Program Overview

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Psychology with Foundation BSc Honours

Overview

Our degree courses with foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development, bringing together like-minded students to think about the ‘big ideas’ within your discipline. You will also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Psychology BSc Honours degree over a further three years study.

Our course will provide you with an exciting and unique learning experience, delivered by active researchers who are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject.

We believe strongly in maintaining close links between our research and teaching, which means that you'll be taught by recognised international experts. We are committed to understanding the place of psychology in contemporary society, and our course content is constantly updated to provide a fresh perspective into the human mind.

The course is designed to enhance your chances of successfully gaining employment once you graduate, and many of our past students have pursued careers in clinical, counselling, forensic or occupational psychology. Others have used their degree in related professions, including human resources, management, market research, public relations and social work.

Our course is structured to provide a strong psychology base from the start of your studies. What you study has been designed to meet the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society, preparing you for postgraduate training on the path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Between Years 2 and 3 you'll have the opportunity to take a work placement year experiencing work under supervision in a psychological setting. Alternatively, you'll have the opportunity to spend a year studying at one of our international partner universities.

Top reasons to study with us

• You’ll have the opportunity to gain a year's experience on a psychology work placement
• Employability and transferable skills are embedded within the curriculum
• You’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, if you achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass the Project module

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practical classes and laboratory work, supported by online material and periods of independent study.

Assessment methods may include exams, in-class tests, essays, oral and poster presentations, debates, case studies, and laboratory, practical and technical reports.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

• Foundation
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Placement Year
• Year 3

Subjects of study include:

• Contemporary Themes in Psychology
• Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
• History, Memory and Belonging
• Introduction to Academic Practice
• Psychology in Everyday Life
• Society, Risk and Crime: Sociological Perspectives

There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of social sciences and humanities.

Credit Level 3

Subjects of study include:

• Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
• Social Psychology

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

• Brain, Mind and Behaviour
• Cultivating Employability Skills for Career Success
• Data Analysis for Psychology
• Emotional Life
• Mechanisms of Mind-Body Therapies
• Psychological Research in Practice
• Self and Society
• Societal Responses to Climate Change
• Understanding Psychological Diversity

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours - Psychology with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours - Psychology with International Experience.

Professional accreditation

Students who achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass their project will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment

Entry Requirements

• UK
• International
• A Levels – DDE (64 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 64 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP
• BTEC Diploma – MM
• Access – 64 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

International Baccalaureate

64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score.

Other international qualifications

We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on country-specific entry requirements

International Foundation courses

We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide the International Foundation Certificate at their College based in Liverpool Street. These courses are for students who don’t meet our direct entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out more about the different university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

• UK
• International

UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

International tuition fee

£17,600 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

Year

Year

F

24% Scheduled hours 76% Independent study 0% Placement

Year

1

24% Scheduled hours 76% Independent study 0% Placement

Year

2

24% Scheduled hours 76% Independent study 0% Placement

Year

P

1% Scheduled hours 0% Independent study 99% Placement

Year

3

20% Scheduled hours 80% Independent study 0% Placement

Scheduled hours Independent study Placement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
• Written exams: end of semester exams
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Year

Year

F

0% Written exams 16% Practical 84% Coursework

Year

1

16% Written exams 12% Practical 72% Coursework

Year

2

19% Written exams 3% Practical 78% Coursework

Year

P

0% Written exams 2% Practical 98% Coursework

Year

3

1% Written exams 11% Practical 88% Coursework

Written exams Practical Coursework

Data from the academic year 2024/25

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.

Related Courses

• Psychology and Counselling BSc Honours
• Psychology and Criminology BSc Honours
• Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience BSc Honours