BSc (Hons) Psychology
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2026
Are you curious about the science behind human thought and behaviour? Transform your interest into a rewarding career with our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at BNU.
Led by experienced psychologists, this degree offers an in-depth exploration of the human mind, what drives behaviour, how we think, and why we act the way we do. Through a dynamic blend of theoretical study and hands-on practical experience, you'll develop a strong foundation in psychological research and critical thinking.
With access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to explore your own ideas and investigations, you'll be empowered to build both your academic understanding and applied skills, preparing you for a wide range of career paths in psychology and beyond.
I have always loved psychology and the course gives us lots of freedom to explore our ideas. The option to choose modules lets me study exactly what I love. The facilities are really great; the library and other course-related facilities are super accessible to students.Emma Frasier Mills
Whether your interests lie in mental health, organisational behaviour, neuroscience, or criminal justice, a degree in Psychology provides a versatile foundation for a wide range of career pathways. The programme equips you with a critical understanding of core psychological domains, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social psychology, and individual differences.
From clinical, counselling, and forensic psychology to educational and health psychology, the field offers diverse opportunities to specialise and contribute across multiple sectors. Beyond traditional roles, the strong analytical, research, and interpersonal skills developed through a psychology degree are highly valued in corporate environments, opening doors to careers in business, marketing, human resources, and management.
You can also go on to further training to become a Chartered Psychologist.
This course is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), a crucial first step for anyone aspiring to become a Chartered Psychologist in the UK.
GBC status is a formal requirement for entry into most accredited postgraduate and professional training programmes in psychology. It signifies that you have acquired the foundational knowledge and scientific understanding necessary to pursue advanced training in areas such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, and more.
In addition to opening doors to specialist psychological professions, this accreditation also enhances your credibility in research, consultancy, and applied roles within healthcare, education, business, and the public sector. Whether you plan to work directly with clients or influence policy and practice through research and innovation, the GBC ensures you're on the right professional path.
At BNU, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Our Psychology degree offers you the opportunity to develop practical, hands-on skills in state-of-the-art facilities, designed to support your growth as a confident and capable psychologist. Under the guidance of experienced lecturers and industry professionals, you'll engage with real-world tools and technologies that bring psychological theory to life.
Our specialist psychology laboratories are equipped with advanced resources, including virtual reality (VR) technology, an anatomage table, a dedicated counselling room with observation capabilities, tools for analysing group behaviour and reactions, Biopac systems for monitoring and measuring physiological responses, and industry-standard software such as SPSS for data analysis. These facilities allow you to apply your knowledge in practical settings, preparing you for both further study and professional practice.
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is ranked in the top five in the UK for teaching quality (The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025), reflecting our commitment to delivering an outstanding student learning experience.
You'll be taught by a dedicated team of experienced psychologists and industry professionals, many of whom are actively engaged in research and bring a wealth of real-world expertise to the classroom. Their backgrounds span a diverse range of applied settings, including organisational, educational, clinical, prison, and healthcare environments, ensuring that your learning is grounded in both academic rigour and professional relevance.
You'll benefit from a wide range of learning experiences throughout your time on the course, one of the reasons we're ranked 3rd in the UK for learning opportunities in psychology (NSS 2025). From hands-on practical work to research-led teaching and personalised academic support, we ensure you’re fully equipped for success.
Our graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce with confidence. In fact, we’re ranked 5th in the UK for graduate earnings in psychology, based on median earnings one year after graduation (LEO, latest release 2022/23), a testament to the strong foundation and career readiness our degree provides.
What will I study?
Throughout your studies, you’ll develop a strong foundation in the analytical, communication, and research skills that are highly valued by employers. This degree is designed to equip you with in-demand, practical expertise that prepares you for both further study and a wide range of careers.
Some of the key areas you will explore include:
- Personality, development, sensation, and perception – examining how these psychological processes influence behaviour and everyday experiences.
- Biological and cognitive bases of behaviour – enabling you to understand complex issues such as mental health conditions, memory, learning, and even criminal behaviour.
- Social psychology – providing insight into how individuals interact with, and are influenced by, societal structures, cultural norms, and social roles.
- Research methods – with a focus on both qualitative and quantitative techniques, giving you the tools to design, conduct, and evaluate psychological research effectively.
With a wealth of opportunities to explore various branches of psychology, our programme offers an extensive selection of optional modules, allowing you to personalise your degree to align with your individual interests and career aspirations. Whether you are drawn to clinical, forensic, evolutionary, developmental, or social psychology, you can tailor your studies to deepen your expertise in the areas most relevant to your goals.
Each module is delivered by experienced, research-active psychologists who bring valuable real-world perspectives to their teaching. Their active engagement in cutting-edge research and professional practice ensures that your learning is informed by the latest developments in the field, providing both academic rigor and practical insight. This approach not only enriches your educational experience but also prepares you to make meaningful contributions in your future career.
I cannot fault the quality of teaching, it’s excellent. The lecturers do all they can to support students. They are well experienced, kind, passionate, supportive and always available to help students in any way they can. The lectures and seminars are well prepared and delivered. I am enjoying my course, my time at BNU and the whole learning environment.Homaira Merzai
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course integrates academic theory with practical experience to ensure your learning remains both relevant and engaging. Teaching is delivered through a blend of interactive lectures and seminars, hands-on laboratory work and simulations, as well as collaborative group projects and independent research.
Assessment methods are varied and thoughtfully designed to promote deep learning, self-reflection, and academic growth. These include:
- exams
- presentations
- coursework
- group assignments
- research projects.
In your final year, you will undertake a psychology dissertation on a topic of your choosing, allowing you to explore an area of personal interest in depth.
To qualify for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), an essential milestone on the path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist, you must successfully complete designated core modules.
We recognise that psychology is an incredibly rewarding profession, but one that can also come with challenges. That’s why we place your wellbeing and development at the heart of our degree, equipping you with the support and guidance needed to grow into a confident, capable psychologist.
Some days may be personally demanding, which makes having a supportive environment essential. At BNU, we foster a close-knit, encouraging community where you can turn to both your peers and our dedicated teaching staff for support and reassurance through shared and individual challenges.
We take pride in truly getting to know our students. Throughout your course, you’ll benefit from personalised, one-to-one support from your tutors and the wider academic team.
Lectures and seminars are always very informative, interactive and with plenty of open discussion between students and the lecturers. They are always very supportive of ideas and opinions as well as with our work, through punctual turn arounds on assignments and quick responses through emails.Emily Cranshaw
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 104 - 128 (Full-Time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
For this course, you'll need at least two A-levels and a GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 *
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Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 per year *
International
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Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 *
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 per year *
Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.
What are my career prospects?
We see your journey with us as much more than a degree, and we are committed to supporting you to carve out the route to your chosen career and life beyond university. We will help you develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable, and good business leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
An accredited degree in Psychology can unlock a wide range of career pathways and opportunities to specialise. With this degree you could go on to take on roles in:
- clinical and forensic psychology
- therapy and counselling
- mental health and wellbeing
- research
- healthcare
- local government
- the private sector.
Many of our students decide to go into further training to become a Chartered Psychologist. You could also study a postgraduate degree to help you specialise, these could include:
- clinical, educational, or health psychology
- forensic psychology or positive psychology
- counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
The course seemed very open and I knew it would keep my options open to then specialize later rather than specializing early and therefore restricting my options later in my career.Piers Bowden
Course leader
