Skip to main content

Educational Psychology

BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - single honours

Award
BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology
School/s
School of Education, School of Sciences
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: DP10 or DP11
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Immerse yourself in the science of learning with our Educational Psychology degree.

  • Explore educational policy and practice in order to create change.
  • Gain the research and analytical skills you need to investigate and generate new knowledge.
  • Take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how, and in which contexts, individuals learn.

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

#7 in the UK

for Student-Staff Ratio in Education (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

How do we learn as individuals and in groups? And how can policy and practice be changed to support social justice and transform lives?

Our multidisciplinary Educational Psychology degree uses the lens of psychology to explore educational policy and practice – locally, nationally and internationally – in order to create change.

Educational Psychology at Bath Spa has professionalism at its core. We’ll help you identify and nurture your career aspirations throughout all three years of your studies. You’ll also gain real-world experience during a placement in your second year.

You’ll explore the diversity of individuals and the contexts in which they learn. Our aim is that you’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills you need for further study or employment within the educational psychology sector – and beyond.


Open Days

Get a taste of life at Bath Spa – come to one of our Open Days.

Book your place


Accreditation

This course has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society, provided you achieve a 2.2 overall and pass the final year dissertation. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills for further studies or employment within the education psychology sector and beyond.

The logo for BPS accreditation for Educational Psychology

 

What you'll learn

Overview

Our Educational Psychology degree is informed by our Centre for Research in Early Childhood and the Psychology Centre for Health and Cognition, and builds on our externally funded projects on neuroscience in education.

Within this course you'll discover the science of learning in groups and individuals, and gain the research skills you need to investigate and generate new knowledge in the field.

You'll also explore your professional identity through a work placement opportunity in your second year, and use the lens of psychology to explore local, national and international policy and practice in order to transform lives.

Course structure

Year one
You'll learn the foundational concepts of education and psychology, including human development, the influence of social interactions, the importance of individual differences, how we learn, as well as how, why, and where we educate.

Year two
Deep-dive into scientific ways of knowing, the mind and brain, social influences, and supporting learners with diverse needs. In addition, you'll embark on an embedded professional practice placement through which you'll explore your professional identity.

Year three
Advance your understanding of human development and cognition, apply your knowledge from years one and two to professional contexts. You'll engage with an in-depth research project exploring areas within the intersection of education and psychology, such as health and wellbeing.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is continuous, and can include:

  • Essays
  • Examinations
  • Group presentations
  • Research-based reports
  • Portfolio-based work.

We’ll provide you with regular feedback on how you're doing and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.

How will I be taught?

Teaching is through a mix of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials and practical lessons.

Seminars are usually more informal than lectures – they're opportunities for you to discuss, ask questions and get involved in activities and debates. Bookable tutorials enable you to have one-to-one discussions with staff.

You’ll be taught by experienced and respected University staff. Throughout the course they’ll introduce you to their specialisms and research interests.

You’ll also benefit from visiting speakers – these include early childhood setting leaders, play therapists, children’s services, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international visitors.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • Introduction to Psychology (BPS)
  • Research Methods in Psychology 1 (BPS)
  • Individual differences - Personality and Intelligence (BPS)
  • Education for Change
  • Controversial Issues in Special and Inclusive Education
  • Introduction to Educational Psychology
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • Research Methods in Psychology 2 (BPS)
  • Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (BPS)
  • Biological and Social Psychology (BPS)
  • Supporting Learners with Additional Needs
  • Professional Practice in Education
  • Environment and Education
  • Youth in Society - Power, Politics and Participation
  • Education, Social Inequalities and Social Justice
  • Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Dissertation - Design and Pre-registration (BPS)
  • Dissertation - Research Report (BPS)
  • Contemporary Application of Psychological Science (BPS)
  • Health, Education and Wellbeing
  • Professional Practice: Supporting the Dyslexic Learner
  • Advanced Educational Psychology
  • Social and Educational Inclusion

Opportunities

Work placements, industry links and internships

We encourage you to undertake placement opportunities, especially in your second year. We offer an embedded placement within the Professional Practice in Education module during the second year.

Students who take advantage of the Global Citizenship programme can use their scholarship to support the option of undertaking an international placement.

Our students also make use of part-funded Santander internship and placement opportunities.

Previous students have worked with charities, youth centres, local authorities, and third-sector organisations such as museums, as well as schools and early years settings.

Careers

Those with backgrounds in educational psychology often go on to become:

  • Educational researchers
  • School psychologists
  • College counsellors
  • Community, social and public service teachers.

You may choose to work in educational and training advisory roles in a range of organisations including:

  • Local and community organisations
  • Businesses
  • Local authorities
  • Prison services
  • Non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities
  • Museums, art galleries and libraries.

With the numeracy, scientific, and people skills gained on our educational psychology degree, you’ll be well suited to undertake postgraduate education at the Master's and PhD levels, and be able to apply for PGCE courses in primary teacher training.

Graduates can apply directly for postgraduate training in order to work towards becoming a professional psychologist.

Competitions and awards

At the end of the academic year, we award prizes to recognise achievements in academic success and reward effort and excellence. Prizes specific to Psychology are:

  • Oxford University Press Prize for best dissertation.
Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

This Psychology course is taught at our Newton Park campus. You'll have access to a wide range of excellent facilities including:

Resources

You’ll benefit from the multiple research hubs dedicated to the study and advancement of knowledge in areas across educational psychology including:

Teaching resources include:

  • EBSCO (online access to over 400 Psychology-related journals)
  • SPSS (statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data)
  • NVivo (for qualitative data analysis).

You can hire out equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service. We provide a huge variety of equipment, from cameras to laptops.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £15,750

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,150

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We're looking for critical and compassionate students who are committed to working with and supporting children, young people and adults.

An interest in human behaviour and the systems in which we exist is fundamental to the degree. We also welcome those who are curious about what we know, and the research processes by which we find out.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC. If studying Psychology, then a Grade B or higher is required. If Psychology is not an option at your school or college, then another A Level subject will be accepted, but a keen interest in psychology will need to be described in your personal statement.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required. Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher). Applicants will need to show a keen interest in psychology in the personal statement.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Course leader: Dr Hannah Lewis
Email: h.lewis@bathspa.ac.uk

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk