Psychology BSc (Hons)
Course code C800
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, for example: History; Geography; Modern studies; Politics; Sociology; Psychology; Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies; or Modern Languages
- Applicants without standard 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
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:
Semester 1
- Introduction to psychology
- Evidence based psychology
- Questions in psychology
Semester 2
- Psychology of individual differences and development
- Practicals in psychology 1
- One option module
Year 2 - DipHE
Subjects include:
Semester 1
- Practicals in psychology 2
- Adolescence
- Research, analysis and methods
Semester 2
- Personality project
- Cognition
- Health
Year 3 - BSc
Subjects include:
Semester 1
- Social and evolutionary psychology
- Advanced research, analysis and methods
- Developmental psychology: birth to death
Semester 2
- Behavioural neuroscience
- Intelligence and cognition
- Conceptual and historical issues in psychology
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
Core subjects are:
- Dissertation
You must also choose two additional modules in both semesters 1 and 2, which may include:
Semester 1
- Neurodiversity: dyslexia, ASD and ADHD
- Food and behaviour
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Psychological literacies: applying theory to the real world
Semester 2
- Psychopathology: mental health and wellbeing
- Psychology of middle adulthood and later life
- Managing health
- Communication, learning and technology
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- 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 year 1 at the Inverness 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
- North Highland
- Orkney
- Outer Hebrides
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £305 |
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:
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Full-time | Full-time | |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| 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) - £1,542
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK 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 (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here.. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,310 | £15,360 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,155 | £7,680 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,385 | £2,560 |
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
You must attend a one- or two-day induction in year 1 at the Inverness campus, plus a one-week residential held in Inverness each year. This is compulsory for eligibility for BPS registration on graduation. You will be responsible for any travel and accommodation costs.
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.
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 UHI Inverness 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.
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Please note that UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland will be changing their names to become UHI North, West and Hebrides in August 2023, subject to Scottish Government approval. This will not impact on your choice of course or how and where you will study.
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.