“Many assignments allowed focus on an area I chose, which meant that I was always doing something I was interested in”
BSc (Hons)Psychology
Apply on UCAS- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
Why study a psychology degree at Solent University
Psychology is about the study of mind, behaviour, experience and relationships. Become a Chartered Psychologist with our BPS accredited degree.
- Top0%for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- 0thin the top 20 best student cities (StudentCrowd, 2023)
- Solent ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for satisfaction with assessment in psychology (out of 116 institutions) (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Our academic team has vast industry and teaching experience, and thanks to our close industry links and guest lectures, your teaching will always be guided by research, and real-world knowledge.
- Access our range of specialist facilities, including experimental cubicles, psychophysiological recording equipment and eye-tracking facilities.
- This degree emphasises the practical application of psychology, with real-world assessments integrated throughout, and the option to undertake work-based learning as part of your studies.
- You’ll have the opportunity to present at psychology conferences, and professional organisations, with mentoring, training, and live briefs for students.
- Through research-informed teaching, you’ll cover key areas of psychological study, including education, crime, sport and exercise, social behaviours, therapy, and counselling.
- You’ll also carry out intensive study of scientific approaches to psychology. These topics, which include research methods, problem-solving and manipulation of data, provide useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, research and IT.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
This British Psychology Society accredited degree emphasises the practical application of psychology, with real-world assessments integrated throughout. You’ll also have the option to undertake work-based learning as part of your studies. To reflect the wide range of careers that are open to graduates, the course can be tailored with optional modules that suit your specific ambitions.
Psychology is a popular subject because it has relevance to so many areas of everyday life. It is of interest to anyone who wants to understand what causes certain elements of human behaviour and how knowledge of that behaviour can be applied. As a psychology student here at Solent you will explore how people act and interact, both as individuals and in groups, while analysing the thoughts and feelings that underlie specific behaviours.
As you learn, you’ll benefit from access to Solent’s dedicated psychophysiological recording equipment, eye-tracking facilities and psychology labs. The teaching team, made up of academics with extensive industry and research experience, will guide you as you apply your newly founded research skills to a range of experiments and projects. This hands-on training eventually leads to a final applied psychology project, acting as the perfect springboard into graduate employment or further study.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Accredited by:
Course features
Professional accreditation
This course has been accredited by a professional body
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Professional membership
Students can join the BPS as student members while studying this course.
Specialist facilities
Undergraduate psychology students have exclusive use of specialist facilities.
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
Solent’s psychology programme is ideally suited to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Candidates should be interested in human behaviour and aspiring to a career where that interest can be put to use. This may be in social work, psychological practise, the justice system or any of the many other relevant sectors.
What does this course lead to?
Psychology graduates are well placed for a range of essential roles in mental health support, therapy, counselling, social work, research and criminal justice. Graduates would also be able to continue their studies, moving onto higher level degrees or working towards chartered psychologist status.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
Students are taught by an experienced and supportive teaching team with a wide range of academic experience and professional expertise.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Learning is supported by purpose built labs which allow students to collect data from human participants using the same resources as professional psychologists. These facilities include the psycho-physiology laboratory, the observation laboratory, and the cognitive psychology laboratory.
Students can use these facilities to carry out cognitive and psycho-physiological investigations. For example, the sophisticated eye tracker can trace eye positions on a computer screen. Collecting a wide range of data using these resources gives students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of psychological methods and analysis, as well as helping them to gain first-hand experience of complex psychological research.
What you'll study
Core modules
Thinking and Writing Psychologically
Why do people, think, act, and feel the way they do? In this era of unreliable news and abundance of untested theories, any serious attempt to answer this question would have to take a careful and measured approach. Often described as the scientific study of mind and behaviour, Psychology is an attempt to do just that. This module will begin to get to grips with what is meant by the ‘mind’ and ‘behaviour’, and – crucially – the reasons why Psychology adopts a scientific approach in trying to answer the big questions about the mental processes and behaviours of our own species and others. Ultimately, the emphasis of this module is on getting you to think and communicate like a Psychologist.
