Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology

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.

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.

Assessment methods vary depending on your exact module choices and can include essays, debates, individual or group presentations, reflection pieces, and seen examinations.

Many assessments are designed to reflect real-world scenarios, preparing students for employment or further study through policy briefs, case studies, literature reviews, and research reports.

Some assignments involve collaborating with local organisations and charities on live briefs, allowing you to develop solutions to real-world issues.

This variety of assessment methods and move away from traditional exams builds transferable, work-ready skills, integrating employability throughout the degree.

Modules are carefully designed to inspire and challenge you, encouraging you to think critically about Psychology. Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and follow-up seminars, workshops, and tutorials. In the case of research methods, much of the teaching is conducted via practical classes.

• You'll be taught by the core lecturing team but will have opportunities to learn from visiting speakers and guest lecturers who are experts in their fields. We also have dedicated Psychology Technicians who are available to support you and enhance your academic experience.
• You’ll participate actively in seminars and tutorials. These are characterised by small-group work, whilst bookable tutorials enable you to have one-to-one discussions with staff.
• Through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), you'll have access to a variety of resources, including lecture and seminar materials, datasets, and academic papers. The VLE also features forums for questions and discussions with fellow students and staff.
• Independent and self-directed study is emphasised, with the expectation of weekly preparation and follow-up study for each module.
• At the start of your studies, you'll be allocated an Academic Advisor who will support you throughout your time at BSU. This provides you an opportunity for regular meetings to discuss your personal goals and development, helping you to make the most of your studies.

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

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.

Previous students have undertaken work experience and voluntary work with organisations such as:

• Academics Ltd
• Choice Care Group
• Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
• Educational Psychology Services
• Fairfield Farm College
• Gordon’s School
• HM Prison Parc
• Hwyel Dda University Health Board
• Kalahari New Hope School Namibia
• Lifeways
• L’Oréal Ltd
• New York University
• Priory Hospital Roehampton
• SHOUT Crisis Line
• Solent NHS Trust
• The British Neuroscience Association
• Think Pacific Mental Health
• Trauma Breakthrough.

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

Psychology degrees teach both scientific and people skills, leading to varied career paths for BSU graduates. BPS accreditation allows graduates to work towards becoming professional Psychologists, whilst 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 Master's and PhD levels.

Our graduates are highly sought after by employers in both the private and public sectors, with 90% working or in further study within 15 months of completing their studies according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-2022.

You will have access to BSU’s Careers and Employability team, who offer one-to-one careers advice, including CV support, to help you achieve your career goals. The team also provides a range of support services for recent BSU graduates, guiding you through the next steps in your career post-degree.

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.

The Research Certificate Scheme aims to connect students with an interest in participating in the research process beyond their research methods/dissertation studies with researchers in the School of Sciences to offer students ‘research experience’ and give them a ‘flavour’ of the different activities that researchers perform.

The scheme runs each semester and generally involves between one and four hours of work per week, collaborating with academic staff on projects across a range of topic areas.

Past projects have included:

• Using EEG (electroencephalography) to investigate motor imagery
• Developing campaigns to reduce sexual violence
• Reconstructing climate in Interior Alaska: 15,000 years to present
• Blue prescribing: exploring the effects of water sports on mental health and well-being
• Learning communities: Educational solidarity during international fieldwork

There are multiple benefits to taking part in the scheme. It provides students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of research – from design and gaining ethical approval, to qualitative interviewing and conducting field/lab research.

Students work with expert scientists at the University to gain valuable employability and ‘real-life’ experience, facilitating the transition to work and further study. Students who complete the scheme also receive a letter and certificate of completion.

“I found the scheme enjoyable as the topic I chose had data about heart rate and skin conductance. It was interesting learning how to sort through research data and the effort that's needed. I also had fun helping the researcher try out the new EEG equipment for another study.

Learning how research is actually done (rather than just reading journals about studies) was definitely a benefit of research experience, as it shows another path of psychology that students can go down in the future.

Plus gaining skills with new software along with analysing data is a brilliant new skill to acquire and potentially helpful for thinking about dissertations.”

– Evan Robshaw, BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology student

To find out more about wider research within the School of Sciences, please visit the Centre for Research on Science and Society webpage. 

Run by students, the Psychological Society offers a variety of academic and social activities throughout the year to enhance your journey in Psychology at BSU.

Previous opportunities have included talks and workshops from lecturing staff, drop-in study support sessions, and quiz and film nights.

For more information, visit the Psychological Society’s webpage or check out their Instagram page (@BSU_Psych_Soc) to see what they've been up to.

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.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) 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.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

Psychology is taught at our Newton Park campus.

You'll have access to a wide range of excellent facilities including:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Virtual Learning Environment
• Academic Skills (ASk)
• Specialist resources and subject librarian
• English Language Unit (if English isn’t your first language)

Teaching resources include access to psychology-specific journal articles through PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES, as well as EBSCO (online access to over 400 Psychology-related journals).

Various specialist software, such as SPSS (statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data) and NVivo for qualitative data analysis can be freely accessed by students, whilst Qualitrics and PsychoPy are available for use during dissertation research. We also have a large battery of psychometric and neuropsychological tests for use.

You will have access to our newly refurbished Psychology laboratory spaces, equipped with specialist equipment for dissertations, staff research, and relevant modules.

These facilities include an eye-tracking lab with a Tobii eye-tracker, a Neuropsychology lab with EEG and tDCS equipment, an interview and observational room with a one-way mirror, and an experimental lab with individual testing cubicles for simultaneous computer-based experiments.

Our dedicated Psychology Technicians are available to support you in using the equipment and lab spaces, and students can also hire various equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service.

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.

You can also take advantage of the learning support provided across the wider University, such as:

• The Academic Skills service to develop your writing skills or learn how to use new techniques and technologies.
• 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.
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• Our Student Wellbeing Services are also available to support you through your learning.