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Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Psychology
Curious about how people think, behave and connect with others? Explore how thoughts, emotions, and motivations influence actions and society. Tailor your studies to your own interests and shape your career path to the psychologist you aspire to be.
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
Active learning
At Plymouth you will learn as you practise, applying your knowledge in practical activities within our psychology experiential learning lab, and building experience from the start.
Real-world experience
You also have the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge with an optional placement year, or take part in an international exchange year by studying abroad. This builds your confidence and broadens your experience.
Personalise your studies
You'll get to know the subjects you love. Our option-based final year gives you complete flexibility to focus on the areas of psychology that interest you the most.
About
There is a range of expertise within the psychology department, including neuroscience, social psychology, cognition, and behaviour, among other areas. This provides a range of experiences that can be used to inspire us. What I like most about the department is the knowledge and passion of both staff and students. There is a willingness to engage, ask questions and guide others in developing key skills. When we share our skills with those around us to reach a common goal, everybody wins.
Rob, Psychology student
This course is for you if...
you're intrigued by how thoughts, feelings and motivations shape behaviour
you value hands-on learning to understand your subject
you seek the freedom to explore areas of psychology that interest you
you want to gain practical skills to set you apart in your career in education, health, business, or media
Details
Year 1
Your first-year modules provide a foundation of knowledge and skills across the breadth of psychology. You will learn about how we think, perceive the world, and interact with each other. You will also study key topics in clinical and developmental psychology, how we interact with our environment and how it shapes us, and how we are motivated to achieve our goals.
Core modules
PSYC421
Cognitive Psychology
20 credits
This module introduces some of our fundamental mental processes, such as learning, memory, attention and reasoning. Across a series of lectures and practical workshops you’ll explore some of the core concepts in cognition – designing and testing your own experiments to build skills and experience in basic research skills, such as problem solving, hypothesis testing, data collection and the communication of your findings
100% Coursework
PSYC422
Clinical and Developmental Psychology
20 credits
This module will establish an understanding of clinical and developmental psychology. You will learn about contemporary issues relating to mental health and neurodiversity, as well as the history of how conditions are classified, diagnosed, and treated. You also examine how cognitive, social and emotional abilities develop and change over childhood, informing our understanding of their origins and limitations on maturation.
100% Examinations
PSYC423
Environmental Psychology
20 credits
Examining the interplay between people and their environment, in this module you will explore the psychology behind how we interact with our environment, and the effect our environment has on our mental state and wellbeing. In embedded practical workshops you will design a project to examine these relationships and understand how best to analyse and present your findings.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
PSYC424
Social Psychology
20 credits
Introducing fundamental topics forming the basis of social psychology you will learn about the formation of personality, relationships and our perceptions and prejudices of others, as well as our understanding of how particular social situations affect our thoughts and behaviours. Embedded workshops provide practical training on the research skills and techniques specific to the study of social psychology.
100% Coursework
PSYC425
Perception and the Brain
20 credits
In this module you will learn about the biological bases of behaviour and the mechanisms of sensory perception. One strand of lectures focuses on the fundamentals of neuroscience, brain anatomy and function, and research methods in neuroscience including studies of disorders of the mind and brain. Another lecture strand concerns perception, with a particular focus on the mechanisms of human vision and hearing.
100% Examinations
PSYC426
Motivation and Performance
20 credits
In this module you will explore the psychology behind individual and group motivation and performance. Drawing upon principles from sports psychology, military and commercial excellence, and personal development, you will learn about the psychological theories and principles that shape our future potential. In embedded practical workshops you will explore the motivational factors that allow individuals and teams to fulfil their goals and improve performance.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
Year 2
With a focus on developing research and practical skills, you will get additional hands-on experience in designing and testing your own experiments to explore a range of topics. You also continue to build upon your knowledge of the core areas of psychology, getting to grips with key concepts from across cognitive, developmental, social and clinical psychology.
