Psychology and Sociology

Psychology and Sociology - BSc (Hons)

Explore why humans behave the way they do and the impact of these actions within society. Psychology takes a scientific approach to understanding the mind, emotions and behaviour, at the individual and societal levels. This programme encourages you to tackle important social issues exploring cultures across the globe and to consider how societies have changed over time. Our British Psychological Society accredited degree enables you to gain broad subject-specific knowledge and advanced skills in communication, research and critical thinking to pursue a career of your choice.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2024 entry see here - for 2023 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Psychology Social, Political and Global Studies

UCAS code

CL83

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Psychology and Sociology at Keele University?

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, subject to passing your final year project and achieving a minimum 2:2 degree award

Global Top 400 for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2023)

Gain highly transferable graduate skills to pursue a broad range of careers in business, service, education and caring professions

Course overview

Psychology and Sociology at Keele allows you to explore the mind and behaviour whilst considering both the advances and challenges of ever changing societies.

Psychology will equip you with a well-rounded education and in addition to studying the principal areas specified by the British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum, you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to reflect your career aspirations and interests.

Principle areas of psychology include: biological, cognitive, social and developmental psychology as well as individual differences and historical issues. You will gain fundamental scientific skills in research design, statistics, qualitative and survey methods. With this knowledge, you will learn how to conduct research and critically analyse that of others.

Psychology equipment

Within Sociology, you will explore topics such as ethnicity, class, migration and feminism, and consider the historical explanations and developments for these areas in the contemporary world we now live in. You will investigate how these topics promote inclusion in society or create social divisions based on different opinions and experiences. This will encourage you to have an analytical approach to how you consider different theories and draw explanations to develop fair arguments based on data and your individual critical viewpoint. You will develop your imaginative thinking and awareness around social inequalities and a range of important sociological issues.

The skills you will develop will not only equip you with subject-specific knowledge but will provide you with a variety of transferable scientific skills that can be used in a wide range of sectors.

Work Placement Year

Between year 2 and year 3, you will have the opportunity to take a Work Placement Year with a placement provider relevant to either Psychology or Sociology. This will help prepare you for the workplace by becoming familiar with the professional working environment and having the opportunity to draw upon academic principles, theories, or methods. This will allow you to build key skills in communication, teamwork and project management. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities and creative thinking, working with fellow professionals as well as independently.

You will be supported by staff in your preparation to apply for a work placement that suits your interests and career prospects. This opportunity will allow you to develop both personally and professionally during your studies which will assist you in your employment after university.

Research-active community

Teaching in the School of Psychology is driven by research and you will learn about some of the latest topics in the field.

Research within the school is supported by four research groups: the Cognition, Brain, & Behaviour Research Group, the Developmental Psychology Research Group, the Social Psychological Research Group, and the Health and Well-being Research Group.

In addition, we host the Keele Augmented, Virtual, and Extended Reality Network (KAVERN), Children and Young People Research Network, and various members of the school are engaged in interdisciplinary research, including the Keele Policing Collaboration (KPAC), the Keele Centre for Aging Research (KCAR), and projects with colleagues in Health, Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines.

Find out more about our academic experts in the School of Psychology and their research in various fields.

Final year project in Psychology

In your final year you will have the opportunity to work with one of our expert academics to carry out and report an investigation of a research topic that aligns with your career aspirations or personal interests.

Final year project topics from previous Psychology students include:

Cognitive control and depression
Experiences of disabled students in Higher Education
Sleep and mental health
Detecting deception in others
Victims and forgiveness

Summer research assistantship scheme

The School of Psychology hosts a summer research assistantship scheme which is a paid opportunity during your second or third year that enables you to work alongside a member of staff on a research project. The experience and skills you will gain, such as data analysis, can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for employment or postgraduate study. Please note there is an application process for this scheme and the number of projects available will vary each year.

Study Abroad

International Year

Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Utilising this opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help in your employment search to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe.

This experience will expose you to a different culture and society where you will be able to reflect on your learning and apply your knowledge further. You will also gain insight into the different challenges faced by the community and develop your understanding of sociological factors that impact the way in which people live their lives. This will enhance your expertise in this subject area and allow you to grow personally and professionally, ready for when you leave university.

On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘Psychology and Sociology with International Year’. This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.

Alternatively, you may choose to study abroad for just a semester in your second year which will count towards your second-year grades. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience.

Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

As a university and as a school, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means we aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture in which you can thrive.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda is embedded throughout our curriculum in the School of Psychology and we are proud to have been recognised for our activities in this area by holding The Athena SWAN bronze award.

Student Support

To help you meet your academic and personal needs, we offer a multi layered student support structure. You will have access to a personal tutor and member of staff from the Student Experience and Support team if you need any additional support, or someone to talk to, whether about your degree programme or life outside of your studies.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies and can be beneficial when applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Next Steps

insert-a start

Accreditation and professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, subject to passing your final year project and achieving a minimum 2:2 degree award.

insert-a end

Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Study abroad GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement ABC / BBB

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language or Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM

International Baccalaureate

H5, H5, H5 or 30 points overall

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

T Levels

Merit overall in the the following T Levels:

Health
Healthcare Science
Science
Accounting
Legal Services
Finance
Management and Administration
Digital Business Services
Digital Production, Design and Development
Digital Support Services
Media, Broadcast and Production
Education and Childcare
Animal Care and Management

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Next Steps

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement ABC / BBB

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language or Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM

International Baccalaureate

H5, H5, H5 or 30 points overall

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

T Levels

Merit overall in the the following T Levels:

Health
Healthcare Science
Science
Accounting
Legal Services
Finance
Management and Administration
Digital Business Services
Digital Production, Design and Development
Digital Support Services
Media, Broadcast and Production
Education and Childcare
Animal Care and Management

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

insert-b start insert-b end

insert-c start

Engage with real-world projects

In the Psychology component of the course, you may have the opportunity to work on research led by staff or PhD or master's students. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn about research methods providing you with insight into the diversity of research carried out within the School of Psychology.

insert-c end

Modules

Modules for Psychology and Sociology

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

COMPULSORY MODULES

Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology

This module will allow you to explore a range of topics in developmental, individual differences and social psychology.You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought from expert staff with experience of working in these areas.

Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology

You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought. Typical topics could include the structure and function of the brain, neuronal impulses, how we make sense of sensory stimuli, memory, higher level cognitive processes such as problem solving, and the ways in which genes and hormones influence our behaviour.

Answering Questions with Qualitative Data

In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.

Answering Questions with Quantitative Data

In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.

OPTIONAL MODULES

COMPULSORY MODULES

Developmental and Social Psychology

Classes in developmental psychology will cover topics such as parenting, emotional development, peer relationships, language development. Classes in social psychology will cover core topics, such as attitudes, social identity, group and intergroup behaviour.

Biological and Cognitive Psychology

This module builds upon and extends your knowledge and understanding of key issues in the study of cognitive processes and the biological basis of behaviour. Cognitive topics include processes such as perception, attention, human learning, and memory. Biological topics are related to the central nervous system in normal and pathological conditions.

Qualitative Research Methods

This module aims to advance your understanding of qualitative research methods and analyses used in Psychology and builds on the content of the first-year research methods modules. You will gain an understanding of a variety of methods, such as interviewing, focus groups, world cafes, etc. as well as a variety of analysis techniques, such as thematic analysis, discourse analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, etc.

Statistics for Psychology

This module will cover commonly used advanced research methods in psychology, ranging from classical tests through to statistics at the forefront of Psychology. These include factorial ANOVA, regression, and an introduction to Bayesian analysis. Additionally, you will be provided with hands-on experience working on your own research projects.

OPTIONAL MODULES

COMPULSORY MODULES

Final Year Project (Double) - ISP

During your Final Year Project, you will conduct an independent and substantive piece of empirical psychological research under supervision. You will also have the opportunity to develop a research question and hypotheses, design a research project, and submit an application to gain ethical approval.

Grand Challenges in Psychology

The Grand Challenges in Psychology module will enable you to extend your appreciation of the ways in which psychology and psychological science have developed culturally and historically to get us to where we are now. The topics covered invite you to think critically about current debates and future challenges in a wide range of areas of Psychology such as consciousness and cognition in human and non-human animals, the use of psychology for manipulation and control and community action and change.

OPTIONAL MODULES

Psychology in Education

Psychology in Education is designed to develop your understanding of psychological theory, research and practice in education. The sessions will introduce theories and research and then ask you to put this into practice in a variety of ways for a variety of audiences. Indicative topics may include Bullying, Social skills training and Diversity in the classroom.

Health and Disease

In this module indicative topics include prevention of illness, health promotion, behaviour change and community approaches to health. In the second half of the module, indicative content includes patient and health care professional perspectives regarding becoming ill and diagnosis with diseases such as cancer.

Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System

This module will discuss vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system, covering a range of individual factors such as age, gender, ethnic and cultural background, and mental health issues which can render certain populations more vulnerable in the criminal justice system.

