Psychology with Sociology (with Foundation Year) - BSc(Hons)

The first two years of the course cover the core BPS 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 therefore 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

In Year one, students are introduced to Sociology covering the 'classical canon' of the discipline manifest the work of Marx, Durkheim and Weber in addition to looking at the relevance of sociology in everyday situations.

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Research Design and Analysis 1
• Foundations in Social Theory
• Sociological Practice
• Critical Thinking

Year one

You will study the following compulsory modules:

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

Plus one of the following optional modules:

• Beliefs and Society
• Gender and Society
• The Sociology of 'Race' and Ethnicity

Final year

In year three, you will have the opportunity to select from a wide range of specialist topic modules in Psychology and Sociology that suit your interests, while undertaking an independent research project of your 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
• The Arts and Mental Health
• Working with Difference in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Atypical Development
• Genders, Sexualities and Society
• Human Sexuality
• Methods in Neuroscience
• Psychological Approaches in Mental Health
• Consciousness
• Psychology of Work, Business and Organisations
• Psychopharmacology
• Psychology of Addiction

Plus one of the following optional modules:

• Stop, Look, Listen: A Society of Culture
• Protest, Policing and Public Order
• Childhood Disorder and Disordered Childhood
• Psychoanalysis, Society and the Irrational
• Digital Media and Society
• Bodies, Technology and Society
• The Sociology of Madness and Mental Disorders
• Religion and Society
• Politics and Society in the Global Age
• Family Problems - Problem Families: Psycho-Social Perspectives on Family and Community Life

This structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.

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 that includes 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 it (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 will be readily accessible to you for questions and support.

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 are taught in our large undergraduate teaching laboratory, which features advanced computing systems, software and analytic instrumentation. Additionally, you will 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 three 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 and timed assignments, as well as group and individual presentations.

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