BSc (Hons) Psychology

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98% of our BSc (Hons) Psychology students were satisfied with their course._{National Student Survey 2023}

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It has a broad scope and influences many other disciplines in the biological and social sciences. This BPS-accredited Psychology degree combines opportunities to study cutting edge research with access to excellent teaching and student support.

On this Psychology degree, you’ll study the major approaches in psychology, including social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology, neuroscience and research methods. You’ll also develop practical psychology skills in our purpose-built laboratories.

A key element is the hands-on experience you’ll gain throughout your Psychology degree. You’ll be offered clinical experience on campus and have access to a range of exciting opportunities, including completion of specialist short courses, professional certificates and work placements – another great boost to your CV.

Accredited by

2023
2024

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
C800	Full-time	3 Years	September	Treforest	A
N/A	Part-time	6 Years	September	Treforest	A
C802	Sandwich	4 Years	September	Treforest	A

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
C800	Full-time	3 Years	September	Treforest	A
N/A	Part-time	6 Years	September	Treforest	A
C802	Sandwich	4 Years	September	Treforest	A

Year One: Psychology Degree

We will consider questions such as why we remember some things and forget others, how different areas of our brain influence behaviour and how we develop language. You will have an opportunity to acquire some hands-on skills in research by conducting experiments in your research methods classes as well as by getting experience of research assistant work with cutting edge staff research activity. Modules include:

Investigating Methods and Evidence in Psychology
Psychological Development in the Social World
Biological and Cognitive Psychology
Thinking Psychologically

Year Two: Psychology Degree

The methods and evidence module which will give you an opportunity to understand and practice quantitative methods such as ANOVA and ANCOVA, as well as qualitative methods in psychology such as grounded theory and discourse analysis.

The emphasis this year is learning to investigate like a psychologist, and one module will expose students to the different methodological approaches used within specific areas of psychology to find things out. Your final module in the second year aims to develop transferable skills in placement activity in a paid or voluntary setting.

Advanced Methods and Evidence in Psychology
Current Research in Biological and Cognitive Psychology
Developmental and Social Perspectives on Identity
Finding Things Out: Approaches to Psychological Investigation
Professional Practice and Employability

You can also undertake a sandwich year placement, which provides you with the opportunity to spend a year working in a professional setting between the second and third year of your degree. This provides you with a fantastic opportunity to develop your employability skills while engaging with the community and building on the knowledge and experience of your degree.

Year Three: Psychology Degree

You will complete an Advanced Research Methods: Dissertation. You will be expected to undertake a research dissertation based on a topic that interests you. You will be responsible for the design, execution analysis and reporting of your project and will take part in an ethics conference, complete a dissertation report and an oral presentation of your research findings. You will also complete a module called Using Psychology in which you will be encouraged to apply your knowledge of psychology to specific practice and real life contexts. You will also choose from a range of specialist modules to match your interests and aspirations. These include:

Health Psychology Across the Lifespan
Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Interventions
Forensic Psychology
Applications of Social Psychology
Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience
The Psychology of Education and Work

Foundation Year

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is also available as a four-year course including an integrated Foundation Year, and is designed for students who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry onto the degree. You will start by completing a foundation year, which provides well-structured support, allowing you to develop your skills and knowledge before continuing onto the three year degree programme. For more information please email [email protected]

Teaching

The Psychology degree is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, individual/small group supervision and independent study. You will also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures given by academic staff from other institutions and professional psychologists who work in different areas of practise.

You will also be given the opportunity to learn about psychology in new ways and no two modules are entirely the same in terms of delivery and assessment. You will complete coursework including essays, practical reports, oral presentations and case studies. There will also be some examination assessments (seen and unseen) and in-class tests.

Our academic staff are involved in psychology research, so you’ll be taught by staff at the forefront of their specialist fields. Tutors specialise in a range of fields, including developmental disorders across the lifespan, health behaviour and sport psychology.

