Chahat V
"I've been fortunate to gain valuable practical experience alongside my studies. I'm now working as a research assistant in the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Lab at Surrey, contributing to research exploring attention and consciousness."
Course
Psychology BScWhat do you like about your course and why?
What I enjoy most about studying Psychology BSc (Hons) at the University of Surrey is how it combines scientific inquiry with understanding the complexity of human behaviour. Throughout the course, I've had the opportunity to explore topics ranging from cognition and neuroscience to psychopathology and mixed-methods research, which has shown me just how broad and interdisciplinary psychology is. I particularly enjoy the research side of the degree because designing studies, analysing data and critically evaluating evidence has strengthened my analytical thinking while teaching me how to approach complex questions with curiosity and rigour. Conducting my own qualitative research project during my second year on how legal practitioners make sense of uncertainty in decision-making was a particular highlight. It deepened my appreciation of how psychology can be applied to understanding complex real-world experiences while developing my confidence as an independent researcher.
What do you enjoy most about Surrey?
One of the things I've enjoyed most about Surrey is the supportive academic environment. The lecturers have always been approachable and willing to share their knowledge, which has made it easy to ask questions and explore ideas outside the lecture room. I've also appreciated how many opportunities there are to get involved beyond your studies, and I feel those experiences have made my time at Surrey especially rewarding.
If you've completed a Professional Training placement, what did this involve? What were the highlights?
Although I didn't undertake a Professional Training placement, I've been fortunate to gain valuable practical experience alongside my studies. I first had the opportunity to contribute to research supporting the development of a public health policy, which gave me an insight into how psychological research can inform decisions that have a real impact on people's lives. I'm now working as a research assistant in the Cognitive Neuroscience Research Lab at Surrey, contributing to research exploring attention and consciousness. Alongside this, I work as a learning support worker at The Halow Project, supporting young people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.
For me, the highlights have been seeing psychology come to life in different ways. In research, I've enjoyed grappling with complex data and learning that meaningful findings come not only from quantitative evidence but also from thoughtful interpretation and critical analysis. Working as a Learning Support Worker has added another layer of nuance, allowing me to see how a psychological understanding of behaviour and neurodevelopment can shape the way I support young people in everyday situations.
"I remember wondering why statistics were such a big part of a Psychology degree. Over time, I came to appreciate that it's the statistics and the evidence they provide that give us confidence in our findings and underpin the scientific rigour of psychological research. Embrace that side of psychology just as much as the human side."
What do you want to do when you graduate?
After graduating, I hope to gain further experience in research and applied mental health before training as a counselling psychologist. I'm particularly drawn to chronic pain research and understanding how psychological and biological processes interact to shape people's experiences. I'm motivated by the opportunity to bridge research and clinical practice, using evidence to inform compassionate, person-centred care while continuing to advance our understanding of chronic pain and improve the support people receive.
What advice would you give to students thinking of studying your course?
Appreciate the nuance. One of the first things a degree in Psychology teaches you is how to think with nuance. It encourages you to look beyond simple explanations, stay curious and approach people and their experiences with empathy.
When I first started, I remember wondering why statistics were such a big part of a Psychology degree. Over time, I came to appreciate that it's the statistics and the evidence they provide that give us confidence in our findings and underpin the scientific rigour of psychological research. Embrace that side of psychology just as much as the human side.
Ask questions, lots of them, and seek out every opportunity, even if it's outside your comfort zone. You don't need to have your career path mapped out from the start. I found my way into psychology through my previous career as a professional actor. What began as a curiosity about how to portray human behaviour evolved into a desire to understand why people think, feel and behave the way they do. Many of the opportunities that shaped my journey came from simply staying open to new experiences. You never know where your curiosity might lead.
