BSc (Hons) Psychology degree • City, University of London

This course is for 2023/24 entry. Details for 2024/25 entry are also available.

Key information

This three-year BPS-accredited psychology degree explores the complex interactions between the human mind, brain, behaviour and experience. You will develop analytical and critical thinking, as well as desirable research skills and data literacy. Study alongside internationally recognised researchers and active practitioners in the sector.

Start date

September 2023

UCAS code

C800

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component
Cambridge ESOL: CPE grade C or above

English language programmes

Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

Apply now

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Prospectus

Psychology BSc (Hons) degree Course overview

You will study a broad curriculum in your first two years – learning about cognitive, behavioural and biological psychology – before having the opportunity to specialise in your final year.

We offer four pathways linked to the expertise of our staff, who are all research-active academics and practitioners. Continue with our BSc Psychology degree or specialise in:

BSc Psychology with Counselling and Health Psychology
BSc Psychology with Organisational Psychology and Behavioural Economics
BSc Psychology with Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience
BSc Psychology with Child Development.

This flexibility offers you the chance to start shaping your CV as your career aspirations take shape.

Learn from internationally recognised research-active academics
Study cutting-edge topics related to our research activity, in areas such as Cognitive Neuroscience, Autism, Child Development, Memory, and Counselling and Health Psychology
Benefit from our three specialist research centres that provide a link between our research and professional practice and industry
Develop your research skills in our specialised psychology research laboratories
Boost your employability with an integrated professional training year, research assistant opportunities or volunteering.

Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation leads to a Graduate Basis for Registration of the BPS (GBR) if you obtain at least a lower second class honours degree and successfully complete the psychology project in the third year of your degree.

Structure

Course content

This three-year BSc Psychology degree introduces you to increasingly challenging concepts, building your confidence in psychology and culminating in a research project in your final year.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

Year 2

Research Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

The module provides essential methodological training, determined to be a core component of skill and knowledge for all students taking undergraduate programmes accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing the Graduate Basis for Registration.
Statistical Methods in Psychology (15 credits)

This module follows on from the statistical skills and knowledge you developed in your first year. You will develop the skills and knowledge to best analyse a given data set and understand the analytical approach taken, for testing psychological theories. The skills you will learn will complement the skills required to analyse data collected in your laboratory research methods module.
Cognitive Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to provide you with an overview of some of the diverse and developing areas of cognitive psychology, and enables you to evaluate theory and research findings in cognitive psychology.
Introduction to Clinical Psychology (15 credits)

This module provides you with an overview of the field of clinical psychology, treatment, and the different mental health disorders.
Biological Psychology (15 credits)

This module will introduce you to the biological foundations of behaviour. You will learn about: the electrochemical basis of behaviour, the structure of the nervous system, and the neurophysiological basis of perception, action, memory and learning.
Developmental Psychology (15 credits)

Aims to provide you with knowledge of theory and research in the field of child development, to develop your ability to reflect critically upon the nature of these theories, and to develop your knowledge and critical appreciation of the methods used in developmental psychology.
Social Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to provide a critical overview of theory and empirical work that draws on classic and well established themes within social psychology, and an understanding and appreciation of contemporary questions in social psychology.
Personality and Differential Psychology (15 credits)

This module aims to cover two of the main concerns in psychology: the nature of human personality and the measurement of individual differences. These two concerns are of both theoretical and applied importance and are, therefore, part of the core training of a psychologist.

Year 3

Psychology Project (30 credits)

This module aims to give you the opportunity to learn about the research process through individual development of a research project from the initial formulating of a research question through to the final written report.
Decision Making and Behavioural Economics (15 credits)

This module will a) provide you with knowledge and understanding of psychological research in the field of judgment and decision making b) enable you to reflect critically on different psychological theories c) introduce approaches from other areas of cognitive science.
Approaches to Autism (15 credits)

This module uses the phenomenon of autism to illustrate ways in which a range of existing psychological theories can be used to increase our understanding of autism, yet can also be modified by the constraints made evident by their application to autism.
Health Psychology and Behaviour Change (15 credits)

This module aims to introduce you to key debates, theoretical perspectives and research methodologies in health psychology.
Organisational Psychology (15 credits)

This module covers material relevant to two core knowledge areas defined by the Division of Occupational Psychology as performance appraisal and career development and employee relations and motivation.
Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (15 credits)

This module builds on the knowledge and conceptual approaches acquired in 2nd year Cognitive Psychology and Biological Psychology courses. You will be encouraged to extend and deepen their knowledge of selected theoretical issues in the emerging field of social and cognitive neuroscience.
How the Neurosciences inform Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (15 credits)

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn about a neurobiological perspective on mental illness.
Memory and the law (15 credits)

This module is about scientific research on memory and its application to the law. The module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of current research and theories in the psychology of memory area while applying it to practical situations involving the law.
Introduction to Educational Psychology (15 credits)

