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BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies

UCAS CODE: C8S1 (Full-Time) or C8S4 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 104 - 128 (Full-Time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Overview
Course Details
Entry Requirements
Modules
Fees
Employability
Teaching Team

Study Mode: Full Time
Location: High Wycombe
Duration: Three or Four Years
Start Date: September 2024

You can also study this course:

Part Time

Gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to understand a range of psychology subjects. This degree is designed to enable you to tailor your studies to your own desired psychology specialism through the choice of modules. Take advantage of the specialist facilities that professional psychologists use day to day.

Lectures and seminars are always very informative, interactive and also a good laugh with plenty of open discussion between students and with 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 Crawshaw

Why study this subject?

Whether you’re simply fascinated by psychology, or looking for a career in the subject, gaining a psychology degree is a great choice. A psychology degree also gives you a strong foundation for a variety of roles, utilizing your knowledge of human behaviour.

A psychology degree helps you gain an understanding of the root cause of behaviours, thoughts and emotions and explains them within the scope of scientific theory and evidence.

You can expect to build a deep understanding of yourself and how we operate within our social structures, develop your analytical mind, nurture your curiosity, and understand communication and relationships.

Staff and students discussing student work with one another whilst sat around a table

close-up of High Wycombe campus Gateway building

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Choosing BNU means choosing to go on a journey of discovery. As one of our students you will continually grow as a professional psychologist and discover our amazing and welcoming community, meet lifelong friends and gain knowledge from expert tutors who are actively engaged in the profession.

Take advantage of the specialist facilities that professional psychologists use day to day, including virtual reality facilities, laboratory facilities containing equipment that tracks eye movement, emotions, communication, brain activity and more.

Our hands-on practical approach to teaching is designed to impart the skills needed to experiment and excel, developing your own understanding and knowledge, and helping you to push the boundaries of psychological research, whether this is based within the fields of medical science, counselling, forensics, sport, business, or society.

This course is not BPS accredited, which means you will not be eligible for graduate chartered membership. This is because you have gained the option of choosing more of your own modules, and we cannot guarantee you will pick BPS modules.

Our specialisms

We believe in giving you the freedom to make your career your own. That's why we introduce you to various different subjects in your first year, and then allow you to choose a course after you've got a taste of them all, if your goals change. You can choose to stay on BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies or switch to BSc (Hons) Psychology, BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology, BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, and , after your first year in any.

These specialisms are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme and are available if you didn't meet the entry requirements.

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

What facilities can I use?

On our psychology degree, you will benefit from hands-on learning, using our state-of-the-art facilities.

In our laboratory and computing workshops, you’ll use software and equipment that social scientists use in the field to present research data. You will use industry standard equipment as part of these courses to build your own experience using a range of professionally recognizable equipment.

You can use our observation laboratory for the measurement of psycho-physiological responses using eye trackers as well as the activity of the cardiovascular system, brain, autonomic nervous system and more.

You’ll use our eye tracking equipment and virtual reality software to test what happens when our local conditions change, and how the brain reacts to those changes.

The facilities at BNU are always here for your use, and we have heavily invested in them with the goal of providing the best space for your own experiments. We want you to use them to push your skills and gain all the experience you feel you need to go on and get a job, as what you do here is what you could be doing when you start work in Psychology.

We’ll also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are! The VLE is an additional online learning platform that supplements your core degree content.

Female student wearing eye tracker and looking at food counter

Tobii eye tracking equipment

Female student wearing HTC VR software virtual reality psychology

HTC Vive software

Female student wearing eye tracker while reading a magazine

Tobii eye tracking equipment

What will I study?

With only two core modules in year two and one in year three, you will have the choice of 32 modules from a range of subjects, studying 3 in second and third year, for a total of 6 module choices across the degree.

Not everyone gets to their destination on the same journey. That’s why we designed this degree to empower you to go on your own path. This course is designed to give you a more personalized degree pathway.

You will have the benefit of fewer core modules and more optional modules allowing you to ‘tailor make’ your programme to suit your own goals.

