Home Courses Psychology and Counselling BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year
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Explore the brain, behaviour, and the human experience after an initial foundation year

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C806
4 years Full Time
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

21st

for Psychology in the UK

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3rd

for student satisfaction in Psychology in the UK

Complete University Guide 2023

11th

in the UK for overall average satisfaction for Psychology

National Student Survey 2023

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Overview

Understand the mind, brain, and human behaviour after an initial foundation year

Engage in the scientific study of experience and behaviour

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year course allows you to explore why we act the way we do, how we interact with other people, and the emotional significance we attach to these interactions.

Build your academic skills on an initial foundation year

This four-year course includes an integrated, introductory foundation year that develops your academic skills and confidence, as well as provides you with an overview of core aspects of psychology that you will build upon in your further years of study.

This option is for you if you are interested in psychology but do not meet the course entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Psychology yet, or if you want more time to prepare for higher education.

Explore all areas of psychology

Throughout your studies, you will explore the core principles that underline everyday human experience, as you examine how certain behaviours can be explained using psychological constructs and methods of investigation.

  • Biological psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Individual difference psychology
  • Mental health and forensic psychology
  • Social psychology

Undertake your own practical research

Using our range of specialist psychology equipment and facilities, you will use your own practical research and analytic skills to explain everyday experiences and complete experiments to enhance your learning.

You are also encouraged to select your own dissertation project and research method in your final year with a dedicated supervisor to support your individual approach, and you can also volunteer as a research assistant in the Psychology Department.

Small teaching groups for more personalised support

Our small, interactive seminars mean you are seen as an individual and not just another face in the crowd, as our lecturers get to know you and how best to support your academic and personal development.

Learn from expert and experienced practicing researchers

All our lecturers are active researchers or practitioners alongside their teaching roles, meaning that they bring their knowledge and research directly into the classroom with them, so you can be sure that you are engaged in the latest from the field of Psychology.

Prepare for your future career

Psychology graduates are sought after across a wide range of sectors including human resources, education, sport, social care, and the creative industries, and so this degree will help develop your prospects in a variety of future careers.

Accreditation

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means you’ll graduate with an industry-recognised qualification ready that acts as a first step to becoming a psychologist.

British Psychology Society Accredited Undergraduate programme logo

On this course you will:

  • Build your academic skills and confidence on an initial foundation year.
  • Explore all areas of psychology as you engage with complex, real-world problems.
  • Investigate psychological principles and theories using advanced research methods.
  • Learn from research-active and experienced lecturers who get to know you and your needs.
  • Choose your own research dissertation topic with the support of a dedicated, expert supervisor.
  • Have the opportunity to volunteer as a Research or a Teaching Assistant in the psychology department.
  • Learn on a BPS-accredited course and take the first step to becoming a psychologist.

The Course

Develop an in-depth understanding of key psychological principles and theories

Integrated Foundation Year (Year One)

The initial foundation year develops the academic skills you will need to excel at degree level, as well as provides you with a broad overview of key aspects of psychology.

Year Two

In your second year, you will explore the fundamental principles of psychology studies, as you begin to explore the science of our everyday experiences and learn the key research methods and skills you will use throughout your degree.

Year Three

Your third year will expand your knowledge of all areas of psychology and further develop your experiment design, research analysis, and criticism skills.

Year Four

In your final year, you will apply your skills and understanding to a variety of real-world contexts, as you develop your professional research skills ahead of a final year project on a topic of your choice.

Choose to specialise in a range of practical applications

In addition to the modules below you will be able to select additional optional modules to specialise in the practical application of theory to a range of disciplines including sport and exercise, health, business, marketing, early years, education, and the creative arts.

Indicative modules

You will study a selection of core and optional modules during your degree. Each module is worth a particular number of credits and is delivered differently depending on the needs of the module.

This list is indicative and subject to future change.

Select a year

Foundations in Psychology 1: Being and Feeling

In this module you will explore ‘being’ and ‘feeling’ — two components that enable us to experience the inside and outside worlds. Understanding these primary aspects of human psychology will create the foundation of your learning.

Foundations in Psychology 2: Thinking and Developing

This module is designed to develop your personal study skills. You will undertake an independent study into an aspect of education under the guidance of the module co-ordinator. You will accommodate new principles and new knowledge through your own study. This will involve knowing the complex interactions between education and broader contexts. Through carrying out your personal study, students should learn how to analyse the complex situations concerning human learning and development.

Project

This module is an applied piece of work related to your chosen degree. It will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the foundation year and will enhance your ability to work individually and as part of a team.

