Psychological and Behavioural Science C807

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Typical offers

Typical offers
A Level	AAA
BTEC	DDD
International Baccalaureate	37

Course details

The BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science degree combines a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited education in psychology with a specialisation in cutting-edge behavioural science. Behavioural science is a relatively new discipline that focuses on the application of psychological principles to challenges faced by organisations in the public, private and third sector.

While psychology puts an emphasis on the mental processes that underlie behaviour, behavioural science emphasises behavioural outcomes, and the design and evaluation of interventions to encourage behaviour change.

You will be taught state-of-the-art research methods, along with classic and innovative theory and research in psychology, following the BPS guidelines. You will learn to apply this knowledge to provide transformative insights for business, management and public policy. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.

The emphasis in Year 1 is to provide you with fundamental knowledge and skills. In this year, your lectures will cover cognitive, biological, social and developmental topics. Knowledge you gain in these lectures will provide the bases underpinning second and third-year modules. You will also develop research methods and statistical analysis skills. Finally, you will practice academic & transferrable skills while exploring contemporary ideas in psychology.

In Year 2, your knowledge and skills are further developed and fostered through lectures on cognitive, biological, social and developmental psychology. You will also be introduced to individual differences and clinical psychology in Year 2. You will build on and advance your research methods and statistics and continue to explore contemporary psychological and behavioural scientific research, theories and concepts in detail.

In Year 3, you will undertake your own dissertation research project and take four modules that cover a broad range of topics in Psychological and Behavioural Science. Example topics might include intergroup relations, organisational psychology, and mental health. Students are provided with guidance about modules that fit well together thematically and how these map onto potential future careers or interests. These modules are taught by lecturers who are leaders in their field, offering a unique opportunity to engage with and discuss the latest theoretical and empirical developments and to tailor your learning to your specific interests.

All the subject areas essential for accreditation by the BPS and providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) are covered throughout your program.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology

introduces a broad foundation of knowledge of the core areas of cognitive psychology and biological psychology.

Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology

allows you to acquire a broad foundation of knowledge in core areas of psychology including developmental psychology, social psychology and individual differences.

Introduction to Psychological Research

introduces key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.

Academic Skill Development for Psychology

introduces students to the fundamental skills required for studying Psychology at degree level in a tutorial-based manner. The skills covered will include aspects of written and oral communication in line with psychological literacy skills, e.g. summarizing articles, critical evaluation, presentations.

Optional modules:

Careers in Psychology.

This allows students to acquire a broad foundation of knowledge and understanding of what people with psychology degrees do both within an academic context and more generally in the real world, and to acquire an understanding of the transferability of skills.

Year 2 modules

Core modules:

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

develops an understanding of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in cognitive and biological psychology, exploring topics such as memory, decision making, learning, and perception

Social and Developmental Psychology

provides a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examines the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures involving people.

Differential and Clinical Psychology

develops knowledge and understanding of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.

Contemporary and Conceptual Issues in Psychology

develops skills in researching and communicating a range of contemporary and conceptual issues in psychological and behavioural science. It provides an opportunity to discuss psychological and behavioural scientific research in a tutorial context.

Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

provides experience of the practical application of a wide range of research and statistical methods used in psychological research, and develops presentation skills necessary for communicating research aims and findings.

Year 3 modules

Core modules:

Dissertation

In your final year, you will design and carry out your own research project and submit this as a 7,000-word dissertation. You will formulate the research question, employing appropriate methods of investigation and analysis, and interpret the results in light of relevant empirical work and psychological theory.

Optional modules:

You will take four modules that cover a broad range of topics in Psychological and Behavioural Science. Example topics might include intergroup relations, organisational psychology, and mental health. Students are provided with guidance about modules that fit well together thematically and how these map onto potential future careers or interests.

Additional Pathways

Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.

Accreditation

Through dedicated teaching sessions, employability events and optional careers modules, we actively prepare you for working life.

Career destinations for graduates include chartered psychology professions, such as forensic, occupational and sports psychology, but also roles in human resources, business analysis, market research, public relations, marketing, teaching and the Civil Service. However, the broad nature of the curriculum enables graduates to qualify for careers in clinical and healthcare settings. In addition, the academic rigour of the courses ensures that graduates are well equipped to pursue postgraduate study (MSc/MA and PhD).

Examples of high-profile employers include the NHS, Changing Lives, Accenture, Deloitte and PwC.

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Department information

Psychology

What is the link between the brain and behaviour? How do we develop empathy? How does culture affect our behaviour? Where does prejudice come from? Learn from leading researchers in their fields as you explore some of the most challenging questions in psychology today.

Psychology is concerned with understanding the brain, the mind and behaviour. Learning from academics with real enthusiasm for their subject, you will explore topics such as social behaviour, childhood development and cognitive neuroscience.

Our psychology degrees offer research-led education, offering you the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to the department’s cutting-edge facilities which include motion capture, neuroimaging, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories.

Our innovative approach to learning includes a combination of lectures, practical teaching sessions, and small-group tutorials, in addition to optional modules focused on careers and placements in psychology. In the final year of our program/degree, you complete a research project under the supervision of an academic.

Furthermore, you can gain additional research experience with our popular Research Assistant Scheme. You can also apply for a placement year or year abroad.

Students who graduate with a 2.1 or higher are accredited by the BPS as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step towards a career as a psychologist.

Please see the following video that looks closer at studying psychology at Durham: Look Closer at our Department of Psychology

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

Top 5 for Graduate Prospects in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
11th The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 100 The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services on the main University campus, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.