BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies

Understanding where your degree subject could take you is an important first step in career planning. Due to the transferrable nature of the skills you gain from your studies, you may discover that there is a much wider range of opportunities open to you within this profession that you may first appreciate. Find out more about where your degree could take you.

• Maximise your learning with a personal tutor assigned throughout your studies to provide the support and guidance you need to get the most out of your course.
• Immerse yourself in an innovative and imaginative curriculum continually shaped by the latest developments in psychological research.
• Make the most of our specialist facilities – we’ve got 22 labs to choose from, including a virtual reality laboratory with 3D modelling software, sound-proof cubicles with a range of stimulus equipment and computer laboratories. You'll be able to get your hands on everything you need for your own research.
• To complement your formal learning we offer regular PALS sessions that provide the opportunity for you to learn with and from your peers. Share knowledge, discuss ideas, and ask questions in a relaxed and friendly environment. Find out more about the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS).

• Year 1
• In this top up year you'll take part in academic debates, gaining an advanced understanding of the central areas of psychology. You’ll select advanced topics that reflect your own specialist interests and undertake a comprehensive piece of research as your final year project with the support of your academic supervisor.

  Core modules

  • PSYC600 Careers Planning

    This zero-credit module is home to careers talks.

  • PSYC601 Current Topics in Psychology 1

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • PSYC603 Current Topics in Psychology 3

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • PSYC605 Research Project

    Students, supported by academic supervisors and specialist workshops, are required to conduct a complete piece of research, from establishing a research area, formulating a research question, conducting a literature search, designing and conducting a study that meets appropriate ethical standards, analysing the data and communicating the research verbally and in writing.

  Optional modules

  • ANTH607 Anthropology of Humour and Laughter

    This module examines the social, cultural, economic and political dimensions of laughter and humour. Central to the debates discussed will be extent to which humour is culturally defined, whether laughter is an effective form of creating social solidarity and punishing those who break social norms, and whether mockery, irony, sarcasm, and ridicule - particularly when power loses control over it - can be a powerful tool of social resistance and transformation. Students also produce a piece of ethnographic work during the module.

  • CCJ610 Green Criminology

    This module will address theoretical perspectives, methodological issues, and empirical research related to the field of green criminology, including applied concerns, such as policy and social/political praxis, through a range of concepts, topics, and themes that are central to green criminology.

  • PSYC602 Current Topics in Psychology 2

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • PSYC604 Current Topics in Psychology 4

    This course allows students to develop an in depth and critical appreciation of two areas of psychological research (two topics drawn from the current research programmes of the School's staff).

  • SOC3538 Philosophy of Social Science

    A critical introduction to the philosophical foundations of social scientific research, with an emphasis on the development of analytic skills through which students explore the philosophical and methodological possibilities and limits of knowing the social world. Critical reflexivity toward future research practice is sought.

  • SOC3544 Food and Foodways

    This module aims to provide a critical understanding of sociological issues relating to food and foodways, (the beliefs and behaviours surrounding the production, distribution and consumption of food both on an individual and collective level). The module encourages critical reflection and practical experience of research in the area of food and foodways through a mini project.

  • SOC3545 Social Theory and Political Action

    This module considers the relationship between theoretical activity and practical political activity (the question of praxis) in terms of contemporary political issues and disciplinary debates. Students are asked to reflect critically upon the political and ethical dimensions of social science and the impact social researchers have upon the wider society.

  • SOC3547 Media, State and Society

    The media occupy key arenas whereby various social groups compete with one another to set public, political, commercial and cultural agendas. This module examines the relationship between media, state and society. It covers a number of substantive topic areas such as environmental issues, terrorism, war reporting, hate speech and violence.