Psychology of Climate Change

Taking a historical and contemporary perspective through a psychological lens, this module will provide an in-depth understanding of human areas impacting the climate negatively, as well as discussing short- and long-term human impacts fighting the climate change.

Investigative Forensic Psychology

Explores some of the psychological processes relevant to eyewitness testimony. How effectively are people able to describe or recognise a suspect? How accurate is our memory for details of a crime and how can psychological research help us improve the testimony witnesses provide? These questions and more will be considered during the module.

SPECIALISE IN PSYCHOLOGY

If you specialise in Psychology you will study the third-year compulsory Psychology modules. You will also choose from the third-year Psychology optional modules in addition to those listed below:

Models of Cognition

This module will develop not only your understanding of key issues in cognitive psychological models but also your capacity to reason and evaluate as a scientist. Indicative topic areas include models of attention, memory, task switching and judgment and decision making.

Psychosocial Engineering

Psychosocial engineering is the application of social-psychological techniques to solve problems related to human behaviour. The sessions will teach you up-to-date social psychological theories of behaviour and attitude change, along with case studies of their application to tackle real-world problems.

Cognitive Development

When do new-born infants recognise their mother? Can chimpanzees take others' perspectives? Are human infants moral creatures? This module will advance your understanding of key areas of cognitive development. You will discuss studies focusing on developmental populations in human and non-human primates.

Illness and Coping

This module will give you knowledge and skills in health psychology, focusing on illness and how people cope with a range of health conditions. You will explore the psychological effects of these conditions on all those living with them, including patients, family and carers.

SPECIALISE IN SOCIOLOGY

If you choose to specialise in Sociology you will study Dissertation - ISP as a compulsory module. You will also choose from optional modules such as:

Next Steps

insert-d start

"Studying Psychology has enhanced my employability by offering countless opportunities to further my skills and knowledge - including voluntary work in labs, and talks from academics. I believe I will stand out when applying for further study and jobs because of these experiences."

Naomi, Neuroscience and Psychology

insert-d end

Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Enhance your employability

A degree in Psychology and Sociology will open up a wide range of career opportunities, having equipped you with skills that are transferable across various disciplines. You will acquire skills in oral and written communication, the use of IT, numeracy and data analysis, project management, team working, problem-solving, and skills in research methodology.

Your understanding and knowledge of people and society will help you to adapt to various environments and demonstrate your skills in the workplace. The unique combination of skills gained throughout your degree will help you to take an open and imaginative approach towards your career.

You may wish to pursue a career in:

Human health and social work
Education and teaching
Legal, social, and welfare professions
Media
Business, HR, and finance
Marketing, PR, and sales
Police forces, prisons and youth services
Government
Charity

To become a chartered psychologist, you will need to receive further training in the specific field of psychology that you want to work in.

It is important to consider it will take at least six years to become a fully qualified psychologist, which includes a full three year degree, such as this one and three years of postgraduate training.

Specialist professional psychology careers include:

Clinical psychologist
Counselling psychologist
Educational psychologist
Forensic psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Health psychologist
Sport and exercise psychologist
Psychological wellbeing practitioner
Further education teacher
High intensity therapist
Occupational therapist
Primary care graduate mental health worker

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Next Steps

insert-e start

Collaborate and foster networks

The School of Psychology is housed in the Dorothy Hodgkin building. Located at the heart of campus, our school offers a supportive environment with a close-knit student and staff community. The majority of lecture theatres, resource facilities and academics are situated within the building. This means when you need to collaborate with peers, or would like to gain feedback from academics, everyone is housed under one roof.

insert-e end

insert-f start

Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

insert-f end

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this section is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

The Keele University Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree. For example, the Foundations of Psychology module introduces you to the principles and concepts of psychology in a theoretical context, while also demonstrating the application of concepts to everyday life. You'll discover how psychology as a science studies human behaviour. In addition, the Foundations of Social Sciences 1 module introduces you to the ‘backbone’ of social sciences, the concept of social inclusion, the factors that lead to exclusion and the impact this may have on individuals, families and communities. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

You will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.

Module Summary

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester One

FYO-00247	Foundations: Breaking the code - Understanding Academic Writing	15 credits
FYO-00211	Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists	15 credits
FYO-00201	Foundations of Psychology	15 credits
FYO-00263	Foundations in Social Sciences - 1	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00269	Advancing Social Sciences	30 credits
FYO-00203	Advancing Psychology	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

How to Apply

Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year (UCAS code C802) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.

Direct Entry Students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

insert-g start insert-g end insert-h start insert-h end

Book an open day