About this course
Understanding how individuals think, feel and act isn’t just a career skill, but a life skill. If you have a desire to uncover the underlying processes that influence human actions, thoughts and emotions, this BPS-accredited psychology degree is for you.
Psychologists are highly versatile problem-solvers. They understand what motivates people to behave the way they do, using scientific principles to help improve the world around them. With professional pathways from childcare to criminal justice, and mental healthcare to forensic science, psychologists have the power to positively impact people's lives.
This psychology degree will allow you to explore the secrets of what makes us human, what it means to be alive, and why we behave in the ways we do. You'll unlock the workings of the human brain, the processes and mechanisms of human thinking, feeling, and behaviour, and how psychologists, psychological research, and therapy can make a huge difference to society.
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Complete a 60-hour work placement including NTU SHIELD, with the further option of a year-long sandwich placement. -
Understand psychology in action by talking to practitioners, exploring our prison cell, and learning about how we impact society. -
Personalise and flex with exciting options, pathways and choose each week whether to study statistics online or in person. -
It’s BPS-accredited meaning you’re eligible to receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.
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What you’ll study
You’ll learn on real-world projects that are making a difference to people’s lives — whether that’s work and research to prevent prison inmates from reoffending, coaching young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence, or learning to understand the psychology of primates at Twycross Zoo.
Explore the things that make us who we are – from the factors that influence our biological and social development, to cognitive psychology, to key historical and sociocultural issues. You'll also receive extensive training in research methods and statistics.
In your final year, you'll complete a research project, focused on a topic of your choice.
Here are some study highlights on this BSc Psychology course:
- Get work-like experience with a 60-hour placement in a professional setting, in places as varied as prisons providing support for families, the police, NHS, and mental health charities.
- Take an employer challenge to help build your profile, solving problems for professional organisations.
- Tailor the course to the career you want – you don’t need to know you want to be a psychologist to make the most of this degree.
- Find solutions to real-life issues guided by academics who specialise in areas as diverse as wellbeing and mental health, gambling addiction and offending behaviour.
- Benefit from our international connections such as our involvement with the Swebesweble South African Primate Project.
Core modules
Understanding the Self: Psychology 101 (20 credits)
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the theoretical and historical developments of psychology as a discipline, including challenges posed by traditional western views and dominance. You'll examine relationships between psychological theory and everyday behaviour and experience. We will encourage you to appreciate the breadth of the human experience and behaviours, and familiarise you with ways to analyse and understand this.
Psychology in Action (20 credits)
You'll be introduced to the core professions in psychology such as clinical, forensic and occupational psychologists, as well as other non-traditional areas of work for psychology graduates. You'll be introduced to the British Psychological Society (BPS) and professional ethics, and have the opportunity to set your own personal development goals.
Exploring Psychological Impact and Change (20 credits)
You'll develop an understanding of psychological research, and how it can help to resolve societal issues, and facilitates sustainable development and change. You'll be introduced to how psychology is applied to real-world issues, while promoting social, economic, and environmentally responsible behaviour. You'll also be exposed to case studies that illustrate how psychology contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Research Design and Practice (1) (20 credits)
This is an introduction to a variety of research methods used in psychology, individually and as a team. You have the opportunity to develop and practice report-writing skills, understand experimentation and self-report methods, and gain practical experience. You will be required to formulate hypotheses, search for and review any relevant literature in the library, prepare necessary materials or instruments, select a sample, collect and analyse data using appropriate statistical techniques, interpret the findings, and produce an individual written report of the work undertaken.
Analysing Data: Methods and Tools (1) (20 credits)
You'll study the fundamental concepts and practices of statistical data analysis in psychology, using open-source software called 'R'. By the end of the module, you should be able to design research studies in psychology, and be familiar with a range of descriptive, nonparametric, and parametric statistics. The module is assessed by one examination at the end of the module. Continuous feedback throughout the year will help you progress, help you develop your skills, and act as resource to draw upon when conducting research.
Developing Academic Skills in Psychology (20 credits)
This is a tutorial-based module where you will meet with your personal and academic tutor in a small group setting every week. The module is about building the skills essential to academic work: discussion, presentation, and writing, along with developing employability. Starting with fundamentals such as literature searches and referencing, you progress to the heart of academic skills with critical evaluation, synthesis of evidence, and more specifically, evaluating evidence with respect to arguments. You will gain experience of discussing, debating, presenting and of writing a formal essay, with work-like experience built into the module. You'll also be taught about the use of AI in research and writing.
Core modules
Brain, Behaviour and Cognition: Understanding the Mind (20 credits)
This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues in the investigation of cognitive and biological issues which you were introduced to in Year One. You'll be encouraged to draw across cultural perspectives, and explore the concept of individual cognitive and biological processes. You'll also learn about the structure and function of the brain, and cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, and thinking.
