Psychology Degree Courses (C800) | Lancaster University

Course Overview

As well as studying the work of some of the greatest psychological thinkers in history, we encourage you to play your part in the debate and explore your own thoughts and theories.

You begin your studies with two Psychology modules as well as one other subject of your choice. The Understanding Psychology module covers a range of topics designed to introduce several broad themes, including how people think, how children develop, how the brain works and how people interact.

This course is complemented by the second core module: Investigating Psychology. In your first year, you develop foundations for appreciating good research techniques and strategies, which will eventually help you to carry out your own studies.

In your second year, you build on the topics already studied so that you gain a sound background in all the essential areas of Psychology required for the British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. This year covers cognitive, developmental and social psychology, neuropsychology and individual differences, giving you a much deeper experience of investigating problems in Psychology.

In your final year, you will get a chance to specialise, choosing from a range of options, taught by experts in the field, including Forensic or Clinical or Educational Psychology, the Social Psychology of Conservation and the Environment or of Memory, or the Effects of Drugs on the Brain. You also get the chance to carry out a research project of your choice, supervised by a member of staff who is an experienced and active researcher.

You also have the option to graduate with either a BA or BSc - a decision that you make in your final year. Both degrees are equivalent and both are accredited by the British Psychological Society.

The Psychology Department proved to be a supportive and stimulating environment in which I could develop my academic interests.

Career opportunities

As Psychology tends to attract people with an analytical yet open mind, there are various career options to be explored following graduation. Careers pursued by our graduates within
the private sector include human resources, marketing, management and banking. In the public sector the career paths followed by our graduates include teaching, social work and the psychology professions, such as clinical, education and forensic psychology.

Students wishing to enter the psychology professions often gather relevant experience by working as support workers, mental health workers, assistant psychologist or teaching assistants prior to further training at Masters and Doctoral levels.

Amongst our alumni, the most popular route of employment is into jobs in the commercial and public sectors, where your knowledge and skills can be applied to roles relating to communication, understanding and analysis.

Around a quarter of our graduates go on to further their Psychology studies with a Masters degree in a related subject, or a vocational diploma. Others continue in research, in the UK or overseas, with the help of funding.

Modules

Here are some of the current modules which are available during your studies at Lancaster:

PartI

Investigating Psychology
Understanding Psychology

PartII (Year 2)

Brain and Behaviour
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Personality and Individual Differences
Research Methods
Social Psychology
Statistics

PartII (Year 3)

Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
Project

For more detailed module information please visit the Psychology department website.

Entry Requirements

A-level: AAB. We normally expect three A-levels.

General Studies: Considered

Preference: Acceptable for maximum of 6 units

Key skills: Not included in offer

GCSE: Maths (min grade B) is required from all applicants

Scottish Highers: ABBBB

Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information

International Bacc: 35 pts overall with 16 pts from the best three HL courses

BTEC: DDD/DDM

Mature students: Applications encouraged. Recent formal study of psychology is expected. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information

IELTS: 6.5

For details of how we evaluate international qualifications, please click here.

Financial Support

Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.

The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.

Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.

Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.

For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page.