Psychology (with Foundation Year) - BSc (Hons)

The course covers the core content areas in psychology. These include social, developmental and cognitive psychology, individual differences, biological psychology, conceptual and historical issues, statistical analysis and research design (qualitative and quantitative).

Foundation year (Year zero)

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Academic Skills for Social Sciences
• Exploring the Social World and the Problems of Crime
• From Plato to Nato
• People and Social Science

You will study the Foundation year alongside students from our other Social Science courses, and so you may be able to transfer to a course in one of these areas at the end of the Foundation year.

The normal expectation is that you must pass all Year zero modules before progressing to Year one.

Year one

You will be introduced to applied psychology and professional skills and study the following compulsory modules:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Research Design and Analysis 1
• Interpersonal Psychology
• Psychology in Action
• Critical Thinking

Year two

To gain work experience and apply psychological principles in real-word settings, students undertake a work-based learning project supervised by a member of academic staff.

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Research Design and Analysis 2
• Identities in Psychology
• Mind, Brain and Development
• Developing Self and Society

Final year

Students have the opportunity to select from a wide range of specialist topic modules that suits their interests while undertaking an independent research project of their choice supervised by a member of the academic staff.

You will study the following compulsory module:

• Social Sciences Project and Placement

Plus optional modules from the list below, according to credit requirements:

• Advanced Developmental Psychology
• Anomalous Experiences and Mental Health
• Psychology of Appearance and Embodiment
• Applied Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Counselling and Psychotherapy Theory and Research
• Developing Self and Society
• Health Psychology in Practice
• Psychology and Social Justice
• Psychology and the Arts
• Psychology in the Community
• The Arts and Mental Health
• Working with Difference in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Atypical Development
• Gender, Sexualities and Society
• Human Sexuality
• Methods in Neuroscience
• Psychological Approaches in Mental Health
• Consciousness
• Psychology of Work, Business and Organisations
• Psychopharmocology
• Psychology of Addiction

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

The course uses a mixed model of instruction including traditional lectures and seminars, along with interaction through a virtual online learning environment, Blackboard. You will be able to engage with learning materials, other students and members of staff through this system, in addition to using the various functionalities built into the system (e.g. online assignment submission, interactive quizzes, blogs, videos, podcasts and discussion boards). Instructors on the course form a collegiate academic community comprising around 40 permanent academic staff who are readily accessible to answer questions and support students.

Throughout the course of study, you will have extensive opportunities to gain hands-on experience with psychological topics and approaches in practical based sessions. Many of these sessions are taught in our undergraduate teaching laboratory, which features advanced computing systems, software and analytic instrumentation. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and staff research projects.

For more details, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

The course makes use of a variety of formative and summative assessment methods across the levels of study. Examples of coursework assessment include essays, journal articles and book reviews, research reports, literature reviews, computer-based tests, personal reflective journals and group presentations. Controlled assessments can include unseen and seen examinations, timed assignments, group and individual presentations.

For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.