The aim of the module is to explore the application of psychological theory and research to education, and introduce you to the field of educational psychology. You will learn about what educational psychologists do, and explore a range of special educational needs, as well as the concept of inclusion.
Introduction to Counselling Psychology (15 credits)

Provides an overview of various theoretical approaches to counselling psychology and discusses the implications of these to our understanding of human nature, change, and potential. In addition to learning counselling psychology theories, you will evaluate psychotherapy outcome research.
Forensic Psychology (15 credits)

The role of psychology in a number of forensic applications will be considered, and the relevance, utility and validity of key psychological research and theory within these applications will be examined.
Social Psychology for Behaviour Change (15 credits)

In psychology, we study the mind to predict and influence behaviour. In this module, you will learn how to translate and apply the knowledge derived from empirical evidence to build tools to change behaviour, focusing on social behaviour.
Emotions (15 credits)

This module introduces you to different perspectives of what emotions are, what functions they serve and how they are instantiated in the brain.
Clinical Skills (15 credits)

This module provides you with an introduction to applied clinical core skills, including skills for clinical assessments and treatment techniques, that are relevant to careers in various mental health services.
From Genes to Behaviour (15 credits)

The aim of the module is to understand how factors in the past interact to make us who we are today. By studying everything from genes to behaviour, this module will bridge the different branches of psychology, from developmental psychology to clinical.
Critical Psychology: Opportunities for a Progressive Discipline (15 credits)

This module introduces you to a critique of Western models of knowledge and explores critical perspectives in Psychology today
Practicing Psychology Voluntary Experience (15 credits)

The module seeks to enhance career exploration and the development of relevant professional experience through voluntary work. This elective will introduce you to a series of competencies and employability skills that will enhance your career readiness. It will also raise your awareness of career options related to psychology.
Micro-Placement (15 credits)

The micro-placement module is an exciting way to gain professional experience via short summer placements with a wide range of London-based employers. The programme aims to give you real-life exposure to the business environment and enhance your employability skills.
Industry Projects (15 credits)

Using knowledge and skills gained through your degree, you will work in small multi-disciplinary groups on real-life professional level practical projects for employers, choosing between 5 sector streams, such as policy, finance, community, business and arts and culture.

Download course specification:

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Teaching and assessment

We encourage the development of independent learning skills, requiring you to take responsibility and initiative for your own learning.

We use lectures to provide facts, commentary and explanation of key content areas, and lab-based teaching to develop your skills and understanding of research methodology, statistics and report writing. Self-directed tutorials are used for development of general skills in ICT and web-based information use.

Throughout the course you will have a mixture of group project work, student-led seminar presentations and problem-based assessments.

Assessment methods

Essays
Problem-based assessments
Presentations
Class tests
Lab reports
Lab classes
End-of-year exams.

In your final year you will be required to submit a dissertation based on your own empirical Psychology research, conducted under the close mentorship of an expert researcher. For active research topics please view the Department of Psychology's research pages.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Assessment

Year 1

Written examination: 33%

Coursework: 67%

Year 2

Written examination: 45%

Coursework: 55%

Year 3

Written examination: 26%

Coursework: 74%

Overall workload

The format of contact hours vary from module to module and by year. The first year is based in lab-based teaching and self-directed CAL tutorials.

The second year is based in lectures and group project work. The third year is based in student-led seminar presentations and problem-based assessments. You will also be expected to undertake independent study to expand your understanding of methodology and theory.

Approximate study time, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Workload

Year 1

Scheduled learning: 18%

Independent learning: 82%

Year 2

Scheduled learning: 18%

Independent learning: 82%

Year 3

Scheduled learning: 11%

Independent learning: 89%

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2023/24

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£19,710

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2023/24 entry.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

This degree provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of professional careers.

Many of our graduates work in roles that use the data literacy, research skills and analytical ability they develop throughout the course.

Recent graduates have progressed to rewarding careers in:

the NHS
the Crown Prosecution service
schools
charities
academia
advertising and marketing
HR
government.

The degree is accredited by the BPS and comprises the first stage of qualifying as a Chartered Psychologist. It also provides the necessary first degree qualification for further education on BPS-accredited master’s and doctoral level courses.

You can also gain voluntary work experience during the summer breaks. Past examples of volunteer work involve training as a counsellor for victims of crime or working in the NHS with long-term and elderly patients, in mental health or in occupational health.

Our Careers & Employability team provides a professional, high-quality careers and information service for students and recent graduates of City.

Our Job prospects and graduate destinations page also publishes some snapshot statistics on what City graduates are doing fifteen months after the completion of various courses.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply now

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60. The UCAS code for this course is C800.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2023 should arrive at UCAS between September 2022 and 25^th January 2023. Applications that arrive after 25^th January 2023 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

Our EEG labs are housed in purpose-built units in the Department of Psychology.

Our students

Gain further insight into studying Psychology at City.

Aqsa’s story, BSc (Hons) Psychology 3 minutes

2nd year BSc (Hons) Psychology student Katie shares her experience on the course, the modules available in the Psychology department for undergraduate students, and her advice for future students. 7 minutes

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