Psychology BSc

Our British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited Psychology BSc brings together expertise across the major areas of psychology, including cognitive, developmental, social, mental health and individual differences. You'll learn from researchers working at the forefront of the field and discover how psychology can help address real-world challenges.

Join one of the UK's largest psychology schools, with a diverse community of students and researchers, specialist research facilities and opportunities to investigate questions that interest you.

We are University of the Year 2027

By choosing Birmingham, you'll be joining the Daily Mail University of the Year 2027.

With strong graduate employability outcomes and a supportive student community, Birmingham offers an environment in which to develop your interests, build valuable skills and prepare for your future career.

Our three-year degree combines core modules that establish your knowledge of psychology with optional modules that allow you to explore particular interests. You'll also develop the research and analytical skills needed to understand and evaluate scientific evidence.

Year 1: Explore the foundations of psychology
Discover the main areas of psychology and how researchers investigate human behaviour. You'll explore cognitive psychology, psychobiology, developmental psychology and social psychology, while learning about research methods, statistics and the ethical principles that guide psychological research.

You'll develop the academic and practical skills needed to study psychology at university, learning to question evidence, interpret findings and communicate ideas clearly.

Year 2: Develop your knowledge and skills
Build on your first-year learning by exploring psychological processes in greater depth. Topics include social and cognitive development, language and communication, the neural basis of vision and action, and social and individual differences.

You'll strengthen your research skills and develop a deeper understanding of how the brain, mind and social environment interact to shape behaviour.

Year 3: Specialise and conduct your own research
Choose from a wide range of advanced optional modules to explore the areas of psychology that interest you most. Depending on the modules available, you can develop expertise in areas such as cognitive and social psychology, neuroscience, mental health, psychological therapies, child and adolescent development, forensic psychology, education, and data science.

You'll also complete an independent Research Project, designing and conducting your own study with guidance from an academic supervisor. With more than 75 final-year research projects available across our research areas each year, you'll have opportunities to investigate a question of your own and contribute to the research taking place within the school.

• Research-led teaching: Learn from internationally recognised researchers whose work is advancing our understanding of the brain, mind and behaviour.
  
  
• Specialist research facilities: Gain experience with technologies used to investigate psychological processes, including brain imaging and stimulation, eye tracking, motion tracking, and research facilities for babies and children.
  
  
• A wide choice of subjects: Explore the breadth of psychology before choosing advanced modules that reflect your interests.
  
  
• Your own research project: Design and conduct an independent study, working with an academic supervisor and developing skills in research design, data analysis and scientific communication.
  
  
• A supportive academic community: Benefit from academic guidance, personal support and opportunities to engage with staff and fellow students.
  
  
• Optional placement year: Our BSc Psychology offers the opportunity to complete a work placement year, organised through the University's careers network, with opportunities across business, IT and science. This differs from the clinical experience offered on the MSci.

*This is subject to application and programme availability

• Lectures and Seminars: Learn about key theories and discoveries, discuss evidence and explore how psychologists investigate questions about the mind and behaviour. Teaching is informed by the latest research across the school.
  
  
• Tutorials and Practical Classes: Work through psychological problems, develop your research skills and receive guidance as you learn to apply scientific methods.
• Research and Laboratory Experience: Develop your understanding of how psychological research is conducted. Depending on your modules and project, you may have opportunities to work with specialist equipment and research methods used to investigate brain activity, perception, movement and development.
• Independent Learning: Build the confidence to work independently, evaluate competing explanations and develop your own evidence-based arguments. You'll be encouraged to take an active role in your learning and pursue questions that interest you.

Support during your studies

You'll be part of a large, active School of Psychology, with support available throughout your degree.

• Personal tutors: Receive academic guidance and advice from a tutor who can help you make the most of your studies and plan your development.
  
  
• Wellbeing Officers: Access advice and guidance on personal circumstances, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extensions and wider university support.
  
  
• Student Experience team: Get help with your academic and social experience, study skills, research opportunities and preparation for life after university.

You'll also have opportunities to develop relationships with academics and fellow students through teaching, research projects and the wider life of the school.

Contact hours

You can expect an average of around 12 scheduled contact hours per week, through lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes.

You'll also undertake independent study, including reading, preparing for classes, completing assessments and working on research activities. The balance between scheduled teaching and independent study will vary across modules and years of the degree.

Assessment methods and feedback

You'll be assessed in different ways throughout your degree, depending on the subject and learning outcomes of each module. These may include examinations, essays, practical reports, presentations, data analysis and research projects.

Assessment helps you develop the ability to evaluate scientific evidence, communicate psychological ideas and apply research methods to questions about human behaviour. You'll receive information about assessment requirements at the start of each module, along with opportunities for feedback to help you improve.

Where can a Psychology degree take you?

Psychology graduates develop skills that are valued well beyond psychology itself. You'll learn to evaluate evidence, understand people, analyse data, communicate clearly and solve complex problems.

These skills can support careers in:

• Applied psychology: Progress towards professional training in clinical, forensic, educational or other areas of psychology.
• Research and academia: Pursue postgraduate study and investigate questions about the brain, mind and behaviour.
• Health and public services: Apply psychological knowledge to health, wellbeing, education and social challenges.
• Business and organisations: Use your understanding of people and behaviour in areas such as human resources, marketing, management and organisational development.
• Data and technology: Apply analytical skills and an understanding of human behaviour to research, data-informed decision-making and technology-related roles.

You'll also have access to careers guidance and opportunities to explore different pathways during your degree.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

Required subjects and grades

Number of A levels required: 3

Typical offer: AAB

AAA for applicants who do not have a science subject, AAB for those with science subject. The subjects include Chemistry / Biology / Human Biology / Physics / Psychology / Maths / Further Maths / Statistics.

General studies

We do not accept General Studies, Critical Studies, Critical Thinking, Science in Society, World Development, Communication and Culture, Citizenship Studies and Use of Mathematics.

BTEC Qualifications

We welcome applications from those studying BTEC National Extended Diploma where our typical offer is D*DD.

BTEC subjects accepted: 

• Applied Psychology
• Applied Human Biology
• Applied Science
• Health and Social Care
• Pharmaceutical Science 

We also accept applications from those studying a combination of BTEC and A level qualifications - please contact us for further guidance.

Deferred Entry

Deferring admission is usually not a problem but please inform the School or central Admissions. The university has a neutral attitude to gap years. You can still apply in advance for deferred entry and would be advised to do so.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Music performance

Applicants who have achieved (or who will achieve) any level 3 graded examination in music performance at grade 8 or above (e.g. ABRSM, Rockschool, Trinity College London) and outline that on their UCAS application will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus the Music qualification. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

High-level sports

Applicants who play sport at county level or above will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower. This alternative offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice. If you have already received a one grade reduction through one of our performance athlete schemes (e.g. our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway programme), then you will not receive an additional reduction - we will apply a maximum one grade reduction on an offer.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 2026: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• TOEFL iBT tests taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in two skills and 4 in two skills
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

From 2026/27, students will have the opportunity to add an optional additional year to their degree through an internal transfer in their third year. This may be taken as either a Placement Year or a Year in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science.

Where Our Graduates Work

Graduates from this programme have gone on to work for a wide range of prestigious organisations, including:

• Universities & Academic Institutions

  University of Birmingham, University College London (UCL) and University of Oxford

• NHS & Mental Health Trusts

  Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

• Private Sector & Charities

Roles Our Graduates Have Taken On

Our alumni have pursued a variety of impactful roles, such as:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Education Mental Health Practitioner
• Research Assistant
• Teacher
• Board Trustee
• Chief Executive Officer

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work. 

Intercalated years

Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.