2025/26 entry

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
4 years Placement year, 3 years FullTime
Campus:
City
UCAS Code:
C870
Grades/points required:
BBB-ABB (120-128)

Tuition fees

Home full-time per year
£9,250
International full-time per year
£18,250
All figures are subject to yearly increases. Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
General enquiries:
0151 231 5090
courses@ljmu.ac.uk
International admissions
international@ljmu.ac.uk

Send a message >

Why study Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University?

  • Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Opportunity to undertake a 10-hour (minimum) work placement in your second year
  • Excellent spring board into careers as diverse as teaching, the police, media, management, counselling, clinical, educational, occupational and health psychology
  • State-of-the-art facilities including a driving simulator and human performance lab
  • Fascinating range of topics ranging from psycho-social problems and drug use to understanding the criminal mind and the functions of the brain
  • International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University is informed by internationally important research and taught by experts in the field.

The study of psychology is about understanding fascinating concepts such as human thinking, memory, problem solving, emotion, development, communication, relationships, and using a scientific approach to apply them in a broad range of areas from health, education and work to more specific areas, like teamwork, stress management and conflict resolution.

The course builds your understanding of psychological theory to the stage where you will be able to apply it in practice. The first and second years provide you with a grounding in all the core areas of Psychology. Options in third year then allow you to specialise in areas as diverse as education, forensics, health, work psychology, cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology and substance use.

The programme has been designed to help you develop not only your knowledge and skills but also your self-awareness, self-management, self-expression and self-presentation, so that you emerge from your studies as a fully-rounded and practical individual who is well prepared for the world of work.

Throughout your course you will be supported by a team of research-active tutors in the purpose-built environment at Byrom Street. Facilities include:

  • a driving simulator
  • an EEG laboratory
  • testing booths
  • a human performance lab
  • a neuroscience lab
  • a health psychology lab
  • Hear from our students

    Hear from our students

"The course gave me the opportunity to do a placement in a residential home for people with schizophrenia. This really opened my eyes to the importance of drug therapy."
Shea Garvey

Professional accreditation/links

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). For students graduating with a 2:2 degree classification or above, they confer eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS and the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

Graduate membership of the society is the starting point for your career as a psychologist and is a prerequisite for many of the society's accredited postgraduate and Doctoral programmes, and is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. You can read more about BPS accreditation at bps.org.uk.

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.

As a student on a BPS accredited course, you have the option to join the BPS as a student member. Membership starts from 26 per year (2021). For the latest society fee information, including fees for Graduate membership, please visit bps.org.uk.

Employability

You will enjoy varied career opportunities with a Psychology degree, plus it provides an excellent foundation for further study or research.

The course is an excellent springboard into many areas of psychology, from health and the caring professions to education, forensics and clinical and occupational practice. Psychologists can pursue careers as diverse as teaching, the police, media, business, human resources, management, counselling and clinical, educational, occupational and health psychology.

Teaching in schools and universities or postgraduate study are popular choices too. As an LJMU graduate you have a strong advantage when it comes to applying for research posts because of the thorough training in methodology provided by the course.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.

Go abroad

LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.

Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?

Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.

A life-changing experience 

There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.

At Levels 4 and 5, all of your modules are Core, which means all students on the degree will undertake them. Each module carries either 10 or 20 credits.

At Level 6, you will undertake your dissertation module (Core, 40 credits). You then have a choice of Option modules to meet the remaining 80 credits, made up from three 20 credit modules and two 10 credit modules.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Level 4

Core modules

Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences
20 credits

The aim of this module is to present a range of topics in developmental psychology and individual differences research. You will be introduced to methods applied to understanding key issues in developmental psychology and individual differences research to enable you to consult and summarise appropriate sources to explain key issues.

Psychological Themes
20 credits

This module will introduce you to psychological themes of aggression, helping behaviour, stress and emotion. It will develop your ability to identify unique contributions of different theoretical perspectives to the psychological research on a particular theme and encourage you to critically compare different theoretical perspectives on a psychological theme.

Concepts in Mental Health and Wellbeing
20 credits

This module will introduce historical and conceptual issues in understanding mental health/psychological difficulties. You will examine contemporary models and interventions and be introduced to emerging models demonstrating our developing understanding and approach to supporting psychological difficulties.

Studying Psychology
20 credits

Lectures in this module will introduce you to key issues in psychology and explode common myths about the brain and behaviour. You will also have the opportunity to engage in experiential learning by participating in research studies running in the School of Psychology. Tutorials will focus on academic skills such as literature searching, citing and referencing sources, academic writing and authorship, and critical thinking. Some lectures will tie into these tutorials and focus on skills such as critical analysis, or ethical practice in writing and conducting research. At the end of the year, you will be asked to reflect on your personal development as a critical, psychologically literate citizen, and identify the skills that you have developed during your first year of study.

Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 1: Relationships and Associations
10 credits

This module will introduce the tools needed for carrying out a literature search. It will provide you with a practical introduction on how to design an experiment, collect data in an ethical manner, perform statistical analysis and write up findings in a manner consistent with published material.

Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 2: Testing for Differences
10 credits

This module will introduce the tools needed for carrying out a literature search. It will provide you with a practical introduction on how to design an experiment, collect data in an ethical manner, perform statistical analysis and write up findings in a manner consistent with published material. Building on from Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 1: Relationships and Associations, you will learn more complex statistical tests.

Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
20 credits

This module introduces you to biological and cognitive psychology. You will examine fundamental issues in cognitive psychology and will consider theoretical models of memory, as well as examining attention and perception. You will introduced to fundamental issues in biological psychology.

Level 5

Core modules

Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 3: Qualitative Research Methods
10 credits

This module will develop your understanding of a range of qualitative research methodologies to allow you to critically consider ethical issues in respect of qualitative research. The aim of this module is to give an understanding of key qualitative techniques such as interviewing and facilitating focus groups.

Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology 4: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
20 credits

This module enables you to examine the use of advanced tests of differences and relationships in psychological research. You will develop an understanding of factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), simple regression and multiple regression.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology
20 credits

This module covers key topics in the area of cognitive and biological psychology. This module builds on the biological and cognitive psychology materials introduced in level 4. You will explore current research relating to biological underpinnings that account for commonalities and individual differences in vision, touch, sleep, motivation, learning and consciousness.

Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, and Individual Differences
20 credits

In this module you will explore psychological development through the life span, covering key areas of development such as cognitive development, identity development and developmental disorders. The module will cover key concepts from individual differences research: intelligence, gender commonalities and differences, and personality and subjective wellbeing. You will also gain an understanding of social psychological concepts such as interpersonal relationships, group processes and intergroup relations.

Careers and Employability
10 credits

This module will equip you with the employability related skills to be able to focus on future careers and help prepare you for the career you want.

Contemporary Issues in Applied Psychology
20 credits

This module will introduce you to the psychology of risk-taking behaviours and threat assessment in the context of health, digital communication and crime. It will develop your ability to evaluate risk-taking behaviours and threat assessment in applied psychology from multiple perspectives.

Mental Health Conditions
20 credits

This module will investigate current approaches to the study of mental health. It will critically evaluate theories of mental health conditions and related treatment options. You will consider models of mental health conditions and the benefits of moving towards a biopsychosocial model.

Optional Modules

Study Year Abroad - Psychology
120 credits

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

Sandwich Year - Psychology
120 credits

Within this module you will have the chance to undertake an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement your programme of study at LJMU. This will give you the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to your programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.

Level 6

Core modules

Psychology Dissertation
40 credits

This module aims to allow you to develop and independently apply your empirical research skills in your chosen area of psychology. You will explore in depth, recent and relevant literature in your chosen field and use it to guide the design of a methodologically appropriate study to address a specific research question.

Optional Modules

Clinical Psychology
20 credits

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the discipline and profession of Clinical Psychology. The module will provide students with an understanding of the role and core competencies of a Clinical Psychologist, including assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation with emphasis on considering lived experience and culture throughout. Students will critically explore a range of different therapeutic approaches and accompanying theory. The module also aims to provide insight into this potential career avenue for those interested in the profession.

Forensic and Investigative Psychology
20 credits

This module aims to allow you to critically evaluate and apply psychological theories and knowledge in relation to real-world forensic problems. You will work in cross-disciplinary groups to critically explore and evaluate a range of potential solutions to real-world problems.

Health Psychology
20 credits

This module will explore psychological theory, as it relates to public health care. It will also examine some of the major threats to public health, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You will explore in-depth the major concepts and research methods used in the field of health psychology.

Cognitive Neuroscience
20 credits

Cognitive Neuroscience addresses the question how the brain enables human cognition and behaviour by employing a variety of different methodologies. The module will examine how methodologies as for example lesion studies, functional brain imaging, electrophysiological studies and behavioural experiments contribute to our understanding of a variety of cognitive functions such as memory, attention and perception.

Positive Psychology
20 credits

The aim of this module is to explore in-depth the major concepts and research methods used in the field of positive psychology. You learn in-depth discussions of the psychology science associated with human strengths, flourishing and positive emotions. You will also explore the position of Positive Psychology in relation to other branches of Psychology.

Psychology in Education
20 credits

This module will be of interest if you are considering a career in teaching or Educational Psychology. Factors affecting individual differences in children's academic performance will be explored with a particular emphasis on cognitive factors. In considering educational interventions you will learn about the ethics of research into interventions. You will think critically about the selection of interventions for specific learning difficulties based on research evidence and develop psychological literacy that would be relevant for a career in education.

