Overview
This psychosocial studies course was designed to provide a social sciences programme that encourages you to consider individuals' lived experiences in a comprehensive manner.
Rather than focusing solely on a psychological or sociological viewpoint, it offers a more holistic understanding.
Society profoundly influences how we all perceive our surroundings, while our internal experiences shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships. To excel as a professional community practitioner, you need a theoretical and ethical grasp of people's personal motivations, circumstances, beliefs, backgrounds, behaviours, and cultures, as well as a critical awareness of the societal structures and systems that impact lives.
Key features of the course
- The curriculum integrates both psychological and sociological perspectives to offer a holistic understanding of individuals' lived experiences.
- Emphasis is placed on developing theoretical and ethical insights into personal motivations, circumstances, and cultural backgrounds.
- The course encourages critical thinking about societal structures and systems to understand their impact on individual lives.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BA, you can study this course as an extended four-year program. You'll begin with a social science foundation year designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful transition to the BA degree.
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
In this Psychosocial Studies degree, you'll explore different perspectives on human interaction through four interconnected modules. Exploring Communities examines neighbourhood dynamics and cultural identities, while Reading the Body Psychosocially investigates how bodies become sites of social meaning and personal expression. Digital Sociology introduces research methods for our technological age, and "Globalisation and Society" analyses global interconnections through engaging field visits. Together, these modules develop essential analytical skills for understanding complex social phenomena in contemporary society.
In your first year of studying Psychosocial Studies, you'll focus on five key areas that build a strong foundation for understanding people and communities. "Constructions of Identity" explores how we develop our sense of self, combining social and psychological viewpoints. "Psychology for Community Work" introduces you to different psychological approaches and helps develop your interpersonal skills. "Cultures of Care" examines how care and connection work in various settings. "Preparation for Working with Communities" develops practical skills for future employment, while "Psychosocial Work in Community Settings" puts theory into context by looking at real-world applications. These modules work together to prepare you for careers supporting individuals and communities.
In your second year of Psychosocial Studies, you develop into reflective practitioners through modules that connect theory with real-life. "Knowledge, Skills and Practice" builds teamwork capabilities essential for community projects, while "Mad, Bad or Sad?" explores contrasting perspectives on mental health. The "Professional Practice" module enhances your ability to work sensitively with different groups. This is complemented by practical counselling skills training that introduces key therapeutic approaches used in health and social services. Core research methods training prepares you for evidence-based practice, while optional modules in either diversity and inequality or working with families allow you to tailor your learning to your career interests. Together, these modules prepare you for employment or further study in social care, community support, and related fields.
In the final year, you can focus on applying your learning to real-world practice, where you'll work on community projects while developing career-ready skills and complete an independent research project on a social science topic of your choice. The optional modules let you specialise in areas like nonprofit management, understanding how leaders and followers shape society, examining health issues and activism in communities, or exploring gender, empowerment and collaborative community work. All modules emphasise practical application, critical thinking, and preparing you for professional practice in psychosocial and community work fields.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

First psychosocial degree
UEL is the first university to teach a psychosocial undergraduate course in the UK.

Highly rated by our students
94% of students surveyed responded positively to questions on "Teaching on my Course" in the 2023 National Student Survey. (National Student Survey 2023, Results published 10 Aug 2023).
Read the full NSS survey results
4th in London
Our Sociology and Social Policy courses rank 4th in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Read the full NSS survey resultsYour future career
We offer dedicated career support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.
Industry links
University of Huddersfield, UK
NHS Trust - Advance Practitioners and Educators
Purdue University, US
Brock University, Canada
Aga Khan University, Pakistan
Cork University Hospital, Ireland
Sandringham Primary School, Newham
Transport for London
Neighbourhood Doulas
Newham and Skills Enterprise
826 Heart Foundation
Mansimble Tea Estate
Graduate employers
Based on Alumni data graduates go on to roles including:
- Assistant head of year in a secondary school
- Youth justice worker in a prison
- Social worker
- Child and Adult Workforce Coordinator for a charity
- Local council employee (offering various types of support to community
Job roles
Our psychosocial studies graduates have gone on to further study and/or entered the following careers:
- Researcher
- Civil Service
- Advice/welfare work
- Voluntary sector /NGO officer
- Community development worker
- Housing officer
- Equality and diversity officer
- Criminal justice
- Social worker
- Mental health/counselling/psychotherapy
- Health or care management
- NGO founder
- Psychologist
- Volunteer co-ordinator
- Family support
- Teacher/lecturer/education roles
- Youth worker
- Mediator
- Community advocacy
Further study
You could on to pursue one of our masters degrees:

This unique programme can enable students to employ psychosocial perspective theories in relation to life experiences. This holistic approach will equip you with the specialist knowledge to work professionally in a variety of contexts, and enable you to grow in self-confidence so that you can positively make a difference in your lives and the lives of others."Sharon Gallagher
Psychosocial Studies Course Leader
How you'll learn
We encourage an educational experience that is active, social, collaborative, engaging, and student-owned. You will have access to a variety of resources ensuring your learning experience goes beyond the classroom.
Guided independent study
Our innovative Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach enhances face-to-face learning by providing students with scheduled on-campus contact hours and additional learning opportunities. Through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), students can access course materials and resources beyond their scheduled hours. We offer access to industry-standard technology and specialised spaces to prepare students for their future careers.
Dedicated time for activities and development, along with a holistic approach to learning, fosters academic, personal, and professional growth. Students benefit from career support through on-campus and virtual Career Zones, personalised support services, and a dedicated online portal, Track My Future (TMF).
Academic support
You will be supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Adviser, module leaders, and former and current UEL students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
TBC
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
The average class size on this course is 20-25 students.
How you'll be assessed
On this psychosocial studies degree we use a range of assessment methods to ensure students have engaged with the learning outcomes of our modules, these include essays, plans, presentations, journals, blogs, portfolios, photography, and case studies.
Knowledge is assessed by essays, plans, presentations, journals, blogs, portfolios, photography, and case studies.
Thinking skills are assessed by reflective logs, project work, poster presentations, research reports, case studies, and responses to reflective questions.
Practical skills are assessed by research proposals, portfolios, blogs, presentations, practice learning logs, fieldwork, and practice experience.
All grades count towards your module mark.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
Campus and facilities
Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic Great Hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

I studied Psychosocial Studies at UEL as an undergraduate, which enabled me to train as a psychotherapist and then complete a PhD thesis concerning the processes of self-construction related to the disclosure of emotional experiences.
Darren Ellis






