BA Hons BSc Hons Psychology

at University of Stirling

We focus on important societal problems, such as detection of criminals and improvement of health outcomes, so our degree is relevant to real-life issues. We cover topics as diverse as brain functioning, development and social behaviour, ensuring you develop a deep knowledge and understanding of mind and behaviour.
 

Semesters 1-2 will include an introduction to Psychology as the scientific study of mind and behaviour.
 

In Semesters 3 and 4, the taught modules are designed to emphasise the links between different parts of the subject. A module on The Social Mind explores the psychology of human and non-human communication; a module on the Brain and Behaviour – Health Psychology explores abnormal psychology from the perspectives of Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology. Also included in Semesters 3 and 4 is an introduction to Psychological Research Methods. In Semesters 5-8, you’ll take advanced modules in all of the core areas.
 

Your final year will focus on an individual research project and you’ll be doing cutting edge research, supervised by an academic mentor. You can choose from a wide variety of topics that interest you and build your employability skills for the job market. There are also opportunities for placements with prospective employers, in our research labs, and for engaging in student-led teaching.
 

Psychology at Stirling is internationally renowned for our high-quality research and this feeds into our teaching. Our modules will teach you how research furthers our understanding of mind and behaviour.
 

Year 1, Semester 1 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Introductory Psychology I (PSYU901)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 PSYU911 was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

 

Year 1, Semester 2 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Introductory Psychology II (PSYU902)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 PSYU912 was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Making the Most of the World Wide Web (CSCU9F2)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 1 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• The Social Mind (PSYU9A3)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 2 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Research Methods (PSYU914)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Brain and Behaviour - Clinical and Health Psychology I (PSYU9A4)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• External Reporting (ACCU9A4)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Science of Diving (AQUU4DS)    20 credits

 

Year 3, Semester 1 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Cognition (PSYU9CP)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 PSYU9AC was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Individual Differences (PSYU9IN)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 PSYU9ID was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Social Psychology (PSYU9SP)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 PSYU9AJ was taken instead
   

Year 3, Semester 2 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Developmental Psychology (PSYU9AO)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Clinical and Health Psychology (PSYU9AL)    20 credits
   

Option module

• Animal Behaviour (PSYU9AK)    20 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 1 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Practical Electives (PSYU9X7)    10 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Traditional Electives (PSYU9Y7)    10 credits
   

Dissertation

• Psychology Research Project (PSYU917)    60 credits

• Continued in semester 8.
   

Compulsory module

• Psychology In Context (PSYU9A7)    20 credits

• Continued in semester 8.

• Part-time students are advised to complete module PSYU9A7 during their final year of study.
   

Year 4, Semester 2 (Option 1)

Compulsory module

• Taught Electives (PSYU9X8)    10 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Experiential Learning Activities (PSYU9Y8)    10 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 1 (Option 2)

Compulsory module

• Practical Electives (PSYU9X7)    10 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Psychology Research Project (PSYU917)    60 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Psychology In Context (PSYU9A7)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Psychology Work Placement (PSYU9A8)    20 credits

• continues in spring
   

Year 4, Semester 2 (Option 2)

Compulsory module

• Taught Electives (PSYU9X8)    10 credits

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• To include Psychology
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£18,800	£20,300

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

An estimated 15-20% of Psychology graduates eventually become professional psychologists. Graduates can specialise in
 

• clinical psychology
• forensic psychology
• counselling
• educational psychology
• occupational psychology
• mental health
• therapy
• sport
• health and wellbeing
• crime
   

Many other careers will see psychology as a useful degree, such as:
 

• psychotherapy
• advice worker
• market research
• counsellor
• life coach
• human resources
• play therapy
• any job that requires insight into human behaviour
   

We help and encourage students to be active learners, working with academic staff as collaborators, and developing a portfolio of skills and practical experiences that are attractive to prospective employers. The knowledge and skills you’ll get from our Psychology degree will offer you a wide and diverse choice of careers.