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BSc (Hons) Psychology

Are you curious about people and their behaviour? Immerse yourself in this practical course - we believe you learn through doing so you'll do lots of practical research to help you understand theoretical concepts.

93% student satisfaction

NSS (2021)

Entry requirements

Three A-levels at grades BBC or above.

Or BTEC triple grades DMM or above.

Or Access 30-42 D/M with min 18D.

And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.

Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis.

 

 

UCAS points 112

UCAS code R1D4

Duration Three years full time or six years part time

Course Summary

In this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course you can immerse yourself in the study of people and their actions, emotions and thinking. This wide-ranging psychology course allows you to select the areas which interest you, including education, criminology, mental wellbeing, leadership, sports and exercise and more. 

The course addresses the main areas of psychology; developmental, cognitive, biological, social, individual differences and research methods.  You'll also have plenty of opportunities to put this theory into practice, understanding how the theories apply to working with people, during placement and working with other students.

Alongside the core modules, you will be able to design your own unique pathway through the programme, if you wish to, studying subjects such as sports and exercise psychology, education, criminology, mental well-being and leadership and management. In addition to the set modules, there is at least one module per year which invites you to negotiate the topics you want to study.

You'll be required to attend University three days per week. The days are fixed to be the same three days throughout the year which allows you to balance study with your other life commitments. You will be expected to undertake independent study outside of your timetabled sessions.

Show video transcript

The Psychology lab is used for lectures, seminars and for hosting open events such as a regular Memory Cafe. It offers comfy chairs and tables as well as tea and coffee making facilities. There is a one-way mirror between the main area and an observation room.

Why this course at Marjon?

Dedicated psychology lab spaces on campus - quiet spaces, ideal for data collection.

Small groups for teaching and learning.

93% student satisfaction (NSS 2021)

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Learn through doing - we take a practical approach to understanding theoretical principles.

Immerse yourself in the study of people and their actions, emotions and thinking.

Modules for this course

Course Snapshot

“ In the first year we mostly covered the basics of psychology; learning about key theories and research methods. During the second year we got to specialise more in the areas we were interested in and we went out on placement. We looked at thinking, learning, memory and language but had more freedom in choosing essay titles. In our final year we chose some of our modules and looked more closely at neuroscience and adolescent mental health alongside our dissertation research.”
Ella - Third year, BSc (Hons) Psychology

Modules

1st Year

Foundations in psychology
Introductions to research, key topics, core perspective in psychology and some study skills on the side.
Health and wellbeing
Investigate factors which impact on wellbeing including ill-health and stress and loss. You'll consider how illness & disability are displayed in the media and you'll design an information leaflet to support people with a mental health condition.
Social Psychology
The module answers questions such as how do people work in groups? What influences our group roles and behaviour? Is the Zimbardo study (of the roles people play in prisons) still relevant today?
Cognition and Development
How do we think? How do we learn? How do we improve? This module looks at thinking and learning.
Psychology in practice
Your time to be a psychology researcher.. Participate in projects, run your own experiments, collect data and report.
Understanding research: theory and method
An introduction to research methods. We'll focus on the big questions: What is research? What is positivism? How do I research? What about research ethics?

2nd Year

Quantitative research in psychology
A module to think about and do some quantitative research.
Developmental psychology
A module where we look at people in context, through a developmental lens from birth to end of life, and everything in between.
Social Psychology in contexts
Leadership, social influences, group dynamics, styles, personality and identity all in one module!
Qualitative research in psychology
A module to think about and do some qualitative research.
Human Cognition
The human mind is amazing, this module looks at aspects of cognition from attention and perception through to problem solving and decision making.
Industry Experience: placement
Placement module, your time to take some placement experience and reflect on the psychological theories and practice at play.

3rd Year

Contemporary issues in Psychology*
You choose the topic and complete a critical lit review on an area of your choosing.
Childhood and Adolescence in Context*
In this module we look at cross-cultural developmental research, think critically about modern questions in developmental psychology and consider the nature and lived experiences of atypical development.
Mental health and young people*
A module when we discuss the nature of mental health and wellness during childhood and adolescence.
Empirical project
Your time to shine! With support from the tutoring team, you'll design and write up your own piece of research and share it with your course mates at a final conference.
Community Psychology*
A time to think about how we can use psychological theory to challenge social injustice, build resilient communities and empower the people within them.
Neuropsychology
Ever wondered about the cognitive underpinnings of problems relating to schizophrenia, brain injury or dementia? You'll understand the neuropsychology behind acquired disorders in adulthood.
Working with people
Time to put your social psychology knowledge to the test! You'll look at your own management and leadership styles and those of others. You'll work in a team and explore the social psychology of organisations.
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Current students say...

