BSc (Hons) Psychology (with Foundation Year)

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

The Foundation Year is an integrated year where you will study core modules with a broad range of students from across the Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, giving you access to different perspectives and networking opportunities.   

The modules will equip you with key skills needed for Higher Education and beyond. They will give you the chance to explore your subject area and available careers, allowing you to adapt your reading and assessments to be relevant to your degree pathway.  

Alongside teaching from the broader faculty staff, you will be able to meet with staff and other students from your main degree pathway and get involved with events and opportunities that they are running.  

• Study Skills for Success (core) will give you a solid foundation in academic conventions and time management skills to help you to progress through your degree.  
• Resilience in Higher Education and Beyond (Core) Personal development and resilience are as important as academic skills in the accomplishment on your journey towards graduation, and this exciting new module will equip you with the attributes needed for this. 
• A Day in the Life (core) This module allows you to explore the potential career options open to you on completion of you chosen degree. You will be exploring the professions linked to your degree and start preparing your graduate portfolio for employers.  
• Life and Work in the Welsh Context (core) will give you the opportunity to explore your subject area and/or desired career in relation to living and working in today’s Wales. 

The suite of optional modules are designed to enhance your skills base in relation to your career development. Your personal tutor from your degree will meet with you to help you decide which one of the available optional modules would be most suitable for you.  The optional modules are:   

• Welsh for First Time Learners provides an introduction to the Welsh language for those taking their first steps Numeracy where your degree requires a competent level of numeracy, you may be advised to choose this option. 
• Professional Communication in the Workplace in this module, you will begin to develop the skills and aptitude necessary to communicate effectively in a professional context. 
• Maths and Experimental Design if your degree pathway requires an understanding of numeracy and sciences, then this module is designed to provide the opportunity to achieve that. 

There are a variety of assessments across the foundation year – presentations, portfolios, electronic scrapbooking, and learning logs are just some. 

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4) 

Over the course of this year you will develop study and research methods skills that are key to the degree programme, whilst also learning and developing your understanding of key psychological theories and concepts. 

MODULES

• Fundamental Psychology: This module aims to provide you with an outline of traditional and contemporary psychological theories through the examination of their historical development and key theoretical perspectives.
• Introduction to Research Design: This module introduces you to the nature, philosophy and scope of research methods in psychology. It aims to enable you to acquire a basic level of knowledge and understanding of the research process and research methods. As well as providing you with an introduction to qualitative research methods and data analysis. 
• Essential Psychology: Builds on the knowledge acquired within Fundamental Psychology; it enables you to provide an outline of traditional and contemporary psychological theories through the examination of its historical development and key theoretical perspectives.
• Introduction to Data Analysis: Introduction to Data Analysis: Within this module, you will further your understanding of the nature and scope of research methods in psychology. This module will build on your knowledge of data collection acquired in the Introduction to Research Design module. As well as providing you with an introduction to quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Study Skills for Psychology: Develop the necessary skills for studying psychology at HE level and the study of selected key research. This will include generic and subject-specific skills.
• Scientific Writing and Communication: This module builds on the Study Skills for Psychology module. It supports the you to develop your academic writing and presentation skills, whilst consolidating skills such as referencing and learning from feedback.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5) 

In your third year, you will continue to develop your research method skills and apply them in different areas of Psychology. During this year you will complete some core modules that will build on the knowledge gained in the first year. 

MODULES

• Developmental Psychology: This module introduces you to the discipline of developmental psychology across the lifespan. You will be introduced to traditional and contemporary psychological theories within developmental psychology.
• Advanced Research Design: To provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of research methodology and research methods so you can go forward to conduct an independent piece of research. This module builds on the knowledge acquired within the Intermediate Research Methods.
• Biological Psychology: To acquaint you with current theories, models and explanations of biological psychology and to explore the relationship between biology, psychology and mental activity.
• Cognitive Psychology: During this module you will explore the physiology of the central nervous system. This module aims to develop your ability to identify and evaluate current psychological theories of learning, attention and memory, and thinking and problem solving; as well as increasing your ability to evaluate current knowledge of the process of information input to humans and animals.
• Intermediate Research Methods: This module build on your knowledge of research methodologies acquired in the first year, whilst developing your understanding of these new methods introduced in this module at a much deeper level. The module aims to equip you with the ability to appraise research findings and develop an understanding of research design and analysis, as well as developing the your ability to analyse data from both quantitative and qualitative research. 
• Individual Differences: Examine the concepts of personality, intelligence, and motivation. It will enable you to develop an appreciation of the ways in which these concepts influence the behaviour of the individual; as well as gaining an understanding of psychometric tests employed in this field.

