September 2025

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2025

Key Details

  • C800 Course Code
  • 3 Years
  • 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
british psychological society accredited course

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Psychologists are interested in how people think, act and interact. Psychology applies sound scientific methodology to understand why people act the way that they do. This knowledge and understanding can then be used to address real-world issues.

During this degree you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of fascinating areas from how we think and how we see other people, to how people develop, how relationships are formed, and how we can help people in distress.

Psychology is useful because no matter what you intend to do in life it will involve trying to understand and help other people. Studying Psychology at Birmingham Newman University provides you with a solid grounding in all core areas of psychology, but you’ll also gain specialist knowledge of how psychology is applied to the real world.

GBC

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), thus students gaining at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which means you will have taken your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

  • A BPS accredited course that focuses on applying the subject to the real world
  • Engage in practical skills using psychological equipment and resources
  • Complete innovative assessments that challenge you to be creative

 

During the first year of study (level 4) you will learn about psychology as an academic and applied discipline. You will explore what is meant by ‘science’ and in particular, what is meant by evidence, and learn about the principles of research design. In this year you will also be introduced to the core domains of psychology e.g., Research Methods, Social, Individual Difference, Cognitive, Biological and Developmental Psychology, where you will explore how the core domains help us to understand mind and behaviour in everyday settings.

In the second year of study (level 5), you will gain a deeper understanding of the core domains of psychology, applying the theoretical knowledge to understand real world scenarios. Practical’s, workshops and seminars will enable students to have a first-hand experience of engaging with psychological equipment/resources to investigate and understand the applications of psychology to issues within modern life. In this year also, methods of scientific research are explored in further depth in two modules that examine quantitative (statistical) methods and qualitative methods of scientific enquiry. During this year of study you will have the opportunity to also study a unique module that focuses specifically on Applying Psychology to the Real World.

In the final year (level 6) you will have the opportunity to undertake an empirical dissertation in psychology that spans across the academic year. In many ways this module is the culmination of both the applied and theoretical strands of the discipline that run through the degree programme. You will be guided through all stages of the research process but are expected to generate your own research ideas that relate to the human experience.  In doing so, your critical thinking in psychology is both broadened and deepened and this will prepare you for employment or further study. During this year you will also further your understanding of conceptual and historical issues within psychology such as, an opportunity to develop your understanding further of integration across multiple perspectives. The final year also allows students to choose from optional modules.

One – 20 credit module equates to 36 hours of scheduled contact time and 164 hours of independent learning. Each year you will study 120 credits.

The psychology degree programme uses a wide variety of assessments, designed to help you develop a range of skills that will be invaluable in the modern professional workplace. Assessment methods vary from research reports, interventions proposals, portfolios, presentations, and posters, critiques, case studies. There are no examinations on this programme.

Students gaining at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which means you will have taken your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist. Thus, following postgraduate training, students can enter the various psychological professions with psychology such as, clinical, occupational, educational, counselling, forensic, health and sport psychology. Students can also pursue an academic career and may progress into a PhD. Due to the wide range of generic skills, and the rigour with which they are taught, training in psychology is an excellent foundation that supports entry into a broad range of careers. In addition to subject skills and knowledge, you will also develop skills in communication, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing, independent learning, and many others, all of which are highly valued by employers.  Therefore, psychology graduates can also progress into a variety of careers, such as teaching (schools, colleges, and universities), industry or commerce (market research, HR, consultancy research analysist), to name a few.

Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

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Entry Requirements

UK home students

Entry requirements, for UK home students, for September 2025 entry:

  • 112 UCAS points
UK Applying Direct Option

International students

If you are an international student, please get in touch with our International team who will be able to advise on entry criteria for this course. Email international@newman.ac.uk or telephone +441218160449.

International Applying Direct option

To apply for this course, you can apply direct using the apply link provided below:

Please note that courses with a professional placement are not available to International students.

Course Fees

UK home students

The full-time course fee, for UK home students, for September 2025 is £9,535 per year.

International students

The full-time course fees and funding, for International students, for September 2025 are:

  • Undergraduate Taught: £12,500 tuition fee
  • International Excellence Scholarship: £1,500

All International Students who apply in 2024/25 will be eligible for the International Excellence Scholarship which will be automatically applied to their offer as a tuition fee reduction.

Additional Costs

Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.

The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

Modules

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.

Timetables: find out when information is available to students

 

*Optional modules may vary between academic years, and the selection of which optional modules will be delivered will be based on student numbers and interest. Optional Modules that are offered will only be delivered if there is a minimum of 15 students.

