Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
This course has recently been updated. Please download the course specification for the up to date information.
Looking for a foundation course in psychology in Birmingham? Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with a Foundation Year degree has lower entry requirements and can lead to a full undergraduate qualification.
This course has been specifically designed to allow home and EU students, who do not initially meet the Birmingham City University entry requirements for our standard Psychology degree, to undertake additional level 3 study designed to ensure they are successful on their chosen degree course.
The foundation year itself will equip you with the required knowledge and skills to proceed on to any of our undergraduate Psychology degree courses offered within the School of Social Sciences.
You will gain a deep understanding of how the core and specialised areas in psychology contribute to our understanding of contemporary issues, as well as looking at the role of brain function across multiple psychological perspectives. You’ll apply scientific reasoning and evaluate patterns of behaviour, gaining key transferable skills in communication, teamwork and problem-solving. You’ll also adopt a variety of perspectives ensuring you get the big picture.
You will explore scientific approaches to understanding the mind, brain and behaviour. Our Psychology department works in partnership with the nationally recognised Higher Education Academy (HEA) to continually develop the quality of both our staff and the course, focusing on self-development, contemporary learning practices and integrating practice within the community.
Instead of only engaging with other academics and psychologists, we focus on connecting with, and making an impact on, the local community through links with businesses, NHS and the surrounding prison services.
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
96 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 3 A Levels. |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish National 5 |
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Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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IBO Certificate in Higher Level |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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Scottish Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology (QCF) |
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Other Qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications to 96 points are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page |
From A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
You have the flexibility to transfer to any standard undergraduate Psychology course offered within the School of Social Sciences after successful completion of your foundation year and you may also transfer to any specialist Psychology pathway when you successfully complete your second year if you choose to stay on this course.
The specialist pathways offered as part of the Psychology suite of courses are:
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology will give you a deep understanding of how psychology can be applied to explain certain aspects of crime and criminal behaviour. This versatile course provides the opportunity for you to embark on a psychology career, or bring those skills to the domain of criminology.
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology brings together two closely interrelated areas, allowing you to gain significant knowledge and insight into how the core areas of psychology can be applied to the key areas of sociology.
The Society and its members develop, promote and apply psychology for the public good. They enhance the efficiency and usefulness of psychologists by setting high standards of professional education and knowledge, and cover all areas of psychological research and practice.
Find out more about British Psychological Society accreditation.
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to proceed on to any of our undergraduate Psychology degree courses offered within the School of Social Sciences.
Our graduates will not only gain a degree with some of the most diverse career options, but also the transferrable skills to support this.
Importantly, all content is underpinned by active learning - degree content and assessment not only meet the criteria for our accrediting body, but allow flexibility of the learning process, which can be tailored to career goals. Specific modules dedicated to employability skills and creation of impact within the local community will further support this.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Welcome to the School of Social Sciences, home to students from all around the world!
All of our undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences courses are open to international students, and our courses have been tailored to take a global approach to learning. We frequently welcome international students through the Erasmus scheme, from countries including Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law, business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite. We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.
For those studying on the BA (Hons) Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.
Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.
Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career. You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.
Dr Keeley Abbott career to date has been characterised by an interest and awareness around issues related to equality, diversity and inclusivity. This is based on her research focus related to sexualities, sexual health and sex education.
Dr Elle Boag returned from industry to academia as a mature student due to a diagnosis of MS. She studied at the University of Southampton and gained her BSc., MSc., and PhD. in Social Psychology.