About Psychology Bsc (hons) in University of Liverpool

Our programme draws on our research excellence and our focus on transferable skills means a psychology degree from Liverpool will be suitable for a wide range of career choices.

The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, making it an excellent platform for postgraduate study.

We have a three stage curriculum: Year One is based on the BPS core subject areas, Year Two is based on the research themes of psychology at Liverpool and in Year Three you will have the option to choose modules from our research specialisms. This will enable you to develop specialist knowledge in a range of subject areas (eg clinical, forensic etc). Entry to the undergraduate degree programme is available to applicants with a wide array of qualifications and backgrounds. Outstanding applicants may be offered conditional places on linked postgraduate courses provided by the University of Liverpool allowing our graduates to further enhance their career prospects.

Programme in detail

In each of Years One and Two, you take six compulsory modules across two semesters. In Year Three you take six optional taught modules plus the research project. Our teaching programme is ‘research-led’ in that modules are delivered by leading researchers from a range of disciplines across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. All aspects of psychology are covered, from the study of brain mechanisms which underlie behaviour through to the analysis of human behaviour in social contexts.

There is a diverse range of modules including social and clinical/health psychology, cognitive and developmental psychology, individual differences and biological and physiological psychology.

In Year Two, students work together in groups on a small research project with their academic adviser as preparation for their final year project.

In Year Three you select six optional modules from four thematic pathways with the requirement that at least one module is selected from each pathway. The large number of available modules makes it possible to focus your learning on topics of personal interest. You also have the opportunity to select the placement module which includes a summer work placement to an organisation. As part of your research project, the only compulsory module in Year Three, you can work on a one-to-one basis with an individual academic to develop an indepth research project which may be on a topic of personal and professional interest.

In your final year you are also encouraged to apply for entry to our range of taught postgraduate programmes in psychology (eg our MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology, which is accredited by the BPS Forensic Division and therefore provides access to a career as a forensic psychologist). There is also the option to transfer onto our MPsycholSci programme (C804).

Ours is a challenging programme but there is plenty of support in place to help you. Your academic adviser supports your personal development and also offers pastoral support over any issues you may be experiencing. 

Throughout Year One, you will regularly work within a small peer group under the supervision of an academic. These sessions aim to develop key study skills to help you achieve the most in your studies.

We also offer support for making career choices. In the first year of study, this includes opportunities to consider potential career pathways within and outside of the discipline of psychology, and reflect on those personal skills which will need developing and strengthening over the next three years.

Career prospects

“Psychology opens the door to many careers in an increasing number of areas” (The Times)

A degree from Psychology is valuable in many sectors such as public relations, personnel, advertising, marketing, retail, teaching, social work, finance, politics and sports. Importantly, our degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society annually as conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, providing a minimum standard of qualification of Second Class (Honours) is achieved.

A Psychology degree from the University of Liverpool can therefore be the necessary stepping stone towards becoming a professional or chartered psychologist working as a counsellor or as a clinical, occupational or educational psychologist, and large numbers of our graduates have used it as the foundation for further postgraduate research and practice.

Around 60% of our graduates are involved in health related, social, public service, commercial, retail or financial employment within six months following graduation. About 25% of our graduates go on to postgraduate study and training, many within other leading research institutes as well as here at Liverpool.

Recent employers

Companies employing our graduates in recent years include:

• NHS
• Business Services Authority
• Marks & Spencer
• Camelot Retail Sales
• Unilever
• Deloitte Audit
• Tax and Corporate Finance Services
• Amazon
• Local government
• Department for Education.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Successful completion of examinations at standard X and XII (Higher Secondary School Certificate) with minimum marks of approximately 70 to 85%, according to the course and exam board.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: A  minimum of IELTS band 6.0–7.0, with no component below 5.5.
• TOEFL iBT: 78-88 overall with 19-Listening, Writing, Reading, 21-Speaking.
• PTE:  55-62 with minimum score of 51 in any component

University of Liverpool Highlights

University of Liverpool Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

The estimated fee and cost of living per year for international students is tabulated below: