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Psychology

BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year

Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Award

Foundation Year Entry Degrees

Full time

4 years

Location

Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham

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Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Are you interested in a career in psychology but are not sure how to get started? Our psychology degree with foundation year has been developed for inquisitive students who want to understand more about the human mind and what drives our behaviour, but need a little extra support before taking on a full university degree course.

Our British Psychological Society accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology degree with Foundation Year will introduce you to a wide range of contemporary research and support you in developing key knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential in pursuing a career within psychology. The course has been designed with your future career in mind. You’ll have the option to tailor the focus of your degree and specialise in areas that match your career aspirations. This provides you with control over your learning and gives you the opportunity to discover and experience ideas and concepts from a range of different areas within psychology.

You’ll study practical, career-focused modules that bring theory to life and help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in psychology and related fields, fully aligned with BPS standards.

At Arden, learning is never done alone. You’ll be part of a supportive community and work with tutors who are experienced practitioners, published authors, and PhD holders. With tailored support and guidance throughout your studies, you’ll have everything you need to succeed every step of the way.

Accreditation and Memberships

BPS Accredited

Graduates achieving a 2.2 on this course are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) conferred by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, the representative body for professional psychologists in the UK.

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Course details and modules

Arden's foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.

On the course you’ll study a variety of interesting and stimulating subject modules that have been designed to engage you in fascinating topics within psychology, enabling you to develop sought after and career focused skills. Your studies will culminate with choosing an area of psychology on which to focus and produce your own research project at the end of your final year. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and ability to apply your knowledge of psychology to a range of exciting career paths and further learning opportunities.

Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic skills tutors, as well as frequent invitations to online coffee mornings with your fellow students and staff and personal academic tutor support sessions. Above all, our academic team, who come from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds, will help you learn through real-world context, helping you understand how your new skills are best applied in practice.

Academic Experience

On this course, you'll be taught by a range of psychology experts. Many of our academics are research active and have published in academic journals, presented at national and international conferences, and authored book chapters on applied psychology. We also have former and continuing practitioners within the team whose expertise centres on the application of psychology in real-life contexts, such as organisational, educational, prison, health care, and clinical settings. As a whole, the team is highly active in the professional psychology community by running workshops and taking part in charitable events for organisations such as MIND.

Arden is for winners. Nobody will beg you to sit down and start working on your career, if you don’t do it yourself! At Arden, if you have an honest interest for what you learn and you want to reach out for more, you will be welcomed, helped, and advised. But to do that, you must be determined.

Bettina Finna

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Modules

Foundation level modules

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Social World
Advancing your Academic Skills
Examining Social Justice
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Core modules
Introduction to studying Psychology (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Exploring Research in Psychology (20 credits)
Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
Biological Psychology (20 credits)
Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)

Level 5

Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Personality and Intelligence (20 credits)
Emotion & Communication (20 credits)
Professional Development & Applied Pathways (20 credits)
Mental Health & Wellbeing (20 credits)

Level 6

Behavioural Neuroscience and Neuropsychology (20 credits)
Cyberpsychology (20 credits)
Research Project (40 credits)
Psychology of Global Issues (20 credits)
Forensic Psychology (20 credits)

How do we assess you?

Assessments

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you don’t need to sit through exams on the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year degree. Your assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-word scenarios. This means you’ll be better prepared to apply the skills you’ve gained on the course to your professional role after graduation.

As you work through your course modules you’ll have the chance to compete a range of useful assessment methods such as individual reports, case study analyses, role play, group presentations, and reflective and personal independent assignments devised in consultation with your course module leader. You’ll only sit one exam on this course, to fulfil your research methods requirements; all other assessments have been designed to give you the tools and skills you’ll need in your career.

Role play sessions on this course have been designed to give you the unique opportunity to practice real life professional situations in a safe environment. You’ll learn how to provide feedback on psychometrics, run a counselling session, provide mental health interventions and more, all guided by your course lecturer.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at our campuses in London Stratford, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leeds.

As a working mum, I needed a course that would fit my busy life. My degree in Psychology complemented my role as a therapeutic counsellor beautifully and although I’ve just finished, it has already impacted my life greatly!

