Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It asks how we perceive the world, how we learn and remember, how emotions shape our judgements, how we relate to other people, and how psychological processes go wrong in ways that cause suffering. It is a discipline that combines rigorous empirical methods with a genuine concern for understanding human experience, and studying it at degree level means developing both a body of knowledge and the research skills to test ideas about the mind rather than merely speculating about them.

The University of Derby's online delivery of its psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which is the UK's professional body for psychology and the standard by which UK psychology degrees are assessed. BPS accreditation means the programme provides the Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is the first step towards professional psychological practice in the UK. The online, part-time format makes this accredited qualification accessible to students who cannot attend a campus, whether because of work, location, disability, or other commitments.

The programme has no listed tariff for fixed entry, and admissions consider qualifications and experience on an individual basis.

You will study the major areas of psychology including cognitive, social, developmental, biological, and clinical psychology, alongside research methods and statistics. The research methods strand is central: psychology is an empirical discipline, and the ability to design studies, analyse data, and interpret results is as important as understanding the theories. The online format is designed to deliver this rigorous content flexibly, and Derby's experience in distance learning ensures the programme is well structured and well supported.

Graduates from BPS-accredited psychology programmes use their Graduate Basis for Chartership as the foundation for further professional training in clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, or occupational psychology. Others move into careers in human resources, mental health support, market research, education, the civil service, social care, and a wide range of other fields where understanding people is central to the work.