Aston University, Birmingham
UCAS Code: C800 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB in any three A Levels. BBC in any three A Levels plus grade B in either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). BCC in any three A Levels for Contextual Offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready). RESITS: We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and the highest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in the same way as other applications. PREDICATIONS AND ACHIEVED GRADES: Whilst the grades listed here are the entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only estimates, so we consider applications where predicted grades are slightly below the entry requirements if the overall application is strong. We also consider applicants who have already achieved a minimum of CCC grades at the application stage on a case-by-case basis, provided their application is strong, they have a robust academic reference, and any gaps in their academic record are explained.
Access to HE Diploma
Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 15 distinctions and 30 merits. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirements.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Five GCSEs all at grade C/4 and must include Maths and English Language. Please note we do not accept Key Skills or Functional Skills in place of these.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
31 points overall and must include grades 5 5 5 in Higher Level subjects. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language. Or 28 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 5 4 4. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Maths and English Language for contextual offer students (more details https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/contextual-offer-aston-ready).
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects. For contextual offer students with this BTEC you must also achieve grades BC in two A Level subjects.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve a grade B in one A Level subject. For contextual offer students with this BTEC you must also achieve grades C in one A Level subjects.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects. For contextual offer students with this BTEC you must also achieve grades BC in two A Level subjects.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects. For contextual offer students with this BTEC you must also achieve grades BC in two A Level subjects.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Scottish Higher
T Level
We accept grade Distinction in any of the below subjects: • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction • Digital Production, Design and Development • Education and Childcare • Building Services Engineering for Construction • Onsite Construction • Digital Business Services • Digital Support Services • Health • Healthcare Science • Science
This will accepted in place of one A Level
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Psychology is a fascinating subject that aims to understand why people behave in the way that they do, by considering the complex interplay between biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and social influences on behaviour. This academic discipline encompasses a wide range of topics including how changes in the brain influence behaviour, why false memories occur, why people behave differently when they are in a group, how language influences thinking, how we learn to understand other’s intentions, how psychological distress can be alleviated, why we identify with some people and not others, how subconscious processes influence our behaviour, and how our thinking develops as we grow from children to adults.
Studying on our BSc (Hons) Psychology at Aston University will provide you with the basis for understanding why people act in certain ways, and insight into methods of changing their behaviour.
By choosing to study at Aston you will gain a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), have the opportunity to complete a career-enhancing placement in the UK or internationally, and be taught by leading experts from a range of specialist psychological fields.
There is a huge demand across a range of industries for graduates with a specialism in psychology, as it provides a wide range of transferable skills such as the ability to problem solve, answer complex but important questions, communicate effectively, critical analysis, writing, and research. Graduates from across our suite of psychology courses go on to a variety of different careers. Some choose to use their British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation to continue their studies post-graduation, working towards a career in occupational, educational or clinical psychology. Many graduates also go into careers such as human resources, organisational development, marketing, business, or the creative industries.
**Key course benefits:**
- Our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confer eligibility for the Graduate Chartered Membership (MBPsS) of the BPS, which is vital for students who wish to ultimately train as a professional psychologist (clinical, educational, forensic, occupational etc). It is also the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
- Access a wide range of specialist facilities including an observation suite (with covert audio-visual recording), equipment and tools for psychophysiological measurement, eye tracking and motion capture, dedicated laboratories for cognitive experiments, and larger facilities for focus groups and audience-based research.
- Students have an opportunity to take a placement year (optional)in the UK or abroad, designed to set studies in a real-world context and improve employability.
92.9% of our students felt positive about the academic support provided on their course (Psychology)(National Student Survey, 2024)
- Top 15 in the UK for Graduate Prospects – on track - in Psychology (Complete University Guide, 2025).
- Our recent graduates have gone on to secure work in organisations such as the NHS, the City Council, the UK police force, and mental health charities.
- Study for 3 years or the option of an integrated placement year with a 4-year study option.
- You’ll be taught by research-led academics. Our School of Psychology is home to a large range of teaching and research active staff with interests in neuroscience and neurodevelopment, ageing, cognitive and affective neuroscience, neuroimaging (including neuroimaging of clinical populations), health and lifespan development, and sensory and perceptual systems.
**We no longer offer a Foundation Programme. If you select Year 0 on your application form, this will be amended to Year 1 at the admissions review stage.**
Modules
Year 1
Studying the key topics that will form the basis of your psychology education, you’ll learn how to articulate your gained knowledge of core theories and concepts and discover more about the possible graduate career pathways open to you. Core modules: Key Skills in Psychology I, Key Skills in Psychology II, Biological and Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Social Psychology, Foundations of Contemporary Psychology, and Introduction to Clinical Psychology. In addition you will select two optional modules. For more information, please visit our website.
Year 2
Build on the core grounding you gained in your first year, as well as being introduced to exciting new subject areas such as lifespan development and cognitive neuropsychology. You’ll gain communication and critical thinking skills, along with developing your ability to use a wide range of statistical and qualitative research methods.Core modules: Research Methods and Data Analysis, Applied Psychology and Professional Skills, Social Psychology, Brain and Behaviour, Lifespan Development, Individual Differences and Personality, Cognition and Cognitive Neuropsychology. In addition, you will select one optional module. For more information, please visit our website.
Placement year (optional)
Placement year (integrated into the 4-year BSc): Your opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. For example, our Placement students gain experiences in a range of diverse careers, with previous students undertaking placements as Research Assistants, Environmental Consultants, Teaching Assistants, and Educational and Clinical Psychologists, to name just a few.
Final year
You will select and complete eight specialist modules that fit your interests, and conduct a research project in a specialist area of your choice with support from our expert psychology staff.
For more information, please visit our website.
Assessment methods
You will encounter a variety of learning opportunities, including:
lectures practical sessions interactive workshops and tutorials group work. At university, there is a much stronger emphasis on private reading and independent study than at school or college. However, we are here to support you in making this transition and to help you manage your learning. For example we set out your work for the year in an online student guide, which includes full details of all modules including week-by-week lecture breakdowns, reading lists and all coursework assignments for the year with the relevant deadlines. You will be assessed throughout the course.
A wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes are used, including: class tests/end of year examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple choice questions) essays research reports (group or individual) presentations statistics assignments oral presentations.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Please visit our helpful webpage for applicants: https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/your-application/funding
The Uni
Aston University, Birmingham
School of Psychology
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology (non-specific)
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
20 years ago, this was a specialist degree for would-be psychologists but now it is the model of a modern, flexible degree subject. One of the UK's fastest-growing subject at degree level, and the second most popular subject overall (it recently overtook business studies), one in 23 of all graduates last year had psychology degrees. As you'd expect with figures like that, jobs in psychology itself are incredibly competitive, so to stand a chance of securing one, you need to get a postgraduate qualification (probably a doctorate in most fields, especially clinical psychology) and some relevant work experience. But even though there are so many psychology graduates — far more than there are jobs in psychology, and over 13,800 in total last year — this degree has a lower unemployment rate than average because its grads are so flexible and well-regarded by business and other industries across the economy. Everywhere there are good jobs in the UK economy, you'll find psychology graduates - and it's hardly surprising as the course helps you gain a mix of good people skills and excellent number and data handling skills. A psychology degree ticks most employers' boxes — but we'd suggest you don't drop your maths modules.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Psychology (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
£25k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
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You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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