Core modules
CPIE202
Career and Placement Planning
PSYC513
Cognition and Biological Psychology
20 credits
This module provides a comprehensive examination of the core topics in cognitive and biological psychology. Here you will learn about the key phenomena, theories and biological mechanisms that underpin our cognitive processes and emergent behaviour in learning, memory, reasoning, and language.
100% Examinations
PSYC514
Individual Differences, Social and Developmental Psychology
20 credits
This module provides an in-depth and critical understanding of research in individual differences, social and developmental psychology. Here you will critically examine the leading theories that compete to explain our social behaviour and underlying psychological processes, how they developed, and why they can lead to such different outcomes.
100% Examinations
PSYC515
Health and Wellbeing
20 credits
This module examines the relationships between health, clinical and forensic psychology that influence our health-related behaviours and potential for criminality. Here you will learn about the issues and contemporary approaches to the classification of symptoms and behaviours, and critically explore the relative contributions of inherited traits and the social and environmental circumstances that influence our behaviours.
100% Coursework
PSYC516
Applied Psychology
20 credits
During this module you will explore the contribution of psychology to success in education and work. This will include a critical examination of a range of different approaches in educational assessment and risk communication, and how best to effect behaviour change strategies to encourage diversity and promote productivity and well-being.
100% Coursework
PSYC519
Research Skills in Practice 1
20 credits
Here you will develop your understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods through practical experience. Across a series of workshops, you will formulate a research question, design an experiment, collect data and learn about a range of statistical and qualitative techniques to analyse your findings. This will provide increasing confidence with the research process, project management, and ethics.
100% Coursework
PSYC520
Research Skills in Practice 2
20 credits
Building upon prior learning, in this module you receive practical instruction on how to undertake and communicate research of increasing complexity. Working in supervised groups across a series of workshops you will develop and empirically test research questions on inter-group differences, presenting your findings in oral presentations and a written report.
100% Coursework
HIPL500
Interprofessional Learning 2
Year 3
If you choose, you can take an optional work placement after your second year, expanding your knowledge of psychology in a real world context across the UK. Apply to spend a year honing your skills on a psychological professional/work placement. Gain invaluable experience, make professional contacts and receive a Certificate of Professional/Industrial Placement. Please note some placements may require Occupation Health and/or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Core modules
CPIE501
Placement: Psychology
0 credits
In this professional placement you will develop and apply your psychological knowledge in the workplace, gaining invaluable working experience and connections in a psychological discipline. Our placement team will help you to secure a placement in a vocation of your choosing and, alongside your personal tutor, will guide and support you to achieve your desired learning outcomes and vocational experiences.
Final year
Chart your own path in your fully option-based final year. With 32 different specialist psychology options offering a huge breadth of unique pathways you can follow your aspirations and gain and specialist skills and knowledge for your future.
With the study of morals, psychopharmacology, music and emotion, deception, and animal behaviour to name just a few of the topics, you are free to explore the areas of psychology that interest and benefit you the most. These studies are also augmented by a supervised research project, where you will work alongside one of our world-class research academics on a question of your own choosing.
How does it work?
Our final year consists of four modules that are simply titled 'Current Topics in Psychology 1, 2, 3 and 4'.
Each of these modules consists of two different sets of topics (block A and block B). For each module you will select one option from block A and one from block B. These are studied one at a time with each block lasting three weeks.
Options in block A are assessed by coursework, and those in block B are assessed by exam.
By the end of your final year you will have selected eight different options.
Core modules
PSYC600
Careers Planning
0 credits
This zero-credit module is home to careers talks.
