Clearing entry requirements

56 UCAS points

Even if you didn’t get the grades you expected, we'll consider a range of qualifications and individual circumstances. Give us a call on 0116 257 7000.

Some additional entry requirements may apply, call for details

Key facts

Duration:

3 yrs full-time, 4 yrs with placement

Study mode:

Full-time

UCAS code:

C800

Institution code:

D26

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Clearing entry requirements

56 UCAS points

Even if you didn’t get the grades you expected, we'll consider a range of qualifications and individual circumstances. Give us a call on 0116 257 7000.

Some additional entry requirements may apply, call for details

UCAS code

C800

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Study mode

Full-time

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Studying a psychology degree will equip you with a range of skills that are transferable and desired by employers

Overview

Psychology is a dynamic science, blending biology, sociology, and philosophy to explore and explain how our minds and environments shape our actions. It answers everyday questions (why do we crave certain foods when we are stressed? Why do we remember song lyrics better than shopping lists? Why do we make impulsive purchases and irrational choices?) and plays a critical role in improving lives; understanding and treating mental health, optimising how we learn and make decisions, designing better technologies, and shaping human habits.

This BPS accredited Psychology course will take you on an adventure around the complex universe that is the human experience. It offers an exciting deep dive into everyday life; exploring how the brain and physiological factors (e.g., genetics, hormones) influence behaviour and experience (biological psychology), how we think, learn, reason, and understand the world around us (cognitive psychology), and how humans develop physically, mentally, and socially throughout their life (development psychology). You will also learn how social context, interactions, and group processes influence human behaviour (social psychology), why people vary in behaviour, personality, intelligence, and motivation (individual differences), as well as how we can measure these things, and use psychological knowledge to treat mental health conditions. You will develop industry-sought-after research skills and use scientific methods to understand why people behave the way they do. Plus, you can gain real-world experience with a year-long work placement, or study abroad for a year.

Our state-of-the-art facilities – featuring research and computer labs, research cubicles, and an observation suite – will support your learning, with expert technicians on hand. You will develop in-demand employability skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and communication.

This BPS-accredited degree is your first step towards becoming a psychologist and comes with the chance to tailor your learning with optional modules in your final year to align with your passions and career goals.

Key features

1st in the East Midlands for Learning Resources: Students on the course feel strongly that the IT and learning facilities supported their learning, with their feedback placing us first in the East Midlands for Learning Resources (NSS, 2025).
Real world application: Explore how the mind influences behaviour through scientific observation and experimentation. Study British Psychological Society accredited core curriculum, plus choose from a range of option modules tied to professional areas of psychology and contemporary social issues.
Global experience: Gain valuable life experience and the chance to travel, with an optional study year abroad. Psychology students have studied in universities across the world, including Germany, the USA, and Japan.
Gain industry experience: Take advantage of an optional credit-bearing year-long placement opportunity to develop your professional skills in applied settings. Past students have secured roles with organisations such as PwC, St Andrews Healthcare, Turning Point, HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service), Warwickshire County Council Educational Psychology Services, Leicestershire Life Links, and the NHS.
Learn in authentic, specialist facilities: Access advanced computer labs, research cubicles, interview rooms, an innovative food lab, and an observation suite, supported by expert technicians to enhance your practical learning.
Boost your employability: Gain essential skills like critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication, making you an attractive candidate in the job market.
BPS-accredited for your future: Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree is your gateway to becoming a professional psychologist, providing the platform for progression into specialist areas like clinical, educational, or forensic psychology.
Tailor your learning journey: Choose from a wide range of optional final-year modules to align your studies with your personal interests and career goals.
Research-informed teaching: Our curriculum is informed by the latest research and delivered by academics who are active researchers, ensuring your learning stays relevant and up to date.
Broaden your horizons: Our graduates are in demand across various fields, excelling in roles that require a strong understanding of societal issues, including healthcare, criminal justice, education, and social work, and in roles relevant to human interactions and decision-making, such as marketing, business, and HR. With a strong emphasis on research methods in the first two years, our graduates are also well-prepared to pursue careers in research, data analytics, and as behavioural science officers in local authorities.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

This course is block taught. Block teaching is taught in roughly 6-week sessions, allowing you to concentrate on one subject at a time, working closely with your lecturers and classmates before moving on to the next block.

In the first and second years, the focus is upon providing a good foundation in what the British Psychological Society (BPS) recognises as the core areas of Psychology. All modules in the first and second years are compulsory.

Professional Skills for Psychologists

Focuses on important academic and professional skills to help you transition to higher education studies and beyond.

Cognition, Brain, and Development: Research and Theory

Provides a concise overview of the core paradigms in psychology, namely biological, cognitive and developmental psychology, while embedding quantitative research methods.

