Psychology with a Foundation Year

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, examining the processes through which people think, feel, perceive, remember, and act, and the neural and social systems that underpin those processes. It is a discipline that combines the methods of natural science with the subject matter of human experience, and it ranges from the molecular mechanisms of the brain to the dynamics of social groups and cultural systems. Studying psychology at degree level means developing both a rigorous scientific training and a broad understanding of the many domains in which psychological knowledge is applied.

At Swansea University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, giving you thorough preparation before the main degree begins. You will study the psychological and neuroscientific processes that underpin activities such as thinking, reasoning, memory, and language, learn about the effects of brain injury on behaviour and cognition, and explore ways to improve health-related behaviour. Swansea's psychology department provides a research-led environment, and you will engage with current debates and methodologies in the discipline throughout.

The foundation year ensures that students who have the potential and motivation to succeed are not held back by gaps in their prior preparation.

You will develop strong research skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods, the ability to evaluate evidence critically, and the written and verbal communication skills that psychological training demands.

Graduates of accredited psychology degrees hold the British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Chartership, which is the foundation for postgraduate training in applied psychology. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in clinical, educational, forensic, occupational, or sport and exercise psychology. Others go on to work in research, human resources, marketing, social care, healthcare, and a wide range of other fields where psychological understanding is valued.