Psychology (Extended), BSc Hons

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Greenwich

Program Overview

The University of Greenwich Psychology (Extended) BSc (Hons) is designed for students who want a supportive foundation year before progressing into a full psychology degree, helping you build confidence while exploring how human behaviour, thoughts, and emotions are studied scientifically. It is ideal for students who are curious about people and want to develop strong academic and research skills before moving into core psychology topics.

Curriculum structure

Foundation Year
In the foundation year, you build a strong base in psychology through modules such as Foundations of Psychological Science, Current Issues in Psychology, and Study Skills. You will explore how psychologists study behaviour in areas like cognition, development, and social interaction, while also learning how to write academically, think critically, and understand basic research methods. This year is all about preparing you for degree-level study by strengthening both your subject knowledge and academic confidence.

Year 1
In your first year of the degree, you move into more structured psychological study with modules like Introduction to Applied Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology 1, and Psychology of Resilience and Success. You begin to apply psychological theories to real-life situations, learn how research is designed and carried out, and start working with data and statistics. This year helps you understand how psychology is used in everyday life while developing key scientific and analytical skills.

Year 2
In the second year, you go deeper into core areas of psychology such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social psychology. You strengthen your ability to evaluate research evidence and understand how behaviour is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. This year focuses heavily on building your research skills and preparing you for more independent study.

Year 3
In your final year, you take advanced psychology modules and complete an independent research project. You bring together everything you have learned to investigate a topic in depth, analyse findings, and present your conclusions in a professional way. This year is focused on independent thinking, critical analysis, and preparing you for careers or postgraduate study in psychology and related fields.

Focus areas (in a string):
cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, neuroscience, applied psychology, research methods, mental health, behavioural science, psychological resilience

Learning outcomes (in a string):
understand human behaviour and mental processes, apply psychological theories to real-world situations, design and conduct research studies, analyse and interpret data, evaluate scientific evidence, communicate psychological ideas effectively, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means it can provide the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership when you achieve the required academic standard and complete the necessary research project.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Greenwich is recognised for strong student satisfaction and teaching quality, holding a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, reflecting excellent learning support and graduate outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Greenwich, the Psychology (Extended) BSc (Hons) is designed to help you build real, usable skills alongside academic knowledge, so you gradually move from learning psychology concepts to actually applying them in practical situations. You will work closely with academic staff in supportive teaching environments, take part in interactive workshops, and develop your research and analytical skills using real psychological methods. As you progress through the course, you also gain experience that connects psychology to workplace settings and independent research, helping you feel confident in both academic and professional environments.

This is how your practical learning experience develops across the program:

Access to psychology teaching spaces and research support from specialist staff who help you carry out experiments and manage data
Training in research methods using statistical tools and techniques for analysing both numerical and qualitative psychological data
Small group seminars and workshops where you discuss psychological ideas, solve problems, and apply theories to real situations
Personal academic tutoring to support your development in research skills, writing, and critical thinking
A required work experience component of around 50 hours, allowing you to apply psychology in real-world or professional environments
Independent and guided research projects, including a final year dissertation where you investigate a topic of your choice in depth
Use of university learning resources such as psychology-focused library collections, academic journals, and digital study tools
Employability support including CV development, interview preparation, and guidance for psychology-related career pathways

Overall, the course is structured to make sure you graduate with strong academic understanding and practical experience that prepares you for further study or psychology-related careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Psychology (Extended) BSc (Hons) at the University of Greenwich leave with strong analytical, research, and interpersonal skills that are highly valued across psychology, education, business, and public services. The course builds a solid foundation for both entering the workplace directly in supporting roles or continuing into specialist psychology training at postgraduate level.

Typical graduate roles include: clinical psychologist (with further study), educational psychologist (with further study), forensic psychologist (with further study), human resources and recruitment officer

The University of Greenwich Careers and Employability Service supports students with one-to-one guidance, CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and access to internships and graduate opportunities
A compulsory work experience element of around 50 hours helps students gain early exposure to real workplace environments and build confidence in applying psychology in practice
The degree’s British Psychological Society accreditation supports progression toward Chartered Psychologist status by providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
Strong applied focus throughout the course helps graduates move into sectors such as mental health support, education, social services, research, human resources, and organisational development
Regular employability workshops and career-focused support help students connect their academic learning with real-world job opportunities

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can progress to postgraduate study in areas such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, counselling psychology, or health psychology. Many also choose research-based master’s degrees or PhD study, which can lead to specialist psychologist roles or academic and research careers.