During the project, you will develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen future specialisation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate creativity in the design, planning and execution of a project.

Analysing Attitudes to Work & Performance

This module helps define a range of everyday experiences using psychological models of attitudes, as you learn how to analyse attitudes and explore psychological constructs, methodology and theories associated with experiences. Fundamental data analysis skills will be developed through lectures and the use of statistical software, with a focus on understanding patterns of data via visualisation.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a coursework assignment and a practical report.

Everyday Experience & Psychological Methods: Exploring Positive Psychology

The module explores the experience of positive psychology relating the need to understand one’s own motivation, aspirations, and goals to:

  • Self-development
  • Personality
  • Need for achievement
  • Self-efficacy
  • Self-esteem.

You will explore psychological theories and empirical findings from investigations into needs, motivation, and self-concept.

Experimental Design in Context: Usability and Cognition

This module explores functions and experiences relevant to using technology, focusing on the criteria used to assess technology’s usability and how human limitations relate to this usability and usage. You will be introduced to certain psychological theories and empirical findings from investigations into information processing by the mind, and discuss a range of methodologies and analyses such as laboratory experimentation and inferential statistics.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a practical report and research participation.

Foundation in Knowledge and Skills

In this module, you will develop your basic knowledge and skills to support your academic development and improve your confidence in your academic writing and reading.

Interpersonal Skills

The module will begin by considering the nature of interpersonal skills and the elements that constitute effective communication. This will provide an opportunity to explore models of communication and effective verbal and non-verbal communication. You will also consider how interpersonal skills may be evaluated and improved.

Perspectives On Psychology

This module seeks to enable you to understand the contribution of key thinkers to the development of modern psychology and to appreciate their biographical backgrounds. The lives and work of key thinkers will be introduced and contextualised with reference to contemporary ideas and more.

Principles of Psychology

This module examines the origins and development of modern psychology. You will focus on the main approaches to studying and describing human behaviour, for example, behaviourism, the psychodynamic approach, the humanistic approach, the cognitive approach, and the biological basis of behaviour.

Study & Research Skills for Social Scientists

This module is an opportunity to advance your personal, research and study skills and will support other content-led teaching. You will be assessed through a report and research participation.

The Study of Human Interaction

This module explores the functions of understanding relationships. You will study the processes related to forming an impression of someone and forming a relationship with them through a variety of behaviours.

Certain psychological theories and empirical findings will form investigations into attraction, prejudice, and stereotyping and a range of methodologies and analyses, such as interviewing, content analysis and observational approaches will be explored.

Biological Psychology

This module explores the ways biological processes have been studied, for example through brain lesions and cell stimulation methodologies.

The areas of behavioural genetics, neuro-imaging, neuropsychology, socio-biology and evolutionary psychology will be investigated in terms of underlying theory and empirical research.

Cognitive Psychology

This module will introduce you to the ways cognitive processes have been studied in the past. This includes studying experimental and cognitive neuropsychological methodologies. You will investigate the areas of attention, perception, learning, thinking and language and relate your findings to underlying theory and empirical research.

Developmental Psychology

This module explores the study of development and maturation in cognitive, personality, and social processes, as well as introduce you to basic theory, research findings, and methods of investigation in childhood, adolescence, and lifespan development.

You will consider the ways in which behaviour is influenced by developmental factors, the nature of developmental processes, and the ways in which empirical research can help us to understand how developmental processes influence what we do.

Individual Differences Psychology

On this module, you will be introduced to how individual differences processes have been studied in the past, for example through psychometrics and case study methodologies.

You will investigate areas of personality, intelligence, cognitive style, motivation, gender, and ethnicity in terms of underlying theory and empirical research.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and a lab report.

Mental Health and Forensic Psychology

This module is an opportunity to explore a comprehensive range of key constructs, theories, and research in mental health and forensic psychology.

You will examine the numerous ways that psychological research, methods, and expertise are applied to the study of criminal behaviour and the issues that psychopathology create within the context of the criminal justice system.

Research Methods: Experimental Designs & Analysis

This module will develop your understanding of experimental designs and associated methods of analysis, and introduce you to research ethics.

Research Methods: Survey and Qualitative Designs and Analysis

The module aims to develop your understanding of survey and qualitative designs and associated methods of analysis.

Social Psychology

This module acts as an introduction to Social Psychology and social cognition.

The module will cover topics such as person perception, social influence, stereotyping and prejudice, attitudes, attributions, group processes, and attraction and close relationships.