You can choose to stay on BSc (Hons) Psychological studies or switch to BSc (Hons) Psychology, BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology, BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, after your first year in any.

How will I be taught and assessed?

There are many ways you can be assessed, and assessments are designed to help you learn and identify certain areas you need to improve. We use a variety of assessment techniques to look at your ability and areas you may need support with. You must pass the module assessments to progress with the course. Some of the methods we use are:

exams
presentations
group work
projects
labs
coursework

I have always loved psychology and the further along the course, the more freedom there is. The option to choose modules in the last year also 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 Fraser-Mills

BSc (Hons) Psychology Programme Specification

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.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

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.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Foundations of Psychology

Preparing for Success Knowledge and Creativity

On this module, we will prepare you for successful progression into academic study while allowing you to learn about and prepare yourself for employment in the twenty-first century through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.

Preparing for Success Self-development and Responsibility

This module enables you to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work.

Inquiry Based Learning

Delivery of this module is based on ‘confirmation inquiry’ – a foundational level of inquiry geared for developing your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work, relevant to your discipline. You’ll then have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject a...

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Frameworks of Living Psychology

Credits: 20

This module explores how psychology is fundamentally all around us. Each week will explore a contemporary area of psychology and consider how the theories, research, and knowledge are grounded in the real world. The module will examine issues from the mundane to the unexpected and will challenge your preconceptions.

Applying Psychology

Credits: 20

This module provides the opportunity for you to explore specific applied areas of psychology according to your own interests, chosen programme of study, and professional aspirations. Areas of applied focus are guided by professional contexts in which psychologists may be employed and in which it is possible to work towards chartered status.

Researching Psychology

Credits: 20

This module introduces research methods and data analysis. Active participation will help you gain the ability to critically evaluate the empirical work of others. You will develop understanding of a variety of key statistical tests used to analyse and interpret psychological data.  

Nature and Nurture in Psychology

Credits: 20

This module introduces two of the core subject areas proposed by the British Psychological Society by exploring the relative contribution of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ in human development. The module will take a lifespan perspective, examining biological, cognitive, emotional, and social development from infancy to late adulthood.

The Mind, the Person, and the Social World

Credits: 20

This module introduces three of the core subject areas proposed by the British Psychological Society (cognitive psychology, individual differences, and social psychology) by exploring how psychologists seek to make sense of the mind, personality and individual differences, and our relationships with others.  

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Personality and Development

Credits: 20

Building on learning, this module provides an opportunity to look at concepts of personality and human development in an experiential and authentic way. The module aims to empower you to investigate the foundations, structures, and dynamics that influence the development of the self in the context of their world.

Qualitative Approaches in Psychology

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to key aspects that underlie qualitative psychological research. Throughout the module, you will develop an understanding of relevant theoretical issues and engage in practical tasks designed to facilitate learning, which will lead to a written report that demonstrates planning and qualitative research techniques.

Optional Modules

Credits

Sensation, Perception, and Beyond

Credits: 20

This module has been designed to examine the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour, both human and non-human. The module will build on the knowledge gained in year one including the core elements of both biopsychology and cognitive psychology

Approaches to Positive Human Development

Credits: 20

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of positive human development from a cross disciplinary perspective using a range contemporary ideas, theories, research, and case studies. It will explore the relationship between a range of human qualities or strengths and their influence on human development.

The Therapeutic Process

Credits: 20

The module aims to engage you in a practical and theoretical exploration of the therapeutic process. The module explores both the application of theory in practice and considers the self-awareness and self-care strategies that are beneficial to therapists' wellbeing and therapeutic integrity. 

Client Diversity and Therapeutic Spaces

Credits: 20

Therapeutic interventions occur in a wide range of environments or ‘spaces’ and with a diverse client pool. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of therapeutic spaces and client groups through the lens of appropriateness, efficacy and ethical awareness. Practice opportunities of diversity, inclusion and equality are key to the modu...

