Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year

Our Integrated Foundation Year is an exciting, skills-building course that will teach you how to think and study as a Psychologist, and give you everything you need to start your BSc Psychology degree with confidence. You will learn explanations for how we think, feel, and behave, in the context of key issues and debates in contemporary Psychology. You will also delve into important global issues, such as health, sustainability, and social inequalities. Once you have completed your Foundation year, you will progress onto the full degree course, BSc Psychology.
Understand the mind with BSc Psychology. Explore aspects of psychology from perception to social interactions and gain insights into the complexities of human behaviour.
What makes us think, feel and behave the way we do? This course dives into how the brain and mind work, exploring topics like memory, emotions, perception, and decision-making. Learn psychological theories and research methods that help explain human behaviour and development.
You’ll study in a supportive department ranked 3rd in the UK for research (THE, REF Institution ranked by subject 2022). Learning from award-winning educators, you’ll contribute to a leading research culture with your own final-year project. Benefit from access to a range of advanced facilities including an on-site magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and equipment to record electrical brain activity (EEG).
What makes humans tick?
• Use scientific methods to analyse the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence behaviour
• You’ll be able to customise your degree after year one with optional modules to follow your interests
• Conduct research, interpret complex data and develop communication skills to present your findings clearly
Your path ahead
Develop your confidence to apply the most up-to-date psychological principles and techniques to real-world situations.
Our graduates are well-prepared for rewarding careers in psychology, healthcare, education, and research. The course also provides a strong foundation for further study in clinical psychology, counselling, or academic research.

Teaching and learning on this course is closely informed by the active research of staff within the Departments. In general terms, the course provides an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate the learning outcomes detailed herein. Teaching and learning may be through a mix of formal lectures, seminar discussions and oral presentations, guided independent research, guided independent study, coursework essays, and a dissertation. The basic strategies are to nurture students interest and enthusiasm for the field, to develop their critical and communication skills and to develop critical, research and creative skills. Assessment of knowledge and understanding is typically through written work. Formative feedback will be provided continuously through informal oral feedback in seminars and more formally through written feedback on summative assessment. Full details of the assessments for individual modules can be obtained from the Departments. Contact hours come in various forms and may take the form of time spent with a member of staff in a lecture or seminar with other students. Contact hours may also be laboratory or, studio-based sessions, project supervision with a member of staff, or discussion through a virtual learning environment (VLE). These contact hours may be with a lecturer or teaching assistant, but they may also be with a technician, or specialist support staff. The way in which each module on the degree course is assessed will vary. Assessments listed as 'summative' will count towards their overall mark for the module, and potentially the degree classification, depending on the year of study. On successful completion of the module students will gain the credits listed. 'Coursework' might typically include a written assignment, like an essay. Coursework might also include a report, dissertation or portfolio. 'Practical assessments' might include an oral assessment or presentation, or a demonstration of practical skills required for the particular module. More detailed information on modules, including teaching and learning methods, and methods of assessment, can be found via the online Module Catalogue. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed regularly by the university, and may also be checked routinely by external agencies, such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).