Cath Palmer

BA (Hons) Psychology

Part time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our full-time blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face-to-face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Living Cost Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about blended learning

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your psychology degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us.
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support
BPS resources and support
GORILLA, JAMOVI, and CATMA industry softwares

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent. If your qualifications are more than 3 years old we may also ask to see your professional CV.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Candidates are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or attend an interview demonstrating an ability to study for the programme. This statement should include:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme
Why you’ve chosen your particular course
Any long-term goals or career aspirations

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

Course fees and funding

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Meet the faculty

Caroline is an accomplished higher education leader and neuropsychologist, recognised for her commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. Before joining Arden University, she was Dean of Education & Student Experience at Bangor University’s College of Medicine & Health and previously Head of the School of Psychology. With over twenty commendations from bodies such as the BPS and Advance HE, she has led major initiatives in teaching, quality assurance, and staff development. She has collaborated with organisations including Unilever, Aldi, and Mondelez, appeared on BBC TV and radio, and conducted research promoting mental health and wellbeing in small-to-medium enterprises. Guided by values of inclusivity, curiosity, and collaboration, Caroline is dedicated to creating supportive, high-performing environments where both staff and students can thrive.

Professor Caroline Bowman

Head of School of Psychology

Career prospects

Your course will set you up with a range of universal skills that will allow you to apply your knowledge in a huge variety of sectors. This means that when you graduate you’ll have the confidence to make life-changing decisions about which professional career path is best for you to take.

Related courses

What will the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year do for me?

Employers including the independent practitioners, consultants, and Arden alumni have helped shape this course to meet real industry needs. The result is content tailored to current skills gaps and assessments built around case studies, portfolios, digital resources, and podcasts, preparing you to be graduate career-ready.

You’ll develop consistent expertise across psychology’s core domains and applied fields such as cyberpsychology, forensic psychology, behavioural neuroscience, global issues, and mental health. This gives you the confidence to progress into further study or careers in health, education, policy, HR, wellbeing, or data-driven fields.

Alongside subject expertise, you’ll build transferable skills in:

Communicating effectively in challenging situations
Retrieving, analysing, and using data
Handling primary sources appropriately
Problem solving and scientific reasoning
Making critical judgements and evaluations
Applying sensitivity to interpersonal factors
Planning and managing projects effectively

During your Foundation Year, you'll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You'll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They'll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden's degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing your BSc Psychology with Foundation Year degree, you’ll have acquired a range of skills that will be appealing to employers across almost all industries. Around 15 to 20% of psychology graduates in the UK choose to complete postgraduate training to become professional psychologists. Employers across industries know that successful psychology graduates can write coherent and logical reports, understand statistical forms of evidence and data handling, and have a good understanding of human behaviour in the workplace. The majority of graduates therefore go on to work in careers where these skills developed during an undergraduate degree are highly desirable.

Following the completion of the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme students can progress into the following careers:

Assistant Psychologist
Research Assistant
Occupational Health Assistant
Data Analyst (Junior)
Mental Health Support Worker
Teaching Assistant
Social Care Officer
Assistant Probation Officer

Students completing the programme can also progress into further training/qualifications to access careers in

Applied Psychological Pathways; such as Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology and Educational Psychology
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Educational Mental Health Practitioner
Mental Health Professional
Social Worker
Graduate Schemes (NHS, Civil Service, Police and Commerical/HR Schemes in private organisations)

Industry skills

The topics you’ll study on this course have a global focus that is relevant anywhere in the world. Avoiding the Western-centric focus of many undergraduate psychology courses and aligned with the framework of BPS accreditation, which provides a cross-cultural viewpoint, this degree is internationally recognised and will give you experience and knowledge that you can apply in your home country.

The British Psychological Society (BPS)

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. The society is responsible for the development, promotion, and application of psychology for the public good.

Arden’s BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. This means that students obtaining at least a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) will be eligible for the society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership - the prerequisite requirement to go on to further training as a professional psychologist after graduation.

You’ll have free membership of the BPS as soon as you enrol with us, which opens up a number of fantastic opportunities and professional resources for you, including:

Access to dozens of industry events each year, including student-focused careers events where you can learn from psychology professionals.
Subscriptions to The Psychologist, the monthly BPS magazine, and Psych-Talk, which is written by psychology students for psychology students – and is also a great way for you to get published.
Access to the online community of BPS members, which helps you to connect with other psychology students across the UK and discuss the latest advances and developments in your field of interest.
The chance to become a student rep and help support your fellow psychology students and spread the word about BPS membership.
Discounts on textbooks and key publications, including 35% off Wiley/Blackwell books (print and e-books) when you sign up for BPS membership.

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.