BSc (Hons) Psychology

Teaching & Learning

Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through several modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Year 1

What You'll Learn

Introducing Psychology

Develop your critical thinking and reflective learning which are required in all other Psychology modules. It also enables you to practise and master key skills such as literature searching, presenting arguments for a case, essay writing, referencing and reviewing an article.

Introduction to Social & Developmental Psychology

You will be introduced to the main theoretical perspectives and research techniques developed by social and developmental psychologists. You will explore how current issues and topics have been addressed by social and developmental psychologists. The seminar activities and assessment will provide you with the opportunity to consider ways in which psychological knowledge and research are applied.

Research Methods in Psychology 1

Develop your theoretical understanding of the scientific method of knowledge acquisition. You will also develop skills in numerical reasoning, and statistical analysis (with an emphasis on test of differences), and you will practise communicating the results of research in the form of a research report.

Mind, Brain & Behaviour

This module will support you in your learning and understanding of core concept areas in the fields of biological and cognitive psychology. The biological strand introduces students to the basic anatomy of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, and how these underlie behavioural processes such as sleep, emotion, memory, and drug use. The cognitive strand explores the cognitive basis of memory, attention, perception, thinking, learning, emotion, and sleep. Through a combination of lectures and laboratory-based practicals, you will gain an understanding of the main theoretical and methodological approaches in both fields.

Psychology & Mental Health

Explore the major perspectives on mental health in psychology, its assessment and therapy/treatment. You will also take a brief overview of the historical perceptions of 'madness'. You will make connections between sociocultural influences and individual psychopathological behaviour, including the relationship between theory and practice in the mental health field.

Year 2

What You'll Learn

Social Psychology

Learn about how we think, feel and understand the social world we live in. This will include; how we communicate, think and make sense of our life, the people we meet in it, how we make sense of ourselves, the relationships we have, and the values we hold about ourselves and others. You’ll also learn about how we may behave and think in the groups we belong to and how we think about and act towards the groups we feel we don’t belong to.

Behavioural Neuroscience

You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the biological mechanisms underpinning the human visual, sensory and motor systems. The module also introduces the biological theories and treatments of psychopathology. Through a combination of lectures and lab-based learning, you will develop transferrable specialised research and technological skills.

Research Methods in Psychology 2

Build upon the Intermediate Research Methods module. You will advance your theoretical understanding and application of the scientific-investigative methods with particular emphasis on the assumption, collection, analysis and presentation of both quantitative and qualitative data. You will also develop your ability to use and interpret advanced statistical techniques (e.g., ANOVA, multiple regression) and collect and analyse qualitative data using specific approaches (e.g., Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Discourse Analysis).

Individual Differences & Work Behaviour

Focus on the key areas within individual differences including theories of personality; intelligence; emotion; psychometrics; and the application of individual differences in real-life situations, with particular reference to principles and methods derived from occupational/work psychology.

Psychological Development Through the Lifespan

Further enhance your understanding of the main theories, applications and research techniques developed by developmental psychologists. You will consider the genetic, environmental and learned influences affecting development. You will also explore current issues and topics, taking a lifespan perspective to understand human psychological development.

Cognitive Psychology

Build on your cognitive psychology knowledge obtained in your first year and learn about how core domains of cognition contribute to higher-order cognitive functions such as problem-solving, executive function and metacognition. Expanding the horizons of cognitive psychology, you’ll also consider the influence of emotional states on cognition and in turn, the role of cognitive biases in the generation of emotion.

Research Methods in Psychology 3

Explore in greater depth some of the philosophical, theoretical and epistemological assumptions that support qualitative research paradigms. You’ll be introduced to and utilise more advanced methods of qualitative data collection and analysis/interpretation, including more creative and contemporary ways of conducting research interviews (e.g. the use of the photo-elicitation technique), media text analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis.

Option modules

Cyber Psychology

Explore a broad range of topics and debates within this field, covering theoretical concerns and practical applications of cyberpsychology. You’ll develop an understanding of key methodological and ethical issues arising from internet-mediated psychology research.

Drug Addiction

Develop an in-depth understanding of the social, psychological and biochemical factors relating to drug use and abuse. You will gain knowledge of pharmacokinetics, acute and chronic drug effects and current treatment strategies. Through a combination of lectures and lab-based learning, you will develop specialist knowledge and transferrable research and technological skills relevant to careers in the field of addiction e.g. drug rehabilitation, drug counselling, and psychopharmacology.