PSYC601
Current Topics in Psychology 1
20 credits
In this module you have a free choice of two topics drawn from across the breadth of the psychology, delivered by specialist academic or practitioner from that field. This choice will allow you to focus and develop an in-depth critical appreciation, knowledge, and skill base in areas of particular interest and utility to you and your future vocation.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PSYC602
Current Topics in Psychology 2
20 credits
In this module you have a free choice of two topics drawn from across the breadth of the psychology, delivered by specialist academic or practitioner from that field. This choice will allow you to focus and develop an in-depth critical appreciation, knowledge, and skill base in areas of particular interest and utility to you and your future vocation.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PSYC603
Current Topics in Psychology 3
20 credits
In this module you have a free choice of two topics drawn from across the breadth of the psychology, delivered by specialist academic or practitioner from that field. This choice will allow you to focus and develop an in-depth critical appreciation, knowledge, and skill base in areas of particular interest and utility to you and your future vocation.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PSYC604
Current Topics in Psychology 4
20 credits
In this module you have a free choice of two topics drawn from across the breadth of the psychology, delivered by specialist academic or practitioner from that field. This choice will allow you to focus and develop an in-depth critical appreciation, knowledge, and skill base in areas of particular interest and utility to you and your future vocation
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PSYC605
Research Project
40 credits
In this module you will undertake a comprehensive research project to investigate an original psychological research question in an area of your own choosing. Research training is provided across a wide range of workshops such that, with close support from your research supervisor, you will design and conduct an experiment or study to address your question, analyse data and communicate your findings verbally and in writing.
80% Coursework
20% Practicals
HIPL600
Interprofessional Learning 3
Optional pathways
We offer a suite of psychology courses allowing you to choose your specialist field.
We also offer:
- MPsych (Hons) Psychology
- MPsych (Hons) Psychology with Clinical Psychology
- MPsych (Hons) Psychology with Human Neuroscience
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Early Childhood Studies
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Education
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Human Biology
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology
Our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society
Championing and supporting a culture of participation and inclusivity
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
[
No.1 for Industry Offering Psychology in the UK
Times Young University Rankings 2024
Times Young University Rankings 2024
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Top 2 overall for Psychology in the UK for 2024
Times Young University Rankings 2024
Times Young University Rankings 2024
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Top 3 for Teaching in the UK for Psychology
Times Young University Ranking 2024
Times Young University Ranking 2024
A world of opportunity
My eyes have been opened to so many areas of psychology that I love, psychology graduates can go into so many areas – if something involves people, then at some level psychology is involved.
BSc (Hons) Psychology student Lucy tells us about how studying at Plymouth ignited her passion for psychology.
A great lecturer once said that psychology is the subject of everything. It is a topic that does not restrict your interests, but it allows them to grow. What I also love about the course is it not only provides you with the content, but it also equips you with skills that you can take into the real world. You learn to problem solve, analyse data, work as a team, and build a bank of knowledge for many future careers.
Chloe, BSc (Hons) Psychology student
Experiential learning
We've redesigned the way we teach psychology. We always seek feedback from students in order to continually improve our courses. As a result, we have created a curriculum that focuses on active learning. Our range of practical activities and specialist facilities are embedded throughout our courses, enabling you to put your knew knowledge into practice from the outset and shaping you into the best psychologist and professional you can be.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment are available for students to book and use, supporting your learning across the breadth of psychology, enhancing your potential, and helping you develop essential skills.
Real-world experience
All psychology students have the option to take a voluntary placement year without needing to enrol in a specific course. This opportunity allows you to gain invaluable experience and build professional connections. The process begins in your second year with dedicated information sessions to help you determine if a placement year is the right choice for you.
The University is really good at preparing you for placement, running you through skills courses and teaching how to do interviews, how to go out and get placements and the etiquettes of being in different workplaces.
My placement was in a neuro rehabilitation ward working with patients that had brain injuries. I feel more qualified now going out into the world of work and feel prepared in order to go and get a job.
Kieran, BSc (Hons) Psychology
A placement year is a great way to bridge the gap between academic study and professional life. Dr Jon Rhodes and I have been working with Plymouth Argyle youth academy squad developing workshops that aim to help players use Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to develop skills using vivid mental imagery to build resilience and emotional regulation.
