BSc (Hons) Psychology

Course Overview

Are you interested in developing a scientific understanding of the human mind and what drives human motivation and behaviour? AU British Psychological Society accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology degree will introduce you to a wide range of contemporary research and support you in developing key knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential in pursuing a career within psychology. AU course has been designed with your career in mind.

With a huge choice of subjects, many of which are you won’t see at other leading universities, you can design your own course from the areas that interest you most; whether it’s sports and health, counselling, coaching Arden have got something for everyone.

This course is more than learning a subject; it’s being part of a rich community of student and tutors, becoming immersed in the subject and preparing yourself for the future. You’ll never be alone while you study with us; AU have gone above and beyond with the support AU offer so it’s tailored to you as an individual; whether it’s through AU various support teams or your tutors, who are internationally respected industry practitioners, published authors, and PhD holders in the psychology field.

Course details and modules

On the course you’ll study a variety of interesting and stimulating subject modules that have been designed to engage you in fascinating topics within psychology. AU have so many options that you’ll have almost countless ways to build your degree so it’s truly personalised to your interests. Your studies will culminate with choosing an area of psychology on which to focus and produce your own research project at the end of your final year. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and ability to apply your knowledge of psychology to a range of exciting career paths and further learning opportunities.

Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic skills tutors, as well as frequent invitations to online coffee mornings with your fellow students and staff. Above all, AU academic team will help you learn through real-world context, helping you understand how your new skills are best applied in practice.

Academic Experience

On this course, you’ll be taught by a range of psychology experts. Many of AU academics are research active and have published in academic journals, presented at national and international conferences, and authored book chapters on applied psychology. AU also have former and continuing practitioners within the team whose expertise centres on the application of psychology in real-life contexts, such as organisational, educational, prison, health care, and clinical settings. As a whole, the team is highly active in the professional psychology community by running workshops and taking part in charitable events for organisations such as MIND.

Modules

You have 3-9 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of AU students, however, aim to complete the course within 3 to 6 years.

Level 4

Core modules
Introduction to studying Psychology (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)
Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
Biological Psychology (20 credits)
Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)

Level 5

Core modules
Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Personality and Intelligence (20 credits)
Positive Psychology (20 credits)
Elective modules (select two)
Forensic Psychology (20 credits)
Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)
Occupational Psychology (20 credits)
Clinical and Health Psychology (20 credits)
Child Development and Educational Psychology (20 credits)
Coaching Psychology (20 credits)

Level 6

Core modules
Professional Development (20 credits)
Research Project (40 credits)
Elective modules (select three)
Advanced Research Methods (20 credits)
Counselling Psychology: Mental Health and Illness (20 credit)
Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (20 credits)
Political Psychology (20 credits)
Cyber Psychology (20 credits)
Gender and Sexuality (20 credits)

Please note that AU elective modules will run subject to sufficient demand and resources. That means if necessary, AU may need to cap numbers or change or discontinue modules to account for this.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at AU campuses in London Ealing, London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose AU blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, AU university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to AU Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of AU UK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of AU UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Part-time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BSc (Hons) Psychology online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

AU online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. You’ll also have access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan for living costs if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on
Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your psychology degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to AU Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us.
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support
BPS resources and support
GORILLA and JAMOVI industry software

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

What do you need to study with us?

AU aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That’s why AU keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Please note that if you’re using a Chromebook, only those released in 2020 onwards support SPSS and Jamovi, which are essential requirements for the statistical elements of the course. Through ilearn, AU online university campus in the cloud, you’ll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and AU online library containing almost half a million texts, as well as creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for AU BSc (Hons) Psychology course, you must have:

Passes at grade C or above in three subjects including mathematics at GCSE level or academic equivalent.
If you do not have GCSE or equivalent in mathematics you will be able to complete an assessment-free module before the start of your course to substitute for this.

Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of relevant work experience. AU will ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course, along with references and evidence of your previous work experience.

Course fee

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

In a UK campus	Fee
Fee per year:	£9,250

Studying Online	Fee
Level 4 fee:	£6,935
Level 5 fee:	£6,935
Level 6 fee:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

AU also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

Enquire Now

Career prospects

With a BPS-accredited psychology degree, your career options truly are wide open. This course sets you up with a range of universal skills that will allow you to apply your knowledge in a huge variety of sectors. This means that when you graduate you’ll have the confidence to make life-changing decisions about which professional career path is best for you to take.

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing your BSc psychology degree, you’ll have acquired a range of skills that will be appealing to employers across almost all industries. Around 15 to 20% of psychology graduates in the UK choose to complete postgraduate training to become professional psychologists. Employers across industries know that successful psychology graduates can write coherent and logical reports, understand statistical forms of evidence and data handling, and have a good understanding of human behaviour in the workplace. The majority of graduates therefore go on to work in careers where these skills developed during an undergraduate degree are highly desirable.

As well as graduating with the possibility of continuing on to further study at master’s degree level or entering training to qualify as a professional psychologist, you’ll also have career options in front of you which could include:

Psychotherapist
Data analyst
Support Worker
Nursing
Mental Health Professional
Human Resource Manager
Careers Adviser
Counsellor
Journalist
Marketing/Advertising
Police Officer
Social Work

What will the BSc (Hons) Psychology do for me?

Employers who have provided input into this course’s development include the UK fire service, independent psychology practitioners, counselling psychologists, clinical psychologists, independent consultants, and previous alumni who are now working across many varied professional areas. Because of this input, you’ll find that your course content has been tailored to help you fill current skills gaps in a range of careers and professions worldwide.

With such a wide choice of topics to learn about, and different skills to master, you’ll graduate with knowledge and abilities in diverse academic and professional areas including:

Communicating effectively in challenging situations
Retrieving, comprehending, and using data
Handling primary source material appropriately
Problem solving and abstract and scientific reasoning
Making critical judgements and evaluations
Applying sensitivity to interpersonal factors
Using effective personal planning and project management skills

Industry skills

The topics you’ll study on this course have a global focus that is relevant anywhere in the world. Avoiding the Western-centric focus of many undergraduate psychology courses and aligned with the framework of BPS accreditation, which provides a cross-cultural viewpoint, this degree is internationally recognised and will give you experience and knowledge that you can apply in your home country.

The British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation and membership

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. The society is responsible for the development, promotion, and application of psychology for the public good.

Arden’s BSc (Hons) Psychology course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. This means that students obtaining at least a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) will be eligible for the society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the prerequisite requirement to go on to further training as a professional psychologist after graduation.

You’ll have free membership of the BPS as soon as you enrol with us, which opens up a number of fantastic opportunities and professional resources for you, including:

Access to dozens of industry events each year, including student-focused careers events where you can learn from psychology professionals.
Subscriptions to The Psychologist, the monthly BPS magazine, and Psych-Talk, which is written by psychology students for psychology students – and is also a great way for you to get published.
Access to the online community of BPS members, which helps you to connect with other psychology students across the UK and discuss the latest advances and developments in your field of interest.
The chance to become a student rep and help support your fellow psychology students and spread the word about BPS membership.
Discounts on textbooks and key publications, including 35% off Wiley/Blackwell books (print and e-books) when you sign up for BPS membership.

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with AU curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.