Institutional Racism

This module will focus on the relevance of anti-racism in the following fields: academia, applied psychology (e.g., educational psychology, clinical psychology and/or health psychology), healthcare and other public institutions.

Memory in the Real World

You will be introduced to a range of methodologies to study human memory including the experimental, neuroscientific, and neuropsychological approaches as well as those relying on subjective reports. You’ll learn about key phenomena surrounding human memory including concepts of knowledge, and theories of forgetting and will learn to appreciate the difference between everyday and pathological memory failures in a lifespan neuropsychology context.

Psychology of Appearance

Gain an understanding of the array of socio-cultural, physical, psychological and interpersonal factors that influence how people think and feel about their bodies, and how these factors are linked to people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour (e.g. eating attitudes and behaviours, exercise, body adornment and modification, as well as behaviours such as sexual risk-taking and drug use).

Psychology of Women

Gain in-depth and critical knowledge on a variety of different areas of psychology that try to understand thinking, identities, experiences and practices associated with womanhood. These areas will range from the study of women and love, women and work, to women and sexuality. You will begin to understand and evaluate the competing and conflicting accounts of womanhood.

Real World Psychology

Explore professional practice within a field of psychology as you engage in a real-world project pertinent to one of these fields, and develop transferrable skills that will enhance your employability.

Applying Psychology to Mental Health & Wellbeing

Explore contemporary applications of psychological theories in mental and physical well-being. Specifically, you’ll study theories, preventions, and supportive interventions in different applied contexts such as schools, community, health and rehabilitation settings.

Year 3

What You'll Learn

Critical & Philosophical Issues in Psychology Final Year Project

Explore some central themes within critical psychology and some philosophical ideas that have informed critical thinking. These will include debates about whether psychology is/should be 'scientific', whether psychology contributes to the oppression or invisibility of certain groups and whether psychology takes sufficient account of context (e.g. cultural, historical, political, ideological, situational etc). You’ll then consider how mainstream and critical psychologists have conceptualised and studied things like gender, race, ethnicity, social class, 'normality'/'abnormality' and the self, as well as the limitations and implications of these.

Undertake a research project in psychology, and further enhance and showcase the skills you’ve developed through your study of research methods. This module has a strong emphasis on self-management and provides the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in project management, problem-solving, and independent thought.

Critical & Philosophical Issues in Psychology

Explore some central themes within critical psychology and some philosophical ideas that have informed critical thinking. These will include debates about whether psychology is/should be 'scientific', whether psychology contributes to the oppression or invisibility of certain groups and whether psychology takes sufficient account of context (e.g. cultural, historical, political, ideological, situational etc). You’ll then consider how mainstream and critical psychologists have conceptualised and studied things like gender, race, ethnicity, social class, 'normality'/'abnormality' and the self, as well as the limitations and implications of these.

Final Year Project

Undertake a research project in psychology, and further enhance and showcase the skills you’ve developed through your study of research methods. This module has a strong emphasis on self-management and provides the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in project management, problem-solving, and independent thought.

Option modules

Learning Psychology Together: Understanding Wellbeing In & Out of Prison

This module will provide a unique opportunity for you to learn psychology alongside prisoners or ex-offenders. It will develop your understanding and critical consideration of factors that affect well-being such as sleep, stress, and exercise. You’ll also consider evidence relating to wellbeing both in and out of prison and reflect on people’s experiences of wellbeing in different contexts.

Applied Health Psychology in Medical Practice

Explore the role of applied health psychologyint medical illness and foster a critical understanding of the debates within the field. You will critically evaluate the application of psychological theory (social cognition, health behaviour change) to medical practice, specifically including the design and evaluation of complex health interventions, medical decision-making, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), electronic technologies, collaborative care and patient experience. You will develop your knowledge of applied health psychology in medical practice by exploring contemporary applications of psychological theory to supportive interventions to promote health monitor disease and empower patients across a range of different health settings.

Biopsychology of Stress & Health

Learn and understand the psychology and physiology of stress, and its impact on health. You will explore the effects of stress on the immune system, sleeping behaviours, eating behaviours and cognitive performance. Various potentially stress-reducing interventions that may be beneficial to health (e.g. nutritional supplementation and diet; exercise; coping) will also be discussed to further encourage understanding of the biopsychological pathways linking stress and health.

