Psychology BSc Hons

Accredited by the British Psychological Society, this course develops the skills needed to become competent in investigating theories and carrying out research.

We offer flexibility with a range of different pathways, which reflect differing levels of eligibility for British Psychological Society (BPS) membership, including Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status – a crucial factor for a career in Psychology..

The BPS is the key professional body for psychology and psychologists and as such is responsible for developing and supporting the discipline of psychology and disseminating psychological knowledge to the public and policy makers. Membership of the society is therefore essential if you want to go on to work in an area of psychology. In order to gain Chartered Membership of the Society, you need to follow a training route that is approved by the Society – that includes undertaking an initial degree that has been accredited by the BPS such as the one we run at Worcester. This will then give you graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC). At Worcester GBC can be gained through studying single honours psychology (this can be either BSc Psychology or through one of our named pathways such as BSc Counselling Psychology) or by taking the BSc Psychology Major Honours route.

Members of the Psychology team have completed a wide variety of research projects and consultancies, e.g. quality of life assessment; psychology of pain; treatment of depression and GP attitudes; perceptions of speech style; attitudes to crime; the impact of volunteering on mental health; psycholinguistics; the well-being and experience of children; decision-making and critical judgement by Authorised Firearms Officers.

Watch the Aiming for Psychology DVD.

Factfile
Entry requirements
Course content
Student views
Earn as you learn

UCAS code

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Psychology BSc (Hons) (Single Honours) C800 BSc/Psy

It is also possible to study this degree in combination with other courses. For the latest information, check the UCAS website at www.ucas.com

Study options

Single Honours or Joint Honours

Get in touch

Tim Jones
Course Leader
t.jones@worc.ac.uk

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

280 UCAS Tariff points

Modules

Business Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Contemporary Issues in Applied Psychology
Contemporary Issues in Theoretical Psychology
Counselling & Therapy
Critical Thinking
Educational Psychology
Psychology of Emotion
Human Factors
Individual Differences
Interpersonal Relations
Introduction to Health Psychology
Key Figures & Themes in Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Popular Psychology
Research Methods
Psychology in the Real World
Social Psychology

Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and seminars. Other modes of delivery used extensively include practical classes, computer-based learning, videos and films, group discussion and team work, directed study, placements and guest speakers.

Assessment methods include practical research reports, case studies, essays, literature reviews, presentations and examinations.

Staff research expertise includes: experimental psychology, developmental psychology, critical social psychology, health psychology and applied psychology.

Debbie Smith

Student, Psychology BSc (Hons)

“The course is a basis for accreditation with the BPS society, which is essential for psychologists. I also like the fact that all of my lecturers are working in this field and tell us about their own research – it helps you realize what you can achieve.”

Academic department

Institute of Health & Society

“The University is a leading innovator in the fields of health and social care. Unique appointments such as the UK’s first professors of perinatal education and tissue viability demonstrate our commitment to research excellence.”
Louise Jones, Head of Institute

Employability

According to a recent survey (HESA 2010) University of Worcester Psychology graduates enjoy good levels of employability, with 97.6% of 2009 graduates employed (73.2%) or engaged in postgraduate study (24.4%). Of those graduates who move straight into employment, just over half (53.3%) work in health or educational settings.

Examples of employment directly entered by Psychology graduates include: Assistant psychologist, Research executive, Admin manager and therapeutic support worker.

A work based learning module provides an opportunity for you to gain academic credits from employment in a work environment, and to receive feedback from recruitment specialists, employers, human-resource managers and staff about all aspects of your professional practice to help further enhance your skills and areas for further development.

Employability is embedded right across our programme and we have dedicated taught sessions on curriculum vitae writing, increasing your employment opportunities and how to use feedback gained throughout your programme to help improve your skill set. Many of our assessment modes focus on the skills highly favoured by employers including; independent and critical thinking, literacy and numeracy, group work and clear communication.

As a research-active department you will have the opportunity to participate in real psychological research and work alongside experienced researchers in the field. The department has excellent links with both local and national organisations including the NHS, Alive! Charity, the BPS, West Mercia Police Constabulary, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and Worcestershire County Council.

Many of our students choose to complete voluntary work alongside their degree programme to help enhance opportunities for postgraduate study and employability, and as such the department has excellent links with several prisons including HMP Aylesbury, and the NHS.

Where appropriate practicing psychologists e.g. Educational, Forensic, Clinical and Occupational psychologists contribute towards the programme through guest lectures, and provide valuable insights into the varying roles psychologists play in society.

Psychology single honour pathways (including named pathways e.g. BSc(Hons) Forensic Psychology) are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). If you fulfil the eligibility requirements you will be entitled to apply for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the Society. GBC has national currency and is imperative for anyone considering a career as a professional psychologist; successful completion of a degree conferring GBC is necessary in order to access the further training required to become a practitioner psychologist. It will also increase your employability prospects if you are considering a career outside of psychology.