Psychology BA (Hons) / BSc (Hons)



Gain a thorough understanding of the theory and application of psychology on this course, accredited by the British Psychological Society

Overview

We are in the top 10 UK modern university for Psychology (The Complete University Guide 2025)

Psychology is a fascinating science that gives you an insight into individuals and their unique behaviour. It involves learning about memory, language, creativity, personality, social interaction and brain processes.

This course gives you a thorough understanding of both the theory and application of psychology, and prepares you for a professional career in psychology or any number of career opportunities.

In second year, students do have the option of undertaking 'Volunteering and Employability'. This can include an element of work placement.

The applied focus of the course provides you with the opportunity to specialise in the areas which interest you most.

We are ranked #1 in Edinburgh and #1 in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in Psychology (NSS 2025).

Social Science students studying a textbook in the university library

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

SepSep

UCAS code:

C800

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

You'll learn about the latest research and professional practice in areas such as forensic, sport and work psychology.

Before completing your studies, you'll be able to choose whether to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification. Both awards are accredited by the British Psychological Society and will make you eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartership, the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

You'll develop a range of practical, intellectual, research and transferable skills, including psychological and social research methods, group working, communication, critical thinking and problem solving. You'll also gain the skills to source, use and interpret information, design experiments and use related software.

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    How you’ll be taught

    You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and through independent study.
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    Work placement

    In second year, students do have the option of undertaking 'Volunteering and Employability'. This can include an element of work placement.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.
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    Study abroad

    Students can do an optional Trimester abroad in Year 2. (Trimester 2)

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Researching Psychology 1
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Social Psychology
  • Individual Differences
  • One optional module

Year 2

  • Researching Psychology 2
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Biological Foundations of Behaviour
  • Psychology of Child Development

Two options, including:

  • Introduction to Educational Psychology
  • Volunteering and Employability
  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year 3

  • Psychology of Lifespan Development
  • Social Psychology
  • Brain and Cognition
  • Individual Differences

One applied psychology option, for example from:

  • Intermediate Sport Psychology
  • Work Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology 1

Year 4

  • Honours project

Four applied psychology options, for example from:

  • Forensic Psychology 2
  • Organisational Psychology
  • Social Psychology of Immigration
  • Current Topics in Psychology

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Psychology?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB Preferably including English or a Literary Subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade C or above. National 5 grade C in Maths or Applications of Maths.We accept the following Maths Access course offered by the University of Aberdeen in place of the National 5 Maths requirement: https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/access-maths-5.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC Preferably including English or a Literary Subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade C or above. National 5 grade C in Maths or Applications of Maths. We accept the following Maths Access course offered by the University of Aberdeen in place of the National 5 Maths requirement: https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/access-maths-5. 

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC Preferably including English or a Literary Subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at A level, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade C/4 or above.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level preferably including English or a Literary subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at Higher Level, English must be achieved at grade O4 or above.
  • Grade O4 at Ordinary Level in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) preferably in a related subject. If not in a related subject, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade C/4 or above.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

 

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades DM (Merit, Merit) preferably in a related subject. If not in a related subject, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade C/4 or above.
  • A Level grade C.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths.

Higher National Certificate

  • Pass HNC in Social Science with grade B in the graded unit. National 5 grade C in Maths or Applications of Maths is also required.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 preferably including English or a Literary subject* at minimum grade 5. If no literary subject is achieved at HL, English must be achieved at SL grade 4.
  • SL 4 Mathematics or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation  

T Level

  • Grade M
  • T Level preferably completed in a Literary subject. If not, GCSE English must be achieved at grade C/4 or above.
  • GCSE Maths at C/4.

 

*Literary subjects accepted: Modern Studies, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, Latin, Theology, Classics, Philosophy, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2025/26 2026/27
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,535 £tba
Overseas and EU £17,520 £tba
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Facial recognition camera in use in a psychology lab in Napier University

What can you do with a psychology degree? 

By studying psychology at Edinburgh Napier University, you will gain theoretical and practical knowledge on the human mind which can be applied across a range of disciplines. You will become an expert communicator who is able to work effectively both as part of a team and autonomously, with strong problem solving and data analysis skills. You will be able to work within a range of roles, including working in the public sector in local government or councils, as well as within the third and private sector, likely with charities, or in retail, finance and marketing. You may also choose to go onto postgraduate study to become a professional psychologist or social worker or teacher or social researcher. If you are someone who enjoys problem solving and is interested in human behaviour, then this might be the right course for you. 

What does a social researcher do? 

As a social researcher, you will study human behaviour and society and related social issues. You will research these issues which may cover education, health or crime, and find social trends and patterns in order to come up with solutions to problems you have identified. You will have strong analytical, writing and collaboration skills. 

Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role may include:  

  • Literature reviews

  • Data collection 

  • Data analysis

  • Reporting and record keeping

  • Presenting findings to stakeholders

  • Influencing government policy based on research findings

 

A psychology student at Napier University smiling for the camera