Psychology and Social Science courses

Delve into the workings of the human mind, push boundaries and learn to tackle problems creatively. We offer a vast range of social science and psychology degrees, including combined courses which allow you to get the best of both worlds.

Joint #4 in the UK

for Value Added in Criminology (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Joint #8 in the UK

for Value Added in Sociology (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Single honours courses

Three businesspeople gathered around a laptop, pointing at notes.

Discover the science of human behaviour and its applications in the working world, while gaining the skills to investigate and generate new knowledge.

Related careers:

  • Management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing and PR
  • Advertising
  • Entrepreneurship
Course details

Criminology

BSc (Hons)

Police car behind police tape

Investigate, scrutinise and understand the causes and consequences of crime with our Criminology degree.

Related careers:

  • Policing
  • Security
  • Crime prevention
  • Social work
Course details
Model of a head with sections of the brain labelled

Immerse yourself in the science of learning and explore educational policy and practice in order to create change.

Related careers:

  • Teaching
  • Educational research
  • School psychology
  • College counselling
  • Public sector
Course details
A blue gloved hand holds on to yellow crime scene investigation tape

Learn about cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology, along with criminological and forensic psychology, with this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course.

Related careers:

  • Policing
  • Counselling
  • Research
  • Data analysis
  • Management
Course details

Psychology

BSc (Hons)

Understand the mind and human behaviour from a range of perspectives and methodologies with this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree.

Related careers:

  • Research
  • Counselling
  • Education
  • Management
  • Sales and advertising
Course details

Sociology

BSc (Hons)

Crowds of unidentifiable people fill the street

Learn to tackle problems creatively and make better decisions, applying your knowledge to specific social issues.

Related careers:

  • Management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing and PR
  • Social work
  • Health education
Course details
Three businesspeople gathered around a laptop, pointing at notes.

Discover the science of human behaviour and its applications in the working world, while gaining the skills to investigate and generate new knowledge.

Related careers:

  • Management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing and PR
  • Advertising
  • Entrepreneurship
Course details

Criminology

BSc (Hons)

Police car behind police tape

Investigate, scrutinise and understand the causes and consequences of crime with our Criminology degree.

Related careers:

  • Policing
  • Security
  • Crime prevention
  • Social work
Course details
Model of a head with sections of the brain labelled

Immerse yourself in the science of learning and explore educational policy and practice in order to create change.

Related careers:

  • Teaching
  • Educational research
  • School psychology
  • College counselling
  • Public sector
Course details
A blue gloved hand holds on to yellow crime scene investigation tape

Learn about cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology, along with criminological and forensic psychology, with this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course.

Related careers:

  • Policing
  • Counselling
  • Research
  • Data analysis
  • Management
Course details

Psychology

BSc (Hons)

Understand the mind and human behaviour from a range of perspectives and methodologies with this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree.

Related careers:

  • Research
  • Counselling
  • Education
  • Management
  • Sales and advertising
Course details

Sociology

BSc (Hons)

Crowds of unidentifiable people fill the street

Learn to tackle problems creatively and make better decisions, applying your knowledge to specific social issues.

Related careers:

  • Management
  • Human resources
  • Marketing and PR
  • Social work
  • Health education
Course details

Combined courses

A woman with short cropped hair writes on a whiteboard

Investigate contemporary issues and learn how global forces shape society and relate to the causes and consequences of crime.

Course details
Yellow police tape surrounds a crime scene

Explore the causes, motivations and patterns of criminal conduct, while gaining a deep understanding of the justice system and the law.

Course details
Westminster in the evening.

Study crime from a variety of approaches alongside specialist subject knowledge from our innovative Politics course. 

Course details
Hands around steel cage jail bars.

Study the links between the mind and criminal behaviour with our combined degree, accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Course details

Examine crime, justice and punishment at local, national and transnational levels of society, and learn to tackle problems creatively and make better decisions.

Course details

Drama and Psychology

BA / BSc (Hons)

Explore the human mind and discover your creative identity as you research, analyse, produce, perform, direct and write.

Course details
An influencer positions her wheelchair in front of her camera, laptop and studio lighting

Reimagine how you use media to communicate to audiences ethically and progressively, and help to make the world a better place.

Course details

Understand and apply different cultural perspectives as you combine professional skills and opportunities with subject knowledge.

Course details
Aerial view of large city centre protest

Understand the mind and human behaviour from a range of perspectives and methodologies.

