If you are an undergraduate, you may be considering taking a Psychology course. Psychology is a broad area, which has a range of applications in our daily lives, so whether you intend to pursue a career in the sector, or simply feel that it would add value to your CV, there are many good reasons to take a degree in the subject. Although courses vary between providers, the following gives an overview of what you might expect to find in a BA Psychology course.
Course overview
In general terms, Psychology is the study of human behaviour and the factors which affect this. A BA Psychology course will cover many of the issues within the subject, including Neuropsychology, the study of the brain and how this influences behaviour, cognitive Psychology, which examines movement, and the social influences and impact on human behaviour.
Candidates will usually have a choice of modules in the areas which interest them and may decide to focus on particular areas, such as child Psychology or criminal Psychology.
The BA Psychology Course is usually split over 3 years full time, or 7 years if taken part time. Candidates have the choice of either majoring in the subject or taking a joint Honours degree, where they pair Psychology units with modules from another subject. Some of the subjects which Psychology compliments well are languages and humanities.
What skills will I learn?
As well as a deeper understanding of what it is that makes us behave the way we do, a BA Psychology course will give you a host of useful skills which will come in handy in whatever career path you decided to pursue. These include valuable research and analytical skills, which are valued by most employers.
How is the course assessed?
Again, this depends on the institution, however, most colleges and universities will award Psychology degrees based on a combination of exams and written assignments. In many cases, final year students will be asked to complete a year-long research module and report back on their findings in the form of a dissertation.
How is the course taught?
Most BA Psychology courses are taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, laboratory sessions and supervised projects.
What are the entry requirements?
Entrance for BA Psychology courses is handled by UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service.) The minimum requirement one can expect is GCSE English and Maths at grade C or higher. Most candidates will be expected to have completed A-levels, and the requirement for grades attained will depend on the chosen institution. As a rough guide, however, most universities will look for a minimum of around 250 UCAS points
Career prospects
Many of those who complete a Psychology course go on to pursue a career as a Psychologist; however, there are also many other career paths which are open to candidates. Typical areas of employment include education, the civil service, management, counselling and the prison service. Some graduates may also go on further study, with the opportunity to complete a MPhil/PhD or Masters degree.
Now you know more about what to expect from a BA Psychology course, what’s stopping you from starting a career in psychology?