Psychological Perspectives in Classifying Criminality

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of psychological theories and research used to understand offending behaviour. A variety of empirically grounded typologies and models of offending will be explored with respect to different crimes. Each will draw upon risk factors ranging from psycho-social to biological and neurological.

Psychopathologies of Criminal Behaviour

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to introduce a range of psychological theories and research used to understand the interaction between mental health and offending behaviour. We will examine categories of mental disorder which may be associated with offending behaviour; and explore the application of these theories.

Employability and Professional Development

Credits: 20

This module will support work-related learning activities and encourage you to reflect on development as a future graduate employee.  The module will develop your self-confidence and employability skills, through the provision of opportunities for personal and professional development.

Inclusive Practice in Sport and Physical Activity

Credits: 20

This module gives you the opportunity to develop your social awareness by introducing some of the challenges of responding to the diverse needs, capabilities, and preferences in sport and physical activity, relating especially to gender, ethnicity, age, disability, and levels of income.

Approaches to Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

Credits: 20

You will analyse the key concepts and dominant models of practice within applied sport and performance psychology as well as explore the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological approaches informing the discipline of sport psychology when working with teams, young performers, and special populations.

Introduction to Forensic Science

Credits: 20

We will study the application of science to a criminal investigation and court proceedings. This includes crime scene investigation and the collection, identification, analysis and interpretation of potential evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, digital evidence, drug analysis and footwear marks.

Contemporary Criminology

Credits: 20

This module builds on your understanding of contemporary theoretical perspectives in criminology. You will be able to apply the analytic and investigative skills developed in your first year in more depth and with greater understanding, utilising and understanding new and contemporary knowledge in criminology.

Opportunity Modules

You have the option to choose 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue www.bnu.ac.uk/oppmodules

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Conceptual and Critical Social Psychology

Credits: 20

The module will provide you with an awareness of the historical and philosophical background of social psychology and an in-depth knowledge of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to it.

Psychology Undergraduate Dissertation

Credits: 40

This module provides you with a supportive and enabling framework for undertaking an independent extended research study project in an area that interests you. It allows you to extend and deepen your knowledge and expertise within this focused area of study. You will select, design, and construct an in-depth exploration of a topic of your choice.

Optional Modules

Credits

Brain, Mind and Behaviour

Credits: 20

This module explores the multidisciplinary origins of, and innovative directions in, cognitive neuropsychology. It will examine the anatomy of the brain and the impact of acquired brain injuries on human cognitive processes. The module will facilitate the comprehensive study of human cognitive deficits and dysfunctions.

Pathways to Wellbeing and Transformative Experience

Credits: 20

Develop your understanding of wellbeing and the role transformative experiences may have in developing wellbeing from contemporary theory, scientific research, ancient wisdom traditions and personal experience.

Principles of Psychopathology

Credits: 20

This module introduces learners to a range of mental health conditions, their assessment, and aetiologies. The module will critically consider the biological, psychological, and environmental contributors to these psychopathologies. The module also examines if or how these conditions can be treated by either pharmacological or therapeutic intervent...

Education and Development

Credits: 20

This module aims to introduce you to the main concepts of educational psychology and to explore related child development topics, building on your learning. On completion, you will be familiar with the main spheres of educational psychology, key issues, and practical applications.

Evolutionary Psychology

Credits: 20

This module will begin by examining the mechanisms of evolution including both natural and sexual selection, and the seminal role Darwin played in this area. The core of the module considers our Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) and the Pleistocene period, in which we essentially became who we are today.

Health Psychology

Credits: 20

This module builds on your understanding of psychological perspectives by examining how they can be applied in practice to an important area of life: Health. The module considers health and illness from a bio-psycho-social perspective, which considers our biology, plus the psychological and social determinants of health and illness.

Police Psychology and the Legal Framework

Credits: 20

This module increases your understanding of the relationship between psychology and law by showing how psychological research and theory can inform the legal process. We focus on issues relating to the psychology of the police themselves as well as psychology inherent in courtroom proceedings.

