PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE BSC

Programme overview

Why choose this programme?

The BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science degree combines a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited education in psychology with a specialisation in cutting-edge behavioural science. Behavioural science is a relatively new discipline that focuses on applying psychological principles to challenges faced by organisations in the public, private and third sectors.

While psychology emphasises the mental processes that underlie behaviour, behavioural science emphasises behavioural outcomes and the design and evaluation of interventions to encourage behaviour change.

You will be taught state-of-the-art research methods, along with classic and innovative theory and research in psychology, following the BPS guidelines. You will learn to apply this knowledge to provide transformative insights for business, management and public policy. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three to four years.
What you'll study

The emphasis in the first year is to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills. Your lectures will cover cognitive, biological, social and developmental topics. The knowledge you gain in these lectures will provide the basis underpinning second and third-year modules. You will also develop research methods and statistical analysis skills. Finally, you will practice academic and transferable skills while exploring contemporary ideas in psychology.

In the second year, your knowledge and skills are further developed and fostered through lectures on cognitive, biological, social and developmental psychology. You will also be introduced to individual differences and clinical psychology in the second year. You will build on and advance your research methods and statistics, and continue to explore contemporary psychological and behavioural scientific research, theories and concepts in detail.

In the third year, you will undertake your own dissertation research project and take four modules that cover a broad range of topics in Psychological and Behavioural Science. Example topics might include intergroup relations, organisational psychology, and mental health. Students are provided with guidance about modules that fit well together thematically and how these map onto potential future careers or interests. These modules are taught by lecturers who are leaders in their field, offering a unique opportunity to engage with and discuss the latest theoretical and empirical developments and to tailor your learning to your specific interests.
Your degree will equip you with the academic knowledge and skills that are in demand across a wide range of professions.

Our department will support you through your journey to find the right career for you. From Year 1 you will have an academic advisor who can offer careers support, and you will be invited to attend graduate careers fairs. You can opt to do a placement year in between your second and third years of academic study.

We offer optional modules focused on careers and placements in fields relevant to a psychology graduate. Our graduates also progress to postgraduate courses and have qualified in areas such as teaching, law, and speech and language therapy.