Introduction

Psychology is located within the Department of Applied Social Sciences, and may be studied as a Single Honours programme, or in combination with most other subjects in the Combined Honours Scheme. It is well suited to students intending to pursue a career in Psychology, as well as those seeking employment in other areas requiring psychological knowledge and skills. A Single Honours programme in sport psychology is also available, leading to BSc Psychology (Sport and Exercise) - for details, click here. The two Single Honours programmes, and a specific Combined Honours pathway leading to BSc Psychology with X, are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)**.

Part-time routes for people in employment are available. See Professional Development by Work Based Learning.

Content and Structure

The programme provides an overview of Psychology as a scientific discipline and its associated methods of inquiry, with numerous opportunities for in-depth study of its particular perspectives, major findings and applications. Throughout the programme, students develop important transferable skills in areas such as information seeking, research, data handling, problem-solving, and critical evaluation.

YEAR 1

Year one aims to provide students with an integrated introduction to the subject matter of Psychology and the practice of psychological research. All students study the following modules:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology

Throughout the year students engage in a range of practical coursework, gathering and reporting data from their own investigations and analysing it using state-of-the-art computer software.

In addition, Single Honours students* also study:

• Perspectives on Cognition and Behaviour
• Psychology in Practice

The first of these modules introduces past and present philosophical and theoretical issues in Psychology and related disciplines, while the second provides students with an insight into the work of practitioners in the field. Single Honours students may also study:

• Evolutionary Psychology

Alternatively, they may take one of a range of possible modules offered by other programmes within the BA/BSc scheme.

YEAR 2

Year two aims to provide students with an in-depth coverage of theory and research in core areas of Psychology, together with study and experience of more advanced research methods. Single Honours students also take one or more specialist options. All Single Honours students - and all Combined Honours students following the BPS-accredited pathway - take the following modules;

• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental and Social Psychology
• Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology

These modules build upon the foundation of research skills and knowledge provided in year one, introducing students to more advanced methodologies and giving them the opportunity to further design and carry out research projects in areas that interest them.

Additionally, Single Honours students choose two of the following modules*;

• Psychology of Optimal Performance
• Health Psychology
• Environmental Psychology
• Animal Cognition

Combined Honours students taking 40-60 credits in Psychology at year two take one or other of the research methods modules, and / or both Cognitive Psychology and Developmental and Social Psychology.

YEAR 3

Year three continues the coverage of core areas of Psychology, whilst encouraging students to take a more critical stance towards Psychology itself as a discipline. There is also the opportunity for students to apply the research skills acquired in levels one and two in designing and carrying out a year-long empirical project. Year three also offers further options with an applied focus, allowing students to choose courses that relate well to their particular interests or intended career path.

All students take the following core modules:

• Individual Differences and Group Processes
• Biological Psychology

In addition, all Single Honours students - and all Combined Honours students following the BPS-accredited pathway - take the following modules:

• Final year project (Individual Study)
• Psychology in Critical Perspective

Students may also choose up to two additional modules (depending on their chosen pathway) from a range of options that may typically include*:

• Psychology in Education
• Psychology of Work
• Psychology and the Therapeutic Process
• Applied Cognitive Psychology

Further information about options within degree programmes can be found here.

Please note: module organisation is subject to ongoing review and may change from that given above. For up-to-date information on programme structure please see the Psychology website.

*Does not apply to students following BSc Psychology (Sport and Exercise) who study alternative optional and/or compulsory modules in sport psychology. For details, see prospectus entry for Sport and Exercise Psychology

Methods of Assesment

Modules within the programme are assessed by a variety of means, including written coursework, research reports, presentations and examinations.

Important Information

Applications for this programme are made through UCAS, see the UCAS codes page. Entry requirements for Single Honours Psychology are typically 260 UCAS points including BCC at A2 Level, see the entry requirements page for more information, plus GCSE Mathematics at grade C. The entry requirements for Joint/Combined Psychology are typically 240 UCAS points including CCC at A2 Level, see the entry requirements page for more information. For both Single and Joint/Combined an A2 Level or equivalent in Psychology is desirable but not essential. Information about the way we select applicants can be found on the "Offer of a place" page.

Employment Opportunities

The skills that psychology students develop in terms of studying human behaviour and engaging in empirical research, means they have much to offer potential employers. The programme can lead to further postgraduate study and/or employment in occupations and professions where psychology-related, as well as interpersonal and social skills, are valued. Many psychology graduates find employment in the caring professions, education, the field of business and management, and other people-focused occupations. BSc (Hons) Psychology, BSc Hons) Psychology (Sport and Exercise) and BSc (Hons) Psychology with X degrees at Canterbury Christ Church University are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)**, giving students who gain a 2.2 degree or above the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS that allows them to pursue postgraduate vocational training in areas such as Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology and Health Psychology.

**Note: ‘Psychology with X’ denotes any degree combining Psychology with another subject, in which 80 credits of Psychology are taken at each of levels two and three.

What our students say

All the lecturers are helpful and very supportive. They are what really make my experience at Canterbury Christ Church so enjoyable and exciting. They are always available to help, and are extremely understanding. They all have a friendly approach to speaking to students.

Mehreen Amer
Psychology