BSc (Hons) Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience with foundation year

The BSc (Hons) Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience with Foundation Year at the University of Bolton is a four-year full-time degree that starts with a Foundation Year to build key academic, scientific, and research skills before progressing into core psychology and cognitive neuroscience training. It’s perfect if you need a supportive bridge into higher education, and you’re aiming for a career in research, clinical settings, mental health, or postgraduate study—including chartered psychology pathways (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with BPS).

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year (Year 0)

Your first year prepares you for degree-level study through modules in social sciences, academic writing, study skills, and research fundamentals. You’ll grow your confidence in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and scientific literacy, enabling smooth progression into Stage 1 of the honours degree.

Year 1 (Stage 1)

In your first honours year you cover core modules including Perspectives in Psychology, Key Studies in Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Cognitive and Biopsychological Perspectives, and Introduction to Neuropsychology and Neuroscience. These modules deliver foundations in cognition, brain–behaviour links, psychological theory and research methods—including early exposure to lab and observational work.

Year 2 (Stage 2)

Year two builds your analytic and applied neuroscience skills. You’ll study Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Personality and Developmental Psychology, Neuroscience Techniques, Applied Experience, and Advanced Social and Cognitive Neuroscience. These enhance your understanding of brain–behaviour relationships, experimental methods (e.g. electrophysiology, eye tracking) and applied clinical contexts.
 

Year 3 (Final Stage)

In your final year, you complete The Honours Project—an original empirical study under academic supervision. You also choose from optional modules such as Psychology of Mental Health, Cyber Psychology and New Media, Psychology of Loss and Trauma, Sport & Exercise Psychology, Wellbeing in the Workplace, and Young Life and the Mind. These let you personalise your degree and develop deeper specialist knowledge.
 

Focus areas: cognitive neuroscience fundamentals; biologically‑based psychology; psychophysiology and experimental techniques; research methods and data analysis; applied and clinical contexts; original empirical research.

Learning outcomes: You’ll exit with the ability to conduct and interpret cognitive-neuroscience and psychology experiments; apply research methods and quantitative reasoning; critically assess psychological and neural science literature; undertake an independent empirical project; and communicate results professionally in multiple formats.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, conditional on achieving honours level and completing the empirical project—paving the way to professional psychology pathways.

Reputation (employability and student experience):
The University of Bolton is ranked among the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction in psychology (Complete University Guide 2022), and 1st in Greater Manchester for the same. The course emphasises employability, with access to high‑spec psychophysiology labs (Neuroscan, Stim2, observation labs) and strong applied experience modules. Supporting lecturers and applied teaching methods help develop sought‑after transferable skills.