Overview
This course aims to develop a thorough understanding of psychology as a discipline - the core areas and their application to ‘real world’ scenarios, its historical origins, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, concepts, community contribution and responsibility and limitations. This course takes a scientific approach to understanding the human mind.
In addition to the core areas of psychology required by the British Psychological Society accreditation, you will also have the opportunity to study optional modules in a range of interesting and contemporary areas of psychology including mindfulness and meditation, drug use and addiction, and criminal behaviour. You will also have the opportunity to explore the darker side of psychology, such as social control mechanisms, and how psychology is represented in popular culture.
Coventry University is ranked 16th overall and 6th for career prospects in Psychology in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
The British Psychological Society
This course is accredited and recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2021 intake.* Current accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS) meaning that as a graduate, provided you achieve at least a 2:2, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Additional costs may apply. Please check with the membership body for details.
*This course is currently accredited by the British Psychological Society for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Our Facilities
Hospital Wards
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.
Life Sciences Research
Our facilities include a real ambulance, which students can use as part of their studies, and a purpose-built Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre. This allows for improved training quality in patient care and patient safety.
SuperLab
The Alison Gingell building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab, capable of holding up to 270 people at once. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and forensic testing.
It has always been a dream of mine to make a difference in the world, to truly understand what a human being is feeling and going through, to get inside their mind and their world so that I can assist them with their pain, to help them see what the cause of their suffering is.
What our students say...
Coming to Coventry University a variety of resources are at your disposal. Being close to the city centre, the location is ideal for many leisure activities including a thriving nightlife. Aside from this, the best thing about being a student here is the number of additional opportunities and support that are available.
To any new student wanting to come to this University, I would say use your time here wisely and throw yourself into every opportunity that comes your way.
Course information
This course aims to provide a comprehensive grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour.
Covering psychological theory, research and practical skills, it aims to help you understand how psychology is applied to real life and how to select, use and report appropriate psychological methods and research techniques.
16th
for Psychology
Guardian University Guide 2020
Course Specification
Download PDF (208kb)
Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
We have been ranked joint first amongst Modern Universities in England for career prospects - Guardian University Guide 2021
In more detail...
This course aims to provide a comprehensive grounding in the major psychological approaches to the study of human behaviour. Covering psychological theory, research and practical skills, it aims to help you understand how psychology is applied to real life and how to select, use and report appropriate psychological methods and research techniques.
Work experience is a key part of the course helping to ensure that you graduate not only with academic qualifications, but with relevant work experience and a host of transferable skills, including critical analysis, problem solving, and leadership. This should put you in an excellent position to secure post graduate education or employment in an increasingly competitive graduate education and job market.
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences has links with the Local Education Authority (LEA), local schools and numerous health care providers, including Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Entrust Care Partnership, and Grapevine. Organisations such as these offer services to young people and adults with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities and their carers. In the past, students have taken up roles involving socialising and supporting members of the community, volunteering in a buddying service, planning and organising resources to set up events to help raise awareness of young people’s needs or mobilise individuals who need support.
You’ll be allocated a personal tutor and taught by experienced academic staff. You’ll also have the opportunity to join our active and vibrant student-led Psychology Society, which arranges a variety of social excursions and activities.
In Amanpreet's words...
Read our Q&A with Amanpreet, a Psychology BSc student at Coventry University.
"My course is important to me as I am looking to expand my learning and get a good career in psychology."
Read Amanpreet's story...- Specialist teaching facilities include light and dark multisensory laboratories, ‘mock’ prison cells, an observation suite, counselling rooms and specialist software, such as Opensesame experiment builder, E-Prime, SPSS statistical analysis, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO.
- Taught by staff with a variety of professional experience as forensic, sports, organisational and health psychologists, many actively conducting research in, for example, reading and child development, forensic psychology, law and cognition, neuroscience and psychobiology.
- A personal tutoring system to enhance employability through the development of transferable skills such as presentation skills, group work, conducting literature reviews and critical analysis.
- Opportunity to attend guest lectures, which have previously included contributions from Coventry Refugee Centre advisors, as well as people recovering from substance abuse problems and neuropsychological conditions, such as strokes.
- Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), access to postgraduate training and careers in psychology.
- Essential textbooks and individual licences for computer software are provided at no extra cost and bespoke textbooks, tailored specifically to our course content, are also available.
- A work experience module in the second year that could allow you to gain valuable experience, develop new skills and increase your appeal to potential employers.
Opportunities to participate in exciting field trips to a range of European and overseas destinations, such as the United States, which may be partially funded by the University.
Your main study themes are:
- Biological Psychology: understanding how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are underpinned by biological processes occurring in the brain, such as neurotransmission, the passing of messages between neurons and the functions of neurons, such the functions of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or dopamine.
- Cognitive Psychology: analysing the mental processes and representations that underpin perception, memory and complex thought.
- Developmental Psychology: discovering how abilities and behaviours emerge, develop and change over the lifespan.
- Individual Differences: exploring key psychological traits, like extraversion and introversion, neuroticism or conscientiousness, skills and abilities vary from person to person, and how different traits combine to shape our personalities.
- Social Psychology: assessing how humans interact and seek to influence and understand one another’s behaviour.
- Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology: reviewing how psychology emerged and developed as a field of scientific inquiry.
- Research Methods: Training in the methodologies psychologists use to investigate people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a rigorous, scientific manner, including controlled scientific experiments in cognitive psychology, controlled interviews and observations of people’s behaviour.
- Professional Practice:Training in the skills required to identify and adopting such skills that could support you when you apply for graduate employment opportunities and/ or postgraduate study.
This course is taught using a mixture of lectures, small group seminars and practical, ‘hands-on’ skills workshops. Core course content will be delivered during the lectures, while the associated seminars and workshops offer opportunities for you to explore topics more independently, receive guidance on coursework assignments, begin to apply your knowledge and develop your academic and transferable skills.
You will be able to design, conduct and analyse the results of psychological experiments, using our specialist equipment and computer software, and spend time working collaboratively on group projects with other students. In addition, your Academic Personal Tutor will be available for one-to-one bookable meetings throughout every semester and will review and discuss your progress and continual personal development. Outside of contact time, your personal study hours will be guided by materials posted on your module web pages.
Work experience and field trip opportunities are also an integral part of the course. We aim to arrange international field trips each year for students at all levels of our undergraduate Psychology courses, which may be partially funded by the University.** In previous years, our first year students have visited Amsterdam, a group of second-years have been to San Francisco and some of our final-year students have visited Tokyo. While in San Francisco, the students visited The Exploratorium, a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. They were able to participate in immersive exhibits, such as sensory deprivation, as well view exhibits, including a history of psychiatry and the changing attitudes of society towards mental illness. These trips also provide an opportunity to reflect on cross-cultural differences and counter cultures, such as the gay rights movement in San Francisco.
** Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework and formal examinations.
This course is predominantly assessed by coursework.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On completion, you will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate general patterns in behaviour, psychological functioning and experience.
- Understand and investigate the role of brain function in aspects of human behaviour and experience.
- Carry out empirical studies involving a variety of methods of data collection, including experiments, observation, psychometric tests, questionnaires, interviews and field studies.
- Employ evidence-based reasoning and use a variety of psychological tools, including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.
- Apply your knowledge of psychological research and theory to analyse real-world problems and develop evidence-based solutions.
- Critically evaluate research evidence, including statistical information, and use this to draw conclusions about the validity of different claims and arguments.
- Communicate in a confident, professional manner, both verbally and in writing.
In a typical teaching week you will have up to 14 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching/one to one supervision: meetings are arranged on a mutual basis as necessary.
- Medium group teaching: up to 6 hours of practical workshops or seminars each week
- Large group teaching: up to 8 hours of lectures each week.
Contact hours will vary by stage and semester of course and any options chosen.
As well as offering a range of short international field trips, you also have the opportunity to complete the course over four years with a year spent studying abroad.** The University has links with over 20 institutions in Cyprus, France, Malta, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, as well as several other countries around the world. Courses are largely taught in English, but there are opportunities to learn and attend courses in a foreign language. In your year away, you would not be charged tuition fees by Coventry University.
** Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say...
I have done 75 hours placement last year, it helped me to become confident and to be a better team-player. It helped me learn how to lead teams and be a good leader, and also gave me knowledge in the field of business psychology.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
Coming to Coventry University a variety of resources are at your disposal. Being close to the city centre, the location is ideal for many leisure activities including a thriving nightlife. Aside from this, the best thing about being a student here is the number of additional opportunities and support that are available.
To any new student wanting to come to this University, I would say use your time here wisely and throw yourself into every opportunity that comes your way.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.As well as covering UK field trips, key materials and laser print, the fees for this course also include:
- Costs of any mandatory UK day visits
- Student membership of the British Psychological Society for the final year of the course
- Disclosure and Barring Service (formally CRB Disclosure) for those undertaking placements with children
The following are additional costs not included in the fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say...
Coming to Coventry University a variety of resources are at your disposal. Being close to the city centre, the location is ideal for many leisure activities including a thriving nightlife. Aside from this, the best thing about being a student here is the number of additional opportunities and support that are available.
To any new student wanting to come to this University, I would say use your time here wisely and throw yourself into every opportunity that comes your way.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Our courses have been designed to provide practical work experience and equip you with a range of skills and competencies that could set you apart from other graduates and make you attractive to potential employers, such as group work, literature reviewing, critical analysis and the delivery of oral presentations.
As well as the work experience module delivered in year two and option to spend a year on placement or study abroad, we offer a module developing professional skills to our final year students. This aims to help you learn how to identify suitable employment and training opportunities after graduation, submit competitive, professional applications and perform well in interview situations.
Successful completion of this degree could provide you with a route into the career you choose to pursue, both within and outside the field of psychology. With further training, you may choose to become a qualified psychologist, pursuing a career in the community, for example, as an occupational, forensic or social psychologist; in mental wellbeing as a clinical or counselling psychologist; in physical wellbeing as a health, sport or neuropsychologist; working with children as a developmental or educational psychologist.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University aims to provide a wide range of support services to help and support you to plan and prepare for your future career.
16th
for Psychology in the Guardian University Guide 2020
Where our graduates work
Many of our graduates have gone on to pursue postgraduate qualifications and work as practising psychologists, others have become researchers, lecturers, teachers, administrators, managers, or health and care professionals.
What our alumni say...
The University uses new and innovative ways of teaching, including group work and realistic tasks to enhance skills and abilities. As a result, the modules are interesting and informative.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Admission to this course is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and a successful interview. Find out about the application process.
