September 2024

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2024

Key Details

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

In the study of human behaviour. You’ll 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 at 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. Many of our lecturers have specialisms in applied psychology, which gives our degree programme its distinctive approach and appeal. And with small class sizes, we get to know your interests and help you discover opportunities to develop your skills and career goals.

GBC

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), such that 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.

Want to do something more counselling-based? Or with Forensics, Children or Criminology? Take a look at our other Psychology courses.

 

**This course is subject to revalidation for September 2024**

  • A fully BPS accredited course that focuses on applying the subject to the real world.
  • Learn from  a small and tight-knit group of expert lecturing staff.
  • Use highly specialised resources in eye tracking, VR, lie detection and observation.
  • Complete innovative assessments that challenge you to be creative.
  • Apply your knowledge in work experience modules during one semester a year – saving time and cost on sandwich courses.
  • Graduate with the skills employers are looking for – real-world experience as well as a degree and BPS membership.

 

During the first year of study (level 4) students will learn about psychology as an academic and applied discipline. Students 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 students will also be introduced to the core domains of psychology e.g., Research Methods, Social, Individual Difference, Cognitive, Biological and Developmental psychology, students will explore how the core domains help us to understand mind and behaviour in everyday settings.

In the second year of study (level 5), students will gain a deeper understanding of the core domains of psychology, applying the theoretical knowledge to understand real world scenarios. Practicals, 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 SH psychology students will also have the opportunity to study a module that focuses specifically on Applying Psychology to the Real World. In this module, key areas covered will include the various roles a psychologist may have, for example: the psychologist as a researcher, the psychologist as a colleague. 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. Students also undertake their work placement during this academic year, and reflect on aspects of the work using the methods of psychological enquiry they have learned.

In the final year students 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.  Students are guided through all stages of the research process but are expected to generate their own research ideas that relate to the human experience.  In doing so, students’ critical thinking in psychology is both broadened and deepened and this will prepare them for employment or further study. During this year students will further their 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 a range of optional modules, this options may include modules on Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Interventions, Neuropsychology, Psychological Distress and Mental Wellbeing, and Educational Psychology.

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 work place. Assessment methods vary from ‘traditional’ methods such as examinations and essays to less ‘traditional methods’  to research-related tasks such as research reports, interventions, portfolios, presentations, and posters.

Many Single Honours psychology students aim to enter the various psychological professions, including 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, graduates 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.

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

You must achieve at least 104 UCAS points including a minimum of CC at A level or equivalent (e.g.MM at BTEC Diploma; MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma) towards the total tariff.

As it is not possible to achieve 104 UCAS points through an Access course, Access Students will need 106 UCAS points. You can reach this with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/ or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course. 106 UCAS Points: D27-M0-P18; D124-M6-P15; D21-M12-P12; D18-M18-P9; D15-M24-P6; D12-M24-P3; D9-M36-P0.

For applicants who are unsure that they will achieve the above UCAS tariff, Newman University offers Psychology (with Foundation Year) which enables such applicants to access a university degree via a four year route. Upon successful completion of their foundation year, students will progress to Year 1 of a named degree. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, students wishing to follow particular named routes with additional entry requirements, will need to meet these requirements before they make the transition from their foundation year to year 1.

International Students
The University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.

Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

Simply click on this Direct Application link to do this.

N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.

Course Fees

The full-time course fee for September 2023 is £9,250 per year.

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).

Additional Costs

During the degree you may wish to purchase core texts (a limited numbers of copies are available in the library and where possible online texts have been purchased). At times throughout your degree, you may need to print or photocopy material. There may also be additional costs associated with data collection depending on the research undertaken for example printing of questionnaires.

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