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 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.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Psychology department.
Year 1
- Understanding Psychology
- Investigating Psychology
Year 2
- Cognitive Psychology
- Brain and Behaviour
- Social Psychology
- Research Methods
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality and Individual Differences
- Statistics
Year 3
- Project
- Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
- Forensic and Investigative Psychology
- The Psychology of Attention: from the laboratory to everyday behaviour
- Professional Skills for Psychologists
- Prozac Nation: Human Psychopharmacology
- Topics in Clinical Psychology
- The Social Psychology of Conservation and the Environment
- Advanced Social Psychology
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology
- The Developing Mind
- Advanced Human Neuropsychology
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Psychology department website.
Entry Criteria
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 (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
Careers
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.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments which include the traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory and practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based delivery.
The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using various methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include basic and in-depth questions, essays and data analysis. Students are supervised in the production of final year project reports and dissertations, while students in laboratory classes are supported by demonstrators. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue.
In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page
View details of our current Undergraduate fees.
