Accredited by
Psychology
BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year
Course Overview
Fascinated by psychology and need a head start on getting your foot in the door? If you have an inquisitive mind and want to develop a scientific understanding of the human experience, but you’re not sure you qualify for university study, then this psychology degree with foundation year is the perfect pathway to get you where you want to be.
Accredited by the British Psychological Society and part of our School of Psychology, the key knowledge areas within the field of psychology will be covered - from research methods, biological psychology and cognitive psychology, to individual differences, developmental psychology and social psychology.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to go to university, regardless of background, experience or training. That’s why we offer this course with an integrated foundation year, providing you with all the essential skills you’ll need to achieve your degree.
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Find out more about this degree programme and the modules covered by downloading our degree brochure.
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Your BPS membership
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), so you’ll leave with a degree that is recognised in both academic and professional fields. The cost of BPS membership is included while you are actively studying with us, which gives you access to a range of great resources.
Course details and modules
Our psychology degree with foundation year provides you with the skills you need to succeed at an undergraduate level, laying the perfect groundwork for your psychology studies. After completing the foundation year, you’ll start the second year of your online psychology degree at Arden University with a thorough introduction to all of the core topics. You’ll then focus on understanding research methods and developing statistical skills, which will teach you how to carry out your own independent research – an invaluable attribute for your future career.
Modules
You’ll have 4-12 years to complete your psychology foundation course, meaning that you can take up to three years to complete each level. However, many of our students complete the course in 4-8 years.
Year 1
- Using Numeracy, IT and Data
- Research Skills and Using Information
- Values, Ethics and Working Collaboratively
- Developing Academic Skills
- Crime and Law in Context
- Psychology of Everyday Life
Year 2
- Introduction to Studying Psychology
- Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Biological & Cognitive Psychology
- Introduction to Research Methods I
- Introduction to Research Methods II
- Key Studies in Psychology
Year 3
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Personality and Intelligence
- Social Psychology
- Brain & Behaviour
- Advanced Topics in Cognitive Psychology
Year 4
- Contemporary Developmental Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Occupational Psychology
- Mental Health and Illness
- Research Project
How do we assess you?
The way we assess our students provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your strengths in a variety of ways. That’s why we choose a range of different methods to keep track of your progress. These include:
- Assignments
- Essays
- Presentations
- Case studies
- Portfolios of work
- Exams
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.
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Eligibility
Candidates for our BSc Psychology with Foundation Year course are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or attend an online interview, demonstrating their ability to study a degree-level programme at Arden University. We will take into account:
- Your motivation for undertaking the programme
- Relevant work experience
- Prior qualifications
- References
You also need a GCSE Maths Grade C or equivalent.
English Proficiency
- IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
- Alternatively, a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English is accepted
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide an English Proficiency letter. More information on this can be found here.
Course fees and funding
Meet the team
Before getting started with any degree, it’s nice to know exactly who you’ll be learning from. The School of Psychology is led by Dr Gil Steptoe-Warren, who joins a team of experienced, qualified and enthusiastic tutors. Heading up our foundation year programme is Towella Ngambi, who has a wealth of experience in up-skilling individuals to help accelerate their careers and personal growth.
Career prospects
This foundation year degree aims to prepare you with a range of transferable skills that allow you to understand a range of different subject areas and sectors, so you’ll eventually feel confident enough to make a decision about where your future lies.
What can a psychology degree do for me?
After graduating, the world is your oyster! Arden University’s psychology foundation degree covers everything from research methods to cross-cultural psychology, leaving you with a scope of skills that will help to shape your career. At the end of your course, you will be able to:
- Communicate effectively
- Comprehend and use data
- Retrieve and organise information
- Handle primary source material critically
- Problem solve and reason scientifically
- Make critical judgements and evaluations
- Be sensitive to interpersonal factors
- Use effective personal planning and project management skills
What can I do after Arden University?
After successfully completing your psychology foundation course, you’ll have acquired a range of lifelong skills that will be highly appealing to several industries. Employers know that a successful psychology graduate can write coherent and logical reports, understand statistical forms of evidence and have a good understanding of human behaviour. With that in mind, a few career options for you could include:
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Life Coach
- Psychotherapist
- Support Worker
- Detective
- Lecturer
- Researcher
Industry skills
Your next step into the professional world
The BSc Psychology with Foundation Year degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – helping to ensure that the course meets the highest academic standards in the field of psychology.
As a graduate, you’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the BPS if you gain a grade of 2:2 or above, which is essential for pursuing a career in recognised psychology professions. BPS accreditation is also recognised by many professional bodies worldwide, such as the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
Whilst you’re actively studying with Arden, we’ll cover the cost of your student membership with the BPS, which will give you access to a range of additional resources to assist with your studies, including:
- Access to both digital and physical copies of The Psychologist and PsychTalk
- Membership to your local branch, providing you with networking opportunities
- Exclusive discounts on books, events and e-learning
- Free online access to the society’s archive of academic journals
Study options
Achieving your psychology foundation degree is made easy at Arden University. Our online learning model fits around your lifestyle, so you can study at a time and pace that works best for you.
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
Online Learning
How does it work?
With online learning, you decide when and where you work through your self-guided learning materials, without being held to a set lecture timetable. If you’re interrupted during a lesson, simply pause the materials and continue later. You can also communicate and collaborate with your tutor and classmates through live online forums and email.
Find out more about how Online Learning works.