Applied Sports Psychology: Professional Practice

The ‘soft’ skills required by a sport and exercise psychologist are imperative to effectiveness as a practitioner.

The aim of the module is to examine the nature of applied sport psychology practice and discuss and critique how sport psychologists work with clients in relation to initial assessment, case formulation, intervention planning, and delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.

Exercise and Physical Activity Interventions

This module applies health behaviour change theory and research to the promotion of physical activity in specialised populations, such as those with chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. It looks at different types of interventions, such as those targeting individuals, groups, and national campaigns.

Independent Project

In this module, you are encouraged to adopt a problem-oriented approach. The first stage is to identify a problem in psychology of interest and relevance to your studies.

You will determine an appropriate approach to addressing the problem through discussion with tutors who have relevant theoretical and practical expertise.

Your investigation may be based within a single discipline, or it may involve more than one discipline, but it must be based within your chosen degree programme.

Project Management and Presentation Skills

This project will support you to develop a wide range of skills from project management to the ability to present your research results in an accessible form. You will develop their scientific reasoning and reporting skills and produce a poster to present your research work.

Psychology and Social Issues

This module will introduce psychological and interdisciplinary focus on ten issues of current social concern. You could explore: discrimination (gender, age, race, disability and sexual orientation ), perceptions of rape and rape victims, child abuse and family violence, the psychology of material possessions, shopping and shopping addiction, childhood (non-verbal communication and interventions), health and health inequalities , sexual health, contraception and abortion, chronic illness, dying, death and bereavement, health promotion, disease prevention or the health care system.

Psychology in Context: Cultural Psychology

This module takes an interdisciplinary approach to the major topics of psychology, including Biological, Cognition, Development, Health, Individual Differences, Social, and the Self, and will relate them to life in a multicultural world.

You will be introduced to

  • Cultural psychology
  • Culture and human nature
  • Cultural evolution
  • Methods for studying culture and psychology
  • Development and socialisation
  • Cultural differences in: the self and personality, motivation, cognition and perception, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, group processes, living in multicultural worlds, physical health, mental health, morality, justice, and emotions.

Assessment:

You will be assessed through a research proposal and a two hour unseen exam.

Psychology in Context: Work and Organisations

You will consider a range of relationships between working conditions, jobs and organisational processes, psychological outcomes, and their impact on job and organisational performance. Psychological reactions including job satisfaction, job stress, motivation, work engagement, and organisational commitment are investigated, and organisational functions such as job design, health and safety at work, and organisational team-working, are considered.

Psychology in Context: Professional Skills in Psychology

You will consider some of the key methods and assessment techniques commonly used by psychologists in their daily working lives.

This module will introduce some of the key principles of effective counselling psychology and the importance of empathy and positive regard to the success of the therapeutic relationship. You will identify effective interviewing skills for psychologists and participate in a recorded interviewing session.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a clinical interview report and test administration report.

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our experienced and expert staff

Smaller class sizes for better learning

You will build your subject knowledge and practical experience through lectures, workshops, and tutorials in small classes, which means our expert teaching staff really get to know you and what support you need.

Peer-assisting learning for even more support

Students in their third year often act as teaching assistants in first- and second-year classes to help ensure that no-one falls behind, as they offer extra help available if you don’t feel confident to raise your hand.

Emma

Emma

BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate
"The support I received from all my lecturers was incredible. They always were available for me and helped me, fleshing out my ideas and encouraging me to push the boundaries along the way. They gave me the confidence to realise my own potential and I think that is certainly the biggest benefit of being in a smaller community."

Contact time

Each module has three hours of contact time per week. You will study two to four modules per semester, you will have 6 to 12 contact hours per week. This time includes lectures, seminars and workshops.

Learn more about our teaching staff

Professor Antonina Pereira

Professor of Neuropsychology and Neuroscience; Director of the Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences

Antonina has a PhD in Psychology and an MSc in Research Methods in Psychology, as well as an MRes in Educational Psychology.

Antonina’s research is particularly focused on Prospective Memory assessment and rehabilitation in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease through behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms.

Moitree Banerjee

Head of Psychology and Criminology/ Reader in Clinical Psychology.

Moitree is the Head of Psychology and Criminology Programme in the Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences. She is a Reader in Clinical Psychology.

Esther Burkitt

Professor of Developmental Psychology

Esther is a Chartered Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Esther is Year 1 Academic Adviser for Psychology students, as well as the Admissions Tutor for many courses within the department.

Karen Rodham

Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology

Karen has a wealth of university teaching experience, having held posts across well-respected institutions since 1995.

