Psychology and Sociology

Our Sociology and Psychology degree at the University of Chester offers a unique blend of disciplines that will equip you with the tools to understand and address society's most pressing challenges.

Explore the intersection of human behaviour and social structures. Delve into a wide range of topics, from media and racial inequalities to consumer culture and climate change. Our expert staff will guide you through a curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Develop the skills to become a force for positive change. Learn to analyse complex social issues, communicate effectively, and apply your knowledge to real-world problems. Our course includes opportunities for work placements and networking with local organisations.

Gain a deep understanding of the human mind. Explore the complexities of human thought, emotions, and behavior. Our Psychology component provides a solid foundation in mental health, social psychology, and cognitive processes. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and our course ensures you can achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartership of this professional body.

Join us at the University of Chester and embark on a journey that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on the world.

In your first year you will develop an understanding of human behaviour, societies, and social identities. You will study the formation of both individual and collective identities within the wider context of social divisions, diversity, and inequality in relation to race, gender, social class, and sexuality. You will examine the historical and contemporary context of social welfare, situating social policy within significant socio-economic and political changes.  You will explore media representations of different groups in society. You will consider global inequalities and environmental changes enabling you to participate in debates on topics such as society, ecology, and climate change.

In Year Two you will engage in theoretically informed debates on contemporary social issues topics such as mobilities, globalisation, status, social class, and decolonisation. You will study the ideas of race, ethnicity, nationality and citizenship in a historical perspective that takes account of power and inequalities. You will explore how human mobility and the categorisations of groups of people transform societies and these social phenomena can contribute to explain social inequalities and practices. You will enhance your understanding of how bodies are constructed, categorised and regulated in contemporary Western societies and will critically discuss bodily choices, practices and discourses in neoliberal capitalist society, including topics such as cosmetic surgery, sex education, and fitness culture.

You will also have opportunities to learn through real world experience for example work placements and study abroad, to study a language, or engage with a research project to support and develop your career plans.

In year three you will deepen your understanding of the sociology of consumption and will be encouraged to engage in critical consideration and reflection on the rise and continued predominance of consumer culture in our everyday lives. You will debate the role of education in wider society and opportunities it can provide within the wider context of neoliberalism, capitalism and postmodern thinking. You will critically consider how social scientists can engage the public to promote social change. You will explore the role of power in framing social issues, the challenges of public social science, and the responsibilities of social scientists to educate and advocate for marginalized communities. Students develop skills in effectively communicating to diverse audiences.

You will also undertake a major project on a key social challenge with support and guidance from experienced researchers.

Theoretical understandings also span across all three levels of study, with students building the ability to apply and appraise theory in reference to a variety of social problems.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules.

Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is primarily delivered in-person, with some online learning. Students can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising of lecture content, task-based workshops and peer-led seminar discussions.

Outside of timetabled teaching, students should expect to spend an average of 30–34 hours per week on independent study, which might include undertaking weekly asynchronous learning activities for each module, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics with expertise in the subject, including guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods to optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable students to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace.

These will include formative assessment such as group tasks and discussions where students can receive feedback from lecturers and their peers to build their confidence and skills. Summative assessment will include written coursework, such essays (short and long form), summaries and critical reviews of literature and/or policy, case studies/reports, and writing for public as well as academic audiences. In addition, summative assessment will focus on visual, verbal and practical skills, encompassing, for example, posters, presentations and Q&A discussions.

This will help to ensure that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace, and have opportunities to build the skills and confidence to manage these effectively.

Students will be given ongoing support with assessments throughout each module, in addition to being guided on how to utilise past feedback. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they put our students in the best position for graduate level employment.

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

• British Psychological Society