Jack, BSc (Hons) Psychology
Shape the psychologist you want to become
In your final year, you will shape the psychologist that you want to become with freedom of choice across a wide range of current psychology topics.
The list goes on with 32 different specialist psychology options to select from.
You are free to explore the areas of psychology that interest and benefit you the most. These studies will build up to a supervised research project, which you will undertake while working alongside one of our world-class academics on a research question of your choice.
Topic examples you may choose include:
-
ÆMorals
-
ÆPsychopharmacology
-
ÆMusic and emotion
-
ÆDeception
-
ÆAnimal behaviour
Taught by experts
Our staff are actively engaged in research, staying at the forefront of scientific knowledge by constantly developing new theories and making innovative discoveries. This ensures that, alongside studying classic theories and findings from past research, you'll gain insights into the current state of psychology from experts in the field.
Meet your lecturers
Professor Jeremy Goslin
Head of School of Psychology
Dr Chris Longmore
Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Gustav Kuhn
Associate Head of School for Marketing, Recruitment and Strategic Growth
Join our psychology society 'PsySoc'
The Psychology Society is a welcoming and inclusive community built by members, for members. Whether you're studying psychology, interested in human behaviour, or simply looking to connect with like-minded people, we want you to be part of this amazing journey. Our mission is clear: to create a space where everyone feels supported and engaged while exploring and growing within the world of psychology.
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Being a mum of three sometimes can be challenging but with the support of the academic staff and university I am now graduating and looking forward to starting my Masters in Advanced Psychology at Plymouth.
Four years on, Joyita takes an emotional look back on when she attended an open day.
Our degree prepares you for a wide range of careers by equipping you with valuable skills and knowledge that provide you with a deep understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, and social interactions. This knowledge and experience will be critical in fields such as mental health, education, business, social care, but have incredible versatility across any vocations that benefit from an understanding of human behaviour.
The School of Psychology, within the Faculty of Health, is a centre of excellence in clinical psychology, with undergraduates benefiting from the instruction and clinical experience of practitioners on our professional training programmes offered at master and doctoral level. These links, along with the hands-on experience and opportunities of placements in clinical settings provide privileged opportunities to develop essential mental health skills.
Our BPS accredited degrees provide you opportunities to pursue further postgraduate qualifications, that can lead to specialised roles like clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, or organisational psychologist.
The degree also helps you develop transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and data analysis, which forms the basis for many careers beyond psychology.
Our hands-on teaching approach, combined with a placement year and research apprentices, offers you valuable real-world experience to give you a competitive advantage in your future professional life.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for full-time UK students starting in 2025-2026 academic year
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
£9,535 per year
Part-time study
£795 per 10 credits
£795 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Following final Parliamentary approval in March 2025, the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year
Full-time study
£18,650 per year
£18,650 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the
Faculty of Health
and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page:
Faculty of Health additional costs
.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Secure your place this September
Use our helpful application support tool at any time to find out what you need to do to secure your place at the University of Plymouth.
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
112 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
GCSE
5 GCSE subjects at grade C/4 or above are preferred and this does not necessarily need to be Mathematics and English subjects.
A levels
112 points from a minimum of three A levels from any subjects.
Other combinations and non-A level qualifications considered; please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
BTEC
DMM-DDM in any subject.
All Access courses
Pass an Access to HE course in science, humanities or combined social sciences with at least 33 credits at merit.
T level
Merit, any subjects.
International Baccalaureate
28–32 points overall.
Extended entry requirements
-
English language requirements . - We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our
tariff glossary . - Students under the age of 18 at the start of the programme are eligible to apply for this programme.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
C800
C800
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Other routes into this course
The following courses are available as routes into this programme.
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year
If you are looking for an alternative route onto our psychology degree, the integrated foundation year will build confidence and develop the academic and study skills to provide you with a firm foundation to progress on our BSc (Hons) Psychology.
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
112 UCAS points
112 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
C800
C800
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Other routes to this course
The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees.
Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship.
You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.