Psychology with Sociology - BSc (Hons)
- UCAS Code: LC38
- Level: Undergraduate
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: Full Time (3 Years), Full Time (4 Years with Professional Placement), Part Time (5 Years)
- Location: City Centre
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.
Want to study both psychology and sociology at University? Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology degree combines both subjects and allows you to take a year-long industry placement.
Our innovative course will give you a deep understanding of how the core and specialised areas in psychology and sociology contribute to our understanding of contemporary issues. You will apply scientific reasoning and evaluate patterns of behaviour, gaining key transferable skills in communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
Sociology helps us make sense of the societies in which we live and our place within them. Our Psychology with Sociology course brings together two closely interrelated areas, allowing you to gain significant knowledge and insight.
What's covered in the course?
Over your three years of study, your Psychology modules will help you gain an understanding of a person’s mind, behaviour and actions, while the Sociology side will equip you with the knowledge of group interactions and society as a whole. Practical in nature, our course will enable you to apply both Psychology and Sociology to human behaviour and society.
Our focus on contemporary and innovative learning practices will help you gain key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving, as well as key skills in two innovative, intriguing disciplines.
Why Choose Us?
- This degree course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. This means that on successfully completing your degree with a pass of over 50%, you will gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society. This allows you to pursue a career path in Psychology through accredited Master’s and Doctoral courses throughout the UK. The course is therefore as professionally relevant and up-to-date as possible, taking into account the very latest developments in the profession.
- On all of our courses you will gain a professional focus and real world experience of psychology, ensuring you are equipped to make an immediate impact in your career. You have the opportunity to embark on a year-long professional placement as part of your degree course.
- All of our courses have an international focus. This is embedded throughout the curriculum, giving you the opportunity to transform your experience with us into a global one. There are a variety of exciting possibilities open to you, ranging from our successful international travel scholarships scheme, through which you can spend a summer working for a charitable organisation overseas, to one of our many overseas study exchange programmes.
- As a student on one of our undergraduate degrees, you will be able to benefit from our Graduate+ initiative. This three-year award course enables you to gain award levels for all the extra-curricular activities you undertake so that you can stand out from the crowd on graduation.
- You will gain a comprehensive understanding of how psychology can be applied to sociology, building your knowledge of two complimentary disciplines.
- You’ll have the opportunity to work in collaboration with our academic researchers to gain specialist insight into the fields of clinical, forensic, health and occupational psychology.
- You can get involved with additional Psychology projects via our Voluntary Research Assistantship and Student Research Scheme.
- All of our assessments emphasise the practical elements of the course, giving you a taste of what it is actually like to be a psychologist.
- You will study in our state-of-the-art City Centre Campus, ideally located for you to take advantage of our links to industry in the UK’s second city.
- Our Psychology department has a wide range of psychology testing labs to suit all needs, including our BPS computer lab, which consists of more than thirty networked computers with Psychology-specific software such as SPSS, NVivo and others such as Opensesame.
- Student support is at the forefront of our approach, with everything designed to give you the skills you need to succeed in the profession.
Find out more
Open Days
Our next Virtual Open Day is taking place on Saturday 20 March. It's the perfect opportunity to virtually tour our facilities, hear from some of our staff and get a feel of what it's like to study at BCU.
Book your place
This course is open to International students
I AM BCU
Olivia Hanlon
Moving away from home and gaining independence was something Olivia couldn’t wait for. After visiting at an Open Day and an Applicant Taster Day, Olivia and her parents knew this was the place for her.
Course Accreditations
This course is accredited by:

Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
BBC or 112 UCAS tariff points from a maximum of 3 subjects. |
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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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Extended Project |
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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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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Health and Social Care |
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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. |
Additional information for EU/International students
Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications to 112 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
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
- UK students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 Years
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
- Full Time
- 4 Years with Professional Placement
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via UCAS
- Part Time
- 5 Years
- Show fees
- Year 1 (80 credits) £6,200
- Year 2 (80 credits) £6,200
- Year 3 (80 credits) £6,200
- Year 4 (80 credits) £6,200
- Year 5 (40 credits) £3,100
Fees for Part-time students
This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year as shown here.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 Years
- £13,200 per year
- Full Time
- 4 Years with Professional Placement
- £13,200 per year
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.
Guidance for UK students