Social Evolution and Individual Development (20 credits)
Building on your understanding of psychological processes introduced in Year One, you'll explore the impact of culture, internalisation and individual difference. You'll take part in in-depth discussions about social and lifespan development psychology, evaluate the relevance of theory and research, and develop an understanding of the range of development across the lifespan.
Analysing Data: Methods and Tools (2) (20 credits)
Building on Year One, you'll advance your knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to prepare you for your final year project. You'll learn to use statistical software and analytical techniques associated primarily with non-experimental research such as multiple regression or mediation. You will learn about data cleaning and preparation, and be introduced to AI to support the analytical process.
Research Design and Practice (2) (20 credits)
Within this module you'll continue to develop your understanding of different research methods, applied ethics and open science principles. You will explore advanced experimental, psychometric and qualitative research techniques through lectures, workshops and lab work.
Analytical Thinking in Psychology (20 credits)
This will be delivered in a small group setting with your personal and academic tutor who you will meet with weekly. In the module you will consider some of the key debates in contemporary psychology and discuss how these inform current research and practice.
Optional modules
Choose one module from the below list:
- Health Psychology of Illness (20 credits)
- Occupational Psychology (20 credits)
- Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
Modules for sandwich students only
Placement Year Essentials (non-credit bearing)
This non-credit bearing module only needs to be undertaken by students on the sandwich course involving a placement during Year 3. You'll be introduced to potential recruiters, as well as recruitment methods such as interviews and assessment centres. You will be trained in developing a CV, as well as understanding professional workplace behaviour, and your rights and obligations in relation to safeguarding, and health and safety.
Core modules
Psychological Applications to Work Settings (20 credits)
In this module you will work in a team, searching for and evaluating the latest psychological research and knowledge to solve a real-world problem faced by an external organisation. During the module you will learn more about how professional and applied psychologists work, deepen your knowledge of psychology and develop your skills in searching for and evaluating research evidence. This module also gives you a work-based experience, linked to an external organisation. It will help you develop your employability by learning about working effectively in a team on a long piece of work, and how to use the skills from your degree to solve practical real-world problems.
Psychology Research Project (40 credits)
A major piece of work whereby you will carry out independent research, the topic and design of which is decided upon in consultation with a supervisor. The project will demonstrate that you can conduct an extended research report, as well as an understanding of the methodological skills and presentational techniques developed throughout the course. Our final-year students conduct research projects in a wide range of areas in psychology, some of which have been successfully published.
Optional modules to tailor your learning
If you are studying on the BSc (Hons) Psychology course without a specialist pathway you will choose one module from each set.
If you opt for one of the specialist pathways, you will choose between pathway-specific modules for two sets, and have a free choice in the third.
Optional modules currently include:
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Please note:
The number of places available on some optional modules may be limited. These will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are unable to select their first choice will be offered an alternative from the remaining optional modules.
Taking the BSc (Hons) Psychology course enables you to apply to specialise in a particular area. Some students may opt to join us on one of our specialist pathways in Cognition and Neuroscience, Mental Health, Forensic Psychology or Educational and Developmental Psychology.
You also have the option to transfer to one of the following specialisms for the start of Year Two.
Evolution and Behaviour
Evolution and Behavior Psychology seeks to understand human behaviour and cognition through the lens of evolution. This pathway explores how our ancestors’ and primate relatives' survival and reproductive challenges have shaped our thoughts, emotions, and actions today.
In Year 2 the Analytical Thinking in Psychology module will focus on Social and Cultural psychology debates.
In Year 3 you will study the following:
- Research Project in Evolution and Behaviour
- Professional Practice in Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Primates and Us: Behaviour, Bodies and Brains
- Choose an optional module from:
- Cyberpsychology
- Gender, Identity and Body Image
- Trauma in Children and Adolescents;
- Psychopathology
- Mind Reading and Mind Control
- Black and Cultural Psychology
- Qualitative 3: Applied and Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research
- Personality, Personality Disorders and Violence
- Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
- Psychology of Religion
- Psychology of Sex
Social and Cultural
Social and Cultural Psychology explores applied aspects of social psychology and various aspects of culture, such as diverse cultural understandings of groups, identity and gender. This pathway includes cross-cultural and decolonial studies and their influence on human psychology.
In Year 2 the Analytical Thinking in Psychology module will focus on Social and Cultural psychology debates.