Psychopharmacology and Addictive Behaviour
10 credits

This module will introduce you to popular drugs of abuse, their mechanisms of action and their effects. You will learn how the effects of drugs can be harmful and are related to many factors including purity, dose and route of administration.

Face Perception: Processes and Disorders
10 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to theory and research relating to the processes of attending to, categorising and recognising human faces. You will also be able to examine the forensic applications of research in face perception.

Social Cognition
10 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce you to theory and research concerning social cognition and to analyse and evaluate key models and theories within the field of social cognition. You will also be able to explore contemporary applied issues in social cognition.

Functions of Human Sleep
10 credits

This module will introduce key theories of the functional role of sleep in relation to the brain and behaviour. You will explore contemporary applied issues in sleep research and consider potential conflict between sleep as a biological drive.

Work Psychology
10 credits

The module is designed to provide a clear introduction to work psychology by covering contemporary research material to enable students to develop a critical understanding of some of the key themes in work psychology.

Experimental Psychology
20 credits

The aim of this module is to Introduce theoretical perspectives in the experimental study of human cognition and behaviour. The module will provide you with the skills needed to prepare a research report in a concise manner in the style needed for publication including focusing on the key elements of this work.

Psychology of Sexual Violence
10 credits

This module aims to provide criminal justice practitioners of the future a basic understanding of sexual violence and sexual offenders, providing you with an understanding of the different types of sexual violence and an understanding of the psychological theories and motivational explanations which underpin our current understanding of why offenders commit such offences.

Work-based learning
10 credits

This module will provide you with opportunities for skill development in a workplace context. This will help you to articulate your current and required skillsets when planning your career progression after leaving LJMU.

The Psychology of Advertising
20 credits

The module will explore multiple aspects of advertising from a wide-range of psychological perspectives, including cognitive, social and critical. The course will be partly assessed through a conventional written-exam and also through a portfolio. The portfolio will be comprised of a group "pitch" presentation, with a focus on professional skills and a reflective essay, focusing on the students' team-working skills

Teaching and work-related learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is via lectures, seminars, online activities and workshop groups, with the time allocated to private study increasing as you progress through the course, although you will always have the regular support of tutorial group meetings. You will be expected to write a dissertation in your third year, with ten hours one-to-one support provided by your personal tutor.

Work-related Learning

The discipline of psychology can lead to such a wide variety of careers, and employers increasingly recognise its value. This programme is carefully designed to help you develop not only your knowledge, skills and competencies in your subject area, but also your personal skills to ensure that you emerge from your degree studies as a fully-rounded, balanced, well-adjusted and practical individual: all qualities that are highly valued by employers. Although this is a full-time course, you will have the opportunity to put your practical skills and knowledge into practice in your second year when you are offered the opportunity to complete a work placement and present a report on it.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

As a Psychology student, you will benefit from a structured and supportive learning environment where your development as a highly employable individual is paramount. A tutorial system is built into every level of your course so you will have constant support, whether it involves getting feedback on your work or discussing more general course issues.

Assessment

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

All students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. These include exams (seen/unseen, multiple choice tests, short answer questions), written work (essays), individual verbal presentations, practical/lab reports and a dissertation. Final year option modules vary in assessment from 100% course work to 100% exams.

You will receive feedback on your coursework within three weeks of submitting it and your personal tutor will give constructive advice and discuss any issues with you.

Course tutors

Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning

My main area of research focusses on the cognitive demands of multitasking and media multitasking. In recent years I have also been involved in research projects related to aspects of the student experience, including the distractive use of technology. I enjoy being involved in the development of policy relating to teaching and learning, and supporting other staff to enhance this side of their role.

Facilities

What you can expect from your School

Our Psychology team is based in the Tom Reilly Building on LJMUs City Campus (Byrom Street site), which is located in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Byrom Street offers undergraduate students excellent laboratory and research facilities and a host of cafes and social spaces. Its easy access to LJMUs Avril Robarts library on Tithebarn Street, which is a few minutes away. You will have tutorials, lectures and seminars in several different buildings around City Campus.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: BBB-ABB (120-128)

Qualification requirements

GCSEs and equivalents

GCSE Grade 4 or Grade C or above in English Language and Maths/Numeracy

GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

BBB-ABB
Minimum Number of A Levels: 2
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
General Studies: Not accepted

BTECs

Extended Diploma: DDM

Access awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Pass overall with a minimum of 120 points including relevant subjects

International Baccalaureate

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

OCR Cambridge Technical

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

Irish awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject

T levels

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.

International requirements

International entry requirements

Find your country

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.