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Psychology

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B-A,A,A

Typical offer: AAB offer to include one subject in Psychology, Mathematics or a Science. If specific subjects are not taken, an alternative offer of AAA will be made. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies are excluded for entry. The University of Southampton values the Extended Project Qualification. Applicants taking the EPQ in addition to three A-levels will also be made an alternative offer one grade below the standard offer, conditional on an A grade in the EPQ. For more information on the University of Southampton's EPQ Admissions Policy.

Access to HE Diploma

D:39,M:6,P:15

Typical offer: 60 credits overall with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,D3-D3,D3,M2

Typical offer: D3 D3 D3 or D3 D3 M2 (if one subject is Psychology, Mathematics or a Science subject) We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Extended Project

A

The Extended Project will be incorporated in the offer. Typical offer: Grades ABB from 3 A-levels, to include one A-level subject in Psychology, Mathematics or a Science subject + Grade A in the EPQ. If A Level specific subjects are not taken, an alternative offer of AAB + EPQ grade A will be made.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34-36

Typical offer: 34 points overall to include 665 at Higher Level (one subject at Higher Level must be Psychology, Mathematics or a Science subject), or alternative offer if not studying one of these subjects at Higher Level: 36 points overall to include 666 at Higher Level International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

Typical Offer: Distinction + 2 A-levels at grades AA

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

The BTEC Extended Diploma must be in a relevant subject relating to the chosen degree programme

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T Level

D

An overall distinction with grade A in the core element in the Science or Healthcare Science T Level

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

A-B

Typical offer: AA from A-levels to include one subject in Psychology, Mathematics or a Science and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate, or alternative offer of AA from any two A-levels and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies are excluded for entry. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

UCAS Tariff

136-144

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Psychology

If you're fascinated by the human mind or find yourself questioning what prompts human behaviour, choose our British Psychological Society accredited BSc Psychology degree. This fascinating course will give you the opportunity to analyse human behaviour emotions, motivations and beliefs through essential methods of research and data analysis.
This course can lead to further study, successful careers within psychology, as well as other areas such as education, forensic sciences, marketing, health and occupational psychologies.
Our facilities will support you in every area of research. They include: a custom-fit mobile research; vehicle for community research; eye movement recording facilities; an observation lab with audiovisual studio; a virtual reality (VR) laboratory.

As part of your degree you can: study a second subject as a minor discipline; study abroad at one of our partner universities including the University of Sydney, University of Hong Kong, and University of Western Ontario; study modules outside of psychology to broaden your knowledge, including criminology, social sciences and law.

89% of Psychology students agreed staff were good at explaining things*
*NSS 2021

Modules

In each year there are both compulsory and optional modules. You can find full details here: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/psychology-degree-bsc#modules

Year 1 Compulsory modules include:
Academic Support and Employability 1
Behavioural Neuroscience
Individual Differences
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology of Attractiveness
Research Methods and Data Analysis 1
Research Methods and Data Analysis 2 (& Empirical Studies)

Year 2 Compulsory modules include:
Academic Support and Employability 2
Developmental Psychology
Empirical Studies 2
Language and Memory
Perception
Research Methods and Data Analysis 3
Social Psychology

Year 3 Compulsory modules include:
Academic Support and Employability 3
Current Issues in Clinical Psychology
Literature Review
Research Paper

Assessment methods

Your understanding of psychology is evaluated through a wide range of methods across the degree, to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills. We’ll assess you according to the intended learning outcomes, using coursework, laboratory reports and essays, written exams, oral presentations and blogs.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,400
per year
International
£27,400
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Main Site - Highfield Campus

Department:

Psychology

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

84%
Psychology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Psychology (non-specific)

Teaching and learning

86%
Staff make the subject interesting
85%
Staff are good at explaining things
83%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
64%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

80%
Library resources
83%
IT resources
90%
Course specific equipment and facilities
62%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
15%
Male students
85%
Female students
95%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Psychology (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£19,500
high
Average annual salary
99%
high
Employed or in further education
56%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

10%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
10%
Other elementary services occupations
9%
Business, research and administrative professionals

20 years ago, this was a specialist degree for would-be psychologists but now it is the model of a modern, flexible degree subject. One of the UK's fastest-growing subject at degree level, and the second most popular subject overall (it recently overtook business studies), one in 23 of all graduates last year had psychology degrees. As you'd expect with figures like that, jobs in psychology itself are incredibly competitive, so to stand a chance of securing one, you need to get a postgraduate qualification (probably a doctorate in most fields, especially clinical psychology) and some relevant work experience. But even though there are so many psychology graduates — far more than there are jobs in psychology, and over 13,800 in total last year — this degree has a lower unemployment rate than average because its grads are so flexible and well-regarded by business and other industries across the economy. Everywhere there are good jobs in the UK economy, you'll find psychology graduates - and it's hardly surprising as the course helps you gain a mix of good people skills and excellent number and data handling skills. A psychology degree ticks most employers' boxes — but we'd suggest you don't drop your maths modules.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Psychology (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£20k

£20k

£27k

£27k

£29k

£29k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here