Psychology and Biology BSc Joint Honours

Course overview

This Psychology and Biology joint honours degree will equip you with a broad base of knowledge. You'll learn why humans and animals think and behave the way they do, and build an in-depth understanding of the science behind all forms of life.

You'll have access to the School of Psychology's brand new building, with purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities, including a forensic interviewing suite, a nutrition and food preference unit, a media and behaviour lab, medical consultation rooms, and psychological testing cubicles. 

Emerging as a well-rounded psychology graduate with a biology specialism, you'll study fascinating topics including ecology and biodiversity, evolution and genetics, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary psychology and medicine. 

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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 2022-23.

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.

In Stage 1, you'll explore the fundamentals of both psychology and biology. 

You'll cover topics such as cognitive psychology, sensation and perception, and psychology for joint honours students, as well as genetics and evolution, cells and biomolecules, the diversity of life, and ecology and conservation.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Cells and Biomolecules	20
Cognitive Psychology	10
Sensation and Perception	10
Introduction to Psychology for Joint Honours	10
Research Methods and Data Analysis B	20
Principles of Evolution, Genetics and Behaviourial Development	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Diversity of Life: Form and Function	20
Ecology and Conservation	20

In Stage 2, you'll broaden your depth of understanding across both disciplines.

You'll study modules including Animal Physiology, Developmental Psychology, Individual Differences, Biological Psychology, and Molecular Biology and Development. 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Animal Function (Physiology and Development)	20
Developmental Psychology	10
Social Psychology	10
Individual Differences	10
Biological Psychology: Sex, Drugs, Rhythms and Blues	10
Statistics for Empirical Psychology	10
Methods in Psychology 2A	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Animal Behaviour	10
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation	20
Biotechnology: Principles and Practice	20
Evolutionary Biology	20
Vertebrate Biology	20

In Stage 3, you'll be able to focus in more on your chosen areas of specialism.

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 specific areas of interest in psychology including evolution and behaviour, consumer psychology, the psychology of religion, and the psychobiology of drug addiction, as well as topics in biology, such as companion animal behaviour, genomics, cellular systems, applied ecology, and biodiversity. 

Modules

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

Optional Modules	Credits
Animal Welfare and Behaviour	20
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Current Research in Ecology	20
Biotechnology: Applications	20
Physiological Zoology	20
Microbial Genomics	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
Models of Brain Function	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 2020-21.

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 learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• lab and field practical classes
• computer sessions
• field trips

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical skills

The majority of your modules will involve practical lab and fieldwork. 

In Psychology, you'll work with state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities in our brand new building to learn how to formulate theories, conduct experiments, use statistical techniques, and write up research reports.

In your Biology modules, you'll gain hands-on experience of studying cells and biomolecules, developing the skills needed to work effectively in a lab and perform relevant calculations. 

Business skills

Your psychology modules focus on psychological literacy, applying psychology in a real-world setting, while Methods in Biotechnology will introduce you to the technology that is currently used in the sector. 

Research skills

Throughout the programme, you'll be taught essential research skills, such as conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting data, and writing up research reports.

You'll also complete Research Methods and Skills modules, in which you'll develop as an independent researcher.

In Stage 3, you'll put these skills into practice, completing a comprehensive research project in an area of your choice.

Opportunities

Work placement

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.

Find out more about work placements.

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 nutrition and food preference unit
• a media and behaviour lab
• medical consultation rooms
• psychological testing cubicles

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

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

As a joint honours graduate, you'll develop a range of skills that are sought by employers. By studying two disciplines, you're well prepared for the multidisciplinary challenges of everyday work, such as:

• time management
• organisation
• self-motivation

Recent graduates have secured employment in companies such as the NHS and the British Association of Dermatologists. 

Many of our graduates embark on further study, including master's degrees and PHDs in areas such as forensics, sports and exercise, medicine, clinical psychology, and teacher training. 

As a psychology and sciences 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. Many graduates go on to careers in teaching, marketing, and financial services.

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 2023 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Joint 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.

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