Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, exploring how people think, feel, perceive, learn, and act across the full range of human experience. It is a discipline that combines biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical perspectives to build a comprehensive understanding of what makes us who we are, and it has direct relevance to an extraordinary range of professional fields, from health and education to business, law, and sport.

At the University of the West of England, Bristol, this accredited programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society and has a strong practical focus that builds your professional skills alongside your academic knowledge. You will cover the core areas of psychology required for BPS accreditation, including cognitive and biological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, individual differences, and research methods, and you will develop the empirical and analytical skills to evaluate psychological evidence critically. The practical emphasis means that you will engage with applied contexts throughout the degree, building the professional skills that employers look for and that will enhance your CV.

The programme is offered part time, making it accessible to students who are managing other commitments. It includes a foundation year, which provides a supported entry route and builds your academic confidence before you enter the main programme. A sandwich year and work placement are also included, giving you professional experience across a range of psychological or related settings.

BPS accreditation means that the programme confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is a prerequisite for postgraduate training routes into professional psychology. Graduates go on to careers in mental health services, education, human resources, market research, social care, and many other fields, as well as to postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, forensic, occupational, and educational psychology.