Applied Psychology

This module will introduce you to the main areas of applied psychology from UK, European and international perspectives.

Individual Differences and Social Psychology: Theory and Research

Provides a concise overview of the core paradigms in psychology, namely social, personality and intelligence, and international perspectives, while embedding qualitative research methods.

Mind brain and Behaviour

Builds on the core areas of the BPS guidelines to give you in-depth coverage of topics in biological and cognitive psychology. Practical sessions will enable you to develop your knowledge of more advanced research designs and quantitative research skills.

Psychology Across the Lifespan

Applies the lifespan perspective to studying human development, emphasising the importance of all developmental stages and the interconnectivity between domains of change.

Psychology and Mental Health

Psychology of Social Problems

Applies psychological theory and research to topics that cover current important debates and issues, directly informed by local, national and global priorities - such as DMU’s commitment to decolonization and net zero, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Developmental Goals.

Personality and Social Psychology

Builds on the core areas of the BPS guidelines to give you in-depth coverage of topics in social psychology and personality and intelligence, supporting you in developing a research project on one of these topics.

As part of this course, you can apply for a supervised optional placement in clinical, educational, forensic, or occupational psychology contexts to gain hands-on experience. These placements offer excellent preparation for postgraduate training or professional registration. Roles have included honorary psychology assistant, recovery worker, educational psychology placement student, and mental health support intern, giving students real-world insight into psychological services across healthcare, education, and the justice system.

Our award-winning Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

In the final year, you will have three mandatory modules and four optional modules to choose from.

Our wide range of final year options allow you to tailor your study to specific career pathways or interests. The range of modules available are subject to change and are dependent on student numbers enrolled and could be withdrawn without prior notice due to limited numbers.

Psychology Project

Gives you the opportunity to design and conduct an empirical study showing originality and expertise in methodological and data handling techniques.

Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology

This module will support you in learning to contrast perspectives within significant conceptual debates in psychology, which are placed within their historical context.

Employability Skills and Psychology

You will undertake a period of work experience and consider how psychological theory can be applied in a work environment.

Cognitive Neuropsychology (Optional)

Provides an overview of modern cognitive neuropsychological approaches to dysfunction following head injury and how theory is applied to case histories.

Work Psychology (Optional)

Supports you in gaining a broad knowledge base in work psychology.

Wellbeing and Positive Psychology (Optional)

Introduces the scientific study of optimal human functioning within areas such as happiness, wellbeing, personal strengths, positive emotions, optimism, hope and flow.

Psychology of Eating Behaviours (Optional)

Develops an understanding of human appetite and eating behaviours from a variety of biological and psychological perspectives.

Psychology and Education (Optional)

Gives an overview of various aspects of psychology as applied to education.

Cyberpsychology (Optional)

Covers all aspects of human interaction with technology, with a focus on the impact of cyberspace and the Internet on individual and group behaviour.

Perception (Optional)

Provides an overview of vision research and develops skills to critically evaluate current vision science literature.

Forensic Psychology (Optional)

This module will develop your understanding of criminological and forensic psychology, and focuses on research and theory relevant to policing, and the legal system such as eyewitness testimony, detecting deceit and criminal profiling.

Counselling Psychology (Optional)

You will be introduced to the basic principles of counselling psychology practice and study the major psychological theories that underpin the practice of individual and group counselling.

Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice (Optional)

Through this module you will gain an overview of clinical psychology practice in the UK, including professional practice, research methods and ethical issues, as well as how to become a clinical psychologist.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Structure

Our inclusive block teaching approach makes learning accessible to all students, following Universal Design for Learning principles. This method incorporates a variety of teaching, learning, and assessment styles.

Teaching formats

Lectures: Ranging from small groups (10-20 students) to larger ones (100-300 students), primarily presentation based.
Seminars and Workshops: Interactive and practical exercises in small groups (10-20 students).
Tutorials: Offered one-to-one or in small groups.

Assessment methods

Essays, written exams, multiple-choice exams, presentations, and critical reviews.
Portfolios, podcasts, blogs, and grant applications.
A dissertation of 6,000-8,000 words in your final year.

Contact hours

Contact hours vary by year and chosen modules, typically ranging from 8-12 hours per week. For example, you might have:

Large Group Teaching: 3-5 hours of lectures.
Medium Group Teaching: 4-5 hours of practical classes, workshops, or seminars.
Personal Tutorials/Small Group Teaching: 1-2 hours per block.
Personal Study: 20-25 hours per week including library research, group work, and writing assignments.

Related courses

Psychology with Criminology BSc (Hons)

Psychology with Education Studies BSc (Hons)

Psychology with Health and Wellbeing in Society BSc (Hons)

Psychology with Sport Management BSc (Hons)

Accreditation

BPS accredited

This course confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society, provided the minimum standard of a second-class honours is achieved. This is your first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.

In addition to meeting BPS requirements, this accreditation gives your qualification an important hallmark of quality, industry-wide recognition, boosts your career prospects, and ensures you’re starting your journey toward chartered status with a degree that employers and professional bodies trust.

Our facilities

The field of psychology thrives on innovative thinkers who can develop fresh ideas and approaches. Our modern labs and facilities provide you with the tools to experiment and test psychological theories, preparing you for real-world applications in areas like research, therapy, and mental health. Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience that mirrors what you’ll encounter in practice.

We have additionally invested in a cutting-edge food lab where innovative food and eating-based research is being conducted.

Psychology lab

Our psychology students have access to dedicated lab space in our Portland and Hawthorn buildings.

Psychology lab

Hawthorn Building

The Hawthorn Building is home to students and staff from Health and Life Sciences courses and disciplines.

Hawthorn Building

Our expertise

Teaching across the programme is informed by the research interests and expertise of our staff group. Four key research clusters exist within the division: Health Psychology, Cognition and Neuroscience, Self and Identity and Psychology and Technology. Staff members have diverse research interests including areas such as decision making, language, vision, eating behaviours, reproduction, identity processes, cybersecurity and cybercrime.

Associate Professor in Psychology

Vicki has been the programme leader for undergraduate psychology courses since 2019. She is an active researcher within the DMU Food Lab, with interests and expertise in eating behaviours and disorders across the lifespan. She also has a long history in teaching of quantitative research methods to diverse audiences from education, healthcare, and industry.

Senior Lecturer

Olivier is a psychologist and researcher with expertise in psychological science. With a strong academic background, he contributes to the field through teaching and research. His work and interests focus on various psychological themes, such as spatial cognition and learning, wayfinding, and navigation, making valuable contributions to both student learning and scholarly advancement.

Lecturer

Nabeelah earned her PhD in Cognitive Psychology from DMU in 2021. Her research focuses on divided attention, memory, and the Attentional Boost Effect. She explores cross-modal interactions and ways to enhance attentional capacity. She also serves as the link tutor for DMU’s Malaysia campus (APU).

Lecturer

Joe's research interests lie in cognitive and health psychology. His PhD explores semantic memory retrieval using behavioural methods like cursor-tracking and EEG. He also studies obesity interventions, focusing on health behaviours and psychosocial outcomes.

Senior Lecturer

Jonathan's research interests involve the psychology of computer games, human-computer interaction, quantitative methods, and health-related behaviour change. Currently, he serves as the Admissions Tutor for our undergraduate psychology programmes. Jonathan is also a co-lead for the department's new virtual reality and gaming laboratory.

Senior Lecturer

Victoria is the Interim Lead of the Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing Research Cluster, with a research interest in mental health and hoarding behaviour. Her broader interests include OCD and the psychological benefits of martial arts, yoga, and fitness. Victoria is also an Associate Editor for the BPS Qualitative Methods in Psychology Bulletin.

Senior Lecturer

Angelina’s research interests involve understanding the predictors of psychological well-being and positive mental health within the African context, particularly how young people in deprived areas thrive. She is also interested in developing a culturally relevant framework for well-being, with previous work on meaning in life, relational well-being, hope, and happiness.

Alumni stories

"I really enjoyed studying Psychology at A level and was interested in working in the area of mental health, so I decided to pursue a degree that would help me support others and understand behaviour in more depth."

What makes us special

Block learning

With block teaching, you’ll learn in a focused format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your DMU community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

DMU Global

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips, volunteering, and international exchanges.

Students on this course have undertaken DMU Global trips to destinations such as Malaysia, where they explored cultural influences on psychology and wellbeing, and Paris, where they examined the history of mental health and neuropsychology. Students have also travelled to New York to consider inequality and segregation in the city, and to Berlin to support and assist refugees.

Where we could take you

Placements to make you work-ready

As part of this course, you will have the opportunity to complete a self-sourced work experience placement, which helps you apply your knowledge of academic theory and professional skills to practical applications. Students are encouraged to source opportunities in line with their own career ambitions from different schemes and providers both inside and outside of the university.

Our Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

Past opportunities have included roles with organisations such as St Andrews Healthcare, Turning Point, HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service), Warwickshire County Council Educational Psychology Services, Leicestershire Life Links, and the NHS.

Your future career

Graduates from this course acquire a range of transferable skills that employers highly value, including critical thinking, communication, project management, and data analysis. They have gone on to work in respected fields such as police services, teaching, social work, human resources, healthcare, research, and advertising.

