Psychology and Theatre

By studying Psychology, you’ll learn about research methods, data collection, analysis and critical thinking, while your Theatre focus will be on creativity, and working to develop your theatre making skills. 

Our Theatre programme is taught by practising professional artists with expertise in their own fields. Built around process, experimentation and risk taking you will encounter a range of practices to explore and develop theatre making and performance skills. An exciting part of your studies will be the opportunity for professional work experience within Derby Theatre or partner organisations which will contribute to the development of your professional portfolio. 

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. 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.

Specialist facilities 

Our psychology facilities are used for both teaching and research. They include computing labs with specialist software for designing experiments and research. You'll use a range of psychological recording equipment such as the latest eye-tracker equipment for analysing eye movement and our Babylab for ethical research with babies and young children.  

Our Theatre students learn from professionals at the professional producing and learning Derby Theatre in the heart of Derby city centre.

Accredited Course 

British Psychological Society accreditation means we're delivering a high standard of psychology education. It shows we've met BPS standards for course content and design, and student development. It also means you can apply for BPS student membership. This provides: 

• Access to networking opportunities 
• The BPS student online community 
• Discounts on books 
• Events and e-learning 
• Academic journals 

The chance to transfer to graduate membership free of charge after completing your degree 

And you will have the opportunity to progress to accredited postgraduate qualifications and training to gain chartered membership of the BPS.

For students to receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), students need to do the following:  

• Choose a Psychology major pathway with all prescribed modules  
• Obtain at least a 40% overall for the Independent Study in Psychology  
• Obtain at least a lower second-class degree  

What is a Joint Honours degree? 

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects. 

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if: 

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about 
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future 
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with   

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

For Psychology modules, you will learn from lecturers and tutors who are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on issues that are significant at every stage of life. Your lecturers bring their latest thinking to your studies. And, in some cases, you’ll have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. Quality inspectors have commended us for being “at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning” in Psychology. 

The Theatre programme involves a combination of practice-led, studio-based exercises and lecture or seminar activity. You will learn about the wide variety of professional roles within the theatre and have the opportunity to explore these in work placements within Derby Theatre.  You can explore your skills as a theatre maker, or develop skills in, Applied Theatre and working in educational settings. The work will be underpinned by research, academic criticism and the professional production programme of Derby Theatre. You will carry out coursework that will be subject to academic criticism both written and practical.

How you are assessed 

For Psychology modules, you’ll be assessed mainly through assignments, via essays, posters, presentations, and reports. You may also have to take some exams. These can include essay questions, multiple choice and short answer questions. 

For Theatre, assessment is through a range of methods including written coursework, presentations, creative portfolios, assessed rehearsals, practical workshops and public performance.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Psychology and Theatre have their specific career paths, but they also give you transferable skills that are sought by employers in a broad range of jobs and industries.  

Students from a Theatre discipline regularly go on to successful careers in the theatre industries for example as actors, directors, theatre crew, artistic directors of their own theatre companies and other arts professionals. Alternatively, many students go on to postgraduate study and employment in a wide variety of professions like teaching, marketing and public relations. 

Studying psychology opens doors to many different sectors and professions - anywhere an understanding of people is valued - so your career options will be broad. Our Psychology graduates have gone on to successful roles in sectors such as:    

• Psychological research    
• Scientific or clinical research    
• Charity leadership    
• Mental health support and management    
• Health services and therapeutic care    
• Probation service and police    
• Human resources    
• Health psychology    
• Educational psychology    
• Occupational psychology    
• Forensic psychology    
• Clinical psychology    
• Teaching    

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:   

• Written and verbal communication   
• Research and analytical   
• Personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection   
• Numeracy   
• IT literacy   
• Critical awareness  

If you want to become a Psychologist or progress to Postgraduate study in Psychology, we advise that you major in Psychology including all prescribed credit bearing modules. This means you will receive accreditation from the British Psychological Society.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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