BSc in Psychology with Study Abroad

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The BSc Psychology with Study Abroad at the University of Exeter is designed for students who want a strong scientific grounding in psychology combined with international academic experience. It is well suited for students who are curious about human behaviour, enjoy research and analysis, and want to strengthen their employability through global study exposure.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, you build a strong foundation in psychology through core areas such as Introduction to Biological Psychology, Introduction to Social Psychology, and Cognition, Emotion and Development. Alongside this, you study Introduction to Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics, which help you understand how psychological research is designed, conducted, and interpreted. The focus is on developing scientific thinking and core analytical skills in psychology.

Year 2:
In the second year, you move into more advanced study, including Personality and Individual Differences, Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology, and Cognition and Emotion. You also continue developing your research abilities through Methods and Statistics in Psychology II, while gaining more experience in experimental and applied psychology. This year builds independence in both theoretical understanding and research practice.

Year 3 (Study Abroad Year):
During the third year, you study psychology at a partner university overseas. You take psychology-related modules that complement your Exeter degree while experiencing a different academic system and culture. This year helps you develop adaptability, independence, and a broader global perspective, all while continuing your academic progress in psychology.

Year 4:
In the final year, you return to Exeter for advanced study and independent research. You complete a Psychology Research Project and study Methods and Statistics in Psychology III alongside Contemporary Issues in Psychology. You also choose specialist modules in areas such as clinical psychology, neuroscience, cognition, or social psychology, allowing you to tailor the degree to your interests and career goals.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Cognitive psychology, biological psychology, social psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, research methods, statistics, neuroscience, psychopathology, cross-cultural psychology, applied psychology, independent research

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Strong understanding of psychological theories, advanced research and analytical skills, ability to design and evaluate studies, cross-cultural academic experience, critical thinking in human behaviour, ethical awareness in research, effective communication skills, independent research capability

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which provides eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. This is an important requirement for students planning to pursue professional psychology training and accredited career pathways.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

The University of Exeter is highly regarded internationally for Psychology and is consistently ranked among the top universities globally in major rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education. The study abroad year further strengthens graduate employability by developing global awareness, independence, and intercultural skills that are highly valued by employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This programme is designed to help you learn psychology by actively doing it, not just studying theory. From the early stages, you develop practical research skills through lab-based teaching, where you learn how psychologists design experiments, collect data, and interpret real behavioural results. You work with modern psychological tools and are supported by experienced academic staff who are actively involved in research. The study abroad year then adds an international dimension, helping you apply your skills in a completely different academic environment and broaden your understanding of psychology across cultures.

Experiential learning is embedded throughout the degree and supported by specialist facilities and research opportunities:

Dedicated psychology laboratories covering cognitive, social, clinical, and biological psychology research
Access to the Mood Disorders Centre, which works closely with healthcare services on mental health research
Training in experimental psychology, including designing studies and conducting behavioural experiments
Use of advanced equipment for measuring cognitive performance, eye movements, and brain-related activity in research contexts
Hands-on experience with psychological research software for statistics, data analysis, and experimental design
Participation in real research studies as part of core training in research methods and statistics
A final-year independent research project based on original psychological investigation, often linked to active research groups
A study abroad year at an international partner university, offering exposure to different teaching styles and research approaches
Close academic supervision from staff engaged in cutting-edge research in psychology
Access to extensive university library resources and specialist psychology research materials

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave with strong skills in understanding human behaviour, research methods, and data analysis, along with valuable international experience gained during the study abroad year. This combination prepares students for both psychology-related careers and wider roles in areas such as health, education, business, and research. Common early career paths include Assistant Psychologist, Mental Health Support Worker, Research Assistant, and roles in human resources or behavioural analysis.

Career progression is strongly supported through structured employability services and real industry engagement:

Dedicated Careers Service offering one-to-one career guidance, CV building, application support, and interview preparation tailored to psychology careers
Employer events, alumni networking sessions, and psychology-focused workshops that help students connect with professionals and explore career pathways
Strong graduate destinations across healthcare, education, business, government, and research sectors
Development of key transferable skills such as statistical analysis, research design, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork throughout the degree
Opportunities to gain practical experience through research projects and employability-focused academic activities
Access to guidance for securing internships, placements, and volunteering opportunities relevant to psychology and related fields

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students can continue into postgraduate study in areas such as Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Neuroscience, or other specialist psychology Master’s programmes. Many graduates also move on to professional training routes that lead to accredited psychologist careers, including doctoral-level qualifications in applied and clinical psychology.