Recent graduates have gone on to work at:

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as Assistant Psychologists
His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service in probation and mental health roles
PwC as Data Integration Analysts
Capgemini UK plc as Business Transformation Consultants
Lloyds Banking Group as Savings Advisors
His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service in probation and mental health roles

Psychology graduate Kemi Agboke is now an Assistant Psychologist, conducting assessments to help diagnose autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. Her role also allows her to research topics of interest, like dream analysis, while handling day-to-day administrative tasks to support the consultancy’s psychologists.

Many of our graduates continue their education with postgraduate programmes, including our MSc courses in Health Psychology and Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Take your next steps

4 students hanging out on campus in front of some high quality graffiti

Find out about Leicester

We’re a campus-based university situated in the city centre, with the hub of activity in Leicester right on your doorstep - we’re one of the few universities in the UK where you’re getting the best of both worlds.

An open day visitor and a member of staff at an open day.

Open Days - Book your place

We’d love to welcome you to one of our university Open Days where you can see for yourself what we have to offer.

How to apply

Home/UK students
International students

Save these details for your application.

Programme title:: Psychology BSc (Hons)
Programme code:: C800

UCAS applications

Apply now

Register on UCAS Hub (create an account)
Fill in your UCAS application form:
Personal details (name, contact, residency)
- More about you (any mental health conditions or long-term illnesses, parenting responsibilities, whether you’ve served in the armed forces)
- Education history (qualifications taken or pending)
- Employment history (if applicable)
- Course choice
Write your personal statement (why you want to study the course, skills, achievements, future goals)
Get your reference (usually from a teacher/tutor/employer)
Pay the UCAS fee (single choice or multiple choices)
Submit the UCAS application before the deadline.

Save these details for your application.

Programme title:: Psychology BSc (Hons)
Programme code:: C800

Apply directly as an international student

Find out more and apply

Visit DMU’s international section and select the course you wish to apply for as an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
Prepare your documents - gather the essentials:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Personal statement
- English language proficiency evidence (e.g., IELTS)
- Portfolio (if required by the course)
- Copy of your passport
Complete the application - submit via the DMU Online Portal
Submit the application and supporting documents - you can still receive a conditional offer even if some documents will follow later
Application review and offer - DMU’s Admissions team will assess your application and issue:
- A conditional offer (pending remaining docs, test results, etc.)
- Or an unconditional offer, if all requirements are fulfilled

Key facts

Course title

Psychology

Award

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code

C800

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2026/27 UK tuition fees:
£9,790

2026/27 international tuition:
£16,800

Fees in subsequent years may rise. See the undergraduate tuition fees page for details

Additional costs

Entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

112

A Level:

BBC

BTEC Extended Diploma:

DMM

Contextual Offer:

DMU operates a generous contextual offer for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education.

This is a minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer and full details including eligibility criteria can be found at dmu.ac.uk/contextual

T Levels:

Merit

Access to HE:

Pass with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit

International Baccalaureate (IB):

26

GCSEs:

5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths

Interview and portfolio

Interview required: No

Portfolio required: No

Personal statement selection criteria

Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling.
Relevant information related to the course applied for.
Demonstrated interest in the course with explanation and evidence.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Please note, direct entry onto Year 3 of this course is not available.

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myDMU login. Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in #DMUglobal trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy varies by location.

Learn more about fees and funding information

Key facts

Overview

Key features

The Best Careers Support

Best for Work Experience

Clearing is open

What you will study

Professional Skills for Psychologists

Cognition, Brain, and Development: Research and Theory

Applied Psychology

Individual Differences and Social Psychology: Theory and Research

Mind brain and Behaviour

Psychology Across the Lifespan

Psychology and Mental Health

Psychology of Social Problems

Personality and Social Psychology

Psychology Project

Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology

Employability Skills and Psychology

Cognitive Neuropsychology (Optional)

Work Psychology (Optional)

Wellbeing and Positive Psychology (Optional)

Psychology of Eating Behaviours (Optional)

Psychology and Education (Optional)

Cyberpsychology (Optional)

Perception (Optional)

Forensic Psychology (Optional)

Counselling Psychology (Optional)

Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice (Optional)

Structure

Teaching formats

Assessment methods

Contact hours

Related courses

Accreditation

BPS accredited

Our facilities

Psychology lab

Hawthorn Building

Take a s c r o l l through campus

Our expertise

Dr Vicki Aldridge

Dr Olivier de Condappa

Dr Nabeelah Ahmed Omarjee

Dr Josef Toon

Dr Jonathan Farnell

Dr Victoria Ruby-Granger

Dr Angelina Wilson Fadiji

Alumni stories

Benjamin Lond

Psychology in the spotlight

What makes us special

Block learning

DMU Global

Where we could take you

Placements to make you work-ready

Your future career

Take your next steps

Find out about Leicester

Open Days - Book your place

How to apply

UCAS applications

Apply directly as an international student

Key facts

Entry requirements

Additional costs