
- UCAS course code
- C800
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- BSc
- Duration
- 3 years (4 years with Study Abroad/Placement Year)
- Typical A-level offer
-
AAB (including specific subjects)
- Typical contextual A-level offer (what is this?)
-
ABB (including specific subjects).
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
We require 35 points overall with grades 6,6,5 in higher level subjects (one of which must include Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology).
- Number of places/applicants
- 230/1900
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS .
- UCAS course code
- C800
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Study on a BPS-accredited course at one of the top 10 universities in the UK for Psychology, according to the 2020 QS World University Rankings.
- Gain practical experience through an integrated 30-hour placement or a full placement year.
- Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge required for a wide range of careers.
Open days
Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying psychology at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .
Discover Day
You might also be interested in attending the Psychology Discover Day .
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2021 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £23,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 306 0598
- ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/psychology
- School/Faculty overview
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
We require grades AAB including a science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology). General Studies is welcomed but not included as part of the standard offer.
You are required to obtain a pass in the practical element of any science A-level taken.
AS-level
Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
We require at least five GCSEs at minimum grade B/6, including English Language and Mathematics. If an applicant has a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics, but has a grade 6 in the other subject, we would strongly advise they still apply.
International Baccalaureate
We require 35 points overall with grades 6,6,5 in higher level subjects (one of which must include Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology).
Other international entry requirements
We welcome applications from overseas students. Please see our international entry requirements page for individual country requirements.
Scottish requirements
Welsh Baccalaureate
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A level entry requirements.
European Baccalaureate
We require an overall grade of 80% with a minimum of Grade 8 in two subjects (on of which must be a science or Psychology).
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme in Business, are required to achieve AAB including one science subject and an EAP score of B.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year in Business are required to achieve AAB including one science and an EAP requirements score of B.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
BTEC National Extended Diploma
We require successful completion of a BTEC National Extended Diploma at grades D*D*D in a science-based subject.
BTEC National Diploma
We require successful completion of a BTEC National Diploma at grades DD in a science-based subject with one A-level at grade A. If the BTEC National Diploma is in a non-science subject, the A-level must be in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
BTEC National Foundation Diploma
We accept the BTEC National Foundation Diploma at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AB.
BTEC National Extended Certificate
We accept the BTEC National Extended Certificate at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AB.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
We require successful completion of a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma at grades D*D*D in a science-based subject.
Cambridge Technical Diploma
We require successful completion of a Cambridge Technical Diploma at grades DD in a science-based subject with one A-level at grade A. If the Technical Diploma is in a non-science subject, the A-level must be in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
We accept the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AB.
Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
We accept the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AB.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
Access to HE Diploma
For Access to Higher Education courses, an overall of 60 credits are required with 45 at Level 3. A minimum of 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit. 15 credits at Distinction must be in a science subject.
You may be asked to provide a sample of previous coursework and/or to attend an interview if it is thought that further information is required on your application.
You should also have a good set of GCSEs (minimum of five subjects) with English Language and Mathematics at Grade B/6, or equivalent. Students educated up to GCSE level who have only taken a one-year Access course will not normally be accepted.
Cambridge Pre-U
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).
Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.
We advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
English language
If you have international qualifications, you may be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability.
Minimum requirements are typically:
- Grade B/6 GCSE English;
- TOEFL (iBT) - 100;
- IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each component;
- CIE OR UCLES 1119 English at Grade B.
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
How your application is considered
Returning to education
Applications from those who are returning to education are encouraged.
Re-applications
In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing, the places will be subject to availability.
Course details
Course description
Our BPS-accredited BSc Psychology degree is a flexible course consisting of compulsory and optional units both within and outside of psychology, preparing you to work in a wide range of professions and sectors.
You will study four diverse themes that represent the modern discipline of psychology: mind and brain, evolution and development, adaptability and wellbeing, and psychology in society.
You can gain valuable experience through our work placement schemes, with opportunities to undertake a 30-hour placement in Year 2 or a year-long placement in Year 3. Read a blog post from one of our placement year students to find out more.