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6) 

In your final year, you will design your own research project with supervision from the Academic team. This year will see you complete the final core module, Social Psychology, and also allow you to choose optional modules to study based on your own preferences and interests.

MODULES

• Research Project (core): You will conduct an independent piece of research with support from the programme team. This module aims to stimulate the critical evaluation and judgment formation skills through the consolidation of the research knowledge and skills acquired at levels 4 and 5.
• Social Psychology (core): Develop a critical understanding of the psychological concepts, theories and methods that are relevant to the study of social interactions, attitudes and behaviours within society. You will be able to identify and explore the interface between individual, interpersonal, and group behaviour in a variety of social contexts. 
• Clinical Psychology (optional): Within this module you will become acquainted with the main aspects of the discipline of Clinical Psychology, including the historical concepts; Clinical psychology as a profession; concepts of normality/abnormality; anxiety; schizophrenia; mood disorders; and dementia.
• Negotiated Learning (optional): Negotiate learning, which is essential for their personal and professional development and for future employer requirements. Within this module, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the well-established principles and research in areas of psychology and of the way in which those principles and research have developed and are applied in a practical way.
• Forensic Psychology (optional): This module will acquaint you with the main areas of the discipline of Forensic Psychology, including forensic psychology as a profession; theories of crime; violent offenders; terrorism; mental health and crime; fear of crime; offender profiling; eyewitness testimony; lie detection; and children as witnesses.
• Counselling Psychology (optional): This module will acquaint you with the main aspects of the discipline of Counselling Psychology, including what is Counselling psychology?; theories of the self; theoretical models and approaches (Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Cognitive behavioural, family system therapies); cultural differences; critiques of Counselling psychology; and future trends in Counselling psychology.
• Work-Based Learning (optional): You are offered the opportunity to critically investigate and apply psychological knowledge to a work environment. The module aims to give you an insight and direct experience of professional psychology, as well as prepare you for work within professional contexts in psychological settings.
• Cyberpsychology (optional): Understand the psychological processes, motivations, intentions, behavioural outcomes, and consequences of any form of technology use. It encourages you to develop a critical understanding of the relevant psychological theories associated with positive and negative aspects of online behaviour. Topics covered within the module may include Digital technology as an everyday experience; The ‘self’ online, social media, and networking; Online friendships/relationships; Negative consequences of digital technology; Differing psychological approaches to the digital world.
• Health Psychology (optional): This module will equip you with knowledge and understanding of the role of social, psychological and biological factors on health, illness and well-being within the context of the individual and contemporary society. It encourages you to develop a critical understanding of the relevant theories and models of behavioural change. Topics covered in the module may include Health Promotion and Behaviour change; Addition, nutrition and exercise; psychology of pain and pain management; development and maintenance of stress. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 48-72 UCAS tariff points at GCE A-level or equivalent and a GCSE at grade C/4 or equivalent in Maths and English/Welsh (First Language). Appropriate AS-Level and Level 3 Key Skills qualifications will also be taken into account. A science would be an advantage but is not essential.

Applications are welcome from anyone who exhibits the ability and experience to cope with the demands of the programme. There are arrangements in place for accrediting prior experience: entry to the degree is possible under the accreditation of prior and/or experiential learning.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB) may be required for placement activity on optional Work-Based Learning modules. 

Teaching & Assessment

You will be assessed via a variety of different assessment methods, including a combination of coursework, essays, portfolios, practical reports, presentations and in-class tests. The course does not currently assess students via exams.  You will be required to do a dissertation as part of your final year assessment.   

Teaching and learning

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

The degree will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, project work and computer-based exercises (e.g. in research methods and statistics). Teaching currently takes place over the course of 3 days a week and contact hours vary year to year, as you become an independent learner (Foundation year 40 hours; Year 1 36 hours; Year 2 30 hours; Year 3 24 hours).

Career prospects

As a BPS accredited degree, this course will help to acquire transferrable skills including critical reasoning, quantitative and qualitative competency, and a deep understanding of scientific practice. Alongside developing both essential and more specialist psychological knowledge across a broad range of disciplines, this degree can also lead to a variety of career opportunities including: 

• Academic teaching and research 
• Forensic psychologist 
• Educational psychologist 
• Clinical psychologist 
• Sports psychologist 
• Human resources 
• Counselling 
• Teaching 
• Occupational psychologist 

Our graduates have previously secured employment and successful careers as an assistant psychologist (CAPs), drug and alcohol practitioner, mental health and wellbeing transition officer, residential support worker, project worker (Barnardo’s), and with the police force. 

Our optional Work Based Learning module provides students with an opportunity to build on their practical experience and gain vocational employability skills.

Our Careers and Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our Accommodation section to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.