Psychology BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Psychology BSc (Hons) course at the University of Sunderland offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to examining the brain and human behavior. Students will study a wide range of phenomena and develop transferable skills that can be used in any context.

Why Us?

• Accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means when you graduate with a 2:2 or above, you have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership to the BPS, an essential step for any career in psychology.
• Our Psychology courses are 1st in the north-east for teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
• Psychology was awarded an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021, in recognition of its commitment to supporting and transforming gender equality.
• We integrate equality and diversity throughout the course using diverse assessment methods, with a focus on assessment for learning with modules including Male Psychology and Development and Neurodiversity.

Course Structure

Teaching methods include a mixture of large and small lectures, seminars and workshops, one-to-one and group tutorials. Students will have personal development sessions with academic staff to help with their studies and developing their employability skills.

As well as assessments that count towards their degree, there are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating their learning. Assessment methods include essays, scientific reports, presentations, multimedia web pages, expert witness reports, writing formulations, case studies, exams, portfolios, online quizzes, academic posters, patchwork text, an exhibition, an academic poster conference, post occupancy evaluation, and designing behavior change interventions.

This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling, and BSc (Hons) Clinical Psychology, which allows students to change routes at the end of the first year should one of these specialisms appeal to them.

Modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Mind and Social World: Developmental, Social and Cognitive Psychology (30 credits)
• Brain and Behaviour: Biological Psychology, Individual Differences, and Quantitative Methods (30 credits)
• The Building Blocks of Psychological Research (15 credits)
• Counselling Foundations (15 credits)
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology (15 credits)
• Clinical Psychology and Allied Professions (15 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Interactions and Influences: Social Psychology, Individual Differences, and Qualitative Methods (30 credits)
• Human Development and Cognition: Developmental, Cognitive and Quantitative Psychology (30 credits)
• Mental Health and Psychopathology (15 credits)
• Biological and Evolutionary Foundations of Human Behaviour (15 credits)
• Contemporary Topics in Psychology (15 credits)
• The Psychology of Sensitive Subjects (15 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

• Communicating Psychological Science (30 credits)
• Empirical Project (30 credits)
• Cross Cultural Psychology (15 credits)
• Applying Evolutionary Theory: Explaining Human Nature and Contemporary Issues (15 credits)

Optional modules (choose two for a total of 30 credits):

• Health Psychology (15 credits)
• Psychology Placement (15 credits)
• Sexual and Romantic Relationship Dynamics (15 credits)
• Advanced Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits)
• Digital Humans (15 credits)
• Perspectives on Addiction (15 credits)
• Psychology of Belief (15 credits)
• Classic Studies in Psychology (15 credits)
• Environmental Psychology (15 credits)
• Applied Environmental Psychology (15 credits)
• Independent Literature Review (15 credits)
• Research Experience (15 credits)
• Development in Unique Populations (15 credits)
• Neonatal Psychology Across the Lifespan (15 credits)
• Male Psychology (15 credits)
• The Psychology of Gaming (15 credits)
• Exploring Psychological Issues in Women's Reproductive Health (15 credits)
• Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging (15 credits)
• Human Animal Interaction and Wellbeing (15 credits)
• Applying Psychology to Work and Organisations (15 credits)
• Positive Psychology (15 credits)
• Creative Methods for Exploring Issues in Psychology (15 credits)
• Applying Research in Reality (15 credits)
• Biopsychological Measurement Skills (15 credits)

Facilities

• Helen McArdle House is based on our City Campus and has benefitted from a multi-million pound investment in modern facilities in recent years.
• Many of our healthcare courses are taught here, including Nursing, Paramedic Science, and Healthcare Sciences.
• The building is made up of a variety of teaching and learning spaces, including mock hospital wards, OSCE suites, the Patient Diagnostic Suite, Mental Health and Wellbeing Suite, and seminar and IT classrooms.
• A lot of academic staff offices are based here, with an open-door policy in place.

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Irish Leaving Certificate: 112 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
• QQI/FETAC 5: Pass profile overall. For entry, we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland.

Fees and Finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,535 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £16,500 if you are an international student

Career Ready

Graduates from this course can move into a broad range of careers spanning management, personnel, social work, public services, counselling, and advertising, or alternatively, pursue postgraduate qualifications in specific fields of psychological practice such as clinical or forensic psychology.

Career Options

As well as direct psychology careers, graduates can also move into adjacent positions where their transferable skills are valued. Many graduates work in fields such as management, personnel, social work, public services, counselling, marketing, advertising, teaching, policy officers, and advertising.

Careers in psychology can include clinical, forensic, and educational psychology, mental health practitioners, further education teachers, and occupational therapists and psychologists.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate qualifications in specific fields of psychological practice such as clinical or forensic psychologist.

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Degree Overview:

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BSc (Hons) Psychology at Sunderland University

This program provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to studying the human brain and behavior, exploring a wide range of phenomena. It develops transferable skills applicable in any context and prepares you for diverse careers in various fields. The program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and graduates with a 2:2 or above receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership to the BPS, an essential requirement for most psychology careers. The School of Psychology has received multiple accolades, including the Athena Swan Bronze Award for supporting and transforming gender equality, and recognition as the top psychology department in the northeast for teaching quality by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in psychology.
• Develop students' understanding of the five core areas of psychology as specified by the BPS.
• Foster students' analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Nurture students' communication and presentation skills.
• Provide students with a foundation for lifelong learning and professional development.

