Undergraduate BSc (Hons)

Psychology

School of Health and Society

Attendance

Full-time

Part-time

Course

Three year

Six year

Next enrolment

September 2024

Introduction

In a nutshell

Psychology is about people - the study of the human mind and behaviour. As such psychology graduates are well sought after in many workplaces.

This course is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and opportunities for learning a wide range of psychological concepts. It has a hands-on approach to developing research skills and encourages you to apply the theory to real-world settings.

Psychology Blog Image - Omayma and Kingsley's story

Click here to read from Omayma and Kingsley

You will:

  • Learn about the core areas of psychology; biological, cognitive, developmental, social and individual differences
  • Learn to be a critical thinker, able to consider a problem, develop a research plan and execute that plan
  • Be able to choose from optional modules, allowing you to explore areas of particular interest to you
Placement

options available

International

students accepted

Course accreditations

The British Psychological Society

This is for you if...

1.

You're naturally inquisitive and curious about the range of human behaviours

2.

You have strong written skills and have an aptitude for research

3.

You want to progress into a career where you can make a difference to people's lives

Course details

All about the course

Our psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) - if you achieve a lower second class degree or above, Graduate Basis for Registration is awarded. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist.

During the second year you will have the opportunity to apply for a sandwich year which will be taken between the second and third year of your programme, to either study abroad or gain professional experience. Please note, there is a limited number of placements available and therefore a place on the sandwich year isn't guaranteed.

The final year gives you the opportunity to specialise in areas of psychology that interest you and to undertake a supervised research project of your own. There is also an optional module in your final year which gives the opportunity to undertake a work placement, giving you real-life experience. 

You can read an interview with BSc Psychology students Kingsley (first year) and Omayma (third year) here

Year one

Introduction to Research Methods

This module introduces the methods which are used in psychology and related fields. Statistical concepts and the quantitative methods which they underpin are taught alongside qualitative methods. The module builds knowledge which is important in interpreting the research papers you will read over the course of your degree as well as providing the foundation for skills which you will need in order to conduct your own research projects.

Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology

You will be introduced to key factors in human development including social, emotional, cognitive and biological foundation, as well as how children learn to talk. Within social psychology you will look at how individuals perceive, influence and interact with others, including through verbal and non-verbal communication.

Psychology in Contemporary Contexts

Provides a clear understanding of the relevance of psychology in the contemporary world with opportunities to consider applications of core psychological principles across a range of areas in a range of contemporary contexts. The module aims to develop your ability to evaluate and problem solve in a real world context using a range of research and analysis skills.

Introduction to Individual Differences

This module introduces the study of personality, intelligence, gender and mental health. Understanding these differences can be applied later in your studies to understand, for example, why some children learn language faster than others, or why men’s and women’s language use is sometimes so different.

Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology

You will be introduced to the basic biological processes and cognitive principles necessary for understanding human psychology. Language is a key cognitive skill, and this module covers topics such as reading and listening, automatic word identification, resolving linguistic ambiguities, and aphasia.

The Science of Psychology

You will explore methodological principles in psychology, through scientific enquiry and practice.

Year two

Further Research Methods

This module extends quantitative and qualitative research methods training to more complex designs and forms of analysis. You will build on the skills developed in year one; designing, carrying out research, and analysing your results. You will also spend time looking at discourse and discursive analysis for analysing speech.

Biological Psychology

You will explore the role of biological psychology and neuropsychology in explaining daily functions, such as sleep, learning and emotion, and mental illness.

Cognitive Psychology

You will examine a variety of cognitive functions in humans (for example perception, memory, language and consciousness) and learn how this knowledge can be applied in real-world contexts such as media, driving and education.

Developmental Psychology

Building on your knowledge from the first year, you will examine the influences of nature and nurture on human development. You will learn how to critically evaluate historical and contemporary theories. Your assignments will provide you with the opportunity to examine the implications of research for education, policy and clinical practice.

Individual Differences

Building on study of this area in the first year, the module invites you to explore the latest theories and research into personality and intelligence, gender differences and mental health. Understanding individual differences will enable you to think about differences in language use and language acquisition.

Social Psychology

You will have the opportunity to apply relevant theory to explaining and researching everyday social behaviour. You will be assessed for the module by means of a poster and participation in a psychology poster exhibition.

Year three

Dissertation

You will carry out a large-scale empirical research project on a topic of your choice. The range of skills you develop as you navigate the process of research design, applying for ethical approval, recruiting participants and carrying out your research, performing appropriate analysis, and writing up your work will be invaluable in any workplace.

Optional modules - you will choose four from options including: 

Atypical Child Development

This module explores what it’s like for children growing up with various conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Down’s syndrome, deafness, and developmental language disorder, and well as the impact on development of growing up in adverse environments such as poverty.

Brain and Behaviour

This module examines in detail the relationships between behaviour and the nervous system. You will explore these relationships through the consideration of key topics in the field of neuroscience including learning, psychopharmacology, brain damage, aphasia/alexia, organic brain disorder, and mental health.

Child Language Development

This module will develop your knowledge of how children learn language, from sounds, words and grammar, to the complexities of human communication. You will explore data from real children to increase your understanding and test out the theories discussed in class.

Educational Psychology

Develops your understanding of the relevance of psychology to education and provides opportunities to apply psychological theory and principles in the field of education and professional practice.

Effective and Affective Thinking and Processing

During this module, you will learn to apply theories and methodologies from cognitive psychology to real-world behaviour. You will explore the influence of emotional processing on human cognition and performance and reflect on the optimal conditions for thinking and decision-making.

Environmental Psychology

This module will introduce you to the field of Environmental Psychology, exploring current and seiminal research in key areas of human-environment interrelationships. Topics may include: 

The psychological significance of place; climate change denial and activism; psychologically informed architecture; media, politics and the environment. 

