Psychology
BSc (Hons)

Please note that due to the popularity of our BPS accredited courses we urge you to apply early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and has been successfully running online for more than twelve years. It is one of our most popular and established online degrees. Completing an accredited degree is an essential first step to becoming a qualified psychologist. But even if that isn’t your career goal, this is still a fascinating subject to study.

Follow your own interests

During the final stage of this online course, in addition to the compulsory core areas of psychology, you can also choose from a range of optional modules allowing you to follow your own interests. These may be in areas such as addictive behaviours, applied psychology and ergonomics, or autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.

With a choice of start dates - September, January or May - and interactive online learning materials, you have the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed trimester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.

Free student membership of the British Psychological Society

To show our commitment to our students, we are always looking for new ways to facilitate your growth as psychologists. Enrol onto this course and receive full BPS student membership for the duration of your studies.

Please note: Free BPS membership is not available to students in receipt of Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELC).

Accredited and non-accredited routes

Learning online provides plenty of opportunities to interact with our expert online tutors and your fellow students.

As an online student hoping to gain eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS you must attend a one week residential held at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road site. This residential is part of the Psychology in Practice module and takes place in July. The residential week provides you with the opportunity to experience different aspects of psychology such as experimental design, running hands-on practical experiments, group data collection and statistics.

If you are unable to attend the residential week, or you don’t need GBC, you can take an alternative module instead and graduate with a non-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies.

See what the Psychology in Practice week is all about

To complete Stage 1

You will need to complete all six core modules (120 credits) before you can progress onto Stage 2. We will confirm your study pattern once your application has been accepted.

To complete Stage 2

You must complete six modules (120 credits) before you can progress onto Stage 3.

BSc (Hons) Psychology: To graduate with a BPS accredited degree title, you will need to complete the core modules, including the Psychology in Practice module, and choose one of the optional modules.

BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies: If you do not want or need to graduate with the BPS accredited degree, you will be awarded the title of BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies. For this award, you will need to complete the four core modules as well as two optional modules. You will not be required to complete the Psychology in Practice module, however you can take this module if you wish.

To complete Stage 3

You will need to complete a double module plus four optional modules.

BSc (Hons) Psychology: You will need to complete the Psychology Research Project (double module), plus four 20 credit optional modules.

BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies: You will need to complete the Psychology Literature Review Project (double module) or the Psychology Research Project, plus four additional 20 credit modules.

Your Online Tutor or Online Learning Advisor will advise you of the optional modules available but they may include subjects such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, or The Psychology of Pain.

Please note: Optional modules are subject to availability and study patterns.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Don't just take our word for it...

Graduate Kelly Davies talks about her time as a student with University of Derby Online Learning.

Get a taste of the course content

Our Psychology BSc (Hons) course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

You require:

• A levels (104 UCAS points - excluding General Studies) or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc
• GCSE Maths (minimum grade C)*
• GCSE English Language (minimum grade C)**

We also accept Access qualifications (with a grade of 22 merits or a distinction).

Students who have completed the online University Certificate in Psychology will be offered automatic progression to the online Psychology BSc (Hons) programme where they have achieved a final average grade of 50% and have passed all the core shared BSc/UCP modules.

For all other students who have completed the online University Certificate in Psychology, progression onto the BSc will be at the discretion of the Programme Leader/Academic Lead.

English language qualifications

If English is not your first language you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0**
• TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 4 for undergraduate courses
• International GCE O-level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C**

* If you don't have GCSE Maths, you can study our Certificate of Credit in Introduction to Maths in Preparation for Higher Education, which is a 20-credit module designed to help you develop your mathematical skills in preparation for higher education. 

**If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5, you can study our Certificate of Credit in English for Academic Purposes, which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.

Find out more about our English language requirements

^‡2022/23 for new entrants

Starting between September 2022 and August 2023.

2023/24 for new entrants

Starting between September 2023 and August 2024.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Please note: If you wish to obtain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) you will be required to study the Psychology in Practice module. This module involves a one week residential component at our Derby Campus. Costs for accommodation, travel and your meals are not included in the module cost.

You will be responsible for making your own accommodation and travel arrangements. Accommodation may be available at the University halls of residence for which the usual university tariffs apply. Contact us to find out more.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Undergraduate funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.

If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

If you want to become a chartered or practitioner psychologist, you will need to undertake further postgraduate training following this course (for further information refer to the BPS website). Many postgraduate Psychology courses require Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) for entry; you can obtained GBC by completing this online BSc (Hons) Psychology degree.

If you are looking to pursue a career in psychology, but aren’t sure which route to take, the online BSc (Hons) Psychology can offer an introduction to several of the core pathways in psychology including health, forensic, sport and exercise, clinical and educational psychology.

If you’re more interested in psychology as a subject and are not pursuing a career as a psychologist, or you live outside of the UK where the requirements to become a psychologist are slightly different, then this programme can still be valuable. Upon completing this degree, you may be eligible to apply for psychology-aligned roles such as psychology well-being practitioners and assistant psychologist roles.

This online course allows you to develop skills for a variety of careers, such as working in education or health settings, and in management or administration. It offers many transferable skills which will benefit you in other professions or careers.

During the course, we regularly feature guest speakers who highlight their experiences working in different settings, such as psychology well-being practitioners, senior cognitive behavioural therapists, practitioner psychologists, data analysts and psychologists in training.

Whatever you choose, and even if you’re not sure yet, as a student on the BSc (Hons) Psychology, you’ll be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor who will support you throughout your time on the course and help you to identify your career choices and next steps.

If you are interested in becoming a registered health psychologist or forensic psychologist you can continue to study with us online, by taking our online MSc Health Psychology or online MSc Forensic Psychology programmes.

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

Other courses you might like

• Psychology University Certificate (online)
• Psychology BSc (Hons) (on campus)
• Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) (on campus)
• Psychology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) (on campus)