Course details
Man shouts into microphone at Black Lives Matter protest

Combine the study of societies, cultures, and groups with the practical and professional skills valued by employers.

Course details
A woman with short cropped hair writes on a whiteboard

Investigate contemporary issues and learn how global forces shape society and relate to the causes and consequences of crime.

Course details
Yellow police tape surrounds a crime scene

Explore the causes, motivations and patterns of criminal conduct, while gaining a deep understanding of the justice system and the law.

Course details
Westminster in the evening.

Study crime from a variety of approaches alongside specialist subject knowledge from our innovative Politics course. 

Course details
Hands around steel cage jail bars.

Study the links between the mind and criminal behaviour with our combined degree, accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Course details

Examine crime, justice and punishment at local, national and transnational levels of society, and learn to tackle problems creatively and make better decisions.

Course details

Drama and Psychology

BA / BSc (Hons)

Explore the human mind and discover your creative identity as you research, analyse, produce, perform, direct and write.

Course details
An influencer positions her wheelchair in front of her camera, laptop and studio lighting

Reimagine how you use media to communicate to audiences ethically and progressively, and help to make the world a better place.

Course details

Understand and apply different cultural perspectives as you combine professional skills and opportunities with subject knowledge.

Course details
Aerial view of large city centre protest

Understand the mind and human behaviour from a range of perspectives and methodologies.

Course details
Man shouts into microphone at Black Lives Matter protest

Combine the study of societies, cultures, and groups with the practical and professional skills valued by employers.

Course details

What do our graduates have to say?

“The lecturers and tutors always go the extra mile”

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.

Madeline Carter, BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate

“Bath Spa is quite small and it really felt like a little community”

My lecturers seemed to really care about my wellbeing. They were always happy to do anything for us students. It was really nice, because some of my friends went to quite big universities where they felt like they were just a number.

Chloe Ghent, BSc (Hons) Criminology graduate

Why choose Bath Spa University?

Main House building at Newton Park

At Newton Park you'll be surrounded by historic listed buildings, ultra-modern teaching facilities and an abundance of woodland and parkland.

A woman stands between two high rows of library shelves browsing the books on the shelf in front of her

Access over 400 psychology-related journals, statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data and NVivo for qualitative data analysis. We also have a biopsychology lab and dedicated lab spaces for research.

Students talking in a shared student kitchen

Whether you prefer accommodation in Bath's vibrant city centre or the tranquility of Newton Park halls, your new home awaits. 

Smiling student standing at a shop counter

From grants and short-term loans to low-cost hot meals, free period products and on-campus food larders, we’ve got a range of services and support to help you manage your money.

A happy student graduating from university

Need someone to critique your CV? Looking for a part-time job while you study? Want a mentor? Our Careers team have you covered.

Four students walking on campus with mature trees in background

Whatever you need, our Student Wellbeing Services team is here to signpost you in the right direction. Access a range of 24/7 services, as well as long-term support.

A Student Ambassador helps a visitor at an Open Day

Not sure if BSU is right for you? Visiting us at an Open Day is the best way to find out!

  • Meet our students and staff 
  • Tour our facilities and accommodation 
  • Learn more about your chosen course
Book now
Main House building at Newton Park

At Newton Park you'll be surrounded by historic listed buildings, ultra-modern teaching facilities and an abundance of woodland and parkland.

A woman stands between two high rows of library shelves browsing the books on the shelf in front of her

Access over 400 psychology-related journals, statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data and NVivo for qualitative data analysis. We also have a biopsychology lab and dedicated lab spaces for research.

Students talking in a shared student kitchen

Whether you prefer accommodation in Bath's vibrant city centre or the tranquility of Newton Park halls, your new home awaits. 

Smiling student standing at a shop counter

From grants and short-term loans to low-cost hot meals, free period products and on-campus food larders, we’ve got a range of services and support to help you manage your money.

A happy student graduating from university

Need someone to critique your CV? Looking for a part-time job while you study? Want a mentor? Our Careers team have you covered.

Four students walking on campus with mature trees in background

Whatever you need, our Student Wellbeing Services team is here to signpost you in the right direction. Access a range of 24/7 services, as well as long-term support.

A Student Ambassador helps a visitor at an Open Day

Not sure if BSU is right for you? Visiting us at an Open Day is the best way to find out!

  • Meet our students and staff 
  • Tour our facilities and accommodation 
  • Learn more about your chosen course
Book now