Investigative and Forensic Psychology

Credits: 20

This module provides an understanding of the relationship between psychology and criminal investigations, punishment and rehabilitation by showing you how psychological research and theory can inform the investigative process.

Professional Practice Issues in Counselling Psychology

Credits: 20

Preparing for potential careers as Counselling Psychologists the various practice issues and challenges are discussed within the contexts of various “territories” and client groups. This includes an understanding of the regulatory nature of the counselling profession and the overarching professionalism required within any counselling-based work.

Interpersonal Violence and Victimology

Credits: 20

This module will examine leading theoretical perspectives on the causes of violent interpersonal crime and the discipline of victimology. The range of theories will span a broad array of psychosocial perspectives from evolutionary psychology through to cultural and historical explanations for violence.

Forensic Professional Practice Issues

Credits: 20

In preparing for potential careers in the forensic field, various practice issues and challenges are discussed within the context of various stages of the Criminal Justice System, this includes an understanding of the legislative and regulatory nature of the Forensic Science profession.

Radicalisation

Credits: 20

This module introduces learners to the study of radicalisation, including gaining an understanding of the evolution of the concept and related concerns about, different manifestations of radicalisation, terrorism and threats to security. The module explores and challenges learners’ knowledge of the controversial aspects of this subject.

Cybercrime

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll explore the rise of technology, its impact on criminal behaviour, attempts to use it to reduce crime, and the debate on the extent to which it can be used as a form of social control and correction. We’ll identify examples of emerging forms of human activity classified as criminal as a result of developments in technology.

Disability, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System

Credits: 20

This module will critically examine the issue of vulnerability in relation to the criminal justice system. The focus of the module will be on disability and mental health, both in the context of offenders and victims. You will develop a critical analytical approach by applying relevant concepts to contemporary practices to aid understanding. 

Sport Science in Practice

Credits: 20

This module is designed to enhance the professional and practical skills within the core/sub disciplines of sport and exercise science (e.g. physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, coaching, performance analysis, exercise prescription).

Psychology of Physical Education and Youth Sport

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to provide you with a method to examine key psychosocial, emotional and developmental factors which affect children and teenagers in physical education and youth sport settings. We provide you with practical suggestions for creating a positive motivational climate as adults in youth sport and/or physical education. 

Performance Analysis

Credits: 20

The module will provide a framework where sports coaches can apply the coaching process and develop techniques to evaluate sports performance, particularly technical and tactical analysis. This will include a review of pertinent scientific elements of training/performance. 

Coaching Leadership

Credits: 20

The module seeks to build on your coaching skills developed in year one and two with the focus on your transition from coach to leader. You will explore methods to utilise and collaborate with industry-wide support networks and internal team members to ensure the most effective coaching services are delivered to you. 

Employability and Professional Development

Credits: 20

States, Beliefs, Values: Psychology in Practice

Credits: 20

This module aims to explore the psychology underlying the development and attribution of meanings, beliefs and values and the physiological consequences of meanings, beliefs and values. The module will allow you to take an experiential learning journey reflecting on your own beliefs, values and understanding as it relates to biopsychological respon...

Psychospirituality: Historic and Contemporary Traditions

Credits: 20

This module aims to explore the psychology of traditional religious and spiritual practices alongside modern and contemporary explorations in the area. The module will allow you to examine complementary and contrasting approaches within the field.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

With such a strong academic grounding, as well as the transferrable skills you’ll develop along the way, you are well-placed to succeed wherever you go. In addition, you will have chosen modules that get you the kind of career you wanted.

There are many options to explore with your Psychology degree; it’s the first step to starting postgraduate study in a more focused area.

If you’d prefer to dive right into the world of work and explore a career in health, education, local government, or the private and public sector, you could consider careers in the Civil Service, Her Majesty's Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), local authorities and the NHS.

Graduates can choose to continue their studies at BNU and study a postgraduate programme, such as our MSc Applied Positive Psychology, MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education, or even the MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

There are numerous opportunities which your degree could help to open. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, therapy, nursing, and private and public businesses.

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