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Program Description:

This program offers a comprehensive understanding of the key areas of psychology, including:

• Biological Psychology: Examining the biological basis of behavior and mental processes.
• Cognitive Psychology: Investigating how the mind processes information, thinks, remembers, and learns.
• Developmental Psychology: Exploring how humans grow and change across the lifespan.
• Individual Differences: Studying the factors that make people unique.
• Social Psychology: Understanding how individuals behave in social situations.
The program also covers additional areas such as abnormal psychology, addiction, mental health, and clinical neuropsychology. Students can choose modules in their final year to tailor their studies to specific areas of interest. ##

Outline:

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Teaching Methods:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and independent study. Students will have one-to-one and group discussions with academic staff to support their studies and develop employability skills. The program emphasizes independent study through problem-based learning and personalized career development options through a CPD (Continuous Professional Development) course catalogue.

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Program Structure:

The program is delivered over three years, divided into six semesters, with each semester covering approximately 20 credits.

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Course Schedule:

• Year 1: Covers core modules such as Being a Psychologist, Genes to Mind, Mind to World, Introduction to Mental Health, Psychology in the Media (optional).
• Year 2: Includes core modules like Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology, Skills for Life: The Psychology of Personal and Professional Development, Cradle to Grave: Integrated Perspectives on Development, Twenty-Four, Seven: Everyday Motivations and Biases, with two optional modules from a list including Psychology of Belief, Meet the Relatives: Evolutionary Psychology and Animal Behaviour, Investigating Complex Issues in Psychology, Assessment, Formulation and Evidence Based Practice, The Psychology of Detection, Interviewing and the Criminal Trial.
• Final Year: Features core modules like Empirical Project and From Research to Reality, with three optional modules from a list including Occupational Psychology, Development and Neurodiversity, Environmental Psychology, Psychology of Addiction, Health Psychology and Behaviour Change, Cyberpsychology, Applied Memory Research, The Psychology of Humour and Laughter, The Psychology of Serious and Violent Offending, Digital Humans: The Psychology of Online Behaviour, Advanced Quantitative Methods, Professional Placement, Male Psychology, Dark Personalities, Memory and Life.
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Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate students' progress:
• Essays: Students write essays on specific psychological topics.
• Scientific Reports: Students analyze research findings and write scientific reports.
• Presentations: Students prepare and deliver presentations to their peers and faculty.
• Multimedia Web Pages: Students design and develop multimedia resources for specific psychological concepts.
• Expert Witness Reports: Students write reports from the perspective of an expert witness on a given psychological case.
• Writing Formulations: Students develop psychological formulations for individuals with mental health issues.
• Case Studies: Students analyze and discuss case studies of psychological phenomena.
• Exams: Students write examinations to test their knowledge and understanding of psychological principles.
• Portfolios: Students compile portfolios showcasing their work and achievements throughout the program.
• Online Quizzes: Students answer online quizzes to assess their understanding of specific topics.
• Academic Posters: Students prepare and present academic posters at the program's poster conference.
• Post-occupancy evaluation: Students conduct post-occupancy evaluations of psychological facilities.
• Designing behaviour change interventions: Students design interventions for specific behaviors.
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Teaching:

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Faculty:

The program employs experienced and highly qualified academics with expertise in various fields of psychology. The school boasts an Athena Swan Bronze Award for its commitment to gender equality and a strong emphasis on ethical and responsible research practices.

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Unique Approaches:

The program incorporates a number of innovative teaching approaches, including:

• Problem-based learning: Students actively engage with real-world scenarios to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Independent learning: Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning through a variety of resources and support systems.
• Personalized career development: Students can tailor their skillset and experience through a personalized CPD course catalogue to enhance their career prospects.
• Research-led teaching: The program incorporates the latest research findings into the curriculum, ensuring students receive up-to-date information and knowledge.
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Careers:

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Career Paths:

The program prepares graduates for careers in a variety of fields, including:

• Clinical psychology: Working with individuals with mental health disorders.
• Educational psychology: Working with children and young people with special educational needs.
• Forensic psychology: Working with the criminal justice system, including offenders, victims, and witnesses.
• Health psychology: Working with people with health conditions to promote positive behavior change.
• Occupational psychology: Working with organizations to improve employee performance and well-being.
• Research: Conducting research in universities, government agencies, or private organizations.

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Career Opportunities:

The program equips graduates with a range of valuable skills and knowledge for various careers in psychology, including therapeutic, research, academic, and administrative roles.

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Graduate Outcomes:

The program boasts a strong track record of graduate employment, with many alumni securing positions in their chosen fields of psychology within six months of graduation.

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Other:

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

The annual fee for this course is: £9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe £16,000 if you are an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250)

• The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter.

University of Sunderland

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Overview:

The University of Sunderland is a public university located in Sunderland, England. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.

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Services Offered:

The University of Sunderland provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Access to libraries, learning resources, and academic advisors.

Student Support:

Counseling, mental health services, and disability support.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options.

Career Services:

Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Student Life:

A vibrant student union, clubs, societies, and social events.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university boasts a diverse and inclusive campus community where students can connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, engage in personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a vibrant social scene.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Top-Quality Facilities:

The university has modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces.

Inclusive Culture:

The university fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Vibrant City:

Sunderland is a dynamic city with a rich history and a low cost of living.

Strong Industry Links:

The university has strong connections with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable career opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Arts and Design:

Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design.

Sciences:

Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Biology.

Business and Law:

Business Management, Finance, Law, and Tourism.

Computing and Engineering:

Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Education and Social Sciences:

Education, Psychology, and Social Work.

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Other:

The university has campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, offering students a global learning experience. It is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion.