About This Course
This is a ‘pure psychology’ course and will allow you to gain a scientific understanding of the basic processes by which we learn, think, feel and adapt to our social conditions. The course covers both normal and abnormal behavior from infancy to old age, and deals with the biological, social and individual factors that affect human psychology.
This course offers you the widest possible choice of modules, which enables you to tailor your study as your interests develop. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides eligible graduates with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).
The Psychology with Foundation Year programme combines a foundation year with the three year Honours Degree to create an integrated four year programme. The programme provides an excellent introduction to studying a science subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to study at degree-level.
The with Foundation Year programme is ideal for applicants who do not quite meet the entry requirements for the three year degree or who would benefit from further a further year’s study in relation to studying a science subject. Successful completion of the Foundation Year will see you progress to Year 1 of the Psychology programme.
As a Bangor University student, you will be taught by committed and enthusiastic staff and will have access to the University’s extensive student support network and facilities.
Watch - Dr Vivek Thuppil discusses the Foundation Year
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
There are lots of reasons why Bangor Psychology is a great place to study and you'll find several listed on our Why Study with us? page.
Course Content
You will learn through a variety of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practicals. You will participate in various research projects as a participant giving you an insight into research that will be invaluable when designing your own studies. The School makes extensive use of technology in order to enhance the learning experience, including the use of podcasts and online materials.
An increasing number of our modules can be followed through the medium of Welsh. Students can choose to have a Welsh-speaking Tutor and complete their project in Welsh.
There is a wide range of continuous assessment on offer across the modules including essays, weekly homework, multiple choice tests, presentations, blogs, quizzes etc. throughout each semester and many modules include end of semester examinations.
In your third year you will carry out a major research project in a psychological area of your own choosing. Depending on your chosen field, you might be involved in research in industry, hospitals, schools, nurseries, or other institutions with which we have strong research links. Your project will be individually supervised by a staff member who is a specialist in the appropriate research field; so you will have the opportunity to exercise your knowledge and skills alongside an expert. Our students regard the project as one of the most challenging but also one of the most rewarding, elements of their course, and the project experience ensures that our graduates have amongst the most highly developed skills of any UK Psychology graduates.
What will you study on this course?
The Foundation Year component of the programme is designed to prepare you for degree-level study. You will study a range of modules focused on your developing your academic skills and subject-specific knowledge, ahead of progressing to Year 1 of the programme. You will complete modules focusing on IT and Communication Skills, Essential Mathematics and develop a range of skills through a subject specific research project.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Psychology with Foundation Year Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Depending on the Psychology course you are studying, you may have the following costs:
Mandatory costs:
Almost all psychology assignments are submitted electronically, including the dissertation. There are a few exceptions which require printing by students for Year 1 and Year 2 modules (these may be draft assignments used in class, or leaflets and posters which need to be printed in colour). If students print from University computers, then printing costs across Year 1 and 2 would be approximately £5.
Additional costs may also be charged as follows: Enhanced DBS check (approx. £65).
Psychology provides a set number of core textbooks in the library, but students will incur costs if they choose to purchase their own texts.
Necessarily Incurred Costs:
BSc/MSci/intercalated students will choose from a range of Year 3 modules and intercalated and final year MSci students will choose from a range of Year 4 modules. Dependent on modules chosen, students may incur costs associated with printing (e.g. posters for display at modular conferences; portfolio to document experience working in schools).
In addition, some optional modules have costs associated with practical activities (e.g. Year 3 Born To Run module will require students to pay race entry fees (approximately £30-£40), travel and accommodation to races, and the purchase of running kit if not already owned; Year 3 Disorders of Literacy module may incur travel costs).
In some cases, students may be required to travel to collect data for their BSc/MSci dissertation. Students can pay to become a member of the British Psychological Society (approximately £30), but this is not essential for the course.
Students may also choose to purchase software such as SPSS, but this is available on the Wheldon Building’s computers.
Optional Costs:
We offer a wide range of additional student experiences to provide a full programme of potential activities. Many of these activities do not incur a cost to the student, including all Welcome Week activities run by Psychology (not including personal costs of drinks, food, etc. at the events) and Psychology's graduation receptions (food and drink are included).
Some optional activities do incur a cost and these range from international trips costing £500-£1,000, to national conferences costing approximately £25 + travel/accommodation expenses. However, all of these activities are entirely optional and extra-curricular.
Notes:
The above examples are not exhaustive and depend on your choice of course and modules. There may be additional course-specific costs if you are a joint-honours student, a combined-honours student, a non-graduating student, or a minor student, as you will also take modules from other Schools.
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry).
- More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
For 2021 Entry:
GCSE/National 4/National 5: grade C/4 in Maths or equivalent required.
Typical offer is based on a minimum 48 tariff points from Level 3 qualification(s)* e.g.
- A Levels (including: AS-levels, General Studies)
- International Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- BTEC Diplomas and Certificate are accepted and Cambridge Technical Diplomas / Certificates
- Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Certificates
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- Scottish Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate is accepted
We also welcome applications from mature applicants. Mature students and/or those with other qualifications are considered on individual merit.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
International Applicants
We are currently unable to accept applications from international students for this course.
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College. Successful completion of Year 0 of the equivalent International programme guarantees entry to Year 1 of the same Bangor University degree programme. Through this route, Year 0 is delivered at Bangor University International College (BUIC) located at the heart of our University Campus and run by our partner, Oxford International Education Group.
For more information, visit: www.bangor.ac.uk/buic/
For 2020 Entry:
GCSE/National 4/National 5: grade C/4 in Maths or equivalent required.
Typical offer is based on a minimum 48 tariff points from Level 3 qualification(s)* e.g.
- A Levels (including: AS-levels, General Studies)
- International Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- BTEC Diplomas and Certificate are accepted and Cambridge Technical Diplomas / Certificates
- Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Certificates
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- Scottish Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate is accepted
We also welcome applications from mature applicants. Mature students and/or those with other qualifications are considered on individual merit.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
International Applicants
We are currently unable to accept applications from international students for this course.
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College. Successful completion of Year 0 of the equivalent International programme guarantees entry to Year 1 of the same Bangor University degree programme. Through this route, Year 0 is delivered at Bangor University International College (BUIC) located at the heart of our University Campus and run by our partner, Oxford International Education Group.
For more information, visit: www.bangor.ac.uk/buic/
General University entry requirements Home/EU applicants
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.
Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.
EU students' entry requirements
For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages.
More information
Home/EU UCAS applicants
E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk, or write to: Admissions Office, Bangor University, Gwynedd, LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717
International applicants
Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to: Admissions Office, Bangor University, Gwynedd, LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028
General University Requirements
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.
Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.
EU and International students' entry requirements
For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
More information
Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants
E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717
International students (non-UCAS applicants)
Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028
Careers
As a graduate with a good degree in psychology from Bangor, a variety of careers will be open to you. There are careers for which a psychology degree is essential, and careers for which psychology provides a useful base. The BSc Psychology is the broadest degree option we offer so is suitable for students who want to follow any of the main psychological professions (clinical psychology, educational psychology, counselling psychology, health psychology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, applied behaviour analysis, etc). In addition, there are careers open to graduates and postgraduates from any discipline. These include, for example, careers in management training, accountancy, teaching, nursing, social work, the police and the armed forces. Employers are usually looking for general or transferable skills, and a psychology degree arguably provides a unique combination of these.
Employability is a key theme of the Psychology programme you will follow in Bangor and we have embedded a large number of opportunities within our degree to give graduates as strong a CV as possible and equip them with a host of transferable skills that are relevant to both psychology and non-psychology related careers.
The simple fact that you will graduate from an internationally renowned, research intensive Psychology School adds additional value to your degree and improves your employability. This is well illustrated by our top 20% ranking for Graduate Prospects in the The Guardian Good University Guide 2019.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)
The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.
The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.
The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.
Internships
Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.
Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.
Student Volunteering
Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.
The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.
TARGETconnect - Working while you Study
The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.
TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:
- Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
- Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
- Work experience / internships
- Voluntary opportunities
