Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Psychology is an exciting and dynamic field of study concerned with the scientific investigation of how people think, feel and behave as individuals, in groups and in their wider context. Our BSc Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and gives you a comprehensive grounding in psychology and specialisms including biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology. Our rigorous programme introduces you to psychological theories, methods and models to observe, interpret and explain human behaviour. Why choose this course?

  • You will study in Birkbeck’s School of Psychological Sciences, a world-leading centre of research excellence, and be taught by research-active academics who bring their cutting-edge expertise into the classroom.
  • You can tailor your studies to match your interests and career ambitions, and specialise in psychology with child development, psychology in practice, or psychology with neuroscience.
  • This BSc Psychology will enable you to take the first steps towards Chartered Membership of the BPS. This is essential for any further specialist psychology training.
  • We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout your learning journey you will be supported by a senior tutor, our learning support team and a full programme of extracurricular enrichment.
What you will learn You will begin by studying in depth research-led topics such as social psychology, individual differences, cognition, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and research methods for psychology, developing academic and transferable skills alongside. Towards the end of the course, you can select from a variety of option modules covering specialist topics directly relevant to contemporary practices in psychology. How you will learn Teaching on the BSc Psychology typically takes the form of lectures led by our experienced team of academics, and small-group practical classes support the teaching of our research methods modules to bring the topics to life in the lab. Our assessment methods vary from essays and exams to more interactive approaches including multiple-choice quizzes, lab reports, posters, video presentations, counselling formulations and reflective logs. We offer an inclusive environment with flexible daytime and evening study modes, and a range of pathways, including an accelerated foundation year route for those with non-traditional qualifications. Accelerated Foundation Year This route offers you flexible entry onto this rigorous degree. It will fully prepare you for undergraduate study and is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on this undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • According to the National Student Survey 2023, students are very satisfied with our teaching (92.5%), our learning resources (90.9%) and the learning opportunities we provide (85.7%).
  • Birkbeck is strongly oriented towards research in psychological sciences and we are home to the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development (including the BabyLab and ToddlerLab), the Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, the Birkbeck-UCL Centre for Neuroimaging and the Centre for Cognition, Computation and Modelling. We also recently became members of the Bloomsbury Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics.
  • We are consistently regarded as one of the top institutions teaching psychological sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, and for the third time, we were ranked in the top ten universities in the UK.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in psychology, human relations, education or marketing. Possible professions include:
  • clinical psychologist
  • further education lecturer
  • human resources officer
  • market researcher.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Currently some modules are assessed by written examinations taken during the day in mid-May to mid-June. Some modules include coursework. Coursework deadlines are throughout the year and vary from module to module.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Psychological Society

How to apply

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of your academic potential. If you are unsure about your eligibility then please contact us. The Admissions Tutor may decide that our alternative undergraduate psychology programme, which provides additional support and allows progression onto the second year of the degree (subject to the necessary grades), is more suitable for you. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Students who complete specified introductory modules from the Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology programme are always considered. The Certificate offers an entry route into the second year of the degree.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6935 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6935 Year 1
Scotland £6935 Year 1
Wales £6935 Year 1
International £13215 Year 1

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS