It is a broad degree with an emphasis on human rather than animal behaviour. Our programme will provide you with the following aspects:
- Broad intellectual training
- A thorough grounding in theory and research in contemporary psychology and an introduction to areas of practice
- High-level practical and research experience
- Specialist skills and expertise
The degree programme integrates theoretical psychology, techniques of psychological investigation and the major areas of applied psychology. In the first two years you will focus on theoretical aspects and develop your expertise in a broad range of research methodologies. In your final year you will concentrate on the practical application of psychological principles.
Psychology students take 120 credits of modules per year, 60 in each semester. Each 10 credit module comprises 100 national learning hours and has up to three contact hours per week. The course comprises of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and independent study.
Year 1
- Perspectives in Psychology
- Brain and Behaviour I
- Cognitive Psychology I
- Developmental Psychology I
- Research Methods and Statistics I
- Psychology Practical I
- Social Psychology I
Year 2
- Advanced Statistics
- Psychological Research Methods
- Advanced Contemporary Research Methods
- Brain and Behaviour II
- Cognitive Neuropsychology
- Social Psychology II
- Language and Communication
- Developmental Psychology II
- Cognitive Psychology IIa
- Cognitive Psychology IIb
- Individual Differences and Psychometrics
Year 3 - Optional placement year
See placement year section or find out more about the Aston placement year.
Final year
Compulsory Modules:
- Ageing
- Final Year Project
Optional:
- Nutrition and Behaviour
- Developmental Disorders
- Human Sexualities
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Cognitive Aspects of Auditory Perception
- Therapeutic Intervention
- Psychology and Work
- Clinical Neurosciences.
We use a range of assessment methods and most modules are assessed with a combination of coursework and an end of year examination. Coursework includes essays, research reports of individual and group research projects, statistics assignments and class tests with short answer or multiple-choice questions. Students also make short oral presentations.
As a student you are taught through lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes but there is a much stronger emphasis on reading and on your own private, independent study than at pre-degree level. To help you manage your learning, we set out your work for the year in an online student guide. This includes full details of all modules including week-by-week lecture breakdowns, reading lists and all coursework assignments for the year with the relevant deadlines.
The sandwich placement year is an opportunity for you to set your studies in context by taking a psychology or related professional placement - usually in the UK or abroad. This may be paid employment, although research, clinical and forensic placements are usually unpaid.
Recent examples of placements include NHS Health Trusts, Aston Villa Football Club, British Energy, the Civil Service, Corus, Ford, University research (UK, US, Australia and Singapore) the Home Office, Marks and Spencer and the Prison Service. All students will receive specialist support and supervision for their specific placement. There is an overall placement tutor for the year and all students are allocated an individual placement tutor.
Please note that students who enter placements in the NHS may be required to pay for CRB checks and occupational health checks.
Find out more about placement years in the School of Life & Health Sciences.
Hear from one of our students - watch a short video.
Completion of this programme will grant you eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) . This recognition is vitally important for careers in professional psychology.
Our emphasis on applied and human psychology provides an excellent springboard for careers across professional psychology including clinical, occupational, health, forensic and educational psychology. The Psychology degree also prepares students for many careers in government and business - for example advertising, management consultancy, human resources management or teaching.
Psychology students have the opportunity to take an additional university qualification – the University Certificate in Personal and Professional Development, in parallel with their degree and at no extra cost. This optional qualification can enhance students’ CV writing and interview skills, help to identify strengths, weaknesses, career preferences, and prepare students’ placement portfolio.
During this degree, our students acquire the following skills:
- Analytical
- Communication
- Handling data and information
- Effective team working
- Problem solving and reasoning
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