Psychology BSc (Hons)
UCAS code C800
Information line 01463 279190
What is special about this course?
On this BSc (Hons) Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you will learn the skills and analytical abilities that employers in a range of careers are looking for.
Choosing a psychology degree opens the door to a diverse range of topics, all of which are concerned with understanding behaviour and exploring the mind. Psychology is not just about the study of mental health and you will not be able to read minds by the end of the degree. It does, however, deal with the understanding and explanation of human behaviour and how this changes and develops throughout our lives.
Psychology is a science which allows us to understand the mind and behaviour through experimentation and observation. You will not only learn how to ask research questions but, importantly, you will develop the skills and understanding to know how to find the answers to these questions.
You will graduate with a rounded understanding of the key domains in psychology and with specific knowledge of specialist areas. You will also have developed critical skills of analysis and evaluation; you will be able to communicate effectively and solve problems efficiently.
The degree is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society, allowing graduates who complete with at least second-class honours to achieve Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Special features
- The course offers you a wide range of modules, enabling you to tailor your study as your interests develop
- One-week residentials provide opportunities to engage in fascinating exploration of topic areas with fellow students and staff as well as attend seminars delivered by research and applied psychologists
- You can study online, full time or part time, to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development (CPD)
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, including a pass in National 5 Maths or equivalent (National 5 Applications of Mathematics (formerly Life Skills Maths) is not accepted for entry) OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above, including a pass in GCSE Maths
- Both of the above must also include English or any literate subject
- Applicants without traditional entry qualifications but with appropriate experience may be considered for the course on an individual basis
- You will be required to attend an interview at your enrolling college
- Non-UK qualifications will be considered. Please fill in the relevant application form (depending on whether you are an EEA or international applicant), providing the details of your qualifications. Please enclose/attach a copy of relevant certificates and evidence of your English language skills. This will enable us to assess your eligibility for the course to which you are applying
Please note:
- You must be resident in Scotland during term-time
- This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in Scotland.
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Year 1 - CertHE
View our interactive introduction to the course
Subjects include:
- Introduction to psychology
- Psychology of Individual differences and development
- Evidence based psychology
- Practicals in psychology 1
- Questions i psychology
- One option module
Year 2 - DipHE
Subjects include:
- Practicals in psychology 2
- Health
- Adolescence
- Personality project
- Research and analysis methods
- Cognition
Year 3 - BSc
Subjects include:
- Social and evolutionary psychology
- Advanced research and analysis
- Developmental psychology: birth to death
- Behavioural neuroscience
- Intelligence and cognition
- One option module
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
Core subjects are:
- Dissertation
You must also choose four option modules which may include:
- Developmental disorders
- Animal behaviour
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Middle and later adulthood
- Managing health
- Communication, cognition and e-learning
- Food and behaviour
- Psychopathology, mental health and wellbeing
- Critical review
How will I study my course?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
As your course was designed to be fully online and has run successfully for many years in this way, we can confirm that there will be no change to how the course will be delivered next year. You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment. You will also have an online induction at the start of the course and will be able to meet your fellow students, lecturers and personal academic tutor through video conferencing. The one-week compulsory residential requirement for BPS registration held in semester two may be a virtual event this year depending on the Scottish Government guidance over the next few months. Our priority is to provide a safe learning environment for all staff and students.- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn online via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) as well as through frequent online discussion groups with your tutors and classmates and synchronous virtual classrooms
- You must attend a one or two-day induction in years 1 and 3, at your campus, plus a one-week residential held in Inverness each year. This is compulsory for eligibility for BPS registration on graduation
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness College UHI
- Lews Castle College UHI
- Moray College UHI
- North Highland College UHI
- Orkney College UHI
- Perth College UHI
- Shetland College UHI
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)) and with a term-time address in Scotland studying this course full-time, the following fees apply:
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Full-time | Full-time | |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. For students living in the UK and assessed as international fee status, the following fees will apply:
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £12,800 | £13,200 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £6,420 | £6,600 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,140 | £2,200 |
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact your enrolling college for more information.
Additional Costs
- You must attend a one or two-day induction in years 1 and 3, at your campus, plus a one-week residential held in Inverness each year. This is compulsory for eligibility for BPS registration on graduation
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BSc (Hons) Psychology course, you will be in a position to consider a wide range of careers. Psychological knowledge and its associated research skills are highly regarded by employers and have a range of applications, for example in industry, commerce, health, marketing, research, and human resource management.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
What our students, graduates and staff say
Distance learning suited me – just like the Open University but with the comfort of lecturers close at hand. I have been able to earn my degree and fit studying around work and home commitments. The highlights have been the state-of-the-art facilities and the annual course residential. I now hope to study an MSc in occupational psychology with a view to become a psychology practitioner.
Andrew Smith is studying in his fourth year of the BSc (Hons) Psychology.
I chose this course as it covers a wide range of topics; and my studies have given me the right foundation to pursue various career options. With help from the careers team, I've decided to complete a masters with a view to pursuing a career as an educational psychologist.
Although the course is wholly online, I had the opportunity to attend the annual residential in Inverness. It was a great experience being able to meet my lecturers and fellow students and to attend the workshops and lectures.
Yussra Mumtaz is studying in her fourth year of the BSc (Hons) Psychology.
I won the Citation for Excellence Award from the British Psychological Society for my dissertation which explored positive psychology and tourism at an outdoor winter festival. By continuing with my PhD studies here, I’m helping to shape this young university’s reputation and contribute to changes that may benefit residents. For the next three years, I will be working on the project: ‘Physical Activity in Older Adults with Visual Impairment.’ The Studentship is funded by the European Social Fund and Scottish Funding Council as part of developing Scotland’s workforce in the Scotland 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Fund Programme with additional part funding from the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Aniéle Viljoen-Steele graduated with a firstclass honours from the BSc (Hons) Psychology at our Inverness College UHI campus and is now undertaking her PhD with the university.
Apply
Thank you for your interest in studying Psychology BSc (Hons) with us.
If you are ready to apply, please start your application below by selecting when you would like to start your course. This will take you to the UCAS website or our online application system.
If you're not quite ready, please message us or call 01463 279190 if there is anything we can do to help you with your decision. We will handle your query in line with our Privacy Notice.
Start your application
Apply for Psychology BSc (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.