Undergraduate Course 

The best bits

  • Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate
  • The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society if you major in Psychology
  • Specialist facilities include our observation suite, eye-tracker equipment and Babylab
  • Learn from lecturers at the forefront of psychological research
  • You'll have opportunities to contribute to research projects and conduct your own research
  • We will challenge your thinking about subjects such as race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, class, the cult of celebrity and the spread of conspiracy theories
  • An opportunity to achieve an additional qualification in youth justice
Top20for student satisfactionPsychology subject area - Complete University Guide 2025

Psychology and Sociology are fascinating academic disciplines, opening doors to a wide range of careers after graduation where you can have a real impact on society. 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. 

Would you like to explore how the modern world has developed, where it’s going, and ways to bring about change for the better?  While we all have our own ideas about society, this course helps you build a more accurate picture of the dramatic and diverse changes influencing our lives today. 

We encourage you to think critically and ethically about social trends, developments and controversies. You will find yourself discussing highly topical issues such as social inequality, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, globalisation, the impact of the digital era, the sociology of childhood and youth, the cult of celebrity, social movements and political engagement, marginal beliefs and the influence of conspiracy theories. 

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. 

Our Sociology facilities are based at One Friar Gate Square. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes well-resourced lecture theatres, seminar rooms and social learning spaces. 

A student reading a book on social policy in the library.

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: 

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 your pathway 

Studying a Psychology and Sociology 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. 

In this pathway, you study Psychology and Sociology equally. 

In this pathway, Psychology is the major subject and includes all prescribed credit bearing modules.  Sociology 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. 

In this pathway, Sociology is the major subject and Psychology is the minor subject. 

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:

What you will study

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

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Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

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How you will learn

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:  

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 Sociology modules, you will learn through lectures, seminars, multimedia presentations, online collaboration, guest lectures and class debates. 

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 Sociology modules, you’ll be assessed through essays, case studies, project work, group presentations and discussions.

 

Who will teach you

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts. 

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

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Who will teach you

Dr Ruth Sims

Programme Leader

 Ruth Simms with laptop

Dr Ruth Sims

Dr Ruth Sims is a senior lecturer in psychology and ergonomics, teaching on-campus psychology, blended learning, and online ergonomics. She has 20 years of experience as a researcher and has now been teaching for over 7 years. Her inte...

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Careers

Psychology and Sociology 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:   

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:  

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 Sociology offers a broad spectrum of skills and insights, and therefore our Sociology graduates excel in a wide variety of careers where critical thinking, analytical know-how and research abilities are valued. 

Our Sociology graduates have used their degree to become: 

A growing number of our Sociology graduates secure competitively funded places on postgraduate courses too, especially in the fields of social work and teaching. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points120
A LevelBBB
T LevelMerit - Distinction
BTECDDM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEAccess 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 requirementsIELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,535 per year

N/A

International

£16,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Please note direct applications for this course are not currently available. Please check back for further updates. 

Additional information about your studies

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.

Course updates

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.

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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