Course Overview
Course summary
Our course will provide you with an exciting and unique learning experience, delivered by active researchers who are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject.
We believe strongly in maintaining close links between our research and teaching, which means that you'll be taught by recognised international experts. We are committed to understanding the place of psychology in contemporary society, and our course content is constantly updated to provide a fresh perspective into the human mind.
The course is designed to enhance your chances of successfully gaining employment once you graduate, and many of our past students have pursued careers in clinical, counselling, forensic or occupational psychology. Others have used their degree in related professions, including human resources, management, market research, public relations and social work.
Our course is structured to provide a strong psychology base from the start of your studies. What you study has been designed to meet the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society, preparing you for postgraduate training on the path to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Between Years 2 and 3 you'll have the opportunity to take a work placement year experiencing work under supervision in a psychological setting. Alternatively, you'll have the opportunity to spend a year studying at one of our international partner universities.
Top reasons to study with us
- You’ll have the opportunity to gain a year's experience on a psychology work placement
- Employability and transferable skills are embedded within the curriculum
- You’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, if you achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass the Project module
Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practical classes and laboratory work, supported by online material and periods of independent study.
Assessment methods may include exams, in-class tests, essays, oral and poster presentations, debates, case studies, and laboratory, practical and technical reports.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Biological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences
- Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
- Social Psychology
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Data Analysis for Psychology
- Brain, Mind and Behaviour
- Understanding Psychological Diversity
- Self and Society
- Psychological Research at Westminster
- Volunteering and Employability in a Psychological Setting
- Mechanisms of Mind Body Therapies
Credit Level 5
Work Placement or International Study Year
Many of our students take up the opportunity to have an additional work placement year between Years 2 and 3, experiencing work under supervision in a psychological setting. Students have secured placements in a range of settings including advertising agencies, drug rehabilitation units, prisons, psychiatric clinics and schools for children with special needs.
On successful completion of the work placement year, you’ll be eligible for the award of Psychology with Professional Placement BSc on graduation to recognise the skills and experience you’ve developed over the course of this extra year of study.
Alternatively, you have the opportunity to spend an additional year between Years 2 and 3 studying at one of our international partner universities. On successful completion, you’ll be eligible for the award of Psychology with International Study BSc on graduation.
The opportunity to take a work placement or international study year is available towards the end of Year 2 (you do not need to apply for this named award in your initial application).
Subjects of study include:
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Disorders
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Occupational and Work Psychology
- Project in Psychology
- Psychology of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychology of Education
Credit Level 6
Professional accreditation
Students who achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass their project will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Programme Specification
For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.
Careers
With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
Get ahead before graduating
You’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable experience on a psychology work placement.
Transferable skills
You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in roles such as clinical psychologist, educational psychologist and forensic psychologist.
3,000
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Career development
Our Psychology BSc Honours course is accredited by the professional body that oversees psychology in the United Kingdom, the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Students who achieve at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree and pass their project will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) Membership of the British Psychological Society. GBC is the first stage necessary for becoming a chartered practitioner in the areas of clinical, counselling, forensic, sport and exercise, educational, health and occupational psychology.
As well as pursuing careers as Chartered Psychologists our graduates go on to pursue academic research and to careers in teaching, health and social care, human resources, advertising, marketing and business.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles such as:
- Assistant psychologist
- Graduate teaching assistant
- Mental health specialist
Graduate employment
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- MIND
- NHS
- The Priory Group
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Nicholas Smith
Senior Lecturer
Nick Smith joined the University of Westminster in 2014. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Leeds and MSc and PhD degrees from University College London. He has also worked as a researcher for the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. He teaches across a wide range of psychology modules including social psychology and research methods. His research interests lie within the field of applied social psychology and he is particularly interested in the psychology of climate change.
Psychology is a fascinating subject providing insights into our thoughts and actions.
Course Team
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
Based in our Cavendish Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.
Professional accreditation
Our course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
A supportive environment
We provide our students with the right environment, support and guidance throughout their studies to keep them motivated.
Online open days
Join us at an online open day or information session and get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster.
You'll get a chance to:
- Speak to our academic staff
- Take a virtual reality tour of our student halls
- Ask us any questions you may have about student finance and accommodation
Entry Requirements
- A Levels - CCC to BBB
- International Baccalaureate - 96 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the IB
- BTEC Extended Diploma - MMM to DDM
- BTEC Diploma - DD to D*D*
- Access - 96 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 96 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the IB
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
More information
International Foundation course
We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation courses for international students who do not meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements.
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Studying psychology at Westminster
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs content
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £14,400 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs content
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
What our students say
Sam Parker
Psychology BSc Honours
I chose a psychology degree at Westminster due to the large choice of option modules throughout the course. The support from the course and tutors was excellent and provided me with the foundation to succeed to my potential.
Nazanin Tayeby
Psychology BSc Honours, Assistant Psychologist Broadmoor Hospital
Reflecting back on my time at Westminster (2013 graduate) as a psychology student, I am now able to acknowledge how helpful the course was in preparing me for the outside world.
Eren Behget
Psychology BSc Honours, Project Support Officer at NHS London Leadership Academy
Studying Psychology at the University of Westminster was one of the best decisions that I have made. Lecturers were supportive, engaging, and passionate, while the course content was diverse, relevant, and interesting.
Teaching and assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types were distributed in the past on this course, through approximate percentages taken from previous cohorts. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
24%76%
2
23%77%
3
20%80%
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Year
1
55%4%41%
2
37%11%52%
3
39%3%58%
Data from the academic year 2019-20
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Location
With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,
Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.
Contact us
We have an FAQs page if you are applying this year.
Or you can contact the Course Enquiries Team:
Opening hours (GMT): 9am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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