Psychology

Psychology is a fascinating subject that aims to understand why people behave in the way that they do, by considering the complex interplay between biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and social influences on behaviour. This academic discipline encompasses a wide range of topics including how changes in the brain influence behaviour, why false memories occur, why people behave differently when they are in a group, how language influences thinking, how we learn to understand other’s intentions, how psychological distress can be alleviated, why we identify with some people and not others, how subconscious processes influence our behaviour, and how our thinking develops as we grow from children to adults.

Studying on our BSc (Hons) Psychology at Aston University will provide you with the basis for understanding why people act in certain ways, and insight into methods of changing their behaviour.

By choosing to study at Aston you will gain a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), have the opportunity to complete a career-enhancing placement in the UK or internationally, and be taught by leading experts from a range of specialist psychological fields.

There is a huge demand across a range of industries for graduates with a specialism in psychology, as it provides a wide range of transferable skills such as the ability to problem solve, answer complex but important questions, communicate effectively, critical analysis, writing, and research. Graduates from across our suite of psychology courses go on to a variety of different careers. Some choose to use their British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation to continue their studies post-graduation, working towards a career in occupational, educational or clinical psychology. Many graduates also go into careers such as human resources, organisational development, marketing, business, or the creative industries.

Key course benefits:

• Our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confer eligibility for the Graduate Chartered Membership (MBPsS) of the BPS, which is vital for students who wish to ultimately train as a professional psychologist (clinical, educational, forensic, occupational etc). It is also the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

• Access a wide range of specialist facilities including an observation suite (with covert audio-visual recording), equipment and tools for psychophysiological measurement, eye tracking and motion capture, dedicated laboratories for cognitive experiments, and larger facilities for focus groups and audience-based research.

• Study for 3 years or the option of an integrated placement year with a 4-year study option. Students have an opportunity to take a placement year (optional)in the UK or abroad, designed to set studies in a real-world context and improve employability.

• 93% of our students felt positive about the academic support provided on their course (Psychology, National Student Survey, 2024)

• Ranked top 13th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – on track (Psychology, Complete University Guide, 2025).

• Our recent graduates have gone on to secure work in organisations such as the NHS, the City Council, the UK police force, and mental health charities.

• You’ll be taught by research-led academics. Our School of Psychology is home to a large range of teaching and research active staff with interests in neuroscience and neurodevelopment, ageing, cognitive and affective neuroscience, neuroimaging (including neuroimaging of clinical populations), health and lifespan development, and sensory and perceptual systems.

We no longer offer a Foundation Programme. If you select Year 0 on your application form, this will be amended to Year 1 at the admissions review stage.

Year 1
Studying the key topics that will form the basis of your psychology education, you’ll learn how to articulate your gained knowledge of core theories and concepts and discover more about the possible graduate career pathways open to you. Core modules: Key Skills in Psychology I, Key Skills in Psychology II, Biological and Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Social Psychology, Foundations of Contemporary Psychology, and Introduction to Clinical Psychology. In addition you will select two optional modules. For more information, please visit our website.

Year 2
Build on the core grounding you gained in your first year, as well as being introduced to exciting new subject areas such as lifespan development and cognitive neuropsychology. You’ll gain communication and critical thinking skills, along with developing your ability to use a wide range of statistical and qualitative research methods.Core modules: Research Methods and Data Analysis, Applied Psychology and Professional Skills, Social Psychology, Brain and Behaviour, Lifespan Development, Individual Differences and Personality, Cognition and Cognitive Neuropsychology. In addition, you will select one optional module. For more information, please visit our website.

Placement year (optional)
Placement year (integrated into the 4-year BSc): Your opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. For example, our Placement students gain experiences in a range of diverse careers, with previous students undertaking placements as Research Assistants, Environmental Consultants, Teaching Assistants, and Educational and Clinical Psychologists, to name just a few.

Final year
You will select and complete eight specialist modules that fit your interests, and conduct a research project in a specialist area of your choice with support from our expert psychology staff.

For more information, please visit our website.

You will encounter a variety of learning opportunities, including:
lectures practical sessions interactive workshops and tutorials group work. At university, there is a much stronger emphasis on private reading and independent study than at school or college. However, we are here to support you in making this transition and to help you manage your learning. For example we set out your work for the year in an online student guide, which includes full details of all modules including week-by-week lecture breakdowns, reading lists and all coursework assignments for the year with the relevant deadlines. You will be assessed throughout the course.

A wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes are used, including: class tests/end of year examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple choice questions) essays research reports (group or individual) presentations statistics assignments oral presentations.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Psychological Society