Key information
Start date: October 2021
BSc (Hons) UCAS: C801 3 years
BSc (Hons) UCAS: C800 4 years with professional training
BSc (Hons) UCAS: C802 4 years with foundation year
BSc (Hons) UCAS: C803 5 years with foundation year and professional training
Why choose this course
Our research-led BSc (Hons) Psychology course will provide you with a combination of personal, professional and academic opportunities.
Taught by research-active lecturers, our graduates are well-placed to train as practising psychologists and therapists and are also highly valued in any sector that requires transferable skills like critical thinking, data analysis and communication.
Our teaching was recognised as outstanding when we received the TEF Gold award. As a student, you will also have access to excellent teaching facilities to maximise your learning experience.
As one of the few universities to offer work experience as part of the course, we’ve established links with many outstanding professional training partners. This course is also accredited by the British Psychological Society.
"The highlight of my placement was gaining independence by applying and developing the transferable skills I learnt and being able to develop myself both personally and professionally.” Salina Iten, student
"I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to take a novel, creative approach to tasks and I feel that studying Psychology at Surrey has fostered this trait. With every assignment, we are encouraged to critique literature and go beyond merely regurgitating content.” Jonny Beavis, student
What you will study
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, mental health and neuropsychological functioning. It seeks to understand what makes us who we are, how our minds work, and what influences our behaviour and social relationships.
Using a range of cutting-edge equipment, you will learn about core areas of psychology, research methods and statistics. You will also be able to tailor your degree by choosing your final-year modules and dissertation research topic. You can also pursue an optional Professional Training placement in a field relevant to your career aspirations.
Our BPS accredited course is informed by leading research conducted by our multidisciplinary research groups, including developmental psychology; environmental psychology; social emotions and equality in relations; health psychology; clinical interventions and practice; and the Surrey BabyLab.
In your first year, you will study core areas of psychology and research methods to develop the foundations of psychological literacy. This will be supported by small-group skills tutorials.
In Year 2, you’ll study more advanced level modules that deal with contemporary issues in each area of psychology. You’ll also take a unique module that supports the development of your professional skills, which will cover placement or job preparation and career options available in the psychology field.
In Year 3, you will take an advanced critical thinking module and four specialist optional modules as well as complete a research dissertation under the supervision of a staff member.
Each year we offer a selection from the full range of optional modules listed in the course catalogue. This selection will include clinical, health, occupational and environmental psychology, as well as a range of specialist modules from across the breadth of psychology led by staff in their own active areas of research. The specific list will vary each year due to staff availability.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - British Psychological Society (BPS) - Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Placements
You have the option to complete a Professional Training placement as part of this course. This will give you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, helping to prepare you for your future career.
A significant proportion of placement students at Surrey are offered graduate-level jobs or go onto postgraduate study.
Psychology placements
Most of our students choose to do a Professional Training placement year. These normally begin at the end of the second academic year and finish in time for you to begin your third year of study (the fourth year of your course).
Professional Training placements offer students an invaluable opportunity to gain work experience and gain insight into a degree-relevant job. You’ll also refine a host of skills that employers look for, giving you an employable edge as a psychology graduate which can lead to rewarding graduate jobs.
The extensive professional networks and research activities of our staff will enable you to choose from a range of Professional Training placement settings to reflect your individual interests and needs.
Opportunities are available throughout the UK and beyond in any sector that employs psychology graduates, including placements in hospitals and clinics, schools, social survey companies, personnel and occupational guidance services, industry and commerce.
Our psychology students have taken placements at organisations such as:
Home Office
National Crime Agency
Metropolitan Police
Hays Specialist Recruitment
National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for Surrey
Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development
Social Communication Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Volkswagen
Study and work abroad
We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their studies by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad.
Want to study at an overseas institution as part of your degree or work abroad during your Professional Training year? Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
Not only is the opportunity to go abroad a hugely enjoyable experience, but you will also develop key skills and knowledge that will strengthen your CV and increase your employability.
Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
Partner institutions
You will have the opportunity to take up a Professional Training placement abroad at one of our partner universities, currently including:
University of Salzburg
Humboldt University, Berlin
Oldenburg University
University of Turin
University of Milano-Bicocca.
These European universities offer the possibility of doing a research-based placement year in one of their laboratories with possible Erasmus+ funding. There are also Professional Training placement opportunities in other parts of Europe, the US and Australia.