Assessment

You will complete a range of different class activities including group discussions, debates, case studies and in-class projects. In fact one of the most exciting things about this course is that you experience a great range of delivery and assessment methods.

Accreditations

Our single Honours and major psychology degrees are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and will enhance your CV.

Placements

Through our Psychology Plus scheme, you will have the unique opportunity to gain clinical experience on campus by taking part in activities at our psychology clinics.

Our Behaviour Analysis Clinic specialises in treating the behavioural challenges associated with a wide range of disorders, including autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and conduct disorder

Every student is guaranteed, if they want it during their undergraduate studies, a six-week placement in our on-campus clinic.

Facilities

We have purpose-built psychology laboratories where you can develop your practical psychology skills.

A range of tools are available,including eye-tracking equipment and electroencephalography (EEG) machines. There are also interview and observation rooms that you can use to conduct experiments and tests.

The University oﬀers a wide range of psychological services to the public. Our Behaviour Analysis Clinic specialises in treating the behavioural challenges associated with a wide range of disorders, including autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and conduct disorder.

Discover USW's Psychology facilities.

Featured Lecturer:
Professor Gareth Roderique-Davies

Gareth Roderique-Davies is Professor of Psychology with expertise in substance misuse, behavioural addiction, craving and the long-term effects of recreational drug use.

He's an HCPC-registered Psychologist, a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

He is an invited observer member of the Cross Party Group on Problem Gambling at Welsh Government and an invited expert on the Welsh Government’s Substance Misuse Treatment Framework for alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) Project Board.

Together with Professor Bev John, Professor Roderique-Davies is a steering group member of the Beat the Odds Initiative, an international alliance of Recovery groups, leading academics and addiction charities. Read about Addictions Research.

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

The entry criteria below reflect our standard entry requirements for the course for September 2023. However, all applications received by the University are reviewed holistically and individually. Entry criteria for September 2024 is changing and will be published on ucas.com from 8th May 2023. Entry criteria for September 2024 will be updated on our website from the end of October 2023.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions. USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy.

Other qualifications and experience

We can also consider combinations of qualifications and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. We can sometimes consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or advanced entry to year two or three of a course where this is possible.

To find out which qualifications have tariff points, please refer to the UCAS tariff calculator.

If you need more help or information or would like to speak to our friendly admissions team, please contact us here

Typical A-Level Offer

BCC - CDD to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC Offer

BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Access to HE Offer

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances

International Entry Requirements

We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.

English Requirements

In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14400
Part-time UK: £740 per 20 credits

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: £15260
Part-time UK: TBC

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

* Obligatory

Item	Cost
DBS	£55.42	A DBS is not obligatory for the course. It will only be required if a specific placement or dissertation project working with children or vulnerable groups is required. This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee.
DBS Updating Service	£13	Whilst optional it is strongly recommended signing up for this service especially if you are likely to have placements each year and wish to pursue a career post University where a DBS check is a requirement. Please note the service has to be joined within 19 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate.
Other: Travel to Placement		Cost is dependent on placement location

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Dr Dan Bowers - Psychology Degree, course leader

Great tips on how to apply for Psychology

How to write a personal statement for Psychology

UK students

Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year one of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.

International and EU students

Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.

Admissions statement

Psychology at university will develop additional skills that employers value, such as problem solving, analytical skills, communication and presentations, report writing, numeracy and teamwork. These can be transferred to other careers, including human resource management, teaching, social work, business, journalism, marketing, and police work. Many graduates also progress to postgraduate study or specialist professional training in psychology.

A psychology university degree can take you into a range of interesting careers when you graduate. We will provide you with exciting opportunities that will enhance your skills, look great on your CV, and give you that vital edge when looking for a job.

Whether you’re interested in traditional psychology careers, working in the social and welfare profession or analysing human behaviours, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to help enhance your future career prospects and be well equipped to make an impression on a future employer. You could also progress to a psychology research degree such as a PhD or Masters by Research.

Our Careers and Employability Service

As a USW psychology student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.