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Psychology BSc (Hons)

4 years with work placement, starting in September 2025

This course is closed to applications from Home students for September 2025 entry. We are still accepting applications from Overseas students.

Study across the discipline of psychology with a focus on biological, cognitive, developmental and social aspects, with options including clinical and health.

On this degree, which is recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you’ll learn about and gain insights into many aspects of psychology.

You’ll develop a solid understanding across the subject by studying a broad range of advanced topics. You will also learn about how psychology engages with other disciplines, such as management, neuroscience, political science and psychiatry.

Year 1 focuses on building your knowledge of the basic concepts, methods and theories of psychology. You’ll study biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology, and their applications. You will learn how to be creative and rigorous in research design and analysis.

Year 2 is your chance to advance your knowledge in the core areas of psychology, such as cognitive neuroscience, social psychology and developmental psychology. You'll extend your research methods, skills and project work. You will also select optional units in both semesters.

In your final year, you’ll complete your dissertation and learn about psychology solutions to real-world challenges. You’ll choose from a wide range of optional units related to current research topics and the expertise of academic staff. These often cover areas that aren’t always found in other psychology degrees.

Informed teaching to advance your learning

You’ll learn from teaching staff with expertise in different areas of psychology, such as:

  • clinical
  • cognitive
  • developmental
  • environmental
  • health
  • neuroscience
  • social

Their passion, knowledge and research inform our teaching to provide you with exposure to a contemporary research environment.

Use specialist facilities

The Department of Psychology is based in its own dedicated building, containing some of our leading research centres.

You can use this space for group meetings, personal tutor sessions and computer work. The building contains advanced psychology research facilities, including:

Develop your professional skills

We work to prepare you for employment and further study.

This includes support from your personal tutor, CV writing workshops, interview preparation, a research apprenticeship scheme, and professional skills training.

These opportunities will help to make you more suitable for employers and postgraduate programmes, as well as placement, apprenticeship, and internship providers.

Prepare for your future

A psychology degree can prepare you for behaviour science, clinical, health, educational, market research, and occupational roles. Psychology degrees are often also valued in communications, management, police work, and social research.

Examples of where our recent psychology graduates have gone on to work include:

  • AlphaSights
  • Beyond Autism
  • Citizen’s Advice
  • KPMG
  • the NHS

Many professional psychology roles require further specialist training.

Find out what our graduates go on to do

2025/2026 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2029. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Applying psychology

    5 credits

  • Controversies in psychology

    20 credits

  • Mind, brain and behaviour

    10 credits

  • Psychology of wellbeing

    5 credits

  • Psychology research methods and design 1

    20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Cognitive neuroscience

    10 credits

  • Developmental psychology

    5 credits

  • Psychology research methods and design 2

    25 credits

  • Social psychology and individual differences

    10 credits

Options

  • Year 2 Options

    10 credits

Year 3

Compulsory units

  • Work Placement

    60 credits

Year 4

Compulsory units

  • Applied psychology dissertation

    20 credits

  • Psychology solutions to real-world challenges

    10 credits

Options

  • Final Year Options

    30 credits

Placement


You will do a work placement in Year 3. This is an opportunity to use what you’ve learnt in a practical context and enhance your CV. This is an opportunity to use what you’ve learnt in a practical context and enhance your CV.

You’ll work with professional psychologists and related professionals, to develop invaluable skills and knowledge. You’ll find out about the organisation you join and how it works, and learn more about potential future careers.

Typically, you’ll gain skills like, planning, problem-solving, decision making and project management.

Many employers value placements, which may help you to progress with your career after graduation.

Previous students have been on placements at organisations including:

  • Centre for Research in Autism and Education
  • CybSafe
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital
  • Inspectorate of Prisons
  • National Crime Agency

Our students have also done placements at universities in different countries, including New Zealand and the United States.

It’s your responsibility to arrange placements, but you’ll be supported by our specialist team.

Find out more about our professional placements

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Lectures
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Essay
  • Examinations
  • Presentations
  • Report

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Contact hours

Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, practical sessions, seminars, tutorials and workshops, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 8 and 10 hours a week in your first year.

Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.

The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.

Independent learning

In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 25 to 32 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example, you may do a final year project in the final year.

Assessment breakdown

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge.

25% to 50% of your course will be assessed through examinations.

50% to 75% will be assessed through essays, reports, and presentations.

The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree.

In your final year, you will be expected to complete a dissertation.

You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service's pages for information.

Professional accreditations

By studying a course with a professional accreditation, you could have the chance to get workplace experience, learn about new developments in the industry and apply for membership with the accrediting body. You may also be able to apply for jobs in the industry without having to do any more exams.


Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘I came to Bath and I absolutely loved the atmosphere. I thought it was a fantastic place to be.’
Joshua Tenn MSci Psychology (Graduating year, 2019)

Entry requirements


We consider a range of factors when assessing your application for this course, including your previous academic performance (such as GCSEs), your personal statement, your predicted grades and the combination of subjects you study at A level (or equivalent).

Your personal statement should discuss your motivation for choosing this degree and any relevant non-academic interests and achievements. Your application is more likely to be successful if you show an active interest in Psychology and engagement with its theories, principles and concepts. This can be demonstrated through further academic reading beyond your current syllabus, relevant work experience or involvement in psychology related projects or groups.

