Curious about studying Psychology (with Placement Year) - BSc (Hons)at University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Stoke-on-Trent Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
Psychology is part of our everyday lives, from how we react to different environments through to the impact of social media on our wellbeing. Our single honours Psychology degree will give you a deeper understanding of the mind and why we behave the way we do. The focus will be on applying your knowledge in the real world. You could soon be delving into key questions. How do we help someone who has mental health struggles? Why does nature often make us happier? What is the psychology behind social movements? The course will cover a broad sweep of psychological disciplines, including clinical, developmental, health, cognitive and forensic psychology. It means you can discover your niche and then go on to specialise in this area. Ideal for shaping the in-depth research project you will complete in your final year. Optional modules include doing a research assistantship, working on live research alongside one of our academic experts. You can also choose to undertake a placement year, where you will gain invaluable experience for future employment. As a psychologist in training, you’ll receive lots of support and will become confident in analysing data and producing scientific reports. The modules include contemporary issues, covering topics as diverse as conspiracy theories, cyber-bullying, and the psychology of leadership. You’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities too, including cognitive research cubicles, psychophysiology equipment, simulation machines and observation suites. The degree is accredited by the BPS (British Psychological Society), which means you can undertake postgraduate training to become a professional psychologist in a specialist field. But the transferable skills you learn could also lead to lots of other career opportunities. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology
In this core module you will be introduced to two key approaches within psychology: Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology. Over the course of the module, you will develop an understanding of the main issues and topics explored by both areas of psychology. You will learn about their contextual and historical influences, and gain experience using experiment and survey design tools within developmental and social psychology. This module will also give you the opportunity to gain insights on how these perspectives can be used to understand and evaluate real-life issues and questions.
Are you ready for an adventure through concepts, principles and classic theories that inform some of the core areas in modern psychology? In this core module you will be introduced to some of the key psychological perspectives and consider how they can be applied to everyday life. You will be introduced to biological psychology, cognitive psychology and individual difference as part of this introductory module.
How do psychologists come up with, and test, their ideas? This module introduces you to some of the quantitative (numbers-based) methods we use to conduct research. You will learn, through extensive practical experience, how to: decide on research questions and hypotheses; plan research studies; use software to collect and analyse data; and write up your findings in an academic report. You will also learn about some of the past and current debates surrounding psychological research, and engage in discussions about how to conduct research ethically and professionally.
This module will introduce you to the theory underpinning qualitative research approaches and the design of qualitative research projects. You will explore a range of qualitative research designs and methods of data collection and how these can be applied to addressing research questions, while acknowledging relevant ethical considerations.
The module will introduce you to aspects of development and change over the life-span. You will explore key developmental stages for example infancy and adolescence and will consider some of the issues that arise from current psychological research in this field. Teaching sessions will focus on cognitive and social development in childhood, adulthood and old age. You will be introduced to appropriate methodologies in psychology across the lifespan.
This module will consider how psychology is used in practice and how psychology can help people. Key major theoretical approaches within psychology will be identified, and their role in a variety of applied settings will be discussed. The module also aims to describe some main processes involved in using psychological interventions in a variety of settings and consider related methodological and ethical issues. You will be required to investigate the major areas of applied psychology, for example* clinical, forensic, criminological, educational, counselling, occupational, health psychology and sport and exercise psychology, as well as teaching, research and other postgraduate work within psychology (*topics may change annually to reflect the debates at the forefront of the discipline).
This module will be the start of your PDP and career planning process as you proceed through your degree and it will act as one of the main support mechanisms in Level 4. Personal development sessions will start by helping you assess your current skills, identify skills for further development and track your development throughout your academic journey. You will also learn academic skills such as referencing, reflection, avoiding academic misconduct and structuring your writing. Your skills analysis will then be used to enable you to plan future careers/life plan pathways that fit your skills set and interests.
Psychology is at the forefront of helping us understand contemporary societal issues and problems. This module will not only help you to understand these but will also explore how you can apply psychological theory and research to tackle these contemporary issues and problems. For example, how we can use psychological knowledge to develop dementia-friendly environments; what strategies can we use to reduce cyberbullying; or how can we use technology to support peoples? health and wellbeing. Through this module you will have the opportunity to develop important skills, applicable throughout your degree and within employability; skills such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
The module takes a life-span perspective covering a range of typical and atypical developments from prenatal to ageing. You will learn about cognitive, emotional and socially typical and atypical development. Special attention will be given to the biological underpinnings of development including sensation and perception, learning and memory, and neurotypical and atypical development.
How do psychologists explore how people differ? How can we analyse and understand patterns of behaviour? This module will continue to advance students' knowledge of quantitative research methods in psychology as well as build knowledge and experience in applying these to topics within the area of the psychology of individual differences.
This module will continue your personal development planning (PDP) and career planning process and it will act as one of the main support mechanisms in Level 5. You will receive support from your tutor and the University careers team to put your action plan into place by engaging in a real-world experience such as a volunteering, or short course engagement tutor approved personal development opportunity. You will continue to work on your three identified life/career plans by pinpointing gaps in your knowledge/skills and preparing an action plan to achieve these. By the end of this module, you will be able to reflect on your 3 life plans and be able to assess your next steps.
This module will introduce you to the theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research approaches and provide you with experience of conducting and analysing qualitative research.
This module takes a life-span perspective covering a range of typical and atypical developments (e.g., physical, biological, cognitive, social, emotional, health and clinical) within the following periods of development : pre-natal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and older people. Each lecture will consider atypical variants to typical patterns, with exception of childhood onset disorders that will focus on the atypical. Furthermore, historical and conceptual issues relating to development will be addressed.
This module provides you with the opportunity to conduct, under supervision, independent psychological research in one of a broad range of areas.
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