Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology (Professional Placement Year)

Examine the mind and the assumptions, beliefs and values which shape human behaviour.

• Apply a range of different cultural and scientific perspectives to the challenges, issues and debates facing society.

• Develop the practical skills needed to communicate your findings effectively.

• Gain Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS – the first step to achieving Chartered Psychologist status.

Our combined Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology degree has been designed to equip you with specialist subject knowledge alongside practical and professional skills.

You'll contribute to answering society's key questions and challenges while preparing for a career in a variety of fields including education, teaching, health, civil service, social work and journalism.

Throughout the course, you'll gain essential transferable skills such as:

• Critical thinking

• Independent learning

• Collaborative working

• Project management

• Effective communication methods

• Evaluating a range of different options.

Modules

Year one
You'll begin by exploring the main areas of psychological science and developing your skills in philosophical thinking. The curriculum is broad, and allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions, interrogate evidence, data and opinions. You'll also be introduced to research and data analysis skills.

Year two
Take on further depth and challenges as you advance your understanding of research and analysis, and begin to combine your academic studies with the development of professional skills.

Year three
As you embark upon your dissertation, you'll work one-to-one with a member of staff on an original research project. You'll also learn about creative enterprise with psychological science, completing a consultancy project of your own. Your optional modules will continue to allow you to explore subject areas of your choosing.

Assessment method

Assessment methods vary depending on your module choices, and can include essays, debates, individual or group presentations, projects, workbooks, portfolios, reflection pieces, online discussions and seen examinations.

Some assignments involve collaborating with local organisations and charities on live briefs, allowing you to develop solutions to real-world issues.

This variety of assessment methods and move away from traditional exams builds transferable, work-ready skills, integrating employability throughout the degree.

Accreditation
Both our single and combined honours Psychology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This provides Graduate Basis for Registration with the BPS to gain Chartered Psychologist status, provided you achieve a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation.

Combined Honour Awards
At Bath Spa University many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. If you choose to study a combined award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.