Your entry qualifications should include a range of relevant subjects that show the breadth of your skills. We are looking for study that shows ability in both numeracy and essay-based subjects. Examples of numerical subjects could include Mathematics, Statistics, any science, Economics or Psychology. Examples of essay-based subjects could include Economics, English Literature, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology or Religious Studies. If you study qualifications that focus on a small number of subjects (such as A levels), you will ideally study three subjects from across these two groups.

We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

A level Typical offer

A*AA

A*AA in three A levels.

Read more about our approach to A levels and AS levels.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Contextual offer

AAB

AAB in three A levels.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Alternative offer

AAA or A*AB

We know that you may have study beyond three A levels that will help prepare you for your degree. If you are not eligible for a contextual offer, we recognise these studies through our alternative offers.

AAA or A*AB in three A levels plus one of:

  • grade A in an EPQ or IEPQ
  • grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
  • grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
  • grade B in a fourth A level, where your four A levels include A level Mathematics or Statistics
  • an appropriate grade in any other project qualification we recognise

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not accepted in place of an A level for these offers. If you are studying three A levels and this qualification you are eligible for an alternative offer:

AAAB or A*ABB in three A levels and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

If you receive an offer, you will receive each alternative offer you qualify for alongside the typical offer. You only need to meet one of these sets of conditions to meet your offer overall.

Read more about how our alternative offers work.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

7, 6, 6 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 7, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects.

Read more about how we consider the IB Diploma.

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual IB certificates and vocational qualifications you study within the programme. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates and common vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate Certificates

If you are studying IB subjects as part of the IB Diploma, you will usually need to complete the full diploma programme to be considered.

If you do not follow the IB Diploma programme, we can consider stand-alone IB Higher Level Certificates either on their own or combined with other qualifications. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates.

International Baccalaureate Contextual offer

6, 6, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 6, 6, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

D*DD

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (RQF)

D*DD in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) in a relevant subject area.

We are able to consider the above BTEC qualifications in a relevant subject area. Where possible, we are looking for your BTEC qualification to include units in both Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.

If your BTEC qualification is humanities-focused, we would typically only be able to consider your application if you have strong existing GCSE performance in core science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), or equivalent qualifications. If your BTEC qualification is science-focused, we would typically only be able to consider your application if you have strong existing GCSE performance in core essay-based and humanities subjects, or equivalent qualifications.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

T level Typical offer

T levels are not considered suitable preparation for this degree programme and are therefore not accepted for entry. If you require advice on how you may academically prepare to study this degree or present with a mix of qualifications, you should contact our Admissions Progression Team at admissions-progression@bath.ac.uk.

Scottish Highers Typical offer

AA in Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers.

We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved AAAAA in their Highers.

Read more about how we consider Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

39 credits at Distinction

A pass in the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 39 credits achieved at Distinction.

We are able to consider the Access to HE Diploma for entry. We are looking for you to demonstrate a high academic standard, and provide evidence of a strong interest in Psychology demonstrated by extra-curricular activity, research or work experience. We are also looking for your Access to HE Diploma qualification to include units in relevant subject areas, such as Social Sciences and Natural Sciences.

You must have achieved 7 or A in GCSE Mathematics or have completed at least 6 graded units of Level 3 Maths awarded at Merit or higher, plus 6 or B in GCSE English. However, we may be able to consider your application if you have not quite met these GCSE requirements - please get in contact to discuss this with us before applying.

If your Access to HE Diploma qualification is in Humanities or Social Science, we are typically only able to consider your application if you have strong existing GCSE performance in core science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), or equivalent qualifications.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Combination of qualifications Typical offer

We accept a range of other qualifications offered in UK, as well as combinations of typically studied qualifications (such as A levels and BTECs). You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider UK qualifications.

You can contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for more advice.

GCSE requirements

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 7 or A
  • GCSE English Language or Literature grade 6 or B (or equivalent from English language category A)

GCSE grades are an important part of selection for this course and most students made an offer will have five or more GCSEs at grade 8, 9 or A*. Your GCSE grades will be carefully considered as part of our contextual admissions process and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to consider you with GCSE grades of mostly 6 or B.

In exceptional circumstances we may be able to consider you with a 6 or B in GCSE Mathematics, providing you have strong GCSE grades in sciences and study Economics, Computing or a science at A level (or equivalent).

Read more about how we consider GCSEs.

English language requirements

Category A

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
  • TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
  • Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 130, Conversation 130, Production 130
  • LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Psychology BSc (Hons) with work placement


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

You may be required to pay for a DBS check depending on the nature of the placement(s) you undertake. This will be payable before the start of your third year at an approximate cost of £55.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa.

Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.

Application information


  • Course title
    Psychology
  • Final award
    BSc (Hons)
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    F111
  • Institution code
    B16
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Overseas application deadline
    30 June 2025
  • Application eligibility
    Only Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator

Selection process

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. If you are studying certain qualifications, such as an Access to HE Diploma or a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma, you will be invited to attend an interview as part of our selection process.

Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.

Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Course enquiries


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