discover

  • How psychologists assess offenders’ mental states and evaluate the risk of reoffending.​​
  • How eyewitness memory functions and the factors that influence its reliability in court.​​
  • Psychological theories that help explain violent, sexual, and other forms of offending behaviour.​​
  • The challenges and possibilities of treating serious offenders, including those with psychopathic traits.​​
  • The strengths and limitations of offender profiling in criminal investigations.

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics, including;

  • Cyberbullying, moral reasoning, and gendered pathways into sexual and violent offending behaviour.​
  • Trauma, resilience, and well-being among prison staff and high-risk professionals.​​

Our Health Psychology pathway explores how psychological factors such as stress, addiction and behaviour influence health and illness. This field bridges psychology with medicine, helping you understand the complex links between mind and body.​​​​​

On this pathway you will discover

  • What health psychology is, and how it differs from other areas of psychology and medicine.​​​
  • How stress, coping styles, and personality affect physical health and illness.​
  • The psychological factors that influence health behaviours such as smoking, exercise, and diet.​​​
  • How health psychology informs public health campaigns and behaviour change interventions.​​​
  • How digital technologies can be used to promote health behaviour change.​

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics, including;

  • Health behaviour change and digital interventions.​​
  • Illness experience, identity, and self-management in chronic conditions and health inequalities.​​​
  • Appetite control, eating behaviour, and weight management.​​​

Our Occupational, Business and Marketing Psychology pathway explores how psychological principles are applied in professional settings - from understanding workplace dynamics and organisational behaviour to influencing consumer decision-making.​​​​​​

On this pathway you will discover

  • How personality and motivation influence workplace behaviour and performance.​​​
  • How psychological principles can enhance leadership, communication, and conflict resolution.​
  • The psychological effects of workplace stress and how it can be effectively managed.​​​
  • How organisational culture shapes employee well-being and productivity.
  • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and organisational success.​​

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics, including;

  • Psychological factors underpinning motivation, engagement, and performance in learning and work environments.​​​
  • Health and occupational wellbeing, motivation, and behaviour change in professional settings.​

From Park Run to elite Olympic competition, our Sports and Exercise Psychology pathway explores how thoughts, emotions and psychological responses influence participation, performance and well-being across all levels of sport and physical activity.​​​​​​

On this pathway you will discover

  • How psychology helps to enhance performance, mental resilience, and well-being.​
  • The role of psychology in promoting inclusivity, good mental health, and social equality in sport and physical activity settings.​
  • How brain functioning, arousal regulation, neuropsychology, and cognitive strategy influence sport and exercise performance.​​​​
  • Factors that influence and inform health-related behaviours.​

Research with impact​​​

Our expert staff team conduct research across a range of contemporary and impactful topics, including;

  • Well-being and human flourishing​​
  • Interpersonal expectancies ​​​
  • The experiences of applied practitioners working within sport and exercise psychology.​​​

Meet the team

Alison Torn

Caspar Wynne

Fayme Yeates

Dr Lisa Webster

Louisa Peters

Mark Durkin

Paul McGivern

Ben Morris

Candice Whitaker

Chris Rowley

Christopher Lewis

James Jackson

Laura De Pretto

Shames Maskeen

Tim Gomersall

Tim Vestner

Zacharia Nahouli