  1. This module aims to introduce students to the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. The core principles and skills within psychology inquiry and learning will be explored.  It aims to define psychology and provide understanding of evidence-based psychological practice, and the implications of research methodology behind the evidence base, for assessing individual sources contribution to developing knowledge. Students will be introduced to key methodologies within psychology research and explore the philosophical stance underpinning these methodologies. In addition, this module aims to identify academic skills needed to succeed in a psychology degree course and will focus on the development of ethical, legal, reflective and academic practice within psychology. Students will explore their personal development of learning through the application of psychological theories and concepts with an emphasis on developing a coherent skill set based on critical thinking and deeper understanding of empirical psychological science. Students will be given the opportunity to apply content from this module to their specific programme area through activities such as class discussions, seminar activities and readings, and individual and group work.  Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
  4. This module offers an introduction to a range of applications in psychology and explores the various professional pathways in psychology practice. It aims to enhance knowledge of the application of psychological theory to the real world and examines the role of evidence-based practice and scientific method in guiding the work of professionals in a range of applied contexts, such as health, legal, organisational and educational settings. This module aims to develop the employability of students through an enhanced awareness of the range of available career pathways open to psychology graduates. The role of regulatory bodies such as British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are explored in relation to professional development and practice.  Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within this module.   Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
  5. This module will introduce students to the strengths, limitations and ethical issues associated with qualitative and quantitative research design. It will enable students to explore in greater depth the underlying principles and epistemological bases of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students will examine the key similarities and differences between these approaches, whilst appreciating the strengths and limitations of such approaches in addressing psychological research questions. Students will consider a range of data collection techniques (e.g., observations, interviews, simple experiments, and psychometric instruments) to consolidate their knowledge and experience of such methods.   Students will be equipped with a critical understanding of different quantitative research designs that will be considered in regard to important methodological concerns such as validity and reliability, and students will be aware of the implications of different research designs for the selection and use of different descriptive and inferential analytical techniques. Students will appreciate how appropriate descriptive quantitative analysis can be used to effectively characterise and summarize batches of data, whilst also providing them with tools for preliminary data screening and exploration. Students will develop their understanding of hypothesis testing, probability and important related concepts such as statistical significance, type 1 and type 2 errors, statistical power, estimation and confidence intervals, and how these relate to choices of research design and analytical alternatives.  Students will be introduced to the basic principles behind parametric and non-parametric statistical tests of difference, association, and correlation, and will be introduced to simple linear regression; furthermore, students will have the opportunity to conduct such analyses using appropriate statistical software.   General principles of qualitative design (developing research questions, interviewing, focus groups) will be explored. Students will develop their understanding of application of analysis in qualitative research by introduction to data analysis (coding).   Students will be given the opportunity to apply content from this module to their specific programme area through activities such as class discussions, seminar activities and readings, and individual and group work, and implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on. Students will be introduced to the BPS’s current Code of Ethics and Conduct, and have the opportunity to see its application in their empirical work. The distinction between behaving ethically and legally will also be investigated.
  6. This module will introduce students to global and cross cultural concerns within psychology. Drawing upon key topic areas within psychology (e.g. are emotions universal?  Is attachment universal?) This module looks at whether psychological phenomena, concepts and studies appear in the same way across different cultures and countries.  Students will also have an opportunity to explore methodological issues within psychology – are all methodological approaches equally suitable, the world over?  Students will be given the opportunity to apply content from this module to their specific programme area through activities such as class discussions, seminar activities and readings, and individual and group work.  Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within this module. Implications of the module requirements for student employability will also be reflected on.
  6. This module extends students’ knowledge through consideration of how psychology is applied in real life situations. Key areas covered will include the various roles a psychologist may have, for example: the psychologist as a researcher, the psychologist as a colleague etc. In addition, topics such as community psychology, the psychology of ageing, positive psychology, and cognitive psychology will be explored along with specialist applications of these topics for example: exploring ways in which a community psychologist may try to resolve inequalities; the use of interventions to improve daily living for older adults; using positive psychology to improve well-being; attention in relation to driving. Further discussion will take place about the distinction between working legally and ethically in Applied Psychology. Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence base explored within the module. Implications of the module requirements for graduate employability will be considered in some depth.
  1. This tutored double module provides students with the opportunity to select an area of particular interest to them within the field of Psychology and to design, plan and execute an in-depth empirical research project in their chosen area. Students will be required to produce a brief initial research proposal, for discussion with their supervisor. The proposal is then used as a basis for developing an application for Newman University ethical approval, which must be achieved prior to commencing data collection. The research design should include either quantitative and/or qualitative analyses and draw upon and critically evaluate a range of both classic and contemporary research findings throughout. A poster presentation detailing the research process and findings will also be an assessed element.
  3. This module builds upon the second year module Human Development: An Ethological Approach (PYU516) and applies an understanding of contextualised development in an educational setting. Educational Psychology explores various and seemingly discrete issues associated with the dynamic between teaching and learning. These issues include the qualities of a good teacher, the environment of the classroom, the form and function of assessment, diversity and the use of blended approaches to teaching and learning. This module also affords students the opportunity to work in groups to ascertain various pragmatic issues that may confront practicing educational psychologists in the field. Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within the area this module explores by means of critical reviews of research papers Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
  5. This module covers the key concepts related to psychological distress and mental wellbeing. The module will present different models of psychological distress including biological, psychological, social approaches as well as integrative bio-psychosocial models. The pervasiveness of medical views will also be discussed with typical use of terms such as mental illness, disorders, abnormality and clinical psychology as well as concepts of categorical (caseness) and dimensional views of psychological distress/illness. The module will include an historical account of mental distress and then focus on key psychological disorders and discuss their aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. Students will be encouraged to consider their own opinions and those of others as it relates to these topics. Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within this module. Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
  8. This module seeks to provide a strong grounding and critical awareness of the psychological theories, concepts and research essential to the study of gender and sexuality. The module explores historical and contemporary issues that draw on aspects of social, developmental, and critical psychology. The module will encourage you to develop an awareness of how current conceptualisations of gender and sexuality impact on ethical and inclusive psychological practice.

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