In Year 3 you will study the following:
- Research Project in Social and Cultural Psychology
- Professional Practice in Psychology
- Specialist module from Set A: choose between Gender, Identity and Body Image; and Black and Cultural Psychology
- Specialist module from Set B: choose between Community, Health and Applied Social Psychology; The Psychology of Social Realities; and Ideology and Moral Psychology
- Optional module from Set C: choose any of the modules on offer.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
More about NTU Psychology
How you're taught
A team of over 150 academics will inspire and provide practical insights, bringing your studies to life. Our expertise covers criminal behaviour, trauma, sleep, social networks, sports, health, and everything in between, as well as the clinical and forensic application of psychology.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- work-like experience, from employer-set challenges to placements as part of NTU SHIELD, where you can support young learners to deal with adolescence and boost their overall wellbeing and success at school
- Hyflex, where we teach our first- and second-year students statistics using a flexible model that lets you choose whether to study that week online or in-person (or both!)
- seminars, including guest lectures from experts and professionals who will talk about their research and psychological practice, so you get a sense of the types of things psychologists do
- tutorials, for getting support and guidance from your personal tutor
- field trips, to places like the Freud Museum, National Justice Museum, and Festival of Psychology
You can also choose to study abroad for part of your second year on our international exchange programme.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed in a variety of ways and on a modular basis – through traditional means such as examinations, research reports and essays, but also in more innovative ways which may include blogs, reflective essays and podcasts.
Your final year project is a cornerstone of the degree and is your opportunity to put all you've learned into practice. Our diverse approach to assessment allows students to demonstrate the breadth of their abilities and provides opportunity for everyone to excel.
Contact hours
Outside of your timetabled sessions, you’ll work on your assignments independently or in groups, but your tutors will still be available to provide you with guidance and support. Here’s the year-by-year breakdown of contact hours throughout our visual effects technical direction course:
Full-time and sandwich
You will have around 10-12 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars, and workshops) with our teaching staff which is around 30% of a full-time week.
Approximately 90% of our teaching is in-person.
The remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study.
Careers and employability
You’ll graduate fully equipped to be a psychologist, but your mix of skills can be applied to a wide range of careers. Our graduates have gone on to support children with special educational needs, develop care initiatives for homeless charities, and worked on groundbreaking forensic projects for the police to create safer communities.
Our students go on to have careers in a wide variety of roles including:
- clinical psychology
- educational psychology
- market research
- HR management
- teaching and lecturing
- academic research
You’ll be supported by NTU’s award-winning Employability team for up to three years after you leave us and be able to access our comprehensive online career resources for life. You can also benefit from our Employability Promise.
Campus and facilities
As a BSc (Hons) Psychology student, you’ll mostly study in our Chaucer and Taylor buildings and benefit from our:
- Psychology Laboratories
- eye-tracking labs (and mobile eye-tracking equipment)
- motion capture lab
- EEG labs
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) lab
- transport lab, including driving simulators
- developmental observation lab
- interview and focus group rooms
- computational modelling and data analysis lab
- auditory perception lab
- sleep lab
- wetlab
- social interaction lab
- Virtual Reality lab.
Our City Campus has everything you’ll need to keep occupied between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s a 100-station gym; convenient cafés, bars and restaurants; our Students’ Union and popular Global Lounge; plenty of relaxed spaces to catch up with friends; and much, much more!
If that’s not enough, just take a few steps off campus, and you’ll find yourself in the beating heart of Nottingham: one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and a hub of individuality and creative industry. There are plenty of places to meet like-minded people and get inspired, from charming and budget-friendly independent cinemas to quirky shops, board game cafes, and retro arcade bars.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points (full-time) or 128 UCAS Tariff Points (sandwich) from up to four qualifications
Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff (full-time) or 120 UCAS Tariff points (sandwich) from up to four qualifications
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
It is preferable that students do not have more than one A-level in a performance, artistic or creative subject such as Art, Dance or Drama. However, all applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Psychology is about understanding behaviour, in all its forms. Primarily you will have an interest in psychology – in why people behave in the way they do. Psychology at NTU is treated as both a biological and social science, and it is preferable that you have some understanding of the broad nature of the discipline. Ideally, you will be interested in learning about out how to carry out research and analyse data.
Please note that a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) will be necessary before working with young people or vulnerable populations, but it is not required for admission onto the BSc (Hons) Psychology or the course pathways.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points (full-time) or 128 UCAS Tariff Points (sandwich) from up to four A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
It is preferable that students do not have more than one A-level in a performance, artistic or creative subject such as Art, Dance or Drama. However, all applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Psychology is about understanding behaviour, in all its forms. Primarily you will have an interest in psychology – in why people behave in the way they do. Psychology at NTU is treated as both a biological and social science, and it is preferable that you have some understanding of the broad nature of the discipline. Ideally, you will be interested in learning about out how to carry out research and analyse data.
Please note that a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) will be necessary before working with young people or vulnerable populations, but it is not required for admission onto the BSc (Hons) Psychology or the course pathways.
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
