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Psychology and Sociology

BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Award
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology
School/s
School of Sciences
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: CL83 or S164
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Understand the mind and human behaviour from a range of perspectives and methodologies on our applied Psychology degree.

  • Tailor your studies to your future aspirations with optional modules and interdisciplinary learning.
  • Learn from passionate experts in biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology.
  • Prepare yourself for a diverse range of careers and industries – Psychology is highly valued by employers.

Psychology is one of the most popular degrees in higher education. Whether the focus is neural mechanisms or complex human relationships, Psychology is an interconnected "hub Science" that allows students to contribute to the questions and challenges that face society.

Providing you with a variety of skills including communication, computing, numeracy, teamwork, independent learning and critical thinking, a degree in Psychology is highly valued by employers. Our course equips graduates for a range of careers and fields including education, health, civil service, private industry and commerce, as well as postgraduate study.

Our range of study options (single honours and combined) enables you to better tailor your studies to your future aspirations. You’ll be able to select optional modules and engage in interdisciplinary learning.

“The best thing about Bath Spa is that everyone really cares about you as an individual. The lecturers and tutors always go the extra mile to make sure that you get the most out of your degree, and the amount of contact time we had with them was brilliant.”

Madeleine Carter, Psychology graduate

Accreditation

Both our single and combined honours Psychology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) providing Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS to gain Chartered Psychologist status, provided you achieve a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation.

The logo for a British Psychological Society accredited Psychology course

 

What you'll learn

Overview

You'll explore the five main psychological perspectives: biological, cognitive, developmental, individual differences and social. You'll learn about research methods, and you'll engage with the historical and conceptual underpinnings of psychology throughout the course. You’ll also learn to leverage science to the benefit of your fellow students, industry and for social good.

You'll cover the content and skills that define a Psychology graduate, and you'll have the opportunity to look at conceptual and career possibilities that you may not have previously considered.

Course structure

Year one
Begin by exploring the main areas of psychological science, the ways in which you can use psychology in your life, and controversial issues around race and gender. In addition, you’ll be introduced to the research and data analysis skills that you'll need to become a scientist in your own right.

Year two
Take on further depth and challenges as you advance your understanding of research design and analysis. You'll take a closer look at biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology. Choose from optional modules based around the specialities of course staff.

Students on the single honours course (BSc (Hons) Psychology) also have the option to choose a work placement module, while all students, including those on our combined Psychology courses, can choose to take a professional placement year.

Year three
You'll embark upon your dissertation, working one-to-one with a member of staff on an original psychology research project. You'll also learn about creative enterprise with psychological science, completing a consultancy project of your own. In addition, you'll continue to enjoy the same opportunities to study specialist topics as in year two.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment varies and includes essays, debates, research reports, group presentations and examinations, as well as more authentic assessments (for example, policy briefs).

How will I be taught?

Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and follow-up seminars and tutorials. In the case of research methods, much of the teaching is conducted via practical classes.

You’ll participate actively in seminars and tutorials; these are characterised by small-group work. Bookable tutorials enable you to have one-to-one discussions with staff.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

 

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • Introduction to Psychology (BPS)
  • Research Methods in Psychology 1 (BPS)
  • Individual differences - personality and intelligence (BPS)
  • Psychological Science for Student Success
  • Debates in Psychological and Critical Thinking
  • Worlds of Ideas
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • Research Methods in Psychology 2 (BPS)
  • Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (BPS)
  • Biological and Social Psychology (BPS)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Counselling Psychology
  • Business Psychology
  • Psychology and Social Justice
  • Criminal and Forensic Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Work Placement
  • Health: Mind, Body, Society
  • Science and Journalism Publishing
  • Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Dissertation 1 - Design and pre-registration (BPS)
  • Dissertation 2 - Research report (BPS)
  • Contemporary Application of Psychological Science (BPS)
  • Careers in Psychology
  • Special Topics in Psychology
  • Advanced Topics in Psychology
  • Communicating Psychological Science
  • Plants and People
  • Ethnicity and Society
  • Young People, Identities and Subcultures
  • Victims and Victimisation
  • Epidemiology and Public Health
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Learning in Science
  • Publishing Industry Project
  • Gender in Society

"I enjoyed the variety of subjects, specifically in the second and third year of the Psychology degree. The lecturers were fantastic and very friendly. They always had time for any questions or concerns."

Christelle Van Antwerpen, Psychology graduate

Opportunities

Work placements, industry links and internships

Our students have access to corporate-sponsored internship and placement opportunities. These offer experience in areas such as marketing, multimedia and product design, filming and editing, business management, HR, customer services, research and analysis, project management and events.

Students who take advantage of the Global Citizenship programme can use their scholarship to support an international placement.

Careers

Psychology degrees teach both scientific and people skills, and career paths for Bath Spa graduates are varied. While some students have worked towards becoming a professional psychologist, other graduates chose to train in counselling and education, or have gone into management, sales and advertising, probation work and human resources. Some of our graduates have also gone on to postgraduate education at the Master's and PhD levels.

Psychology prizes

At the end of the academic year, we award prizes to recognise achievements in academic success and reward effort and excellence. Prizes specific to Psychology are:

  • The British Psychological Society Graduate Award
  • Oxford University Press Prize for best dissertation.
Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

Psychology is taught at our Newton Park campus. You'll have access to a wide range of excellent facilities including:

Resources

Teaching resources include EBSCO (online access to over 400 Psychology-related journals), statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data and NVivo for qualitative data analysis. We also have a biopsychology lab where we make use of "biopac" equipment (computerised biological measures such as EEG) for practicals and project work as well as other shared and dedicated laboratory spaces for research.

"I believe the broad theoretical and practical courses at Bath Spa University strongly helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of Psychology, which is now allowing me to go further into my studies."

Michele Garibbo, Psychology graduate

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £15,750

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,150

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You'll be fascinated by human behaviour and the workings of the mind, and curious enough to ask questions that will help drive our science forward. You'll have explored some areas in psychology and be excited to understand the other facets that make up the discipline. You'll be passionate about science and the application of our field to industry and for social good to make people's lives better.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level - grades BBB-BCC preferred. If studying Psychology, then a Grade B or higher is required. If Psychology is not an option at your school or college, then another A Level subject will be accepted, but a keen interest in psychology will need to be described in your personal statement.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher). Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Course leader: Dr Jennifer Kinloch
Email: j.kinloch@bathspa.ac.uk

Three year course
With placement year

Fascinated by social issues? Want to help make the world a better place? Our Sociology degree could be for you.

  • In our fast-changing world, Sociology is exciting, relevant and provides essential skills.
  • Learn to tackle problems creatively and make better decisions, applying your knowledge to specific issues.
  • Choose to specialise in specific areas of the subject, such as education and crime.

Do you want to know more about the world we live in? Do you care, and want to make a difference? If so, you’re well-suited to a Sociology degree at Bath Spa.

Sociology is the study of societies, cultures, and groups. We live in complex societies, with laws and informal rules that govern how we interact. Sociology helps you understand more about yourself, others and how society is organised.

What you'll learn

Overview

You’re taught about society, social groups and social organisation. You’ll learn about social problems and social policies.

Learn how to make sense of social change and conflict, and gain a good understanding of social differences, inequalities and social divisions.

Apply your knowledge and skills to specific problems and issues to help you become a good decision-maker.

Course structure

Year one
You’ll be introduced to sociology, and the techniques and philosophies of the social sciences. You'll focus on identities – beginning with thinking about your own identity, and building your knowledge and understanding so that you're more familiar with social divisions, structures, and the influence of culture. You’ll also learn how to visualise the most important components of society.

Year two
The second year builds on the first and teaches you about the history of and key ideas within sociology. You can also specialise in more specific areas of the subject, such as education and crime. You’ll undertake practical training in research skills. This will enable you to complete your final year project, and prepare you for the kind of employment that you’ll typically undertake as a sociology graduate.

Year three
You’ll concentrate on an aspect of sociology that most interests you in your final dissertation, undertaken with the support of a member of staff as a supervisor. You can also focus on more detailed subjects, such as globalisation, environment, ethnicity and gender.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments vary and may include essays, reports, book and article reviews, seen and unseen examinations, portfolios, projects, learning journals, individual and group work, videos and screencasts, and research projects.

How will I be taught?

You’ll be taught in lectures, seminars, individual and group tutorials, and through our extensive online learning support environment.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • Questioning Society
  • Introduction to Social Science Research
  • Power/Resistance
  • Crime: Representation and Reality
  • Sociology of Deviance and Social Control
  • Cities and Environment
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • Sociological Debates
  • Social Science Research Methods
  • Migration: Identity, Belonging, Citizenship and Security
  • The Life Course: Ageing and Generation
  • Crime, Law and Society
  • Sociology of Education
  • Climate and Society
  • Health: Mind, Body, Society
  • Social Problems, Social Divisions, Social Justice
  • Work Placement
  • Exploring Violence
  • Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Dissertation in Sociology
  • Punishment and Penology in Global Context
  • Gender in Society: Critical Perspectives
  • Culture, Risk and Environmental Justice
  • Community Engagement
  • Sociological Fieldwork: Society, Culture and Enviroment
  • Ethnicity and Society
  • Media, Sociality and Everyday Life
  • Critical Approaches to World Politics

“Sociology helps me piece things together and see the world how it really is. The campus at Bath Spa is beautiful! It’s a really peaceful place to think and the lecturers are passionate about what they teach.”

Kirsty Taylor, Sociology student

Opportunities

Fieldwork

We run optional visits to places such as criminal justice institutions and religious places of worship. You can take a dedicated fieldwork module.

Work placements, industry links and internships

We provide support in obtaining placements and making links with professionals, and we invite our Sociology graduates back to meet with you. Optional modules have links with professionals and visiting speakers built into the teaching and learning. This means you’ll learn about the real-world application of what you're learning and be able to make more informed decisions about your future career.

Careers

A Sociology degree is useful for any career that involves working with people, either in the private, public or third sectors, typically:

  • Management or administration in the public or private sector
  • Human resource management
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Media or journalism
  • Social work
  • Youth and community work
  • Health education or nursing
  • Law
  • Policing
  • Offender management and interventions
  • Work in the voluntary sector and fundraising
  • Social research and analytics.

Employers such as the National Osteoporosis Society, the Ministry of Defence, Wiltshire Council and Truro College have recruited graduates from this course. Students have also gone into roles including Assistant Education Officer, Student Services Assistant and Relocation Advisor.

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Resources

All modules can be found on our Virtual Learning Environment, Ultra, providing unlimited online access to learning materials such as handbooks, lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.

Our library gives you access to books, academic journals and DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. It also provides a place for individual study and collaborative work.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £15,750

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,150

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We're looking for applicants who are concerned about social issues and social problems – maybe you’ve been part of a project group and taken a lead or tried to make a difference. You'll have a sense of social justice and fairness, and you'll be able to see things from different points of view.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level - grades BBB-BCC preferred.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Get ahead

We recommend the following publications:

Course leader: Dr Scott Kerpen
Email: s.kerpen@bathspa.ac.uk

Three year course
With placement year

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk