Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology

In your Psychology modules, you'll explore the five main psychological perspectives: biological, cognitive, developmental, individual differences and social. You'll learn about research methods, and engage with the historical and conceptual underpinnings of psychology. You’ll also have the opportunity to look at conceptual and career possibilities that you may not have previously considered.

In your Philosophy and Ethics modules, you'll focus on the application of current philosophical thinking in contemporary settings and circumstances. You’ll consider our responses to environmental crises, for example, or questions of identity, belonging, social justice and the interplay between the personal and the political.

Year one
You'll begin by exploring the main areas of psychological science and developing your skills in philosophical thinking. The curriculum is broad, and allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions, interrogate evidence, data and opinions. You'll also be introduced to research and data analysis skills.

Year two
Take on further depth and challenges as you advance your understanding of research and analysis, and begin to combine your academic studies with the development of professional skills.

Year three
As you embark upon your dissertation, you'll work one-to-one with a member of staff on an original research project. You'll also learn about creative enterprise with psychological science, completing a consultancy project of your own. Your optional modules will continue to allow you to explore subject areas of your choosing.

Assessment methods vary depending on your module choices, and can include essays, debates, individual or group presentations, projects, workbooks, portfolios, reflection pieces, online discussions and seen examinations.

Some assignments involve collaborating with local organisations and charities on live briefs, allowing you to develop solutions to real-world issues.

This variety of assessment methods and move away from traditional exams builds transferable, work-ready skills, integrating employability throughout the degree.

Modules are carefully designed to inspire and challenge you, encouraging you to think critically. We’ll support you through lectures and seminar work, as well as individual tutorials.

You'll be taught by the core lecturing team but will have opportunities to learn from visiting speakers and guest lecturers who are experts in their fields. We also have dedicated Psychology Technicians who are available to support you and enhance your academic experience.

Independent and self-directed study is emphasised, with the expectation of weekly preparation and follow-up study for each module.

At the start of your studies, you'll be allocated an Academic Advisor who will support you throughout your time at BSU. This provides you an opportunity for regular meetings to discuss your personal goals and development, helping you to make the most of your studies.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our information on Your Learning and Teaching at BSU.

Our students have undertaken placements and voluntary work with a range of organisations.

We have excellent links with third sector organisations, including environmental and educational charities. These links will support your studies, as we’ll explore how religious, philosophical and ethical perspectives can be applied to current issues.

You'll also have access to corporate-sponsored internship and placement opportunities. These offer experience in areas such as marketing, multimedia and product design, filming and editing, business management, HR, customer services, research and analysis, project management and events.

As this is a combined course, it's an ideal foundation for a wide variety of career paths. BPS accreditation allows graduates to work towards becoming professional Psychologists, but our graduates have pursued careers in:

• Education and teaching
• Counselling
• The police service
• Health administration
• Social work
• Journalism
• Management
• Sales and advertising
• Human resources

Some of our graduates have gone on to postgraduate education at Master's and PhD levels.

You will have access to BSU’s Careers and Employability team, who offer one-to-one careers advice, including CV support, to help you achieve your career goals. The team also provides a range of support services for recent BSU graduates, guiding you through the next steps in your career post-degree.

As part of your Philosophy and Ethics modules, you may visit religious communities, mosques, temples, gurdwaras and churches.

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.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) 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.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus, with access to a wide range of excellent facilities including:

• Psychology labs
• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Virtual Learning Environment
• Academic Skills (ASk)
• Specialist resources and subject librarian
• English Language Unit (if English isn’t your first language)

The Library provides many core resources, both in print and online. You'll have access to sector-specific journal articles through PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES, as well as printed and digital textbooks.

Specialist software such as JASP (statistical computer software for analysing quantitative data) and NVivo (for qualitative data analysis) can be freely accessed by Psychology students. Qualitrics, Pavlovia and PsychoPy are available for use during dissertation research.

You will have access to our newly refurbished Psychology laboratory spaces, equipped with specialist equipment for dissertations, staff research, and relevant modules.

These facilities include an eye-tracking lab with a Tobii eye-tracker, a Neuropsychology lab with EEG and tDCS equipment, an interview and observational room with a one-way mirror, and an experimental lab with individual testing cubicles for simultaneous computer-based experiments.

Our dedicated Psychology Technicians are available to support you in using the equipment and lab spaces, and students can also hire various equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service.

Our Virtual Learning Environment, Ultra, provides unlimited online access to learning materials such as handbooks, lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.

You can also take advantage of the learning support provided across the wider University, such as:

• The Academic Skills service to develop your writing skills or learn how to use new techniques and technologies.
• Our Library gives you access to books, academic journals and DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. It also provides a place for individual study and collaborative work.
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• Our Student Wellbeing Services are also available to support you through your learning.