Course information

Entry requirements

UCAS code

C990

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
IB: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655

Length

3 years full-time

Department

Psychology

Course overview

This degree offers a scientific approach to the study of human behaviour, with an emphasis on clinically relevant skills, knowledge and experience giving a broad understanding of psychological theory and research.

The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society and also the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist

Why study BSc Psychology with Clinical Psychology at Goldsmiths

  • You’ll gain an understanding of how psychology is used in the treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, learning difficulties and disabilities. This includes learning about psychological approaches to conditions such as dyslexia, eating disorders, anxiety, depression and autism.
  • You’ll also be taught about research, conducting experiments and the software you’ll need for a future career in clinical psychology.
  • You’ll have access to our fantastic facilities. These include laboratories, an EEG suite for brain research, an infant lab, and a visual perception and attention laboratory.
  • Our academics are experts in their fields, and you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in the world-class research taking place in the department.
  • We have well-established links with employers and also offer a mentoring scheme. You’ll be paired with a member of academic staff who'll support your psychological thinking and enhance your employability skills.
  • This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Alice Jones Bartoli.

What you'll study

Overview

This degree deals with the broad themes of individual differences, social functioning, biological and evolutionary issues, cognition and development across the lifespan.

The modules you take will develop your understanding of psychology’s everyday applications, such as studies of mental health and psychological disorders and the rationale for and use of psychological tests.

At each level of the programme, you’ll have some opportunity to learn about the clinical applications of psychological research. You'll have the opportunity to develop your own particular interests by choosing from a wide range of specialist modules, and will carry out a research project on a clinically relevant topic of your choice with guidance and support from a supervisor. This allows you to apply the many skills you have learned throughout the programme to define and address new questions.

This modular system allows considerable flexibility of choice in your final year when you can tailor your study according to your particular interests and ultimate aims. You will choose six option modules, with at least four modules on topics relating to neuroscience. Your final year research dissertation will be on a neuroscience topic supervised by an expert in the field. The precise list changes year by year (for example, a new member of staff may add a module). The current full list of modules offered by the department can be found below.

Year 1 (credit level 4)

In your first year, you will take introductory modules covering the main topics within psychology. You will also receive practical training in the principles, methods and techniques of psychological research.

Module title Credits
The Psychology of the Person 15 credits
Biological and Comparative Approaches to Psychology 15 credits
Information Processing and Cognition 15 credits
Design and Analysis of Psychological Investigations 30 credits
Practical Issues in Psychological Research 15 credits
Extended Essay in Psychology 15 credits
Essential Skills for Psychologists 15 credits

Year 2 (credit level 5)

Year 2 will provide you with a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and relating to a broad range of psychological topics from social psychology to developmental psychology. You will also explore statistics and laboratory-based research. 

Small group teaching activities will give you the opportunity to discuss clinical applications of the core material.

Module title Credits
Biological Substrates of Behaviour 15 credits
Personality and Individual Differences 15 credits
Social Psychology 15 credits
Developmental Psychology 15 credits
Design and Analysis of Psychological Studies 15 credits
Cognitive Psychology 15 credits
Research Methods in Psychology 30 credits

Year 3 (credit level 6)

In Year 3 you will take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Psychopathology: Cognitive behaviour models and treatments 15 credits
Neurodevelopmental Disorders 15 credits

You also complete an individual Research Project (45 credits), which should have a clinical focus. The purpose of the project is for you to gain direct experience of:

  • formulating a theoretical question
  • translating this into testable hypotheses
  • designing an original study which adequately tests the hypotheses
  • implementing the research procedures
  • analysing the data using appropriate statistics
  • interpreting the results in light of both conceptual and practical considerations
  • communicating this information clearly in the form of a written report

You will also gain experience of oral presentation of your work during the spring term or early in the summer term, to a small group of your peers and your supervisor.

The project is a piece of original empirical research, conducted under the supervision of one of the academic members of the Department. Pure theorising, a literature review, or an exact replication study are not acceptable.

There are four stages:

  • formulation of hypotheses and an ethical and feasible research design
  • recruitment of participants/collection of data
  • analysis and interpretation of data
  • writing the report

You also choose five 15 credit modules (two clinically-relevant options and two free-choice options). Examples that could be selected include: 

Module title Credits
Multivariate Statistical Methods in Psychology 15 credits
Applications of Attention Research 15 credits
Anomalistic Psychology 15 credits
Topics in Neuropsychology 15 credits
Psychology and Law 15 credits
Neurodevelopmental Disorders 15 credits
Behavioural Genetics 15 credits
Psychological Approaches to Music 15 credits
The Interpersonal Self 15 credits
Psychology and Education 15 credits
Social-Moral Development 15 credits
Cognitive Neuroscience 15 credits
Social Psychology of Social Problems 15 credits
Magic and the Mind 15 credits
Cross-cultural and Individual Differences in Attention and Awareness 15 credits
Psychology of the Arts, Aesthetics and Attraction 15 credits

Teaching style

This programme is taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
  • Year 2 - 15% scheduled learning, 85% independent learning
  • Year 3 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, laboratory reports, group work and research projects.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 53% coursework, 47% written exam
  • Year 2 - 34% coursework, 66% written exam
  • Year 3 - 80% coursework, 20% written exam

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about how this information is calculated.

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

Selection process

We exercise flexibility where entry requirements are concerned, and make offers based on your enthusiasm and commitment to your subject, as shown by your application and personal statement, qualifications, experience and reference. If you don't have academic qualifications may be invited to interview.

We frequently interview mature applicants (over 21) or those with alternative qualifications, and have a long tradition of encouraging students from all social backgrounds to study at our university.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: Three HL subjects with 655

Additional requirements

You should normally have at least Grade B/Grade 6 in GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics or Statistics, and English.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

Fees & funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

  • Home - full-time: £9250
  • International - full-time: £20840

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Careers

The Department of Psychology has its own Skills and Employability Programme for students, starting in the first term with a full first-year course on the topic. We are keen that you understand what kind of transferable skills you will develop during the BSc, and how you can make the best impression on future employers.

We have strong links with employers of psychology graduates, and the programme has been set up to support you to actively seek relevant work knowledge and experience. This experience could help you develop the professional-level skills that are highly sought after in the job market.

Skills

Throughout the degree you'll receive a thorough training in the design and evaluation of research; the clinical applications of research, and how to use research to inform practice; data-handling, statistical analysis and the use of specialist psychology-relevant software. In addition, you'll develop the following transferrable skills:

  • the ability to look at issues from different perspectives
  • reflection skills
  • self motivation
  • critical thinking and analytical skills
  • planning and organisation skills
  • oral and written communication skills

Careers

You will develop the sorts of skills and knowledge that will make you suitable for a broad range of careers and future study such as:

  • clinical psychology
  • mental health roles in NHS and voluntary, charity and third sector organisations
  • educational psychology
  • criminal/forensic psychology
  • broadcasting, documentary making and science communication
  • research psychology
  • consultancy and occupational psychology

Our graduates work in a wide range of settings from schools to hospitals, from broadcasting to banks, and in both private and public sector jobs. You can find out more about career options after graduating on our Psychology careers pages.

The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). BPS accreditation means that graduates are eligible for graduate basis for Chartership with the BPS – vital if you want a career as a psychologist in the future.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

Postgraduate Progression

If you're interested in this Undergraduate programme, you may be interested in the following Postgraduate courses: