Program Overview

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Psychology (BSc)

Award: Bachelor of Science

Typical Offer: AAA-AAB

Duration: 3 years

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Highfield

UCAS Course code: C800

About this course

Are you fascinated by the human mind? Do you question what prompts human behaviour? Choose the BSc in Psychology degree at the University of Southampton to journey into the human psyche. This highly useful degree course will let you analyse human choices, emotions, motivations and beliefs through research and data analysis.

On this degree, we offer you a broad range of subjects to delve into, such as social psychology and neuroscience, leading to more specific subjects such as child development and the psychology of advertising.

This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and you’ll be eligible for membership when you graduate.

Our facilities will support you in every area of research. They include:

• a custom-fit mobile research vehicle for community research
• eye movement recording facilities
• an observation lab with audiovisual studio
• a virtual reality (VR) laboratory

As part of your degree you can:

• study a second subject as a minor discipline
• study abroad at one of our partner universities including the University of Sydney, University of Hong Kong, and University of Western Ontario
• study modules outside of psychology to broaden your knowledge, including criminology, social sciences and law

You could be involved in all aspects of the department’s research process, working alongside postgraduate students or academic staff in one of our research centres:

• Perception and Cognition
• Innovation in Mental Health
• Self and Identity
• Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology

Entry requirements

• AAB including one subject in Psychology, Mathematics or a Science subject. or AAA if not studying a required subject.
• Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science subject are Physics, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Statistics. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required.
• More information about A-levels

Course structure

This BSc psychology course, introduces you to the essential principles of psychological theory, including the broad areas of clinical, cognition, social, health and developmental psychology. You’ll also learn the key research methods and data analysis techniques that will support your own research studies.

Year 1 overview

In year 1 you’ll learn about the fundamentals of the science of psychology, and will focus on 2 core areas: individual differences and behavioural neuroscience. You’ll also start your research methods training.

Your core and compulsory modules are:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Research Methods and Data Analysis I and II
• Psychology of Attractiveness
• Thinking Psychologically

In semester 2 you’ll choose 1 optional module from within psychology (Psychology of Mental Health) or from another subject area of the University. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to help you engage in globally relevant issues and to develop skills and knowledge beyond psychology.

Year 2 overview

You’ll focus on more fundamental areas of psychology. Your research training and practical tuition will be expanded to prepare you for your final year project.

Your core modules are:

• Developmental Psychology
• Language and Memory
• Perception
• Social Psychology
• Research Methods and Data Analysis III
• Empirical Studies

Your 2 optional modules can be chosen from within psychology (Introduction to Health Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience), or you can follow your interests and career plans by choosing modules from other subject areas in the University.

Year 3 overview

You’ll use the research and analysis skills you’ve developed to carry out a literature review of a topic of your choosing. You’ll form a hypothesis, then research and produce a paper on your findings. We encourage cutting-edge student research, so you might use methods like surveys, video observation, electro-cortical brain recordings, eye tracking and physiological measures of heart rate and skin conductance.

Your final core module will focus on current issues in clinical psychology. You’ll select 5 more modules from a list that includes possible career specialisms to explore, including:

• Human Animal Interactions
• Educational Psychology
• Psychology of Advertising
• Social and Affective Neuroscience
• Intergroup Relations and Interpersonal Influence

You can also choose up to 2 modules from outside of psychology.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Careers and employability

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Fees, costs and funding

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £29,400.

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.