Program Overview

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Introduction to Psychology and Sociology - BSc (Hons)

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Sociology is a joint degree program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of psychological and sociological perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to connect the dots between psychological phenomena and sociological patterns, fostering a holistic understanding of the human experience.

Course Overview

The course is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of psychological and sociological perspectives, both in theory and in practice. Combining psychology's focus on the individual with sociology's focus on the social, the course provides students with valuable interdisciplinary insight into topics, issues, and debates surrounding human behavior and society.

Why QMU?

QMU offers an emphasis on experiential and work-based learning, a stimulating learning environment, staff expertise, and academic and well-being support for students. The university's staff conduct outward-facing, innovative, and cross-disciplinary research, and the class sizes are smaller than at some universities, allowing for closer, more personal support and guidance.

Course Structure

The course is four years full-time and is taught on campus at QMU. Students can choose to exit with an ordinary degree after three years. The course includes lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and laboratories, as well as work-based learning opportunities.

Year One

In the first year, students will:

• Gain a thorough grounding in the key concepts, theories, and schools of thought in psychology and sociology
• Develop a sound understanding of the historical development and contemporary applications of psychological and sociological knowledge
• Focus on enhancing a wide range of essential transferable skills

Students will study the following modules:

• Introduction to Sociology
• Classic & Contemporary Sociology
• Foundations of Psychology
• Psychology in Practice
• Methods of Social Enquiry
• Developing your Academic Voice

Year Two

In the second year, students will:

• Gain basic quantitative and qualitative research skills in psychology and sociology
• Develop skills to critically engage with and evaluate competing psychological and sociological approaches to substantive issues
• Begin to learn how to synthesize relevant evidence to develop coherent and systematic arguments
• Start to develop an interdisciplinary mindset by drawing on relevant insights from sociology, psychology, and education to understand the complexities of contemporary local and global issues
• Undertake work-based learning and reflect on this experience, drawing on relevant knowledge from sociology, psychology, and education

Students will study the following modules:

• Exploring Research
• Self & Identity
• Responding to the World
• Professional Challenge
• Culture & Society
• Biological & Cognitive Psychology OR Developmental and Social Psychology

Year Three

In the third year, students will:

• Develop skills to critically evaluate a range of epistemological and methodological perspectives in psychology and sociology
• Employ evidence-based, comparative reasoning and critically examine practical, theoretical, and ethical issues associated with the use of different quantitative and qualitative methodologies, paradigms, and methods of analysis in psychological and sociological research
• Reflect critically on ethical issues in psychological and sociological research and current codes of ethics and conduct
• Develop competence in the presentation and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data
• Have the opportunity to undertake an optional placement
• Have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas

Students will study the following modules:

• Placement Module OR Sociology of Work & Organisation
• Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology & Social Justice OR Cognitive Psychology
• Interaction & Social Order
• Developmental Psychology OR Psychobiology in Context
• Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology OR Qualitative Research Methods in Sociology
• Dissertation Prep (0 credit module)

Year Four

In the fourth year, students will:

• Develop specialisms in psychology and sociology
• Demonstrate detailed and contemporary knowledge and understanding in relation to chosen specialisms
• Through independent scholarly activity, synthesize and critically evaluate a wide range of psychological and sociological theories, theorists, concepts, and practices
• Conduct independent research appropriate to sociology or psychology
• Articulate their emergent 'graduate identity'

Students will study the following modules:

• Dissertation (Psychology or Sociology-focused dissertation)
• Articulating your Graduate Identity
• Three option modules

Module Options

Sociology options may include:

• Class, poverty, and inequality: Social Policy Responses
• Sociology of Scotland
• Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Comparative Perspective
• Queer Feminist Sociology in Action
• Understanding the Sociological Present

Psychology options may include:

• Cognitive Science of Belief
• Critical Engagement with the History of Psychology
• Evolutionary Psychology in the Modern World
• Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Peer Relations in Childhood & Adolescence
• Community Engagement & Ethical Practice

Careers

A degree in Psychology and Sociology opens up a wide range of career opportunities, having equipped students with highly sought-after knowledge and skills that are transferable to many fields. Examples of transferable skills students will develop throughout their degree include:

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Research skills
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Teamwork and collaboration

Professional Registration/Accreditation

Successful completion of this degree does not confer Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) which enables access to professional training as a Chartered Psychologist.

Entry Requirements and How to Apply

Entry requirements:

• Scottish Higher: Standard BBBB, Minimum BCCC
• A Level: BCC
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H3 H3
• International Baccalaureate: 28 points
• International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5
• Required subjects: English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/ GCSE level at grade C/4 or above

Application for this course should be made through UCAS.

Fees and Funding

Please follow the link in the 'Course Overview' box for information on fees for 2027 entry.

Other Useful Information

The cost of the PVG check is the student's responsibility. For more information on this, visit the UG 2027 fees page.

Disability/Health Conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Associate Student Places

You can study this course as an associate student, completing the first year at Newbattle Abbey College or West Lothian College.

Awarding Body

QMU

Terms and Conditions/Other Important Information

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate). The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Feb 2026) but is subject to change. Please check back on this page for updates.