About Psychology, BSc (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth

Overview

Psychology can change lives for the better.

On this BSc (Hons) Psychology degree, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you’ll study the mind and behaviour, examine how people think, act and feel – and take your first steps towards a career that really matters.

Course highlights

• Access specialist psychology equipment and facilities including an observation suite, toddler and infant laboratory, psychophysiology laboratory, and digital analysis and video editing suite
• Have the chance to study abroad or take part in a year-long work placement, boosting your employability prospects after the course
• Create your own bespoke final year by choosing the subjects and specialisms that most interest you from a fully optional module list
• Be inspired by regular one-on-one tutorials with experienced psychology practitioners involved in trailblazing research, including the Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology and the Dog Cognition Centre
• Become eligible to apply for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (with a 2:2 or higher)

Accredited by:

This degree offers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), if you graduate with a 2:2 or higher.

Careers and opportunities

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to continue your training to become a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol).

On the course, you'll be able to customise your final year to your own preferred field of study and choose modules that lay the groundwork for a professional specialism, including sport psychology, educational psychology, and clinical and health psychology.

After completing your BSc (Hons) Psychology, the next step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist would be a Masters in your chosen specialism, such as MSc Forensic Psychology, MSc Health Psychology or MSc Applied Sport Psychology.

Or, if there's another sector you'd rather go into, you'll also have what you need to take on roles in health associated professions, marketing, and education – to name just a few. 

According to the British Psychological Society, more than 750,000 people in the UK work in an area that involves psychology as part of their role, so you'll have lots of options when you finish the course.

What can you do with a psychology degree?

As a Chartered Psychologist, areas you could specialise in include:

• clinical psychology
• sports psychology
• counselling psychology
• educational psychology
• forensic psychology
• occupational psychology

The transferable skills you'll learn are also in demand in other fields, such as:

• teaching (with additional training)
• social welfare
• police work
• research
• marketing

Graduate roles and destinations

Roles our previous graduates have gone on to work in, include:

• assistant psychologist
• lecturer in policing
• domestic abuse worker
• wellbeing lead
• occupational therapy support officer
• head of learning and professional development
• HR director
• National Crime Agency (NCA) officer

They've gone on to work in the following organisations:

• Mind
• Care UK
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Ministry of Defence
• The Home Office
• Office for National Statistics
• Metropolitan Police
• EMEA at Michael Kors

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year

You'll be able to increase your chances of landing your ideal job after your degree by taking an optional work placement year after your second or third year. A placement year gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you stand out to employers after the course. 

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.

Potential roles

Roles previous students have taken on during their placement years include:

• assistant psychologist
• assistant occupational psychologist
• business operations assistant
• student clinical psychologist
• student psychologist
• student researcher

Potential destinations

Previous students have completed placements in the following organisations:

• Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Mind
• Solent NHS Trust
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Microsoft
• IBM

Study abroad

You’ll also have the chance to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe or Asia, which is a fantastic opportunity to explore a new destination and experience the world as an international student.

Many of our students describe their time spent studying overseas as truly life-changing, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers. 

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Portsmouth to find course entry requirements.

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