Beginning as a Researcher
In our day-to-day lives we tend to make judgements about human behaviour in a subjective manner using anecdotal evidence. You will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative research approaches used in psychology to study human behaviour in an objective and systematic way. This will enable you to make informed decisions as to people’s actions and motivations.
Perspectives within Psychology
You will be introduced to major perspectives which exist within psychology, for example psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive and biological perspectives. This will enable you to establish an understanding of the origins and history of research within psychology and have awareness of the fundamental assumptions that each perspective holds. You will be able to see the continuity and development of psychology as a scientific disciple over time and understand the places of differing perspectives in psychology today.
Developing as a Researcher
By knowing more about the research process that is used to study psychology and the basic steps that are used, you can better understand the process researchers go through to arrive at conclusions about human behaviour. This module will develop and enhance your skills in conducting data analysis from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.
Current Issues in Psychology
What are some of the key questions that psychologists try to address in modern psychology? What approaches do they use? You will develop a critical understanding of a range of perspectives and approaches in contemporary psychology. You will be introduced to research in psychology, learning about newly emerging studies with practical implications for the community. Understanding this will help you to see how, even if you do not pursue a career in psychology, an understanding of psychology can be great for thinking about anything and everything.
Psychology and Social Change
Individuals, groups, organisations, governments are facing challenging issues and psychology can bring solutions to many current social issues (e.g., climate change, social justice and wellbeing). You will gain an understanding of Community Psychology perspectives for working with communities to improve their wellbeing with a focus on Community Psychology methods for working with marginalised groups.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Essays
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Formal time assessments
- Written exams
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out moreStudy support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
Studying psychology gives students a broad range of skills that span both science and the arts, opening up opportunities with a wide variety of employers. Around two thirds of psychology graduates are in employment in the UK six months after graduating, while almost a quarter undertake further study or combine further study with work.
The scientific aspects of Solent’s psychology programme provides useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research. Students will graduate with the ability to critically analyse a problem, formulate a considered response, create an argument and generate new ideas. All of these skills lend themselves well to careers in the creative industries, the legal sector, government administration and education.
Postgraduate study and training is essential if you want to become a chartered psychologist or register as a practitioner psychologist with the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
You could earn:
Psychotherapist
Typical salary: £43,742 to £50,056
Starting salaries for trainee psychotherapists* in the NHS usually start at around £35,392 (Band 6 of the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates). Qualified NHS psychotherapists typically earn £43,742 to £50,056 (Band 7). Rates for practice work are typically between £40 and £100 per session.
*To practise as an adult psychotherapist, you should complete an accredited psychotherapy training programme. The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) accredits a number of postgraduate psychotherapy training programmes.
High intensity therapist
Starting salary: £33,706
Trainee high intensity therapists* usually start on £33,706 (Band 6) of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. After qualification, salaries within the NHS progress to Band 7, which ranges from £41,659 to £47,672. With experience you can progress to senior roles that include additional management and specialist responsibilities. Salaries at this level (Band 8) range from £48,526 to £65,262.
* To practise as a high intensity therapist you'll usually need to complete a British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Level 2 accredited postgraduate diploma in cognitive behavioural therapy - high intensity IAPT.Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
Starting salary: £18,000 to £28,000
Equality, diversity and inclusion officers typically start on salaries of £18,000 to £28,000 depending on employer, qualifications and experience. With significant experience, at a management or head of department level, salaries of £35,000 to £50,000 can be achieved.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“Many assignments allowed focus on an area I chose, which meant that I was always doing something I was interested in”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accreditations
Accredited by:
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are:
Compulsory costs
- Students whose research and/or placement involves working with children will be expected to apply for DBS disclosure.
- The L2 and L3 Counselling Skills certificates external qualifications will incur an additional cost of £20 for L2 and £60 for L3 (correct at November 2024)
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D*, a T-Level Merit, or equivalent, which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- Grade 4 in GCSE English and mathematics (previously grade C).
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year