Psychology

Award

BSc (Hons)

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College

Stoke-on-Trent campus

UCAS code

C803

Start dates available

  • September 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2027

Start dates available

  • September 2027
University of Staffordshire Courses

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Psychology is part of our everyday lives, from how we react to different environments through to the impact of social media on our wellbeing. Our single honours Psychology degree will give you a deeper understanding of the mind and why we behave the way we do. The focus will be on applying your knowledge in the real world.

Course overview

On our core Psychology degree, you'll be delving into key questions. How do we help someone who has mental health struggles? Why does nature often make us happier? What is the psychology behind social movements?

The course will cover a broad sweep of psychological disciplines, including clinical, developmental, health, cognitive and forensic psychology. It means you can discover your niche and then go on to specialise in this area. Ideal for shaping the in-depth research project you will complete in your final year.

Optional modules include doing a research assistantship, working on live research alongside one of our academic experts. You can also choose to undertake a placement year, where you will gain invaluable experience for future employment.

As a psychologist in training, you’ll receive lots of support and will become confident in analysing data and producing scientific reports.

The modules include contemporary issues, covering topics as diverse as conspiracy theories, cyber-bullying, and the psychology of leadership.

You’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities too, including cognitive research cubicles, psychophysiology equipment, simulation machines and observation suites.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Work placements

As well as shorter placements, students have the option of undertaking a placement (sandwich) year. This typically involves working for three days a week for a nine-month period.

The placement year is becoming an increasingly popular choice, with feedback showing students are overwhelmingly positive about the experience.

Choose your dream placement with support from our staff. Examples have included working with the YMCA, as a mental health support worker or study support worker in a school, or working with the charity Mind.

Throughout your placement, you’ll have a workplace supervisor and regular contact with the University. The fee for a placement year will vary - please get in touch if you would like more information about this.

Students on our psychology courses are also encouraged to find voluntary work. It could include supporting people experiencing homelessness, helping with charities, or volunteering with organisations that work with vulnerable children.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology

Duration

University of Staffordshire undergraduate courses are usually 3 years for full-time study.

Courses which offer other study options have longer durations:

  • Full-time with a placement year, 4 years
  • Full-time with a foundation year, 4 years
  • Part-time, 4-9 years

Course content

The course emphasises the application of psychological knowledge to everyday life and experience. We will teach you about the relevance of a broad range of psychology to a wide range of contemporary issues, and you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates and practicals.

As well as subject skills and knowledge, you will develop highly transferrable skills that are valued by employers in communication, problem solving, interpersonal skills, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing and independent learning.

A crucial part of becoming a psychologist is learning to understand, conduct, and analyse scientific research. As with all high-quality undergraduate psychology degrees, this means our courses feature modules that focus on teaching these skills. Practical experience with industry-standard SPSS statistics software teaches students to answer a wide variety of research questions by interrogating complex datasets. We take great care in closely guiding students through this learning process (via small group teaching, group work with peers, support clinics and step-by-step guides) supporting our students in preparation for the increasingly data-driven world.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The British Psychological Society

We continuously update our course modules to ensure our curriculum reflects the latest industry trends and insights. Our module content is refined in collaboration with professional and regulatory bodies and partners.

As such, this course is currently undergoing re-accreditation with The British Psychological Society (BPS), with confirmation expected before September 2027.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Professional body accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Psychology Placement Year 120 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Year 4 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology In The Contemporary World 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology In The Contemporary World 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 0 compulsory modules
Year 0 compulsory modules
Conducting Psychological Research 30 credits
Humans - Nature And Nurture 30 credits
The Science Of Human Behaviour 30 credits
Typical And Atypical Behaviour 30 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Foundations In Psychology 30 credits
Growing And Changing 30 credits
Steps To Success 1 N/A
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology 30 credits
Becoming A Researcher 1 30 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Year 4 compulsory modules
Becoming A Researcher 2 30 credits
Psychology Option Choice 1 30 credits
Year 5 compulsory modules
Year 5 compulsory modules
Applying Psychology In The Contemporary World 30 credits
Society And The Mind 30 credits
Year 6 compulsory modules
Year 6 compulsory modules
Psychology Option Choice 2 30 credits
Psychology Project 30 credits
Steps To Success 3 N/A

Entry requirements

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

Other UK qualifications

  • Access to HE Diploma – Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – grade MMM

A foundation year is available for applicants who do not have the appropriate entry qualifications for direct entry to the degree level course. The foundation year for this course has a long track record of success in providing a smooth transition to our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree or any one of our other psychology-based courses.

We welcome applications from students studying a range of international and UK qualifications, including Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers and the Irish Leaving Certificate. Offers will normally be made in line with our standard entry requirements and may include specific grade requirements in relevant subjects.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

What do I need?

UCAS

48 UCAS points

A Levels

A, DD, EEE

BTEC

PPP

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

What do I need?

UCAS

96 UCAS points

A Levels

CCC

BTEC

MMM

Work out your estimated grades using the UCAS calculator

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Careers

A Psychology degree can open up a wide range of career opportunities, giving you the flexibility to explore different areas of psychology, mental health and wellbeing, education, research, business and the wider community.

Depending on your interests and career goals, you could go on to work in roles such as:

  • psychology support worker
  • wellbeing or mental health support worker
  • research assistant
  • HR or recruitment professional
  • education or pastoral support
  • rehabilitation worker
  • social care professional
  • roles within charities and community organisations

If you want to become a professional psychologist, further study and professional training will be required. Your degree can provide a foundation for progressing towards careers in areas such as clinical, counselling, educational or health psychology.

You don't have to look far for your next step. We offer a range of postgraduate psychology courses at University of Staffordshire, giving you the opportunity to continue developing your knowledge and specialise in areas of psychology that interest you.

Explore our postgraduate Psychology courses

Alongside your knowledge of psychology, you'll develop valuable transferable skills in areas such as research, critical thinking, communication, problem solving and data analysis. These skills can be applied across a wide range of careers, including those outside psychology.

You can find out further information about our graduates on our Graduate Stories page. 

Teaching and assessment

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Teaching

Students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach students through a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Fees

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £10,050 per year of study £17,285 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £10,050 per year of study £17,285 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time £5,950 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £5,025 per year of study

For students starting their studies from 2019/20 onwards, a discounted fee of no more than 20% of the normal tuition fee will be payable to University of Staffordshire for your placement year.

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply now to Psychology

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College BSc (Hons) Full-time, with a foundation year at City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Psychology

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Part-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus 20 September 2027 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Information from discover uni

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021