BA Psychology and Computing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Cork UCC

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Psychology and Computing at University College Cork is an innovative interdisciplinary programme that merges psychological understanding of human behaviour with core computing and technology skills, ideal for students who want to design user-centred digital solutions grounded in behavioural insight. Across the degree you’ll study topics that combine cognitive science, human-computer interaction, programming fundamentals and research methods — preparing you to work at the intersection of people and technology.

Curriculum structure

Year 1

In the first year you’ll establish fundamentals in both psychology and computing, building core competencies across disciplines with modules such as Systems Organisation, Programming Fundamentals I & II, Introduction to Human-Centred Computing alongside psychology modules like Social Psychology. This blend ensres you develop both an understanding of human behaviour and essential technical fluency in computing foundations including Programming Fundamentals and Relational Databases I.

Year 2

Second year deepens your interdisciplinary skill set, progressing into Applied Cognition and Learning and Behaviour from the psychology strand alongside computing modules including Intermediate Programming and Problem Solving I & II, Web Development and Designing and Building Functional Prototypes. You’ll also build analytical research capability through Research Methods and Data Analysis, enabling you to integrate behavioural insight with technical problem-solving and system design.

Year 3

In your final year, students can either finish the three-year honours track or, if enrolled on the optional work experience pathway, undertake a 60-credit placement year in industry. Academic work often includes team projects involving technology prototype design and evaluation that explicitly combine psychological research with computing design principles, as well as advanced computing electives and psychology research work that bring together both disciplines.

Focus areas (in a string):

Human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, social psychology, programming fundamentals, human-centred computing, research methods, web development, user experience design, intermediate programming.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Apply psychological theory to technology design, develop and evaluate user-centred computing systems, design and write computer programmes, conduct research using appropriate statistical and analytical methods, integrate cognitive and behavioural insights with computing solutions.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

This programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), allowing graduates who achieve at least second-class honours to be eligible for graduate membership of PSI, supporting further professional training in psychology-related careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University College Cork, the BA (Hons) Psychology and Computing programme is designed to immerse you in practical, interdisciplinary learning that blends psychological insight with technical computing skills. You’ll not only learn theory but also apply it through hands-on modules, team projects, real research tasks and optional work placements that prepare you for the modern workplace across tech, UX design, digital behaviour analysis and more. This course encourages you to design, develop and evaluate technology with a deep understanding of human behaviour, building skills that are highly sought after by employers:

Specifically, experiential learning in this programme includes:

Work Experience Pathway (Placement Year): You have the opportunity to take a 60-credit optional work placement in industry or relevant organisations in Year 3, giving you real-world experience in applying psychology and computing together and integrating academic theory into professional practice.
Team Research Project: In the final year (three-year or placement track), you undertake a team project involving technology prototype design and evaluation, which involves collaborative problem-solving, UX design and testing — applying psychological research methods to real computing challenges.
Interdisciplinary Module Practical Work: Across Years 1–3 you complete core modules such as User Experience (UX) Design, Introduction to Human-Centred Computing, Designing and Building Functional Prototypes, Social Computing, Research Methods in Psychology and Data Mining, which embed practical exercises, coding labs, design tasks and data analysis as part of assessment and skill development.
Collaborative and Self-Directed Learning: The curriculum includes self-directed learning components and team-based seminar work where you’ll collaborate with peers to explore human-technology interaction and computing solutions informed by psychological principles.
Research Skills and Tools: From early stages you engage with research methods and statistical analysis, using tools and software relevant to experimental psychology and computing (programming foundations, data structures, analytical thinking) preparing you for applied research or data-driven roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Psychology and Computing degree at UCC leave with a rare blend of psychological insight and technical computing expertise, ready to pursue careers such as UX/UI Designer, Human-Computer Interaction Specialist, Data Analyst, Software Developer or Research Assistant in technology and behavioural science fields. Because the programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and strongly connected to industry, you’ll be well-prepared for both professional roles and further study:

Career Support & Employability:

• UCC Careers Service: UCC’s dedicated Careers team provides tailored support including one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview preparation, work experience guidance and employer engagement to help students transition into professional roles.

• Work Placement Opportunities: Students can undertake an optional 60-credit work placement in Year 3 via the work experience pathway, giving you practical industry experience and direct engagement with employers.

• High Overall Graduate Employment: University College Cork’s overall graduate employment rate is strong, with around 93% of graduates in employment or further study within nine months of graduation, reflecting UCC’s reputation for producing work-ready graduates.

Accreditation & Industry Recognition:

• PSI Accreditation: This degree’s accreditation by the Psychological Society of Ireland means graduates can become PSI graduate members with a second-class honours or above, which is key for entry to many postgraduate psychology programmes.

• Recognition for Interdisciplinary Skills: The integration of psychology and computing modules makes graduates particularly competitive for roles in user experience, human-centred design, usability testing, social behaviour analytics and technology evaluation.

Graduation Outcomes:

• Direct Employment: Graduates are positioned to enter technology and behavioural science roles directly after completing the degree.

• Pathways to Postgraduate Study: This degree facilitates progression into postgraduate study in psychology disciplines (e.g., clinical, organisational, applied psychology) or computing-related masters (e.g., data science, interactive media), including conversion or specialist pathways.

• Interdisciplinary Career Trajectories: Employers increasingly value graduates who combine technical programming skills with human-centred insight — giving UCC Psychology and Computing alumni distinctive employability.

Further Academic Progression:

After finishing the BA in Psychology and Computing, you can continue your studies via postgraduate honours and masters programmes, such as MA/MSc in Psychology, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Interactive Media or Higher Diploma in Computing to further specialise. Graduates with the appropriate honours classification can also pursue PhD research or professional psychology training pathways, building on the accredited psychological foundation and advanced technical skills developed in the degree.