Psychology BSc Honours

Course overview

This three-year Psychology BSc Honours degree will give you a headstart in your professional career. With a unique range of professional pathways and hands-on learning, you're able to shape your undergraduate degree. You will also have the opportunity to complete a placement or study abroad year, which you can apply for after you have completed your first year.

Your teaching will be informed by internationally recognised research, much of which is delivered in the purpose-built, state-of-the-art Dame Margaret Barbour building where facilities include;

• a forensic interviewing suite
• a cognition and behaviour lab
• a nutrition and food preference unit
• medical consultation rooms
• psychological testing cubicles

You'll initially study a broad range of topics, which cover the core areas of psychology such as social psychology, biological psychology, research methods, individual differences, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology. As you progress through the degree you will be able to focus more on your specific interests, with optional modules that represent the expertise of our staff.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

During your first year, you'll receive a broad introduction to core areas of psychology, as well as relevant practical and research methods. 

You'll study topics such as development and social psychology, cognitive psychology, sensation and perception, and the history of psychology. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Psychological Enquiry 1 - Psychological Literacy and Academic Skills	10
Cognitive Psychology	10
Sensation and Perception	10
History of Psychology	10
Personality and Mental Health	10
Research Methods and Data Analysis A	20
Research Methods and Data Analysis B	20
Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behaviourial Development	10
Foundations in Social Psychology	10
Foundations in Developmental Psychology	10

In Stage 2, you'll start to specialise in the areas that interest you most. 

Alongside core topics including developmental psychology, individual differences, biological psychology, and statistics for experimental psychology, you'll be able to choose from optional modules such as perception, animal cognition, and clinical psychology. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Developmental Psychology	10
Social Psychology	10
Individual Differences	10
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues	10
Psychological Enquiry 2: Principles of Psychology	10
Methods in Psychology 2B	10
Statistics for Empirical Psychology	10
Methods in Psychology 2A	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for second year students	20
Perception	10
Cognitive Neuroscience	10
The Body, the Mind, and the Self-Interoception in Health and Clinical Psychology	10
Research Skills and Development	20
Introduction to Comparative Cognition and Behaviour	10
Pathways and Therapies in Clinical Psychology	10

In Stage 3, you'll be able to focus on your chosen specialist area.

You'll design and carry out your own empirical study in an area of psychology that particularly interests you. 

You'll also have the opportunity to explore further areas of interest, including the psychology of religion, the damaged brain, foundations in forensic psychology, psychology for sport performance, and consumer psychology. There are no module restrictions, allowing you to study areas that will prepare you for the next steps in your chosen career. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Psychological Enquiry 3: Psychological Literacy and Professional Skills	10
Empirical Project	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for final year students	20
Consumer Psychology	20
Art, Mind and Brain	10
To Cheat or not to Cheat: The Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour	10
The Damaged Brain: Case Studies in Neuropsychology	10
Psychology of Religion	20
Foundations in Forensic and Criminal Psychology	20
The Psychology of Teaching and Learning	20
Eating and Weight Disorders	20
Clinical Sport & Exercise Psychology	20
Psychobiology of Drug Addiction	10
Sex Differences and the Brain	10
Cultural and Technical Intelligence: Developmental and Comparative Perspectives	10
Psychology for Sport Performance	20
Advanced statistics for Empirical Psychology	10
Evolution of Brain and Behaviour	20
Making Sense of Forgotten Senses: Investigating Olfaction and Gustation	20
Neurodiversity of Development	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• computer based lab sessions
• practical sessions
• field work

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

In addition to the key concepts and principles of Psychology, our programme provides you with a broad range of graduate skills that you will come to know as Psychological Literacy. You will be able to transfer these skills to a variety of professional, societal and personal settings.

Psychological Literacy

You'll learn research related skills including, how to formulate hypotheses and research questions, carry out psychological research, the management and visualisation of data sets, use appropriate data analysis methods, and write up research reports. 

Through our School’s work on humanising our psychology curriculum you will develop your ethical understanding and intercultural competence, both as a scientist and as a citizen. You will learn how to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills, and develop the capacity to self- reflect.

Opportunities

Professional Placements 

Subject to eligibility, students can apply to take a professional placement between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of their programme. The School of Psychology placement team secure and advertise a wide range of placements, for example in the NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria Police, University research institutes and local mental health support charities. National placement opportunities are also advertised, for example at Great Ormond Street Hospital. If successful in being offered a placement, then students are supported by the placement team whilst preparing for and undertaking their placement. Placements are an excellent opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in a practical context and are an opportunity to gain an important advantage in a competitive job market. 

Study Abroad 

As part of your psychology degree, you have the opportunity to study abroad for a year at a University in a different country. Currently, we have partnership agreements with Universities in North America, Canada and Sweden and we are continually expanding our global study opportunities. The international study year takes place between Stage 2 and 3. To join the international study you need to apply for a place and numbers are limited. 

Find out more information on studying abroad. Further information will also be provided during your course.

Careers Placements 

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3. 

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise. 

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability. 

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a psychology student at Newcastle University, you'll be based in the School of Psychology's Dame Margaret Barbour Building, in the University's city-centre campus.

As well as having great access to University facilities like its libraries, student's union and sports centre, the School of Psychology is less than 10 minutes' walk from Newcastle city centre.

You'll also have access to our excellent practical facilities in the School, such as:

• a forensic interviewing suite
• a media and behaviour lab
• medical consultation rooms
• psychological testing cubicles

Support

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.

All first-year psychology students join a study group of approximately 10 students, led by an experienced and trained final-year student who will also act as your mentor for your first year.

Your future

Opportunities for diverse career paths

As a psychology graduate, you'll also be incredibly versatile, with plenty of transferable skills, including analytical thinking, research skills, strategy development, problem solving, and content writing skills. Recent graduates have gone on to secure employment in areas of professional psychology, such as clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and educational psychology, in organisations such as the NHS, the Home Office, HMRC, Prison Service, and local, national, and international charities. 

Many of our graduates embark on further study, including master's degrees and PHDs in areas of psychology and related disciplines with some going on to pursue careers in academia and research.

The versatility of psychology graduates means that they go on to work in fields as varied as teaching, marketing, human resources and financial services. 

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 25800

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages