BSc (Hons) Psychology

Why study Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the most complex machine imaginable: the human mind. This fascinating psychology degree gives you a deep insight into the actions, interactions, thoughts and feelings that trigger our behaviour.

You’ll use many different types of techniques designed to help you investigate the links between the brain and behaviour. Then you get the chance to put these into practice with a relevant work placement. This means you develop a wide breadth of expertise and skills and learn how to apply theory to real-world situations.

Our academics will give you a deep understanding of how psychology impacts everyday life, such as:

• How we understand, think and learn about the world around us
• How memory is formed and what impacts the way we remember
• How everyone uses verbal and non-verbal forms of communication
• How biological and social factors influence behaviour
• How cognition, emotion and socialisation develop across our lifespan

Psychology is both an experimental and observational science. This means you will observe and measure human behaviour, tackle literature searches, and then develop, test, and evaluate theories. This culminates in designing and conducting your supervised research project in your final year, which is one of the cornerstones of your degree.

This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and its core areas follow the curriculum set out by the BPS. This accreditation is essential if you want to become a Chartered Psychologist and means that you can apply for further professional psychology training if you get a 2:2 or above.

Psychology degrees here at Abertay are flexible. You can switch to BSc Psychology or another 'Psychology with' pathway if you develop an interest in a particular topic later.

This course is in the UK Top 10 for Course Satisfaction in the 2023 Guardian University Guide.

Admission Requirement

Please note: All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 5 ESOL is accepted instead of National 5 English. National 5 Lifeskill Maths and Application of Maths at grade B is accepted instead of Maths.

Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.

Below are the literate subjects we accept for entry on this course:

One of the following: Business Management; Classical Studies; Economics; English; ESOL; Geography; History; Media Studies; Modern Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies; Sociology

International Entry

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select your country from the searchable list below to view different qualification entry requirements.

Not sure if you're eligible for entry

If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.

We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.

If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...

• been in care, or are a young carer yourself
• attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
• are eligible for free school meals
• are you a young person estranged from your family?
• are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
• are registered pupils with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North

... we encourage you to submit an application.

Scholarships and Funding

We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.

As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course-specific and, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.

Abertay RUK Scholarship: Science and Social Science

A scholarship for prospective undergraduate Science and Social Science students applying from England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Abertay International Scholarship

This is an award of up to £12,000 for prospective international undergraduate students.

The Robert Reid Bursary

Two £1,000 awards for students who have overcome challenges to attend university

Year 1 Core Modules

• Introductory Psychology - PSY101
• Comparative Psychology - PSY104
• Introduction to Psychological Research Methods - PSY105
• Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay

Year 1 MySuccess Modules

• Successful Writing At Abertay - ABE102
• Digital Skills for University and Beyond - ABE103
• Dundee and Me - ABE104
• Research and Enquiry Skills for the Digital Age - ABE105
• How to Sell Your Idea - ABE106
• Planning Your Future Career - ABE107
• Welcome to the community - ABE108
• Wellbeing Tools and Tricks - ABE109

Year 2 Core Modules

• Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology
• Essential Research Methods and Analysis for Psychology
• Psychology in the Real World

Year 2 Option Modules

• Forensic Psychology: Understanding Offending Behaviour
• Psychology for Sport and Exercise
• Tomorrow's Child
• Forensic Human Identification

Year 3 Core Modules

• BPS Human Variability: Psychobiology and Behaviour - PSY301
• Social Cognition Across the Lifespan - PSY314
• BPS Human Development across the Lifespan - PSY302
• BPS Advanced Research Design and Analysis - PSY303
• Mental Health Psychology: Living with a Diagnosis

Year 3 Option Modules

• Psychology and Technology: Advanced Methods - PSY304
• Evidence-based Thinking: Advanced perspectives on human - PSY315

Year 4 Core Modules

• Project - PSY410
• Advanced Cognition and the Social Brain - PSY408

Year 4 Option Modules

• Investigative Psychology and Policing: Applying Behaviour to Major Crime Investigation - PSY413
• Work-based Learning - PSY420
• Mindfulness - CNS402

Career Options

We are extremely proud of our alumni. Their post- graduation roles are wide and varied, such as:

• Occupational therapists
• Youth workers
• Drug rehabilitation workers
• Clinical psychologists
• Psychological therapists
• Primary/secondary school teachers
• College/university lecturers
• Researchers
• Social workers
• Various positions within the police
• Roles in mental health charities/organisations

As a university, we are immensely proud of our academic achievements but there is a great deal more to us. We are a modern new university, one with a long history and have quickly become one of Scotland's leading universities, highly ranked for our academic performance and with a talented group of students and academics who make us the success we are.

We place teaching and student support at the heart of the University and provide a network of Support services to help you with all aspects of your life whilst you're at Abertay. In fact, there are many good reasons to choose Abertay.

Abertay University has some of the most innovative and well-designed buildings in the UK and our library and Student Centre have set the standard for universities across the UK. The facilities available across our campus are excellent and we pride ourselves that we are ranked very highly in the UK for our investment in IT. But it's not all work and no play: Dundee has some outstanding student entertainment and sport plays an important part in university life, as our sporting achievements demonstrate.