Psychology
Award
BSc (Hons)
Duration & study mode
4 years full-time
School
Education & Social Sciences
Location
Paisley
Additional information
Ucas code
C800
Course starting dates
-
Paisley: September
If you fancy learning about the inner workings of the mind and human behaviour, the UWS’s BSc Psychology degree is for you.
You’ll study the human mind and associated behaviour and develop key skills in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data – which will allow you to apply your knowledge in research and investigation processes to solve problems in real-world settings.
UWS’s BSc Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which provides the basis for Graduate Registration.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
During Clearing our entry requirements remain flexible, and we are committed to providing opportunities to study with us based on a range of qualifications. Please get in touch, and we can discuss your specific circumstances.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
* for more information on standard and minimum entry requirements, see our Undgergraduate Entry Requirements webpage
* HNDs will be considered on an individual basis
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The BSc (Hons) Psychology at UWS will prepare your career as a Chartered Psychologist. The course carries accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the basis for Graduate Registration with the BPS.
On this course you will study the human mind and associated behaviour. As a student, you will:
These, in turn, will contribute to an understanding of the research and investigation process.
You will focus on the key areas of psychology for BPS accreditation:
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and flipped-classrooms.
There will also be group work and independent learning through inquiry-based learning. This is often coordinated and guided by tutors. You will develop transferable skills such as:
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology course uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
Coursework including essays, critical review exercises, practical reports, poster and oral presentations, laboratory exercises and digital assessments.
We place greater emphasis on continuous assessment in the early stages of the course. We then introduce you to the necessary skills to underpin the later levels of the degree.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
“Without my degree from UWS, the experiences I gained working with the University and the NHS after I graduated, and the connections I’ve made through these activities, my career wouldn’t have developed in the way it has.”
Sharon McGregor, BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate and owner of McGregor Achievement Coaching
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides the basis for Graduate Registration (Graduate Basis of Chartership (GBC).
BPS accreditation enables you to pursue a career in psychology once you have specialised through further postgraduate study.
Psychology graduates also use their skills and knowledge to enter a wide variety of alternative careers. As well as specific knowledge in psychology you will also gain a range of skills that employers value such as:
As alternatives to psychology careers, many psychology graduates enter industry or commerce sectors in roles such as:
Check the British Psychological Society website for further information on psychology and careers options.
A wide range of postgraduate courses/study options exist including:
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£15,500 per year of study
This programme is in clearing for students resident in Scotland, Rest of the UK, Republic of Ireland, EU.
Those not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.