Clinical & Counselling Psychology

Gain an introduction to clinical and counselling psychology specialisms. You will develop an understanding of a range of common mental health problems, their key symptoms and underlying theoretical explanations (for example, emotional disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and addictions) and the ability to critically evaluate the major approaches in the psychological therapies, which may be drawn upon in the alleviation of these problems.

Educational Psychology

Apply your knowledge of developmental psychology to real-life situations. You will focus on educational settings, special educational needs and educational psychology, although other careers and settings are considered: working with children will involve working in multidisciplinary teams to some extent. You will also have the opportunity to reflect on and develop ideas for future careers with children.

Forensic Psychology

You will study forensic psychology, which can be thought of as the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. It typically covers psychology and crime, and psychology and law. The module also provides varied opportunities for you to apply your knowledge, understanding and critical thinking to fictitious and real-world contexts, and to celebrate your achievements with a wider audience at an end-of-module poster conference.

Health Psychology

Health psychologists have expertise in understanding the things that influence people’s health and well-being. They use their expertise in psychology to develop interventions to change behaviour. The teaching team on this module have research expertise in several applied health areas: body image and eating disorders, reproductive health, quality of life, shared decision-making, stress, oncology, and health service interventions. You will explore different specialities in health psychology, covering both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to gain an understanding of why people behave the way they do and how to provide services that will meet individuals' needs and promote health and wellbeing.

Institutional Racism

Explore contemporary applications of social science theory to develop an applied anti-racist intervention relating to a specific institution such as the discipline of psychology, education and healthcare.

Lifespan Communication

Study the development of human communication throughout the lifespan. With an emphasis on understanding the multi-faceted nature of communication, the module reviews the practical applications of communication theories.

Positive & Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology uses evolutionary principles to help us better understand human behaviour. Positive psychology focuses on the capacity for human growth and other positive aspects of the human experience. In this module, you'll learn how evolutionary psychology can inform positive psychology. You'll be introduced to key concepts of evolutionary theory relating to human psychology. You'll engage with current literature, including recent findings and theories within evolutionary psychology. We'll encourage you to relate key insights from evolutionary psychology to topics within the field of positive psychology, such as happiness, gratitude, love and resilience.

Employment & Careers Psychology

Gain an understanding of the applications of psychology in fields such as education, human relations and services, careers and employability, retail, business, the charity sector or another sector of your choosing. You'll begin to appreciate how psychology explains employment and career outcomes and choices.

Cultural Psychology

Explore how culture influences elements of human experience including behaviour, thoughts and emotions. This module will give you a comprehensive introduction to general theories and methods related to culture and diversity. You'll develop your cultural competence by covering areas in psychology such as motivation, human development, and cognition from a cultural perspective. You'll also explore the methodology used by cultural psychologists. This module will support the development of your critical thinking and analytical skills while enabling you to think about your values and norms from a cultural perspective.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertises lots of placement opportunities and provides support in helping you find the right placement for you.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Systematically review, synthesize, and critically evaluate a body of psychological knowledge, including new and specialized knowledge, recognizing the diversity of psychological functioning and the global and socio-cultural context of human experience.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and competence in working independently to design, conduct, and report an empirical research project complying with established ethical standards.
3. Show competency in the analysis and interpretation of statistical and other forms of data, including employment of digital literacy skills in accessing, processing, and evaluating information, ideas, and evidence from a wide range of psychological and other scientific sources.
4. Demonstrate a sound and critical understanding of the applications of psychology and approach problem-solving in systematic, innovative, and creative ways to explain and devise solutions to a range of real-world problems.
5. Structure and effectively communicate ideas and information to a range of different audiences, using professional standards and enterprise skills appropriate to the socio-cultural and global contexts and purpose of the communication.
6. Demonstrate effective, respectful, and culturally sensitive teamwork skills and the ability to reflect critically and constructively on the achievement of personal and group objectives and potential for enhancing performance.

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. It meets the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step on your path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Explore your career options on our What You Can Do with a Psychology Degree blog page.

Our graduates work in healthcare, teaching, media, IT and computing, marketing and government.

• Psychologist
• Counsellor
• Social researcher
• Educational psychologist
• Occupational therapist

You could undertake our MSc Interdisciplinary Psychology or MSc Psychology of Sport & Exercise to deepen your expertise.