Psychology and Sociology

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.