Karen’s research revolves around how to better support people who are coping with complex and long-term physical conditions, with a focus on qualitative approach to data collection and analysis.

Ian Tyndall

Reader in Cognitive Psychology

Dr Ian Tyndall is a cognitive-behavioural psychologist in the Department of Psychology.

Ian’s research is particularly focused on experimental investigations of cognitive and behavioural processes underpinning clinical psychology conditions.

Ian is the Study Abroad officer and the Employability Officer for the Department.

Roy Spina

Senior Lecturer in Psychology in Cultural and Individual Differences Psychology

Roy completed his BSc in Psychology at University of British Columbia, before undertaking his MSc and PhD in Social and Personality psychology at Queen’s University (Canada), acquiring a strong background in research methodology and statistics, with an emphasis on quantitative experimental research.

In addition to being Academic Advisor and Research Degrees Co-ordinator, Dr Spina is the Research Lead for the department.

Rachel King

Lecturer in Biological Psychology

Rachel leads several second-year modules in the Department, in addition to supervising extended project qualification and BSc dissertation projects.

Currently, Rachel is interested in the functional impact of prospective memory deficits and the potential of hyperthermic conditioning for slowing the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.

She is also a graduate member of the British Psychological Society.

Stephanie Jane Bennett

Programme Coordinator for BSc Criminology; Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Forensic Psychology

Stephanie is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society as well as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

As well as a BSc, MSc and PhD in Psychology, she also has a MSc Degree in Crime Science Investigation and Intelligence. Stephanie has experience of working for the NHS, NGOs as well as extensive experience of teaching and researching across both Criminology and Psychology.

Dr. Valentina Canessa-Pollard

Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Valentina is Head of BSc Counselling Psychology Programme, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Chartered Psychologist with British Psychological Society.

Valentina’s research interest centre around human non-verbal communication and sexual violence prevention and recovery.

Assessments

You will be assessed through a range of assignments including:

  • Scientific reports
  • Essays
  • Exams
  • Group and individual presentations
  • Poster design
  • Research participation

You may also be assessed on in-class debates, quizzes and how you apply analytical techniques to problem solving.

Experience

Discover our range of specialist research equipment and facilities

Become part of our close-knit Psychology community

Our commitment to a friendly and close student community extends throughout your studies and beyond as we maintain excellent connections with our alumni.

Nina

Nina

BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate
"No words could describe the gratitude I have, that I had the opportunity to attend the University of Chichester. The support I received, both personally and academically throughout my degree was completely outstanding. I found such lovely and supportive members of staff who have undoubtedly contributed to the development of myself as an individual and readied me for a career in the NHS."

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

We support students who wish to broaden their academic and cultural experience by choosing to study abroad for one semester as part of their degree studies.

This is an exciting chance for students who wish to widen their horizons and immerse themselves in a different culture and encounter how the discipline of Psychology is viewed and taught at universities in Europe or North America.

For example, under Erasmus agreements, students might study for a semester at either Maastricht or Radboud universities in the Netherlands, where Psychology classes are delivered through the English language.

Careers

Where you could go after your studies

This BSc (Hons) Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year degree qualifies for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS. This gives you a recognised foundation to progress to specialist areas of psychology and eventually become a Chartered Psychologist.

There are currently 10 professional divisions within the BPS including Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology. Each of these pathways has a professional training programme which starts with attaining a GBR.

As well as providing a basis for work as a professional psychologist, a psychology degree provides a good insight into human behaviour that will equip you with the skills to work in a wide range of fields.

Your psychology degree could lead to a career in:

  • Industry
  • Media
  • Teaching
  • Work with children, adults, and families
  • IT
  • Computing
  • Marketing
  • Civil Service

Further Study

You may choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

At the University of Chichester you could study:

  • MSc Health Psychology

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

Typical offers (individual offers may vary):

UCAS
48
tariff points from A levels or combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC/ Cambridge Technical.
GCSEs
C/4 or higher
English language, mathematics and a science
IELTS
6.0 overall
with no element lower than 5.5.

Non-standard Application Entry Routes

The University has an alternative entry route for applicants who have relevant skills and experience but who do not hold the formal minimum entry qualifications required. Applicants who demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to enter a course of higher education will be asked to complete an entry task involving the completion of specially set assignments.

Do you have any questions about the entry requirements? Contact our Admissions Team.

Are you interested in this course and would like to learn more? Please email Professor Esther Burkitt on e.burkitt@chi.ac.uk for admissions queries.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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How do I know what my UCAS tariff points are?

Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.

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