Chantal Buxton

“I think this is a fantastic course and the psychology labs are a great place to study. I’ve developed on this course into a more confident person, and continue to grow in this relaxed and supportive environment.”

Kennidy Williams

“The idea of going to university was always scary but with a mix of lovely friends, amazing lecturers and insightful and interesting lecturers the fear was minimised and the excitement grew! I'm surprised at the amount of concepts I now know and understand, I can talk about different theories and I am able to see things from other perspectives.”

Eleanor Wadey

"We do a 50 hours placement that we pick ourselves. You can either do it all at once or spread it out over the year. You can find your own placement or get advice from lecturers."

This course is perfect if you're curious about

Is intelligence genetic or influenced by the environment?

Does the media portrayal of teenagers contribute to anti-social behaviour?

Does exercise improve mental health?

Does over protective parenting influence parent-child attachment?

Medication or mindfulness? Which treatments reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia?

What is dyslexia? And what causes it?

Graduates

Katie Ledger

"University taught me to have confidence in my own ability. It allowed me to become a critical thinker which is extremely beneficial and I feel confident to challenge events that I disagree with. Learning about psychological theories has broadened my understanding of the potential causes of behaviour and enables me to appreciate how we are all different which has made me an understanding support worker. I love it when I have made a positive difference to someone."

Support Worker, Priory Group Adult Care.

What might you become?

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which is one of the pre-requisites to becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Further postgraduate experience is also required to become a Chartered Psychologist.

Your psychology degree will give you the transferrable skills that employers want, whether you are looking at private or public sector careers. You could continue to postgraduate study and/or a career as a psychologist or working in research or academia.

Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS)

BPS accreditation ensures an engaging experience and means that upon graduation, students will be eligible for Graduate Basis Chartered Membership of the BPS which is required of applicants to the postgraduate training programmes that lead to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

How you’ll be taught and assessed?

How will you be taught?

With lectures each week, most teaching and learning is in smaller seminar groups and practical workshops, supported by online materials and tutorials. Alongside taught sessions, you'll look at case studies and project work. In line with BPS accreditation you will learn how to do research in labs and workshops.

How will you be assessed?

Our assessments are throughout the year and include essays, research lab reports, presentations and producing leaflets, posters and other materials. There is one exam in every year. Assessments are designed to offer you the ability to demonstrate your knowledge and provide you with skills for your career.

Course leader

Dr Hazel Bending

Hazel is a chartered member of The British Psychological Society (BPS). Her research has focused on how students in Higher Education best learn; investigating how various techniques from using technology to reflective practice and wellbeing can enhance students’ experiences and skills.

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Fees and funding

Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum

Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum

Funding available for this course

 

Additional costs:

Students need to fund a DBS check to attend some placements.

Lecturers

Lecturers

Dr Katheryn Edwards

Lecturer - Developmental Psychology

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Tracy Edwards

Technician - Psychology Laboratory

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Tracy is the Senior Psychology Technician overseeing the specialist Psychology facilities. She supports undergraduate and postgraduate students in areas such as the application of statistical analysis, writing skills and presentation skills.

Dr Alister McCormick

Senior Lecturer

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Alister teaches psychology and its applications to sport, exercise, and health. His main research interest is how psychological interventions can be used to improve the performances of people who participate in endurance events, such as middle- and long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon events.

Dr Jonathan Waddington

Lecturer

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Dr Rosanna Walters-Symons

Senior Lecturer

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Rosanna specialises in the psychology of sporting performance, examining the critical perceptual cognitive factors that enable elite performance. Her research fields are cognitive psychology, performance psychology and quantitative methods.

Frequently asked questions

Q1   Are there any exams?

Yes, though across the whole degree there are only three timed assessments, one per year.

Q2   What does the timetable look like?

Our full-time students are in class for three days per week, and need to allow two days for directed study.

Q3   How big is the class?

Our classes are usually 15-20 students. Sometimes all the undergraduate students are taught together and this is around 60 students.

Q4   Is the course accredited?

Yes, the course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Q5   Is there a placement?

Yes, there are 50 hours of placement during year two alongside the other modules.

 

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