Psychology with Foundation Year

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, encompassing how people think, feel, perceive, remember, learn, make decisions and interact with others. It draws on experimental methods, observation, neuroscience and computational modelling to investigate the full complexity of human mental life, and it has direct practical applications in clinical and mental health practice, education, organisations, sport, public health and social policy. Studying psychology develops both scientific rigour and deep curiosity about human nature, and the skills it builds, including critical analysis, research design, statistical reasoning and clear communication, are valued across a very wide range of careers.

At Birmingham City University, this four-year full-time programme, which includes a foundation year, is designed for students who are motivated to study psychology at degree level but whose prior qualifications or educational background means they benefit from additional preparation before entering the main degree. The foundation year provides a thorough introduction to academic study, scientific thinking and the core knowledge you will build on in the psychology degree that follows. You will study the major approaches in psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, biological and individual differences perspectives, alongside research methods and statistics that are central to the discipline.

The programme is structured to support qualification for the British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is the standard entry route to postgraduate professional training in applied psychology.

You will develop your research skills, your understanding of human behaviour and your capacity to think critically about psychological evidence throughout the degree.

Graduates move into a wide range of careers, including clinical psychology (with further postgraduate training), counselling, educational psychology, occupational psychology, human resources, marketing, social work, education, the civil service, research, and health and social care. Postgraduate study in psychology or an applied psychology specialism is the typical pathway for those who want to practise as psychologists.