UK 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.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Fees for part time students
If you study this course part-time or via distance learning, you will be charged on a pro-rata basis. This means your fee will be calculated per module.
Additional costs
There are no compulsory additional costs or charges associated with studying on this course. While you may choose to purchase personal copies of text books, all our key text books are available from our library or online (subject to normal library loan and online access arrangements).
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Worried about personal statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Year One
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:
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
Final Year
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:
This course will teach you to assess how the main areas of psychology and sociology have developed, integrated and contributed to the growth of specialised areas which are underpinned by both disciplines.
The course is enquiry-led and practice-based in nature, exposing you to a range of learning activities that enable you to apply scientific theory and research to contemporary phenomena. You’ll learn to understand how people respond in varying situations, but will also encourage you to challenge misconceptions about human behaviour and society.
The modules you study all have real-world contexts, allowing you to examine the society we live in, as well as a range of other psychological and sociological concerns.
Our focus on contemporary and innovative learning practices further contributes to employability, with dedicated personal development modules that focus on problem-based learning.
At the start of your learning journey, we will manage your transition into university by introducing you to core psychological and sociological knowledge, and promoting development of intellectual, research, employability and independent learning skills. In your second year, you will refine these skills and develop critical thinking. The final stages of your degree involve application of these skills in research, real-world and employability contexts, ensuring that you are a well-rounded, employable graduate that can easily adapt to the continuing societal changes presented in the 21st century.
Examples of formative activities include essays, research proposals, semi-formal debates, individual group presentations, multiple choice questionnaires, quizzes, online forums and mock exams. We also offer scheduled one-to-one meetings and office hours for more detailed feedback if required. The formative activities will help you complete your summative assessments with a clear focus and confidently.
Trips and visits
Previous trips have included visiting the Science Museum in London, getting to see some of the museum’s acclaimed science exhibitions, and learning first-hand key processes and information.
This course is accredited by:

The British Psychological Society
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.
Overseas Opportunities
You can gain international insight and experience a new culture with our Erasmus exchange programme. Students have spent a term at a number of incredible institutions, including the University of San Diego in the USA, as well as destinations in Cyprus and Denmark.
We also offer our Make a Difference scheme, which has seen former students go to Thailand and Morocco.
Further Study
Upon graduating from this course, you could progress onto one of our postgraduate courses.
Our MSc Forensic Psychology will enable you to develop a career in forensic or forensic-related settings, working with offenders and victims of crime.
We also offer an MSc Psychology course designed for non-accredited psychology graduates or graduates with a degree in an unrelated area looking to develop a career in professional psychology.
Enhancing employability skills
The combination of Psychology and Sociology will enable you to become a highly employable graduate, able to gain roles in areas of psychology, the civil service, business and the third sector.
The degree’s specialism in human interaction, from two complementary disciplines, will enable you to be a critical, logical thinker.
To compliment these attributes will be a host of transferrable skills, which employers from many contrasting industries frequently look for.
You’ll benefit from visiting professors from various applied psychology settings such as healthcare, clinical psychology, police and specialist academics in other universities.
You will also, through our Careers and Job Prospects team, be offered the chance to develop and improve your employability through workshops on CVs, career planning and interviews.
Placements
The BLSS Faculty is committed to practice-led learning and teaching that will give you experiences of the world of work. You’ll be provided with the chance to undertake work placements and voluntary work, enhancing your employability prospects and sharpening your skills.
You will have the option of a placement year, where you can spend 12 months within a valid workplace, gaining vital real-world skills and gaining valuable industry contacts.
OpportUNIty

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.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
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:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
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.




Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
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.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive new library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Brand new, accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free

Professor Craig Jackson
Professor of Occupational Health Psychology
As Professor of Occupational Health Psychology, Craig Jackson is interested in the effect of workplaces and working on people’s health and psychological wellbeing. Specific interests include unusual and rare occupations, technology change, pesticide exposures, working hours, stress, research techniques, neurobehavioural methods and psychological assessments.

Dr Eugene Nulman
Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Dr Eugene Nulman is very passionate and interested in social movements and social change and teaches to inspire. His academic work is driven by an emphasis in public sociology, bringing the academic knowledge to the wider community.