Psychology BSc (Hons)

at Coventry University

Why you should study this course

This course aims to help you to develop a thorough understanding of psychology as a discipline - the core areas and their application to ‘real world’ scenarios, its historical origins, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, concepts, community contribution and responsibility and limitations. This course takes a scientific approach to understanding the human mind.

In addition to the core areas of psychology required by the British Psychological Society accreditation*, you will also have the opportunity to study optional modules in a range of interesting and contemporary areas of psychology including mindfulness and meditation, drug use and addiction, and criminal behaviour. You will also have the opportunity to explore the darker side of psychology, such as social control mechanisms, and how psychology is represented in popular culture.

• Work experience* is a key part of the course helping to ensure that you graduate not only with academic qualifications, but with relevant work experience and a host of transferable skills, including critical analysis, problem solving, and leadership upon successful completion. This should put you in an excellent position to secure postgraduate education or employment in an increasingly competitive graduate education and job market.
• You’ll be allocated a personal tutor and taught by experienced academic staff, many of whom are involved in research. You’ll also have the opportunity to join our active and vibrant student-led Psychology Society, which arranges a variety of social excursions and activities (subject to availability , fees may apply).
• There is the opportunity to attend guest lectures, which have previously included contributions from Coventry Refugee Centre advisors, as well as people recovering from substance abuse problems and neuropsychological conditions, such as strokes (subject to availability).
• The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences currently has links with the Local Education Authority (LEA), local schools and numerous healthcare providers, including Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Entrust Care Partnership, and Grapevine. Organisations such as these offer services to young people and adults with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities and their carers. In the past, previous students have taken up roles involving socialising and supporting members of the community, volunteering in a buddying service, planning and organising resources to set up events to help raise awareness of young people’s needs or mobilise individuals who need support.

What you'll study

Year one
During the first two years of your course we aim to provide a thorough grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour: biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences.

Modules

• Developing as a Psychologist 1 - 10 credits

• Human Behaviour - 20 credits

• The Darker Side of Psychology - 20 credits

• Research into Human Behaviour - 40 credits

• Psychology of Popular Culture

• Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing - 10 credits

• Add+ Vantage module

Year two
During your second year, you will have the opportunity to complete work experience with an external organisation*. Past students have undertaken a wide variety of roles, including working in women’s refuges, with the police, sports centres, prisons and schools.

Modules

• Developing as a Psychologist 2 - 10 credits

• Psychological Perspectives 1 - 20 credits

• Applied Research Methods 1 - 20 credits

• Psychological Perspectives 2 - 20 credits

• Applied Research Methods 2 - 20 credits

• Professional Experience - 20 credits

• Add+ Vantage module

Final year
The final year of your degree is your opportunity to specialise in the areas that you find most exciting – choosing from a range of optional modules in areas of greatest interest to you.

You will collaborate with a member of academic staff and apply the knowledge of research methods obtained during the first two years of your degree to design and conduct your own piece of research in an area of your choice. In the past, students have investigated areas such as arousal regulation in sport, imagery use and its implementation, psychological rehabilitation from injury, mindfulness in sport and the influence of motivation on anticipatory skills.

Modules

• Developing as a Psychologist 3 - 10 credits

• Project Ethics - 10 credits

• Independent Research Project - 30 credits

• Add+ Vantage module

• Optional modules

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

International Tuition Fees:

£18300 per year

Successful completion of this degree course could provide you with a route into the career you choose to pursue, both within and outside the field of psychology. With further training, you may choose to become a qualified psychologist, pursuing a career in the community, for example, as an occupational, forensic or social psychologist; in mental wellbeing as a clinical or counselling psychologist; in physical wellbeing as a health, sport or neuropsychologist; working with children as a developmental or educational psychologist.