Program Overview

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Education & Psychology

BA (Hons)

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

3 years

UCAS Code

X3C8

Delivery

In-person

Study abroad option

The way we develop and learn as children underpins our entire lifespan. Our BA Education & Psychology course will give you a sound understanding of Psychology in an educational context.

As you progress through this course you’ll explore learning, memory, thinking and language, as well as the problems encountered by young people in education – including learning difficulties and social or emotional problems.

In Year 1 you’ll study the core areas of psychobiology and cognition, developmental and social psychology, and study the methods of psychological enquiry in class and in practical sessions.

You will combine your interest in psychology to the study of education, considering issues such as learning theory, school systems and policy.

In Years 2 and 3 you’ll study modules focusing on the application of psychology in education. You’ll graduate with the ability to enhance children’s learning and enable teachers to become more aware of the social factors affecting teaching and learning.

Why study with us

• 1st in the North West for Student Satisfaction
• Top 10 in the UK (out of 90) for student satisfaction
• You’ll spend part of your degree in our state-of-the-art psychology building, with its specialist video Child Observation Suite and Cognitive Laboratories.
• You’ll get the chance to undertake a placement in an educational environment in each of the three years of your degree.
• There are also opportunities to gain international work experience through the University’s Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership (CVCL).

What you'll do

• You’ll make the most of exceptional psychology facilities. Including our child observation suite, developmental cognitive neuroscience lab and brain imaging lab.
• You will gain an excellent insight into what teaching requires, whilst gaining valuable skills that will prepare you for a variety of careers in other fields.
• There are opportunities to go on international trips; previously students have gone to destinations such as South Africa, Cyprus and China to study their education systems.

Modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Education Studies
• Education for Everyone?
• Methods and practice of psychological inquiry
• Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology
• Introduction to Psychobiology and Cognition
• Being a Psychologist

Year 2

• Sociology & Education
• Models of Teaching and Learning
• Learners with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
• Social and Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive and Physiological Psychology
• Experiential Learning in Educational Settings
• Representations of Education in Literature, Film, Television and social media
• Academic Writing and Research in Education

Year 3

• Dissertation
• Policy and Practice in Educational Settings
• The Education of Vulnerable Young People
• Psychology in Education
• Advanced Developmental Psychopathology

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 104-112 points at A2
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
• BTEC Diploma: DD-DD*
• Pass Access Course: 104-112 points
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 104-112 points from Higher Level subjects
• T Level: M
• IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English

This course involves working with vulnerable people, including children. To make sure we accept suitable students, you must get a clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, previously called a CRB check.

Fees and funding

2025/26

• UK: Full-time £9,535 per year
• International: Full-time £17,325 per year

Learning and assessment

Your learning will consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study.

Education modules are assessed by coursework, including student presentations, reflective diaries, project work, posters and reflective essays. There are no exams.

Psychology modules involve traditional essays and multiple choice based exams, along with the conducting and reporting of research studies.

During this course you’ll get to study in our state-of-the-art psychology building which features a specialist video Child Observation Suite and Cognitive Laboratories. In Year 1 you’ll undertake a systematic observation of an infant’s exploration of a novel environment, considering their levels of attachment to their parent/guardian and their reactions to a stranger.

The School of Psychology contains over 30 laboratories, including 14 which are used exclusively by students. We have specialist laboratories for Health Psychology (and psychobiology), Cognitive (Memory, Thinking and Language), Social/Developmental, and Forensic Psychology.

These dedicated student laboratories are central to our research-informed teaching, enabling you to learn through experience and your own independent research.

Industry links

You can gain international work experience by getting involved in projects through the University’s Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership (CVCL), with second and third year modules which are accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).