Psychology undergraduate courses

In an ever-changing world where tomorrow's opportunities are constantly different from today's, there is a growing and global need for the professional application of psychological knowledge and theoretical understandings. We can help you develop the skills to seize those opportunities, opening doors to a variety of careers and making an impact within society.

Top20for student satisfaction for Psychology**The Complete University Guide 2024
92%of students said they were overall satisfied with the academic support for Psychology**National Student Survey 2023
92%of students said they were overall satisfied with academic support for Forensic Psychology**National Student Survey 2023

Our courses

Our psychology courses are designed to be challenging, stimulating and relevant to the needs of today's society. You'll learn techniques that enable people to enjoy healthy lifestyles and facilitate their physical and mental health and wellbeing. You'll develop fresh perspectives and engage in research design and delivery, gathering, organising, analysing and interpreting data with our support and guidance. This will give you the opportunity to shed light on and develop solutions for real-world issues, providing information relevant for a range of person-centred services.

As part of your studies, you’ll look at the applications of psychology in a wide range of areas – from understanding the nature and causes of mental illness to investigating decision making in real life situations. The course offers optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to a career path or area of interest, such as:

Our courses provide the opportunity to study with a placement year to help you translate theory into practice, and enhance your employability.

Senior lecturer in Psychology, Dr Ian Baker, began teaching while studying for his PhD in Psychology and has never looked back. Ian's research interests include fascinating themes such as parapsychology, paranormal belief and religious belief. He is committed to fostering students' enthusiasm for research too - whether that means inviting them to critique his own research papers, sparking debate on themes like the ethics of conducting ghost investigations, or supervising research internships.

What psychology research can you get involved in as a student?

Find out more about the range of research happening in the School of Psychology at the University of Derby.

Find out more about the range of research happening in the School of Psychology at the University of Derby.

View What psychology research can you get involved in as a student? video transcript

Expert teaching

You'll benefit from working with lecturers who have a wealth of experience in their chosen profession, so you're getting industry-relevant teaching to help you shine in your chosen career. Many are also involved in research, bringing the latest theories into the classroom. Their wide-ranging work includes research into:

You’ll benefit from this research as your lecturers bring the latest thinking to your studies, and in some cases you will have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. 

"The pleasure in teaching psychology students is that they tend to be highly motivated and open to exploring ideas. A vital part of our role is to help them chart their future career direction as studying psychology opens so many doors to so many different sectors and professions - anywhere that an understanding of people is valued." Dr Ian Baker, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

An arm attached to a lie detector machine
A close up image of a male Psychology student wearing eye tracking glasses while a female Psychology student analyses the results on a phone.
A student talking to a lecturer

I am so lucky and privileged to have attended this University and be taught by knowledgeable, passionate, hardworking lecturers. The course is definitely value for money and if I could I would do it all again!

Daniel Gaffiero
Graduate of BSc (Hons) Psychology and MSc Health Psychology
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Online Safety: What parents and schools can do to keep children safe online

In this blog, Peter Macauley, Lecturer in Psychology, explores how to keep children safe online

Read more about how to keep children safe online Read more about how to keep children safe online

Careers

Our Psychology graduates embark on careers in sectors such as scientific or clinical research, clinical psychology, mental health support and management, forensic psychology, teaching, probation service and police, and psychological research. Our courses prepare you for further training in psychology and provide an excellent platform to become a professional psychologist. You could also consider masters level or PhD study.

To boost your employment skills, you can access the University's Careers and Employment Service. The team can connect you with employers to help find opportunities for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. Our careers consultants are also on hand to guide you through the career options for your degree, CV writing, or starting your own business - and we commit to helping you for three years after you graduate to find a job. 

"The enthusiasm and expertise of the teaching team was the most inspiring because of their ability to talk about their subject areas with ease and confidence - this gave me motivation and eased uncertainty. Their support and guidance throughout my degree was essential to my success and attaining my PhD Scholarship. The staff and the course have given me all the right tools to push myself to the limit, and prove to myself that anything is possible." - Ivana Babicova, BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate

Katie Alberici

Katie's stepping stones to degree success

Katie Alberici's A-levels didn't go as well as she had hoped. But, driven by her passion for Psychology, she found a place on our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year. And from that stepping stone she has successfully progressed through our undergraduate and postgraduate courses

Read Katie's storyRead Katie's story

Professional bodies

The British Psychological Society have eight overarching standards which we have met and achieved, so you can be sure that the quality of our teaching, and the content of our course is of the highest standard. The BPS commended our psychology team for their strong commitment to student development, support and inclusion. 

As our degree is accredited by the BPS, if you achieve at least a second class honours qualification and obtain at least 40% in your Independent Study in Psychology, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the Society. You can then progress to accredited postgraduate qualifications and training to gain chartered membership.

Professional experience

Our Psychology courses offer an ‘Industrial Placement Year’ giving you the opportunity to enhance your practical skills by putting theory into practice, network in your industry and stand-out in the graduate job market. The placement year takes place in your third year, once completed, you would return to University to complete your final year of studies.

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Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your undergraduate Open DayBook your undergraduate Open Day
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Student stories

Our students and graduates are people just like you. And they are making an impact in our region and around the world by using their knowledge and skills to drive innovation and change. You can be part of that story. Let our students and graduates tell you theirs.

Hear from our students and graduatesHear from our students and graduates