Psychology BSc | Royal Holloway, University of London

The course

Psychology is the study of how people think, react and interact. It is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the thoughts, feelings and motivations that underlie such behaviour. It is an important subject because it relates to the whole range of human experience, from visual perception to complex social interactions.

Study psychology at Royal Holloway University of London and you’ll develop a thorough understanding of theories and approaches to the understanding of human behaviour across different core areas of Psychology, without limiting study to any specific area.

Join our three-year programme and you will be able to customise your learning in your final year, selecting from a number of optional modules including Consciousness & Cognition, Human Neuropsychology and Criminal and Forensic Psychology.

You’ll study in a department ranked 6th in the UK for research (The Research Excellence Framework 2014), learning with academics who are experts in their fields, and contributing your own findings to this leading research culture with a final year research project.

Royal Holloway's Department of Psychology is among the best-equipped psychology departments in the country where post- and undergraduates may benefit from the department's advanced technology. This includes an on-site magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner for studying brain structure and activity, instruments for recording electrical changes in the brain (EEG) and other cutting-edge facilities to augment your learning.

Follow your passion for psychology, clinical psychology and mental health and you’ll graduate with excellent employability prospects in a variety of different fields. Notable alumni include the leading bioscience innovator Professor Jackie Hunter CBE, founder of the Terrence Higgins Trust Dr Rupert Whitaker, and Dr Christian Jarrett – author of The Rough Guide to Psychology.

Study the most up-to-date and exciting findings in psychology.
Learn with internationally recognised experts in their fields.
Develop psychological research skills and practice how to think critically about research.
Benefit from the department’s advanced research facilities.
Customise your degree in your final year, selecting from a number of optional modules.

Course structure

Core Modules

Year 1

This module will introduce you to the core aspects of psychological research including how to find, read and interpret psychological papers and how to think critically about research. You will cover general aspects of research, including ethical considerations, designs and variables, reliability and validity, and the design of both quantitative and qualitative studies. You will be introduced to different types of data and distributions, learning how to describe and analyse data using inferential statistics such as the chi-squared test, independent and repeated t-tests, one-way independent ANOVA, correlational analyses, linear regression, and non-parametric tests.
This module will introduce you to the key components and processes of learning and memory. You will consider evidence suggesting that memory can be partitioned into different sub-systems, particularly short- and long-term memory. You will also look at the detailed processes that govern retrieval and forgetting, the nature of autobiographical memory, mnemonic techniques, and memory disorders. You will learn how memory is studied experimentally and how cognitive theories of memory may be developed or challenged based on empirical data.
In this module, you will be introduced to the basics of personality and social psychology. You will look at the key dynamic personality theories of Freud and Jung, and develop an understanding of the theories and research on aggression, pro-social behaviour and conformity. You will also examine fundamental topics in social psychology, attitudes and values, as well as cross-cultural psychology and leadership.
In this module, you will be introduced to developmental psychology, which seeks to understand and explain changes in an individual’s physical, cognitive, and social capacities across the lifespan. You will learn about the historical and conceptual issues underlying developmental psychology, and the research methods used for studying individuals at different ages. You will study the major theories of cognitive development in relation to physical development in the prenatal period, cognitive and social development during infancy and changes during childhood, and finally the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in adulthood and older age.
This module will introduce you to the key biological concepts and research techniques relevant to psychology. Topics include the basics of neural function, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and the research methods used.
In this module, you will be introduced to the concept of psychological abnormality. You will develop an understanding of how abnormality is defined in psychology and how its definition has developed and changed through history. You will look at different approaches to understanding abnormal psychology, including the biomedical model, social and cultural approaches to abnormality, and psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive approaches.

