Juris Savostijanovs

I chose Psychology as I was fascinated by its vast utilisations in everyday life. It also enabled me to combine my interest in computer science by providing a breadth of opportunities to explore alternative pathways, such as cyberpsychology, which amalgamated my career interests.

With this course, I have explored how technology can be used in tandem with psychological research and how psychology is applied across various real-world settings. As part of the third year’s Reflections and Future Directions or Dragon’s Den module, I had the opportunity to work alongside a fantastic group of peers to plan, develop, and present a virtual reality intervention aiming to provide an improved classroom experience for those diagnosed with autism spectrum condition.

Having taken up the internship opportunities provided by the department and the Student Opportunity Fund, I improved my programming skills by developing numerous virtual reality applications for use in research, which at the time used cutting-edge technology.

The plethora of academic writing and presentations I undertook during my degree has undoubtedly improved my writing and conversational skills. This enabled me to present two ongoing papers at the annual British Psychological Society’s Cyberconference.

My favourite thing about Psychology is the fact that the acquired knowledge is vastly transferable irrespective of the professional field you choose to pursue. The breadth and variety of lecture content make you question what you know for the better and lead you to read more into the oddities and strange studies that have or are being carried out.

Edge Hill University has provided excellent accommodation for both personal living and professional education through lecture halls and classrooms. The staff infrastructure is amazing, and you will get a response to any queries you have.

The Catalyst has always provided the necessary tools and quiet space for learning, especially during exam season. However, I also found great comfort in buying hot drinks at The Hub during cold mornings.

Edge Hill has repeatedly come forth and provided help in propelling my academic career, be it through grants, awards, or simply answering my queries when visiting the Catalyst. Overall, it has been a fantastic experience that I recommend to any prospective students.

I’d recommend to everyone to take up the extra-curricular opportunities offered by the Department of Psychology, such as the second-year internship scheme. These opportunities will enrich your CV and provide invaluable experience that you don’t get by attending the lectures. When I graduate I wish to continue to pursue my interest in virtual reality and psychology and combine them by undertaking or developing more research paradigms that can be used for studies.