What are super curricular activities?
Every student that applies to university will know something about psychology. They may have seen a true crime documentary about a serial killer, read an article about attachment styles, or even studied the subject at GCSE or A-level. But in order to convince universities to give you an offer for undergraduate study, you will need to go above and beyond this level, exploring the subject to a greater extent. This is where super-curricular activities come in.
Super-curricular activities are activities that go beyond the standard academic curriculum and demonstrate a student's passion, commitment, and intellectual curiosity in a particular subject area.
They are incredibly important for university applications, especially at top universities like Oxbridge, for several reasons.
Why are super-curricular activities important for university applications?
- Super-curricular activities in psychology showcase a student's passion for psychology and their eagerness to explore it beyond the standard curriculum. They demonstrate a deep interest in the subject matter and a willingness to engage with advanced concepts or research, which aligns with the rigorous academic environment at top universities. Engaging in activities such as attending psychology lectures or conferences, conducting independent research, or joining psychology-related clubs highlights your motivation to delve deeper into the subject and provides evidence of your academic enthusiasm.
- Oxbridge receives a large number of applications from highly qualified applicants, so the competition can be fierce. Super-curricular activities help you to differentiate yourself from others with similar academic achievements, as they show initiative and intellectual independence.
- Psychology is a multifaceted discipline with various subfields and areas of specialisation. Super-curricular activities allow you to delve into specific branches of psychology - such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or neuropsychology - rather than simply at a superficial or general level of the subject. By reading advanced psychology texts, participating in online courses, or volunteering in psychology research labs, you can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of specific areas of interest.
- Super-curricular activities provide the bulk of the material for your personal statement. Students can discuss specific projects, research experiences, or events that have influenced their interest in psychology, sharing how these activities shaped their perspective, challenged their assumptions, or sparked intellectual curiosity.
- This will also have an impact on interview performance if applying to Oxbridge. Interviewers often ask students about their super-curricular reading or research during interviews, to gauge whether their enthusiasm is genuine and assess their fit for the course and the wider academic community. Super-curricular activities equip applicants with a broader knowledge base, critical thinking skills, and the ability to articulate their ideas effectively.
- Finally, it can be a chance to get some vital research experience. Undertaking basic research projects can greatly strengthen your university application. It shows your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, develop research skills, and contribute to the advancement of psychological understanding. You could even attempt to shadow a university professor in their lab. Research experience in psychology demonstrates your analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to engage in critical analysis—a crucial aspect of studying psychology at a higher level.
What do I need to consider when choosing super-curricular activities?
- What parts of psychology are of genuine interest to you? Identify theories or research areas that intrigue you. Choosing activities that align with your passions will keep you motivated and engaged throughout the process. Also, remember to seek a balance between depth and breadth.
- Which activities align with your long-term academic and career goals? If you have a specific area of specialisation in mind, select activities that provide insights or experiences related to that field. For example, if you're interested in clinical psychology, seek opportunities to volunteer in a mental health charity or shadow a therapist.
- How much time can you commit to super-curricular activities? Consider how much spare time you have after school work, extra-curricular activities such as sport, and other commitments. Most students sixth form students have busy schedules, so sacrificing time in another area might be necessary. It is better to choose a few activities that you can commit to wholeheartedly rather than spreading yourself too thin.
- Remember, quality matters more than quantity. A common mistake students make is to treat super-curricular activities like a checklist to tick off as quickly as possible. However, admissions tutors value depth of engagement and genuine passion.
Recommended Psychology Super-Curricular Books:
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - Explores the two systems of thinking, cognitive biases, and decision-making processes.
- The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker - Explores the innate human capacity for language, delving into the evolutionary, cognitive, and linguistic aspects of how language develops and shapes our thoughts and communication.
- Bad Science by Ben Goldacre - Exposes the flaws and deceptions in the world of scientific research and journalism, advocating for critical thinking and evidence-based approaches to debunk myths, misconceptions, and pseudoscience.
- Phantoms in the Brain by Ramachandran and Blakeslee - Takes readers on a journey through the mysteries of the human brain, exploring fascinating case studies and groundbreaking research to unravel the secrets behind perception, consciousness, and the extraordinary phenomenon of phantom limbs.
Recommended Psychology Online Resources:
- BPS Digest - A concise publication by the British Psychological Society (BPS) that provides insightful summaries and analysis of the latest research and developments in the field of psychology.
- Simply Psychology - Provides concise explanations and resources on various psychological theories, concepts, and experiments.
- Khan Academy - Offers free online courses and video lectures on psychology, covering introductory to advanced topics.
- Open Yale - Offers accessible and comprehensive online lectures by Yale University professors, covering a range of psychological topics for learners interested in psychology.
- TED Talks on Psychology - A collection of thought-provoking TED Talks by renowned psychologists and researchers.
Recommended Psychology Podcasts:
- "The Psychology Podcast with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman" - Interviews with leading psychologists exploring diverse topics in psychology.
- "The Brain Science Podcast" - Explores the latest research and discoveries in neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
- “All in the Mind" - An exploration of the human mind and mental health, featuring insightful interviews and discussions with experts from various parts of the subject.
- "Hidden Brain" - Explores the unconscious patterns that influence human behaviour and decision-making.
Recommended Psychology Academic Competitions:
- National Psychology Olympiad - A national competition run by Royal Holloway that tests knowledge and understanding of psychology concepts.
- International Brain Bee - A global neuroscience competition that challenges students' knowledge of brain structure, function, and disorders.
- The John Locke Essay Competition - Challenges students to write an essay on a choice of psychological topics.
Psychology University Entrance Tuition
Please do get in touch with Keystone Tutors if you are looking for a Psychology tutor to further support your university preparation. Our tutors have extensive experience with the PBSAA and Psychology entrance to top UK universities, both through having successfully sat the test and then gone on to tutor it.