Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Psychology with Integrated Foundation Year
If you are looking for an alternative route onto our psychology degree, the integrated foundation year will build confidence and develop the academic and study skills to provide you with a firm foundation to progress on our BSc (Hons) Psychology.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
Active learning
At Plymouth, you’ll learn by doing - applying your knowledge in our experiential psychology lab and using your skills to make a real impact in local environments and communities.
Fully integrated foundation
This fully integrated foundation year is delivered by the same expert staff who teach on the BSc Psychology program, ensuring a seamless transition into your degree. Designed specifically for psychology students, it introduces you to key concepts and familiarizes you with the structure of the course - giving you a valuable head start on your journey into the fascinating world of psychology.
Explore your interests
You'll get to know the subjects you love. Course choices and our option-based final year gives you complete flexibility to focus on the areas of psychology that interest you the most.
About
There is a range of expertise within the psychology department, including neuroscience, social psychology, cognition, and behaviour, among other areas. This provides a range of experiences that can be used to inspire us. What I like most about the department is the knowledge and passion of both staff and students. There is a willingness to engage, ask questions and guide others in developing key skills. When we share our skills with those around us to reach a common goal, everybody wins.
Rob, Psychology student
What is a foundation year?
A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
Further information on
sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ courses with Foundation years .
Why choose a degree with a foundation year?
- To build your confidence to study at university level.
- To gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree.
- Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree.
- You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for.
- You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you.
- You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like.
This course is for you if...
you're interested in psychology but need to build foundational knowledge before pursuing a full degree
you value hands-on learning to gain a better understanding of your subject
you seek the freedom to better understand areas of psychology that interest you
you want to gain practical skills to help you progress your learning and elevate your understanding of psychology
Details
Foundation year
This foundation year is carefully designed to equip you with the theoretical knowledge, academic skills, and personalised support needed for successful undergraduate study in psychology. You’ll explore a wide range of psychological approaches and learn how theories are evaluated through empirical research. With a particular focus on health-related topics, you'll discover how psychology applies to everyday life. All lectures are delivered by the same experienced staff who teach on the BSc Psychology program - giving you a strong head start as you begin your degree journey.
Core modules
PSYC001
The Foundations of Psychology
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to the foundational theories and approaches to psychology as a discipline. Psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive, humanistic, and systemic approaches are discussed, alongside their associated methodologies. Consideration is also given to how an understanding of these theories and approaches can contribute to other modules studied by the students enrolled in this programme year.
100% Coursework
PSYC002
The Psychology of Everyday Experience
30 credits
Students are introduced to psychological research into various aspects of everyday experience. They gain an appreciation of how life experiences are related to psychological knowledge, and learn how to apply psychological theory to world events. Lectures are supported by workshops and tutorials (or online equivalents) using a blended learning approach.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PSYC003
Psychological Influences on Health and Behaviour
30 credits
This module introduces the psychology of choices and behaviour, with an emphasis on health. We will examine health behaviours and risks with a consideration of how these are influenced by psychological factors. Students will design and run a small research project in groups, with a poster presentation forming the module assessment. Lectures are supported by workshops.
70% Tests
30% Practicals
PSYC005
Connecting Psychology
30 credits
Connecting Psychology provides an interdisciplinary exploration of how psychological principles intersect with societal structures and healthcare practices. Students examine the impacts of power and inequality, explore the psychology of behaviour, and learn about translating theory into practical interventions in healthcare and social care settings. Lectures are supported by workshops.
60% Tests
40% Examinations
Year 1 - BSc (Hons) Psychology
Core modules
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
PSYC421
Cognitive Psychology
20 credits
This module introduces some of our fundamental mental processes, such as learning, memory, attention and reasoning. Across a series of lectures and practical workshops you’ll explore some of the core concepts in cognition – designing and testing your own experiments to build skills and experience in basic research skills, such as problem solving, hypothesis testing, data collection and the communication of your findings
100% Coursework
PSYC422
Clinical and Developmental Psychology
20 credits
This module will establish an understanding of clinical and developmental psychology. You will learn about contemporary issues relating to mental health and neurodiversity, as well as the history of how conditions are classified, diagnosed, and treated. You also examine how cognitive, social and emotional abilities develop and change over childhood, informing our understanding of their origins and limitations on maturation.
