BSc (Hons) Cognitive Psychology with a Placement Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- C830
- Typical Offer
- AAB
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
UEA is ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course Overview
Cognitive Psychology is the study of the mental processes that inform human behaviour, such as attention, language, memory, perception. On this degree you'll master key theories and research methods of this fascinating field.
You’ll have access to excellent facilities and cutting-edge equipment for teaching and research, and as you gain an in-depth understanding of human psychology you’ll develop a range of key skills valued by employers.
You’ll benefit from research-led teaching in a balance of small and larger groups. UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis.
In your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on experience, build contacts, and explore potential roles and career routes by spending a year on a work-based placement.
On this course, you will gain a strong grounding in key theories and research methods of cognitive psychology. You will study topics such as brain and cognition, psychology of risk, the magical visual world, psychology of language, and clinical neuropsychology.
In your final year, you’ll implement your own research project related to cognitive psychology. Past students have researched areas such as autism, face perception, visual perception and attention, and brain activity in relation to social and non-social stimuli.
If you’re interested in a career in mental and physical rehabilitation, neuroscience or clinical psychology, this course is ideal. You’ll learn to handle large data sets and gain expertise in human behaviour in a wide range of settings and contexts, and how we process information. You’ll also be well equipped to go into data or computer science. Alternatively, the course will provide you with a firm base for further postgraduate study in cognitive psychology.
You’ll be able to choose from a range of psychology modules according to your interests, be they broad or specific. You’ll also have the chance to experience topics you may not have come across before. If you discover a new passion or interest during your first year, you’ll have the option to change to a different Psychology pathway, ensuring you’re on the right degree for you.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
On this course, you'll spend at least six months of your third year in a full-time placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. Your placement is the perfect opportunity to get a taster of one of the many professions that use psychological insight. We always try our best to match your career goals and interests with your placement, but because it depends on what’s available at our placement partners, we can’t guarantee specific roles.
Accreditations
This course is accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll study a core compulsory module that will provide a firm foundation for developing your understanding of psychological theory and research with a focus on how this knowledge is applied within the ‘real world’. Teaching sessions are organised around themes and cover topics such as behaviour, social interaction, applications of psychology and understanding yourself. You’ll also discover specific methods for the study of psychology, as you begin developing research skills and a critical perspective.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught in a combination of small and larger groups. You’ll be given the knowledge and skills to establish your own position on exciting and intriguing psychological matters. The modules you take will have been designed by the teaching team to provide coherent coverage of the psychological sciences.
Our programmes promote psychology as a science. They are all underpinned by a research methods route which runs throughout the course. You’ll be guided on pathways across the discipline rather than transported to a destination.
The first-year is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops. You'll also spend time carrying out independent study, researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library, and carrying out research projects in small groups.
Independent learning:
This course will give you an excellent balance of independent thinking and study skills, encouraging you to develop into an expert researcher and critical thinker. You’ll develop accuracy and precision in your written work, become confident in your organisation and time management skills, and learn to prioritize tasks to meet important deadlines. Throughout your degree, you’ll be given guidance on your work and constructive feedback to help you improve.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in a range of ways such as essays, research reports, research proposals, projects and examinations. Assessments will include formative tasks and summative assessments. Whilst formative assessments are not given a mark, detailed feedback will help you with the summative assessments.
Feedback:
You’ll receive detailed feedback from the formative tasks, which will help you improve your work before you submit your summative assessments. We strongly encourage you to carefully read your feedback to ensure that you fully understand the guidance and can ‘feed this forward’ into your next summative assessments.
Structure
You’ll continue studying compulsory modules designed to develop your understanding of different branches of psychology. These include an advanced module in research methods on which you’ll consolidate your knowledge of research design, qualitative analysis and statistics. Alongside this, you'll take a placement focused module to prepare you for the workplace and allow you to make the most of your placement year experience.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You'll continue to be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, small group work, and workshops.
Assessment
In the second year, your assessments may include a range of tasks such as formative work, short-answer essays, summative reports, case study analysis, and examinations.
Structure
You’ll spend your third year on a work-based placement.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Assessment
During your placement year, you’ll undertake two summative assessments (coursework based).
Structure
In your final year, you’ll complete a substantial cognitive research project, reflecting your intellectual interests and career aspirations. You’ll be supported by a cognitive supervisor with expertise in your area of research. They’ll help you use your research skills to plan and produce a project drawing on a specific form of data gathering and analysis. This could be focused on survey work and/or experimental design, in the laboratory and/or in applied contexts.
You’ll also select a core cognitive module, along with a number of optional modules from a wide range of psychology subjects, giving you specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll choose from a wide range of optional psychology modules, giving you either specialist knowledge or an integrative, cross-disciplinary perspective. You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also spend time carrying out your individual cognitive research project, with support from your supervisor.
Assessment
In the fourth year, your assessments will include your research project (which is 33% of your final year mark), and assessments linked to your module choices (which could be, for example, a research proposal, a briefing paper, an essay, or an examination).
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- AAB. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are Health and Science.
- BTEC
- Extended Diploma: DDD excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration. See below for accepted subjects and combinations.
- Contextual Offer
A Level - BBB
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - DDM
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAA.
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BBC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3.
- International Baccalaureate
- 33 points.
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Extended Diploma: DDD.
Diploma: DD plus B at A-Level.
Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A-Level.
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science
International Foundation in Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences
International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering
International Foundation in Business Economics Society and Culture
International Foundation in Humanities and Law
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during your placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fees website.
Extra costs, related to items such as your travel and accommodation, will vary depending on location.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
As a Psychology graduate, you can pursue a range of careers in a variety of sectors. The theoretical and research components of your degree will also provide you with a strong foundation for going on to postgraduate study, if you wish.
Throughout your degree, you’ll meet and work with respected psychologists in a variety of settings. You’ll also benefit from a range of additional training opportunities running in parallel with your degree programme. These are carefully designed to help maximise what you have to offer future employers. They include paid placement and internship opportunities, a business training event, and a range of career planning support mechanisms.
All our degree courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This not only means they are respected by employers – it will also put you at an advantage if you choose to progress onto postgraduate study.
The BSc Cognitive Psychology with Placement Year degree is ideal if you are interested in a career in rehabilitation, data management or research. This degree is also a great choice if you want to go on to postgraduate study in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, business or computer science.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Psychology
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Legal and criminal justice
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Social work and health care
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Human resources and management
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Education, research and consultancy
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Marketing and advertising
Discover more on our Careers webpages.