BSc
Psychology BSc (Hons)
What motivates people to act and think the way that they do? With this degree you can be part of the fascinating future of psychological science.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
C800
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 33,250 per year
Overview
Our BSc in Psychology is designed to give you an understanding of the mind and behaviour. As such it shares features with other disciplines, including biology, anthropology, philosophy and education. You will study people's internal mental processes, the biological mechanisms that underlie their behaviour, and the social and developmental context in which they act. This degree follows the British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines and offers an extensive range of options in the final year, drawing both from fundamental scientific research and applied psychology. These modules include topics in social psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and behavioural neuroscience, as well as neurorehabilitation, education and health. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
C800
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): 9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): 33,250 per year
What you'll study
The emphasis in Year 1 is to provide you with fundamental knowledge and skills. This will provide the bases underpinning second and third-year modules. In Year 2, your knowledge and skills are further developed and fostered; moreover, all the subject areas essential for accreditation by the BPS and providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) are covered. In the third year, you will carry out your own dissertation project. You will also select from a variety of specialist topic modules primarily provided by lecturers eminent in their field.
Core modules
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Academic Skill Development for Psychology
introduces students to the fundamental skills required for studying Psychology at degree level in a tutorial-based manner. The skills covered will include aspects of written and oral communication in line with psychological literacy skills, e.g. summarizing articles, critical evaluation, presentations.
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Introduction to Psychological Research
introduces key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.
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Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology
introduces a broad foundation of knowledge of the core areas of cognitive psychology and biological psychology.
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Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology
allows you to acquire a broad foundation of knowledge in core areas of psychology including developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Careers in Psychology.
Core modules
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Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
provides experience of the practical application of a wide range of methods in psychological research and develops presentation skills necessary for communicating research aims and findings. You will also be equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the more advanced statistical methods used in psychological research, together with the practical ability to apply such methods to a variety of data sets.
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Cognitive and Biological Psychology
develops an understanding of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on memory, decision making, learning, and perception
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Contemporary and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
develops skills in researching and communicating a range of contemporary and conceptual issues in psychology. It provides an opportunity to discuss psychological research in a tutorial context.
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Differential and Clinical Psychology
develops knowledge and understanding of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.
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Social and Developmental Psychology
provides a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examines the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures involving people.
Core modules
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Dissertation
. In your final year, you will design and carry out your own 7,000-word dissertation. You will formulate the research question, employing appropriate methods of investigation and analysis, and interpret the results in light of relevant empirical work and psychological theory.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Learning and Animal CognitionEmotion and Social PerceptionClinical NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology of AmnesiaFetal DevelopmentSport and Exercise PsychologyThe Ever Adapting Brain – Sensory NeuroplasticityFace Recognition.
Learning
Your teaching will be delivered predominantly by leading research academics via lectures, small group tutorials, workshops and practical classes, as well through self-directed learning, such as research, reading and writing. You will get additional individual feedback and support opportunities from staff and student peers. Most of the Psychology course is delivered through face-to-face teaching. Having face-to-face interaction is key to tutorials and many practical classes and can be important in lectures as it allows students to meet and talk with others. Some teaching also works best using a hybrid approach consisting of both face-to-face and online asynchronous (taking place at different times) components. As such, some modules are delivered using a hybrid approach consisting of asynchronous online lectures and face-to-face tutorials or practical classes. Generally, lectures highlight the main areas within a topic, covering historical and current empirical findings together with their associated theoretical interpretations. Small group tutorials guide your learning of lecture-based material and that obtained through independent study by promoting discussions and critical appraisal, developing your ability to organise and present information. Workshops and practical sessions enable you to gain first-hand experience of key research skills in Psychology, and to learn and apply associated statistical and IT packages.Assessment
Throughout the course, various assessment methods are used, including essays, reports and examinations. In your final year, you will submit a dissertation that details your own original work. This is a great way to explore a topic that you are passionate about, and to showcase the many skills that you have gained throughout the course.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
9,535 per year
International / EU Students
33,250 per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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Psychology is concerned with understanding the mind and human behaviour. You will investigate the processes that underpin the thoughts, feelings and motivations behind our actions. Learning from academics with real enthusiasm for their subject, you will explore topics such as social behaviour, childhood development and cognitive neuroscience. Our psychology degrees offer a genuinely research-led education. While learning the core principles of psychology, you will have the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to cutting-edge technologies, including the Department’s clinical and experimental facilities which include motion capture, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories. Our innovative approach to learning takes us beyond the traditional student-lecturer dynamic. Through a combination of practical teaching sessions, an optional placement module, and even an employability retreat we actively prepare you for working life. The third year includes a research project, and you can gain additional lab-based experience with our popular Research Assistant Scheme. You can also apply for a placement year or year abroad. Students who graduate with a 2.1 or higher are accredited by the BPS as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step towards a career as a psychologist. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
Guided by experts in the field, you will have access to a range of world-leading clinical and experimental facilities. This hands-on experience brings theory to life and helps you gain a deeper understanding of the mind and behaviour. Facilities in the Department of Psychology include body scanners with integrated eye tracking, molecular psychology suites, VR suites with motion capture and mock environments for ecologically valid research. You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.
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Peer Assisted Scheme (PASS)
PASS is an entirely voluntary, student-driven peer support programme where students get together in an active, positive, friendly, and collaborative environment to supplement learning delivered by lecturers.
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fMRI
We have state-of-the-art equipment for structural and functional MRI studies, including a 3T Whole Body MRI System with integrated eye tracking and pupillometry for cutting edge functional imaging and perception studies.
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Careers Support
An academic advisor, who will stay with you across your 3-year degree and help you consider careers options, and provide references for you.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
84%
81%
£24,750
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
A 2.1 or 1st class degree from Durham is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is the first step in your career as a psychologist.
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