100% Examinations
PSYC423
Environmental Psychology
20 credits
Examining the interplay between people and their environment, in this module you will explore the psychology behind how we interact with our environment, and the effect our environment has on our mental state and wellbeing. In embedded practical workshops you will design a project to examine these relationships and understand how best to analyse and present your findings.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
PSYC424
Social Psychology
20 credits
Introducing fundamental topics forming the basis of social psychology you will learn about the formation of personality, relationships and our perceptions and prejudices of others, as well as our understanding of how particular social situations affect our thoughts and behaviours. Embedded workshops provide practical training on the research skills and techniques specific to the study of social psychology.
100% Coursework
PSYC425
Perception and the Brain
20 credits
In this module you will learn about the biological bases of behaviour and the mechanisms of sensory perception. One strand of lectures focuses on the fundamentals of neuroscience, brain anatomy and function, and research methods in neuroscience including studies of disorders of the mind and brain. Another lecture strand concerns perception, with a particular focus on the mechanisms of human vision and hearing.
100% Examinations
PSYC426
Motivation and Performance
20 credits
In this module you will explore the psychology behind individual and group motivation and performance. Drawing upon principles from sports psychology, military and commercial excellence, and personal development, you will learn about the psychological theories and principles that shape our future potential. In embedded practical workshops you will explore the motivational factors that allow individuals and teams to fulfil their goals and improve performance.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
Optional pathways
We offer a suite of psychology courses allowing you to choose your specialist field.
We also offer:
Championing and supporting a culture of participation and inclusivity
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
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No.1 for Industry Offering Psychology in the UK
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Top 2 overall for Psychology in the UK for 2024
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Top 3 for Teaching in the UK for Psychology
A world of opportunity
My eyes have been opened to so many areas of psychology that I love, psychology graduates can go into so many areas – if something involves people, then at some level psychology is involved.
BSc (Hons) Psychology student Lucy tells us about how studying at Plymouth ignited her passion for psychology.
A great lecturer once said that psychology is the subject of everything. It is a topic that does not restrict your interests, but it allows them to grow. What I also love about the course is it not only provides you with the content, but it also equips you with skills that you can take into the real world. You learn to problem solve, analyse data, work as a team, and build a bank of knowledge for many future careers.
Chloe, BSc (Hons) Psychology student
From classroom to coast
At the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, you're encouraged to go beyond the classroom to explore how Psychology can make a difference to our environment and communities.
Watch our first year Psychology students on their field trip to Whitsand Bay, discovering our interaction with the physical world and the impact on our health and wellbeing.
Experiential learning
We've redesigned the way we teach psychology. We always seek feedback from students in order to continually improve our courses. As a result, we have created a curriculum that focuses on active learning. Our range of practical activities and specialist facilities are embedded throughout our courses, enabling you to put your new knowledge into practice from the outset and shaping you into the best psychologist and professional you can be.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment are available for students to book and use, supporting your learning across the breadth of psychology, enhancing your potential, and helping you develop essential skills.
Real-world experience
All psychology students have the option to take a voluntary placement year without needing to enrol in a specific course. This opportunity allows you to gain invaluable experience and build professional connections. The process begins in your second year with dedicated information sessions to help you determine if a placement year is the right choice for you.
The University is really good at preparing you for placement, running you through skills courses and teaching how to do interviews, how to go out and get placements and the etiquettes of being in different workplaces.
My placement was in a neuro rehabilitation ward working with patients that had brain injuries. I feel more qualified now going out into the world of work and feel prepared in order to go and get a job.
Kieran, BSc (Hons) Psychology
A placement year is a great way to bridge the gap between academic study and professional life. Dr Jon Rhodes and I have been working with Plymouth Argyle youth academy squad developing workshops that aim to help players use Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to develop skills using vivid mental imagery to build resilience and emotional regulation.
