BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

Course Summary
Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour and considers both individuals and groups. A range of normal and abnormal human behaviours is explored. Sociology involves scientific study of human social life, groups and societies. Both subjects allow students to question what is regarded as natural, inevitable, good or true and identify the importance of social forces for understanding our individual lives and their social contexts.

Students develop a questioning and critical approach to the understanding of social life, and skills in analysing theories and evidence and applying research methods.

Course Structure

Bury St Edmunds Centre

First year modules:
Introduction to Psychology, Social and Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, Sociological Imagination, Theorising Modernity, and Social Inequalities.

Second Year modules:
Abnormal Psychology, Personality and Intelligence, Applying Social Psychology, Exploring Family Lives, Health Body and Identity, Understanding Deviance, and Research Skills for Social Scientists.

Third year modules:
a dissertation, Behaviour at Work, Emotion, Changing Education, and Media Culture and Society.

Ipswich Campus

First year modules include:
Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods, Social Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Core Dichotomies in Sociology, and Understanding Social Change.

Second year modules include:
Research Methods 2, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology of Groups, Data Analysis, Sociology of Health and Illness, and Social Theory.

Third year modules include:
a dissertation, Diversity of Human Behaviour, Gender and Modern Society, and Applied Studies.

Work Placements
Students at the Bury St Edmunds Centre are advised to complete a minimum of 120 hours of work-based or volunteer work with a relevant employer or volunteer organisation, putting theory into practice.

Assessment
All modules are assessed using a range of methods including structured essays, reports, case studies, critiques, reviews and formal examinations.

After the Course
Employers value the qualities and skills of psychology and sociology graduates. Typical employers include local and central government, industry, commerce, the NHS, and charitable, counselling and voluntary organisations.

Key facts

UCAS code:
LC38 BSc/Psy/Soc

Typical offer:
2010 entry: 200 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent)

2011 entry: 240 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent)

For mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications and work experience, please see the information for mature students|.

Duration of course:
Three years full-time or four and a half to nine years part-time

Campus code:
Bury St Edmunds Centre (campus code B)

Ipswich Campus (campus code I)

At the Ipswich Campus students can also study Psychology with:

Criminology (UCAS code: CL8H BSc/PsyC)

Early Childhood Studies (UCAS code: CX8H BSc/PsyECS)

Youth Studies (UCAS code: CL85 BSc/PsyYS)