 

Forensic Psychology

An applied module which will introduce you to offender profiling, lie detection techniques and psychological theories of criminal behaviour; guest speakers have included a serving chief investigating officer, a forensic psychologist and a probation officer.

Media Psychology

This module explores the effects that exposure to media has on people, as well as how people process information from media. It looks at advertisement, persuasion, news journalism, social media and internet use, including the use of metaphors in the media. It also covers conversation analysis and discursive psychology.

Occupational Psychology

A practitioner based module which will provide you with a tour of relevant theories and topics (including stress, selection techniques and change at work), as well as an assessment opportunity to apply these in real-world settings, including your own experience in the workplace.

Psychology of Ageing

Explore positive models of ageing and lifespan development in the 21st Century including: identity, physical and mental health, and the psycho-social implications of ageing.

Psychology of Global Issues in the 21st Century

A new module which considers the role of psychology in a global context. You will have the opportunity to use your psychological knowledge to explore the issues of the day.

Psychology and Health

This module aims to introduce you to the concepts, theory, methods and applications of health psychology. It is concerned with the psychological aspects of physical illness, their treatment and management as well as what it is that keeps people healthy and well.

The Psychology of Extreme Violence

The psychology of serial homicide, mass shooting, and terrorism. The module also explores the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass shooters, the pathway to intended violence in such extreme cases of violence and the neuropsychodynamics of individuals who commit serial homicide and single homicide.

The Psychology of Mental Health

You will explore conceptualisations of mental health, explanations of mental health, legal and social ramifications of mental ill health, the range of conditions treated within psychiatry, and therapeutic modalities and agencies. You will also think about the language used in the field, such as the shift from talking about ‘abnormal psychology’ to less stigmatising terms, and also the linguistic origins of the terms used to describe mental health conditions.

Work Placement

You have the opportunity to undertake a work placement where you will be able to put what you've learnt into practice.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be Doing?

TEACHING

Throughout your course, you’ll be supported by expert and award-winning staff, including authors of books and papers in a range of specialisms, some of whom have appeared on national television and radio and have been nominated for University of Salford teaching awards.

The psychology team are research active and have been recognised at both national and international levels and for work on driving, media, child development, addictions, clinical and health psychology, occupational stress, emotional intelligence and terrorism. We aim to engage with students in a variety of ways, including through the use of new technologies, including the SalfordPsych blog and Twitter account. The team are proud of the quality of psychology courses we deliver and are committed to providing stimulating and rewarding opportunities to study psychology – either as a single discipline or in combination with counselling or criminology.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment methods will vary depending on the modules you choose to study, you can expect:

  • Exams 25%
  • Research report 25%
  • Essays 25%

The remaining 25% will be split between:

  • Assignments
  • Practical reports
  • Group work
  • Presentations

Psychology Laboratory

We provide a comfortable and friendly environment for you to carry out a wide range of psychological testing. These include:

  • The eye tracker laboratory uses the Tobii x50 eye tracker to monitor conscious and unconscious gaze movements
  • An observation suite with a two-way mirror
  • A video game analysis laboratory where you can analyse the psychological and physiological effects of violent video games
  • A dedicated computer suite that allows access to a range of psychological programs such as ERTSLab and E-Prime

Click to find out more about our Psychology Laboratory

School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.

Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

How do I become a qualified psychologist?

All practising psychologists must have postgraduate qualifications which means there isn’t a fast track route to a career in psychology. To become a chartered psychologist, you need to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership by completing a BPS accredited degree. You can then look at further training in your specific field of interest. An undergraduate degree in psychology is typically the first step on the ladder for those wanting to become a psychologist. It generally takes around six years to become fully qualified, usually including a full three-year degree and three years of postgraduate training.

Further study (generally 1 - 2 years) will also be required for areas such as teaching, HR and counselling.

You can find more information about careers in psychology on the BPS website.

Our graduates have taken a range of jobs within a variety of fields. Some graduates have gained employment as an assistant psychologist, a mental health support worker or within drug and alcohol services or have gone on to pursue a career as a chartered psychologist. Alternatively, you may take a role in advertising, marketing or retail. Whatever direction you choose, the key skills within this degree ensure that you will be both accomplished and imaginative in your career.

FURTHER STUDY 

A taste of what you could become

A clinical psychologist, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

A Behavioural Specialist, An Educational Psychologist

A Forensic Psychologist, An Occupational Psychologist

A High Intensity Therapist, A Researcher, A Marketeer

A Teacher, A Market Researcher, A HR Professional

And more...

Career Links

The British Psychological Society (BPS) accredits this course – if you achieve a lower second class degree or above, Graduate Basis for Registration is awarded. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist.

Requirements

What you need to know

APPLICANT PROFILE

Your application should demonstrate a good understanding of the discipline of psychology. You will have strong written skills and an aptitude for research, together with a desire to explore all areas of psychology and enthusiasm to discover more about the range of human behaviours.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course, or the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

GCSE English and maths at grade C/grade 4 or above, equivalents accepted.

UCAS tariff points

112 points

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 UCAS points.

A-Levels

112 points  

BTEC National Diploma

DMM

T-Level

If applying to start from September 2024, you will need T Level - Merit

Foundation Degree

60% pass mark

Scottish Highers

112 points BBBCC

Irish Leaving Certificate

112 points

International Baccalaureate

31 points

International Students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements. If you do not meet the entry requirements, you could take the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from those who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How Much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,250.00per year
Full-time international 2024/25 £17,040.00per year

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for international students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
Explore our International Scholarships.

 

Apply now

All Set? Let's Apply?

Enrolment dates

September 2024

UCAS information

Course ID C802

Institution S03