Jack, BSc (Hons) Psychology
Shape the psychologist you want to become
In your final year, you will shape the psychologist that you want to become with freedom of choice across a wide range of current psychology topics.
The list goes on with 30 different specialist psychology options to select from.
You are free to explore the areas of psychology that interest and benefit you the most. These studies will build up to a supervised research project, which you will undertake while working alongside one of our world-class academics on a research question of your choice.
Topic examples you may choose include:
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ÆMorals
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ÆPsychopharmacology
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ÆMusic and emotion
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ÆDeception
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ÆAnimal behaviour
Taught by experts
Our staff are actively engaged in research, staying at the forefront of scientific knowledge by constantly developing new theories and making innovative discoveries. This ensures that, alongside studying classic theories and findings from past research, you'll gain insights into the current state of psychology from experts in the field.
Meet your lecturers
Professor Jeremy Goslin
Head of School of Psychology
Dr Gustav Kuhn
Associate Head of School for Marketing, Recruitment and Strategic Growth
Dr Chris Longmore
Lecturer in Psychology
Join our psychology society 'PsySoc'
The Psychology Society is a welcoming and inclusive community built by members, for members. Whether you're studying psychology, interested in human behaviour, or simply looking to connect with like-minded people, we want you to be part of this amazing journey. Our mission is clear: to create a space where everyone feels supported and engaged while exploring and growing within the world of psychology.
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Being a mum of three sometimes can be challenging but with the support of the academic staff and university I am now graduating and looking forward to starting my Masters in Advanced Psychology at Plymouth.
Four years on, Joyita takes an emotional look back on when she attended an open day.
Our degree prepares you for a wide range of careers by equipping you with valuable skills and knowledge that provide you with a deep understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, and social interactions. This knowledge and experience will be critical in fields such as mental health, education, business, social care, but have incredible versatility across any vocations that benefit from an understanding of human behaviour.
The School of Psychology, within the Faculty of Health, is a centre of excellence in clinical psychology, with undergraduates benefiting from the instruction and clinical experience of practitioners on our professional training programmes offered at master and doctoral level. These links, along with the hands-on experience and opportunities of placements in clinical settings provide privileged opportunities to develop essential mental health skills.
Our BPS accredited degrees provide you opportunities to pursue further postgraduate qualifications, that can lead to specialised roles like clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, or organisational psychologist.
The degree also helps you develop transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and data analysis, which forms the basis for many careers beyond psychology.
Our hands-on teaching approach, combined with a placement year and research apprentices, offers you valuable real-world experience to give you a competitive advantage in your future professional life.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in
Full-time study
£9,790 per year
£9,790 per year
Module fees for repeated or part-time study
£815 per 10 credits
£815 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
The Government has announced that tuition fees from Academic Year 28/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, which we believe will be at a similar rate to the recent annual increases to fees, and may continue to be inflation based. The University may increase annual tuition fees in line with the Student Contract and the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government from time to time.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies and we advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
More information about
fees and costs of studying .
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
£19,200 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,955
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,465
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying .
UK Government announcement on tuition fees
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the
Faculty of Health and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page:
Faculty of Health additional costs .
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
GCSE
English and Maths grade C/4 or above or equivalent.
A levels
32 UCAS points from A level or equivalent. Non-standard applicants will normally be interviewed.
BTEC
PPP in any subject.
All Access courses
Pass Access in any subject.
T level
Pass in any subject.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall. If overseas and not studying English within IB, must have IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all other elements.
Extended entry requirements
English language requirements .- We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our
tariff glossary . - Students under the age of 18 at the start of the programme are eligible to apply for this programme.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates returning to study, who can offer work or other related experience in lieu of formal qualifications. Therefore candidates with non-standard qualifications are assessed on an individual basis, usually via interview. We encourage any candidate who is unsure regarding the suitability of their qualifications or experience to contact Admissions in the first instance, who will then liaise with the Admissions Tutor and Programme Lead.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
C818
C818
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
Bsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
C818
C818
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.