ATPS - Association for the Teaching of Psychology, Scotland

The ATPS is the Scottish branch of the UK Association for the Teaching of Psychology (ATP). Scotland has its own education system, which is historically different from the rest of the UK. Most students aged 16-19 years in schools and colleges take a broad range of subjects, studying Higher courses; for university entrance, 3 - 5 Highers are normally required. In the pre-university sector in Scotland, Psychology is most widely taught in the form of NQ Higher Psychology, although the subject is also taught at lower levels (NQ Intermediate 1 and 2), sometimes to younger students in schools. In 2004, approximately 2800 students took Higher Psychology; there has been consistent growth in popularity of the subject.

In colleges, HN courses are also provided, which are popular with mature students and have a more applied, vocational emphasis; these also enable progression to university, or to further professional training or employment. The HN in Social Science includes a strong element of Psychology.

Although Scotland has a long and illustrious history of study of human behaviour and experience, starting with David Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature in the 1730s, the NQ and HN Psychology courses were introduced only recently, and the ATPS was established in 2001 as a branch of its parent association, the ATP (UK). In Scotland we have approximately 50 members, who comprise school teachers and college lecturers, from as far afield as the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, as well as from the main centres of population - Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. ATPS national conferences were held in 2001, 2002 and 2003, with the fourth planned for 5-6 February, 2005, in Dundee. The ATPS committee meets four times a year, produces its own Newsletter and website, and has a representative on the national ATP committee.

More details on psychology teaching in Scotland can be found in the presentation* given to the Cambridge meeting of EFPTA, 5-7 November 2004, and at www.atps.org.uk. Or contact Morag Williamson [ M.Williamson@napier.ac.uk ].

Information on the Scottish education and qualifications system can be found at Scottish Executive Education Department page and SQA page.

Morag Williamson