Facilities and equipment

In our two observation laboratories, you can watch participants interact through a one-way mirror or by a live video feed, while capturing recordings to analyse later. These rooms are used for teaching and research, particularly in clinical psychology specialisms.

In our four extended reality (XR) suites, you can access the latest development hardware for virtual reality (VR) and mixed and augmented reality (AR), for your research. You can tailor the space to meet your needs by using collapsible walls.

Designed for room-scale virtual reality (VR), you can walk around up to 45 metres-squared of floor space, using a specialist computer worn on your back, for an untethered experience. Students have used this to test therapy treatments for phobias, like fear of heights.

We have six development computers available, with different headsets and interactive controllers, so you can create virtual environments for your research. These stations have virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays, to easily switch between monitors and headsets.

In our four soundproof neuropsychology laboratories, you can observe the brain in action through imaging technologies and can stimulate it to cause behavioural changes. The equipment you’ll operate, and the techniques you’ll practise, are commonly used within the NHS.

You can use our neuropsychology preparation room to welcome participants, talk them through a study, and familiarise them with equipment. After an experiment where head gel has been applied, participants can come back to clean and dry themselves.

You can monitor the electrical activity of the brain through electroencephalography (EEG) experiments. To do this, you’ll place electrodes attached to an EEG cap onto a person’s head and get them to complete various tasks that stimulate different areas of the brain.

Using our mobile electroencephalography (EEG) equipment, you can record brain activity in real world settings. You can also use this in combination with our brain stimulation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) equipment.

You’ll be taught how to conduct electroencephalography (EEG) experiments, including how to use data recording software. Previous students have used this equipment to research movement and cognition differences in developmental populations with motor difficulties.

Using our magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, you can perform neuroimaging and observe the brain in action. You can record signals related to brain function, known as functional MRI (fMRI), and investigate the brain’s structure, metabolism and blood flow.

You can use our dummy MRI scanner to test setups and familiarise participants with equipment before using our off-campus, fully-functioning scanner. Previous students have used this equipment to research the brain’s role in cognition and emotional processing.

You can stimulate the brain to cause behavioural changes by using magnetic fields via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and by using electrical currents via transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). These behavioural changes can be monitored through neuroimaging.

With our transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) equipment, you can examine how areas of the brain send information, and test if stimulation can be used to change maladaptive activity and compensate for areas of damage.

Shown here is a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil. The three-pronged devices (on the coil and the head) allow us to see where the coil is, in relation to a participant’s head. Using specialist software, you can target an area of the brain for stimulation.

You can use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) equipment in your dissertation. Previous students have used tES to investigate the effect of increased brain activity on performance in memory tasks for the elderly.

In our 20 student research laboratories, you’ll learn about, take part in and run your own studies, using psychology software for your experiments. We have a host of mobile kit you can book out to use within the laboratories, including eye-tracking equipment.

Our 96-seat Computer Laboratory is kitted out with high performance computing equipment, allowing you to complete statistical analyses, in an interactive and group-based teaching environment.

In seminars and lectures, you’ll learn new techniques, such as eye-tracking, psychophysiology and mobile electroencephalography (EEG – the recording of the brain’s electrical activity), by following along with your lecturers on television screens.

As one of our students, you'll get access to an exclusive breakout space and equipment lockers, so you can relax between lectures and seminars.

Our breakout space backs onto staff offices, giving you easy access to your lecturers, so you can get additional support.