Psychology BSc (Hons)

Key Information:

Start date: September

Institutional code: O10

UCAS code: C800

Duration: 3 years

Course type: Full Time

Fees per year 2024/25 entry: £7,500 Full Time

Fees per year 2025/26 entry: £8,000 Full Time

 

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points from either A Level/BTEC national qualifications. We do not accept General Studies. AS qualifications may count towards these points. We do not consider Key Skills.

Applicants must meet the University Campus Oldham’s minimum academic entry requirements for English language and Mathematics (or equivalent), normally demonstrated by GCSE grade C or equivalent may also be required.

Award

BSc (Hons) Psychology validated by Sheffield Hallam University.

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree will provide students with an eclectic and fascinating insight into the human mind and how psychology can be applied to everyday life – personally, socially, academically and professionally.

The programme has a strong practical focus that provides opportunities to develop intellectual and practical skills in case formulation and the collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of research data.

The programme’s distinctive focus on psychological literacy and citizenship, provides graduates with the capability to become a lifelong learner in the sense of: skills in information retrieval, critical evaluation and independent working as core attributes for learning across new contexts.

Our aim is to foster an open-minded enquiring attitude and skills development that support intellectual and transferable employment skills.

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is validated by Sheffield Hallam University.

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described.

Course Content - Year 1
  • Fundamentals in Psychology 1
  • Fundamentals in Psychology 2
  • Psychological Research and Design
  • Psychology Practicals & Statistics
Course Content - Year 2
  • Processes in Psychology
  • Psychology in Context
  • Research Methods in Training
  • Applying Psychology
Course Content - Year 3
  • Inclusive & Ethical Practice in Psychology
  • The Psychology of Trauma
  • Psychology Research Project
  • Health Psychology
Placements and Work Experience

Practical Work
A core aspect of the BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is the provision of the core module, research methods and statistics. Teaching and practical activities aim to provide these students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct psychological research, to analyse both qualitative and quantitative research, and to be able to appropriately report findings in a suitable format. Students have the opportunity to engage in practical work in a variety of specialised topics and make extensive use of dedicated laboratory space (using research cubicles, specialist experiment generator software, e.g., E-Prime) and equipment (including computing equipment and specialist statistical analysis software, i.e., SPSS) to enable them to carry out the necessary practical work during teaching sessions. The teaching and practical activities culminate in an empirically based psychology research project.

 

What careers can the course lead to?

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree will develop the knowledge, professional skills and abilities that are in demand from employers.

Employers in the general employment sector value the academic characteristics of a psychology degree, such as understanding of human behaviour, sense of citizenship, effective communication, good skills in critical evaluation and research, analysing and presenting information. According to the Times newspaper “Psychology opens the door to many careers in an increasing number of areas”. Psychological literacy provides graduates with a range of professional and transferable skills that are valuable in many sectors such as public relations, personnel, marketing, retail, teaching, social work, finance, politics and sports.

Companies employing our graduates in recent years include:

  • NHS
  • BUPA
  • Manchester City Council
  • Salford City Council
  • Oldham College – University Campus Oldham
  • Hopwood Hall College
  • Waterhead Academy
  • Local charities and voluntary agencies such as Anxiety UK, Langley House Trust, HC-one of a kind and Making Space
Facilities particular to the course

Psychology is located in the University Campus Oldham building designed to house specialist teaching and research facilities. Resources include teaching, tutorial and dedicated laboratory space, specialist equipment supporting psychological research and psychological testing, software supporting data collection and analysis in psychology research, and other IT. As a student of UCO you will have access to academic resources made available by Sheffield Hallam University.

Teaching and Assessment methods

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree will be taught within University Campus Oldham (UCO). Class sizes at UCO are kept small to enhance learning and tutorial support.

During the course a number of teaching methods may be used, including:

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Problem solving classes
  • Independent study
  • Skills and subject-based tutorials
  • Group work
  • Online activities
  • Revision workshops
  • Laboratory sessions or professional reports