Psychology BSc (Hons)
2017 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology will introduce you to the full range of areas that are studied by psychologists, including perception, cognition, motivation and behaviour. You will be grounded in the theoretical foundations and modern developments of contemporary psychology, and emphasis is placed on practical classes and on learning research techniques right from the start.

Psychology is studied up to Honours level in both the Faculty of Science (BSc) and the Faculty of Arts (MA). Students who have a background in sciences or who wish to study Psychology alongside science subjects at St Andrews should apply for the BSc. For those interested in studying Psychology alongside arts subjects, the MA in Psychology may be of interest.

A degree in Psychology from St Andrews is recognised by the British Psychological Society as conferring basis for graduate registration, and qualifies you to undertake training in various areas of professional psychology including both clinical and educational psychology.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

C800

Course type

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

Entry requirements

SQA Highers

AAAB, including at least two of the following subjects:

  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science or equivalent
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
GCE A-Levels

AAB, including at least one of the following subjects:

  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science or equivalent
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
IB points 35

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of this subject is required.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Science minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.  

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty.

Find out more about Faculty of Science entry requirements.

Course information

The BSc (Hons) in Psychology is a four-year course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The School also offers an MA in Psychology, which may be more suitable for students who wish to take Psychology alongside arts subjects. The Psychology element within both the BSc and MA degree programmes are exactly the same.

Your first two years of study provide an introduction to a variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology as well as a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.

The skills you gain in statistical analysis, research and presentation will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will have the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of advanced subjects. These subjects can be broadly described as (but are not limited to):

  • social psychology
  • developmental psychology
  • evolutionary and comparative psychology
  • behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
  • cognitive psychology
  • perpetual psychology
  • clinical and abnormal psychology.

During your final year, you will also carry out a research project on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the School.

Find out more about studying Psychology at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Psychology alongside modules in at least one other science subject.

Typically, you will take one Psychology module per semester during your first two years, and two to three Psychology modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules, which between them cover the foundations of psychology.

  • Psychology 1: introduces the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology, and provides a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.
  • Psychology 2: expands upon the topics discussed during Psychology 1 and continues to introduce the variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules, which between them cover the core areas of psychology and prepare students for advanced modules. 

  • Psychology 1(second year): covers the relations between between different aspects of psychology in addition to providing more in-depth coverage of material taught in the first year. It also contains a methodology component covering laboratory and field techniques.
  • Psychology 2(second year): provides a more advanced treatment of a number of areas in psychology and extends the range of teaching from Psychology 1.

If you decide to take Psychology in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules ranging from clinical psychology to understanding how evolutionary forces have shaped both animal and human behaviour.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sex Differences and Gender Development
  • Social Psychology
  • Group Behaviour
  • Perception
  • The Psychology of Visual Art
  • Assessment in Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology and the Emotional Disorders.

In fourth year, students will conduct a research project which will allow them to foster the skills of experimental design, appropriate research management and statistical analysis. Students can choose from a wide range of topics in consultation with their supervisor.

The modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. A full list of all modules currently available can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

Psychology is taught using a wide variety of methods including traditional lectures, seminars, practicals, tutorials and individual supervision. At sub-honours level, class sizes range from 140 to 350 students in lectures and 40 to 60 students for practical labs, down to only 6 to 8 students for small-group tutorials.

At Honours level, much of the teaching is in small groups and there is a considerable amount of one-on-one contact with staff. Class sizes typically range from about 20 to 150 students for lectures down to individual supervision.

In addition to lectures and tutorials, students are expected to undertake substantial independent, but guided, work outside of the classroom.

Assessment

Sub-honours modules are assessed by 25% coursework and 75% multiple choice questions or written examinations. At Honours level, modules are either entirely assessed by coursework, by examination, or by a mixture of the two.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2017 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £20,570

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation in 2017.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Joint Honours degrees

You can take Psychology as part of a joint Honours degree alongside one of the following subjects:

  • Biology
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Mathematics
    • Statistics

"With" degrees

You can take the BSc in Psychology as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first named subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Psychology:

  • Psychology with Biology

Your future

Careers

There are a number of professions directly linked to a Psychology degree such as clinical, educational, industrial and forensic psychology. It is also associated with jobs in the welfare area and in personnel.

More generally, a good Honours degree in Psychology can give direct entry into management training and civil service posts. Popular careers areas for Psychology students include:

  • academia
  • advertising
  • Civil Service
  • general management
  • HR
  • marketing and sales
  • social work
  • teaching.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Psychology may be interested in joining the Psychology and Neuroscience Society which organises academic activities such as lectures and trips to Edinburgh Zoo, as well as weekly lunches, a ball and other kinds of socials.

The School of Psychology is located in the beautiful Old Library building, dating back to the Victorian era, which sits inside St Mary’s Quad on the south side of town. Most of your classes and labs will take place here.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland. Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of Psychology and Neuroscience
University of St Andrews
St Mary's Quad
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JP

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2157
Email: psych@st-andrews.ac.uk

School of Psychology and Neuroscience website