Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Year 1 (credit level 4)
In Year 1, students take introductory modules on the main topic areas within psychology (i.e., cognitive, developmental, social, individual differences and biological) and also practical courses training them in the principles, methods and techniques of psychological research. There will be an applied or forensic emphasis to the academic tutorials, which will be taught by an expert in this area. Furthermore, some assessments will be on a forensic-relevant topic.
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 |
Skills and Employability in Psychology
|
15 credits |
Year 2 (credit level 5)
Year 2 modules provide more in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories and empirical research relating to biological psychology, individual differences; cognitive psychology; developmental psychology; and social psychology. Students take a course in statistics, and carry out laboratory-based research both individually and within small groups of peers. It is expected that research projects undertaken in the second year will have a forensic psychology emphasis, and will be supervised by a member of staff with relevant expertise.
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 their final year, students will take two compulsory modules in areas of applied psychology:
Module title |
Credits |
Psychology and Law
|
15 credits |
Addictive Behaviours
|
15 credits |
You also complete an individual Research Project (45 credits), which should have a forensic psychology focus.
You also choose modules to the value of 45 credits. Examples that could be selected include:
Module title |
Credits |
Psychopathology: Cognitive behaviour models and treatments
|
15 credits |
Multivariate Statistical Methods in Psychology
|
15 credits |
Applications of Attention Research
|
15 credits |
Anomalistic Psychology
|
15 credits |
Topics in Neuropsychology
|
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 |
Magic and the Mind
|
15 credits |
Social Psychology of Social Problems
|
15 credits |
Psychology of the Arts, Aesthetics and Attraction
|
15 credits |
Cross-cultural and Individual Differences in Attention and Awareness
|
15 credits |
Please note that some of the modules listed are 'compulsory', which means that you must pass them to progress to the next level of study.
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 - 53% coursework, 48% 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.