Year 2

In this module you will learn about how to use SPSS to analyse, interpret and graph data, one way ANOVA (independent and repeated), factorial ANOVA (independent, repeated and mixed), ANCOVA, complex correlations, linear regression (multiple, categorical predictors, stepwise and hierarchical), logistic regression and factor analysis. You will also study research methods topics including advanced experimental design (factorial and quasi-experimental designs), questionnaire design and validation, and qualitative analyses.
This module will provide you with an overview of the key theoretical and empirical issues in cognitive psychology, including selective attention, multisensory perception and problem solving. You will look at reasoning, judgement and blindsight, and examine the impact of unilateral neglect and attention for action.
In this module, you will develop an understanding of the key topics in social psychology, with a particular focus on topics that highlight over-arching debates within this area of study. You will look at how social psychology can be applied to real-world issues, examining the social psychology of relationships, the self-concept, prejudice and group conflict, attribution theory, group decision-making, situational perspectives on evil, and non-verbal behaviour and social cognition.
In this module you will develop an understanding of cognitive development, including intelligence across the lifespan, language development, and number representation, and the development of social understanding, including social cognition, emotional development, prejudice, and adolescence. You will look in depth at the research techniques used in developmental psychology, as well as enhancing your ability to conduct critical analyses.
In this module you will examine theory and research in key areas of personality and individual differences. You will explore the difference between these two areas of study, and become equipped with methods of evaluating theories of personality. You will review key topics in personality and individual differences, with consideration for the relations between them in order to develop your integrative understanding of personality.
In this module you will develop an understanding of why modern psychology requires an understanding of neuroscience. You will look at neuronal structure, function and information transmission, and the organisation of the nervous system and how this reflects the principles of information processing. You will examine the methods used to study structure and information processing in the brain, becoming familiar with the brain's functional architectures and the neural basis of learning. You will also consider brain evolution, and the biology and psychopharmacology of reward, reinforcement and psychological disorders.
This module will provide you with an introduction to the philosophical, conceptual, and historical underpinnings of the ways in which psychology is studied today. You will cover broad conceptual issues such as 'what is science?' and how psychology fits in, what makes a good scientific theory, and the philosophies of how sciences develop. You will look at the rise of behaviourism and cognitive psychology, the historical development of cognitive neuroscience and debates regarding the relationship between mind and brain, and how psychology became an applied as well as a basic science of mind and behaviour.

Year 3

In this module, you will carry out a piece of research as part of a small group, closely supervised by a member of academic staff. You will develop teamwork, presentation and analytical skills, and produce a substantial, independently written, report of your study.

Optional Modules

Year 1

All modules are core

Year 2

All modules are core

Year 3

Language, Communication and Thought
Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience
Advanced Developmental Psychology
The Ageing Brain
Advanced and Applied Social Psychology
Adult Psychological Problems
Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience
Occupational and Organisational Psychology
Human Performance: Work, Sport and Medicine
Health Psychology
Consciousness and Cognition
Developmental Disorders
Human Neuropsychology
Criminal and Forensic Psychology
Educational Psychology
The Social Brain
Real World Quantitative Techniques

Teaching & assessment

We use a variety of different methods of assessment. These might include an essay about a controversial issue, an analysis of a video, a report of an experiment or a recently published research article. Some modules involve oral presentations.

Assessment is both summative (e.g. through exams and dissertations) and formative (e.g. essays which provide ongoing assessment and feedback), and the department has a tailor-made system of online feedback to provide detailed comments on essays and other coursework.

Many modules also have a written examination in May or June. Progression to the next year is dependent on passing the core modules. In combination, the quality and range of assessments will help you to develop a wide portfolio of skills and achieve high grades.

Entry requirements

A Levels: AAA-AAB

Preferred subjects:

Psychology, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Statistics.

Required subjects:

At least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9-4 including English and Mathematics.

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A - levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio - economic factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Other UK Qualifications

International & EU requirements

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. No subscore lower than 54.
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please visit here.

For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements, we offer an International Foundation Year, run by Study Group at the Royal Holloway International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you may progress on to selected undergraduate degree programmes at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Your future career

Psychology graduates from Royal Holloway University of London are well placed for excellent employability prospects in a range of fields. You’ll gain a range of transferable skills that will make you highly attractive to potential employers, including advanced literacy and numeracy skills, critical reading, report writing, survey research, experimentation and the ability to use statistical methods to assess research findings. Our BSc Psychology will also prepare you to progress to the department’s postgraduate programmes.

We have excellent connections with a wide range of organisations, helping to create rewarding placement opportunities, and also maintain strong links with our graduate network so you can benefit from the skills and experiences of alumni.

Fees & funding

Home and EU students tuition fee per year*: £9250

International students tuition fee per year**: £19400

Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, scholarships and bursaries.

*The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates is controlled by UK Government regulations, and for students starting a degree in the academic year 2019/20 will be £9,250 for that year, and is shown for reference purposes only. The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates has not yet been confirmed for students starting a degree in the academic year 2020/21.

^**Fees for international students may increase year-on-year in line with the rate of inflation. The policy at Royal Holloway is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information see fees and funding and our terms and conditions.

^***These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree programme at Royal Holloway. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing etc., have not been included.