BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Durham University

Program Overview

The BSc Psychology with Foundation at Durham University is ideal if you want to study psychology but would benefit from an additional year to strengthen your academic and research skills before starting the full degree. The programme combines a supportive foundation year with rigorous psychology training, covering behaviour, cognition, development, and scientific research methods.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year

The foundation year focuses on building the academic confidence and subject knowledge needed for psychology. You will study modules such as Concepts, Methods and Theories in Social Science, Mathematics 1, Scholarship in Higher Education, and Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education, developing skills in research, statistics, and academic writing. This year prepares you for degree-level study while introducing key ideas used across psychology and social sciences.

Year 1

In Year 1, you begin studying core areas of psychology and develop scientific understanding of human behaviour. Modules such as Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology introduce topics including social interaction, individual differences, and psychological development, while research-focused teaching strengthens your methodological skills. This year provides the essential foundations across major areas of psychology.

Year 2

The second year deepens your knowledge of psychological theory and evidence. You explore areas such as cognitive psychology, social behaviour, and research methods while learning how to critically evaluate studies and analyse data. This stage also helps you refine your interests and prepares you for more specialised study.

Year 3

In the final year, you focus on advanced topics and independent research. Modules such as Behaviour Change: Foundations, Advances and Applications allow you to explore applied psychology, decision-making, and behavioural interventions, alongside a substantial research project. This final stage prepares you for professional careers or postgraduate psychology training.

Focus Areas

Psychological science, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, behavioural science, research methods, data analysis, mental processes

Learning Outcomes

Develop scientific understanding of behaviour and mental processes, apply psychological theories to real-world situations, design and evaluate research studies, analyse psychological data, communicate findings effectively, and build strong independent research and critical thinking skills

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree provides the academic foundation required for progression toward professional psychology training and accredited postgraduate psychology pathways.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Durham University is a Russell Group university with a strong academic reputation and excellent graduate outcomes. Psychology graduates move into careers in mental health, research, education, business, and public sector roles, or continue into postgraduate study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the Psychology with Foundation programme at Durham University, you gain practical experience by working with real psychological research methods and specialist laboratory facilities. As you progress through the degree, you learn how to design experiments, collect behavioural and cognitive data, and analyse findings using professional tools. The department’s research-led environment means you’re taught using the same equipment and techniques used by working psychologists, helping you build confidence in scientific investigation and applied psychology:

Access to dedicated psychology teaching and research laboratories used for undergraduate practical sessions
Eye-tracking equipment and psychophysics tools for studying attention, perception, and decision-making
Motion capture systems and virtual reality environments for behavioural and cognitive research
EEG facilities (wet and dry systems) for recording brain activity during psychological experiments
Functional MRI (3T) research facilities with integrated eye-tracking and pupillometry
Developmental psychology laboratories with observation spaces for studying child behaviour
Psychophysiology suites using Biopac and Mindware systems to measure physiological responses
Sound-controlled and anechoic testing rooms for auditory perception and experimental work
Independent research project and dissertation using departmental laboratories and technical support
Opportunities to participate in ongoing research studies and develop experimental design skills
Support from specialist technical staff who assist with programming and building experiments
Access to university libraries, digital research databases, and psychology-focused learning resources

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc Psychology with Foundation at Durham University gain strong research, analytical, and behavioural science skills valued across many sectors. Many move into roles such as assistant psychologist, research assistant, human resources officer, or marketing analyst, while others continue toward professional psychology careers. With dedicated employability support and professional accreditation, the programme helps you confidently transition into both employment and further study:

Support from Durham’s Careers, Employability and Enterprise team, including one-to-one guidance, CV reviews, interview preparation, and employer networking events
Psychology-specific employability activities such as careers workshops, employer talks, and skills development sessions
The Durham Award, recognising transferable skills and extracurricular achievements valued by employers
Access to internships, placements, and work experience opportunities promoted through the university careers service
British Psychological Society accreditation (with a 2:1 or First), providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and the first step toward becoming a professional psychologist
Graduates progressing into careers across mental health, research, education, business, public sector, and data-related roles
Strong graduate outcomes with most psychology graduates moving into employment or further study shortly after graduation
Opportunities to build professional networks through careers fairs, alumni connections, and employer engagement events

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue into postgraduate study in psychology or related disciplines. Many graduates pursue master’s degrees in areas such as cognitive neuroscience, behavioural science, or developmental psychology, while others complete professional training in clinical, educational, or occupational psychology. The degree also supports progression into research degrees such as an MSc by Research, MPhil, or PhD.