Overview
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour. It will help you understand yourself and others.
- Gain work experience through our work-based learning module, which will help you decide on your future career in psychology.
- Our BPS-accredited programme is essential if you want to specialise in psychology after graduation.
- This course could lead to a master's in health psychology, sports psychology, neuropsychology, or neuroscience.
Learn more about studying psychology
- Find out why people study psychology
- Read about Tania's journey as a psychology student
This course is in Clearing
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What makes this course different

Our world leading research
92% of research is world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally recognised (REF, 2021).

3rd in London
Our Psychology courses rank 3rd in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Employability focused
Psychology graduates bring valuable skills and knowledge to the workplace. In your second year, gain practical skills in showcasing your transferable skills through our core work-based learning module.
Accreditation

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
This accreditation is a mark of quality that students and employers understand and value. Studying a BPS-accredited course will allow you to gain graduate or chartered membership of the Society and help you stand out in your psychology career.
BPS accreditationCourse modules
In the psychology foundation year, you will study three core modules and choose one option module. The options available are Topics in Counselling and Topics in Psychology. Topics in Counselling equips you with basic counselling skills and offers eligibility for an interview to join the BSc Counselling degree accredited by the BACP. Topics in Psychology covers key issues in psychology, serving as a starting point for level 4 in our undergraduate psychology programmes. Upon successful completion of the Psychology Foundation Year, those with 120 credits can progress to BSc (Hons) Psychology or one of our specialist pathways.
First-year psychology students dive into six key modules that lay the foundation for the degree. You'll learn to think critically through the Mental Wealth module while exploring different branches of psychology. The curriculum covers how our brains process information, how we develop throughout life, and how psychology is applied in real-world careers. You'll also gain hands-on experience with research methods, learning how to design studies using both small and large samples. This practical approach prepares you for more advanced psychology topics.
The second-year psychology programme offers a robust curriculum of six core modules and several specialised options. Core modules include Individual Differences exploring diversity theories and advanced Psychological Research Methods. You will also study cognitive, developmental, biological and social psychology. The Work-Based Learning module connects theory with practical experience in real organisations. You can choose optional modules in Cognitive Neuroscience, Forensic, Clinical, cyber or environmental Psychology, and Positive Psychology Coaching. These will allow you to explore potential career paths before your final year.
The final year psychology programme centres on independent research. You will complete your own empirical project from design through analysis. The curriculum offers specialisation through carefully selected optional modules. These cover various topics like addiction psychology, criminal behaviour, health and wellbeing, developmental processes, and decision-making, amongst others. This structure allows you to develop skills aligned with your specific psychology career interests.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Your future career
A psychology degree is versatile. You could become a psychologist, or apply your skills and knowledge in other fields. Employers value skills such as data management, analysis, report writing, and critical thinking. These put you ahead in the job market. Psychology students understand human behaviour, making them appealing candidates, especially for managerial roles.
Industry links
We have links with NHS Trusts across the North Thames region, MIND, Terrence Higgins Trust, Centrepoint, Women's Aid, National Autistic Society, Young Gamblers and Gamers Education Trust (YGAM).
Graduate employers
You could work for the NHS as a psychologist or for other healthcare providers such as Bupa or Nuffield Health. You could work in a school or for the HM Prison and Probation Service.
Job roles
Roles you could go into include: psychologist; mental health practitioner; researcher; counsellor; and therapist.
Further study
Postgraduate psychology study and training are essential if you want to become a chartered psychologist and register as a practitioner with the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC). You can study clinical, counselling, occupational, or community psychology master's or PhDs at UEL.

Our degrees in psychology will equip you with the tools and skills you need to investigate human behaviour and to adopt a critical analysis of what you discover. I very much hope you will join us in our search for behavioural insights and for solutions to the problems that face humanity, whether at the individual, group, national, international or global level."Dr Richard Ralley
Head of Department of Psychological Sciences
How you'll learn
Our cutting-edge Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach revolutionises face-to-face learning, providing students with scheduled on-campus hours and additional learning opportunities. Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) grants students access to course materials and resources beyond their regular study hours. We provide state-of-the-art technology and specialised spaces, equipping students with the skills needed for their future careers. With dedicated time for activities and personal development, our holistic approach to learning nurtures academic, personal, and professional growth. Students receive comprehensive career support through our on-campus and virtual Career Zones, personalised support services, and an exclusive online portal called Track My Future (TMF).
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
We invest in key areas beyond your studies, providing career services, a modern library, and well-being support. These resources are available both on campus and online, some accessible 24/7. Our libraries offer a range of print and digital resources, study spaces, and dedicated librarians to assist you.
Dedicated personal tutor
Academic advisors, module leaders, and fellow students are available to support your academic queries. Academic tutors offer help with skills like writing and maths. IT Service Desks provide support for university IT systems. Our Student Support hubs cater to all your needs, including disability support.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars, and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate hours for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
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 size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the module and activity. You may be attending a lecture on campus as one of 30 students to 100+ for a first-year core module or take part in seminars and collaborative work in a smaller group of 18-20 students. As an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 200-250 students a year.
How you'll be assessed
We assess your academic work through various methods like group work, exams, essays, presentations, case studies, professional development, and practical activities. Grades contribute to module marks, and assessment includes a combination of coursework and exams spread throughout the year.
No exams are scheduled in the first year. In the second year, the balance of coursework and exams depends on your chosen option modules. This year also includes a work-based learning module where you reflect on your experience and connect it to psychological research and theory. In the third year, your final research project coursework holds significant weight in assessment.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days, following 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.
- Course leader
Dr Elley Wakui
Department of Psychology & Human Development, School of Childhood and Social Care - Course leader
Dr Richard Ralley
Department of Psychology & Human Development, School of Childhood and Social Care - Course leader
Dr Sophia Bokhari
School of Childhood & Social Care, - Course leader
Professor Ian Tucker
Department of Psychology & Human Development, School of Childhood and Social Care - Course leader
Dr Anna Stone
Department of Psychology & Human Development, School of Childhood and Social Care - Course leader
James Walsh
Department of Psychology & Human Development, School of Childhood and Social Care - Course leader
Mark R. McDermott
Emeritus Staff, School of Childhood and Social Care
What our students and staff say

UEL has profoundly shaped my values and perspectives, particularly around the importance of community and the power of diverse voices.
Daniel Jinadu
BSc (Hons) Psychology

I love to help our psychology students understand and normalise emotional distress and relate it to events in their lives, and their social context, rather than think in terms of ‘disorders’ ‘chemical imbalances’ or ‘mental illnesses’. Educating them about the research relating adverse life events to mental health problems is important to me."
John Read
Professor of Clinical Psychology