Psychology and Education Studies
This course has research at its heart, designed to help you become an effective, skilled and forward-thinking psychologist whilst developing your understanding of education.
You'll be taught by expert staff who are conducting influential studies into areas of psychology such as mental health and wellbeing, compassion and mindfulness, autism and maths anxiety.
And you’ll have guest lectures by world-class researchers. You’ll also conduct your own research and be able to contribute to cutting-edge psychological research projects at the University.
Studying Education at Derby provides you with an intellectually stimulating course that will make you an authority on current education policy and practice. You will be provided with a solid understanding of education and educational equality, bringing together perspectives from history, psychology, sociology and philosophy.
Your Education Studies modules will explore the role of education in society and examines how moral and social issues shape learning. You’ll then be able to apply this practically on work placement opportunities throughout your studies.
Specialist facilities
Our Psychology facilities are used for both teaching and research. They include computing labs with specialist software for designing experiments and research. You'll use a range of psychological recording equipment such as the latest eye-tracker equipment for analysing eye movement and our Babylab for ethical research with babies and young children.
Accredited course*
British Psychological Society accreditation means we're delivering a high standard of psychology education. It shows we've met BPS standards for course content and design, and student development. It also means you can apply for BPS student membership. This provides:
- Access to networking opportunities
- The BPS student online community
- Discounts on books
- Events and e-learning
- Academic journals
- The chance to transfer to graduate membership free of charge after completing your degree
And you will have the opportunity to progress to accredited postgraduate qualifications and training to gain chartered membership of the BPS.
For students to receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), students need to do the following:
- Choose a Psychology major pathway with all prescribed modules
- Obtain at least a 40% overall for the Independent Study in Psychology
- Obtain at least a lower second-class degree
Choose your pathway
Studying a Psychology and Education Studies Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.
You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology with Education Studies
In this pathway, Psychology is the major subject and includes all prescribed credit bearing modules. Education Studies is the minor subject. Students receive BPS accreditation with this pathway. If students majoring in Psychology do not pass all prescribed credit bearing Psychology modules, the title of the degree will alter to say Psychological Studies.
What is a Joint Honours degree?
A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.
A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:
- You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
- You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
- You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with
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.
For Psychology modules, you will learn from lecturers and tutors who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on issues that are significant at every stage of life, from birth to old age, including:
- Maternal health and the development of new-borns, to help improve health care during childhood
- Mental health and wellbeing such as maths-induced anxiety, eating disorders, addiction and irrational thinking
- Compassion and mindfulness, tackling self-esteem issues and fostering sensitive support for others
- The psychological aspects of pain
- Emotional processing
- The positive benefits of engaging with the natural environment
Your lecturers bring their latest thinking to your studies. And, in some cases, you’ll have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. Quality inspectors have commended us for being “at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning” in Psychology.
For Education Studies modules, you will be taught using a variety of methods from directed study, lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught by influential researchers and published authors whose work is shaping the debate about the future of education. Their research in education includes topics such as:
- inclusion
- diversity
- social equality
- online learning
- pastoral care in primary, secondary and higher education
How you are assessed
For Psychology modules, you’ll be assessed mainly through assignments, via essays, posters, presentations, and reports. You may also have to take some exams. These can include essay questions, multiple choice and short answer questions.
For Education Studies modules, you won’t have to take any exams. You will be assessed through course work, including essays, presentations, portfolios, reports and case study analysis.
Who will teach you
You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2023 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 120-128 |
| A Level | ABB-BBB |
| T Level | Merit - Distinction |
| BTEC | N/A |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 120-128 |
| A Level | ABB-BBB |
| T Level | Merit - Distinction |
| BTEC | DDM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
Studying psychology opens doors to many different sectors and professions - anywhere an understanding of people is valued - so your career options will be broad. Our Psychology graduates have gone on to successful roles in sectors such as:
- psychological research
- scientific or clinical research
- charity leadership
- mental health support and management
- health services and therapeutic care
- probation service and police
- human resources
- health psychology
- educational psychology
- occupational psychology
- forensic psychology
- clinical psychology
- teaching
Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:
- written and verbal communication
- research and analytical
- personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection
- numeracy
- IT literacy
- critical awareness
If you want to become a Psychologist or progress to Postgraduate study in Psychology, we advise that you major in Psychology including all prescribed credit bearing modules. This means you will receive accreditation from the British Psychological Society.
Studying Education Studies offers a wide range of career opportunities, not only in education but also in social care, health care, careers and guidance, and the voluntary sector.
Our graduates are now enjoying success as:
- higher-level teaching assistants
- welfare child-protection officers
- early-years practitioners
- care assistants
- community-learning facilitators
Throughout the course, we place great emphasis on improving your employability. We encourage students to showcase their future aspirations and explore the many career directions available.
If you’d like to train to be a teacher, you will be guaranteed an interview for our PGCE Primary if you meet the entry requirements.
You could also apply to study our PGCE Post-14 (Education and Training) or enhance your career prospects further still by continuing to study with us at masters level.
Careers and Employment Service
Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Access to essential software (SPSS and NVivo)
- Access to any materials included in taught areas such as biopsychology, research methods and related optional modules
- DBS check if you are undertaking a placement facilitated by the course
- Visit to the British Psychological Society's Psychology4Graduates national event
- Induction activities and visits
- Any in-class visits (Guest workshops)
- All visiting speakers to enhance module content
- Discipline Area Conferences such as Education & SEND Conferences and Symposium, Careers Conferences, Early Childhood Studies Conferences
- Placement travel costs that exceed stated amount per day (2020-21 stated amount currently £5 per day) for the mandatory days/hours required for the placement module
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Print costs
- Replacement DBS if lost, approx. cost £50
- Placement travel costs that exceed £5 per day for one day a week in semester 2 of stage 2 only
Optional costs not included in your fees
- You may wish to purchase optional textbooks or e-books to support your studies - costs for these are dependent on your choice
- Printing costs of course materials if hard copy desired - approximate cost is 5p per sheet
- Student membership of the British Psychological Society - approximate cost is £30
- All placement travel costs outside the one day a week in semester 2 of stage 2
- Field trips abroad that offer enrichment opportunities – these are optional, approx. cost £430-£1000
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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