Overview
Ever wondered why people think, feel, and behave the way they do? From the everyday choices we make to the big life-changing moments, psychology helps you uncover the science behind it all.
A Psychology degree at Stirling lets you explore how the mind works. You’ll develop the scientific, analytical, and people skills that employers want. With around 750,000 people working in psychology-related jobs in the UK (The British Psychological Society), you’ll be joining an exciting and in-demand field.
What you’ll study
Our undergraduate degree in psychology looks at the uses of psychological science. It addresses real-world problems, from catching criminals to improving health and wellbeing. You’ll explore:
- how the brain functions;
- how children develop;
- how people interact in social groups.
You’ll learn from a proactive and supportive team that’s passionate about helping students succeed. The British Psychological Society (BPS) recognises our innovative, student-led teaching. Our personalised support system ensures you feel part of a close-knit community from day one.
Get hands-on experience in our specialist psychology facilities
At Stirling, psychology isn’t just something you read about, you’ll do it. You’ll get hands-on experience designing and running experiments in our specialist labs.
We’re home to the only on-site Psychology Kindergarten in the UK. It provides an outstanding facility for child development research and teaching. You’ll also have access to our new Lifespan Lab, where researchers explore cognition, health, and wellbeing from infancy to old age.
You can get involved in projects using cutting-edge equipment for:
- Health monitoring
- Eye-tracking and face research
- EEG (electroencephalogram) research
- Vision research
A degree recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Both our BA Psychology and BSc Psychology courses are accredited by the BPS. That means you’ll graduate with eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration if you achieve a second-class honours degree. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Real-world experience
You'll be able to apply for a psychology-related placement in your final year. It’s a great way of putting your learning into practice in a work or research setting. You'll get real-world psychology experience and boost your employability.
Previous placements have included organisations like Mosaic Assessments, The Makaton Charity, Talking Mats, and Therapawsitive. Students have worked on projects such as:
- Designing social media campaigns
- Testing new products and services
- Conducting surveys with clients or service users
- Analysing data and writing reports
- Supporting people through befriending schemes
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The Psychology single honours and combined honours degree courses are accredited with the British Psychological Society. They confer eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration, provided the minimum standard of a second-class honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Prizes or awards
The Vicki Bruce Prize: A prize of £100 is awarded to the Psychology student with the best final year project.
The British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award: This prize is awarded to the Psychology student with the highest overall grade. The prize is free membership of the BPS for one year, a copy of the Society’s Book of the Year and a certificate.
The Ivana Markova Prize: A prize of £100 is awarded to a Psychology Final Year student for outstanding wider achievement.
The Phyllis Lee Prize: A prize of £100 is awarded to the best combined Honours Psychology Final Year student.
The Peter McEwen Prize: A prize of £100 is awarded to the best Single Honours Psychology Final Year student.
The McCall/Whittaker Prize: A prize of £100 is awarded to the Psychology student for recognition of outstanding demonstration of Psychologically Literate Citizenship.
Research Based Learning Prize for Outstanding Demonstration of Integrating Research into Learning: a prize of £200 is awarded by the Faculty.
Faculty Facilities
Take a tour of our Psychology labs
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
To include Psychology
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
A psychology degree at Stirling covers topics as diverse as brain functioning, development and social behaviour. This ensures you develop a deep knowledge and understanding of mind and behaviour.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. Everything you learn will reflect the latest thinking and developments in Psychology. Our teaching is delivered using lectures, workshops, small discussion groups and practical sessions such as laboratory work or field work.
Fieldwork
Some students have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork as part of their final year project options. For example, students studying animal behaviour may visit the Blair Drummond Safari Park or Edinburgh Zoo (travel costs may be incurred).
Assessment
Modules on the course are assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment types include essays, individual practical reports, group practical reports, oral presentations, poster presentations and popular science articles.
Classroom hours
A typical 20 credit psychology module will involve between 30-50 hours of contact time (lectures, seminars, practicals etc). You might be expected to spend 40-50 hours working on assessments (essays, practical reports, exams), and around 100 hours studying independently.
Work placement opportunities
In Semester 8 you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a Psychology placement. Successful applicants undertake a 50-hour placement with a host organisation. You’ll be assigned a mentor in the organisation who’ll agree the schedule for completion of the placement and discuss the precise roles, responsibilities and expectations of both the student and mentor during the placement. Support is provided by a series of workshops and through review meetings and feedback from the placement coordinator or module coordinator.
Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.
Study abroad
Psychology at Stirling offers a wide variety of exchange opportunities during Year 3 of the degree course. We have established links with universities in North America and Australia, allowing students to continue their studies while gaining valuable experience of different cultures and education systems. Previous student destinations have included universities and institutions in Australia, Czech Republic, Canada, Hong Kong, USA and Malta. Find out more about studying abroad.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Graduates of our undergraduate psychology degree can explore various careers in areas such as:
- clinical and health psychology,
- educational psychology and teaching,
- occupational psychology.
In studying psychology you’ll develop key skills that are highly valued by employers, such as:
- interpersonal and communication skills,
- numeracy and computer literacy,
- presentation skills,
- time management,
- critical thinking.
Previous Stirling psychology graduates have found work in roles such as:
- Mental health therapy
- Health and wellbeing psychotherapy
- Advice worker
- Market research
- Life coach
- Human resources
- Play therapy
- Youth work
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