We also offer opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner institutions, depending on academic performance.
Our graduates are highly employable and can take their understanding of human behaviour into any workplace.
Special features

"Having the opportunity to observe cognitive behavioural therapy sessions at the hospital has been very interesting.
"To get named as a contributing author on the latest paper to be sent for publishing is something I am very proud of!"
Corah Lewis / BSc Psychology placement year student at the Great Ormond Institute of Child Health
Work placement options
There are opportunities to gain practical work-based experience through either 30-hour integrated placements in Year 2 or a full-time, year-long placement in Year 3, subject to meeting our progression criteria.
Placements take place at carefully chosen partners including the NHS, local schools, colleges, voluntary organisations and businesses. We have substantial experience in setting up these placements, and you will be able to add relevant work experience to your CV and try out life in your chosen career.
Read a blog post from one of our placement year students to find out more.
Study abroad option
There are opportunities to experience life in another country through our study abroad scheme, where you can spend a year overseas at one of our partner institutions if you meet our progression criteria. These institutions have previously included Queens University (Canada), University of Sydney (Australia), University of California (USA) and Complutense University of Madrid (Spain).
Dedicated careers units
Designed with the aid of the careers service and in collaboration with our current students, employability-focused units in Years 1 and 2 will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge you need to realise your career goals.
Building on basic skills in the first year, Year 2 students can choose between two units (with or without work placement), both designed to enhance student employability by equipping you with skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership, and supporting you in developing a graduate-level CV, portfolio and interview skills.
See the Careers tab for more information about how we help students to prepare for the workplace.
Teaching and learning
Lectures, seminars and practical classes
You will hear about the latest developments in psychological theory, research and practice from leading psychological scientists and clinicians.
All lectures are supported by smaller group teaching sessions, enabling you to actively engage with the course materials.
You will discuss concepts introduced in lectures in your seminars, while gaining hands-on experience of statistical analyses through PC-based practical classes.
Learning through research
You will attend empirical work classes, embedded into core units, every week throughout Years 1 and 2.
You will learn how to accumulate knowledge via research while developing critical evaluation skills and designing, conducting and evaluating research studies.
From your first semester, you will collect, organise, describe and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data and present your findings in a variety of formats to different audiences, including professional reports, posters for lay audiences, and presentations to students and academics.
In the final year, you will draw on this research training to undertake an independent and novel research project, supervised by an academic with expertise in that field of psychology.
Personalised learning support
You will be allocated an Academic Advisor every year. You will regularly meet your advisor to reflect on your academic and personal development, discuss future goals and agree action plans.
Additional learning support
We offer weekly drop-in clinics to support students with academic writing and statistics. There are also further sources of learning support across the University.
Coursework and assessment
Assessments range from examinations to essays, laboratory reports and the final year project report.
Our assessment strategy is to give roughly equal weight to written examinations and to other forms of coursework, with examination marks contributing 50% of total marks in Years 1 and 2, and just over 50% in Year 3.
Course unit details
The psychology units you will take throughout your degree each fall under one of the following themes.
Mind and brain
How do we perceive and make sense of the world around us? How can we use sensory information to control our actions?
Our units on cognition will help you understand the brain mechanisms and processes underlying learning and memory, what attention is and how it changes throughout our lives, and how emotion can influence our decisions.
You will learn from experimental studies in healthy people, neuropsychological studies in people with neurological disorders, and insights provided by the latest neuroimaging techniques.
Evolution and development
How do infants come to understand the world around them? What factors influence our cognitive abilities as we move into mid- and late-adult life?
Through this fascinating set of units, you will learn about how people change throughout the lifespan, from learning to crawl to coping with retirement.
Our units on evolution will also ask how human development differs from that of other animals - what, if anything, sets us apart?
Adaptability and wellbeing
What are the risk factors for developing psychological disorders? How can we influence choices made by the population, to help promote healthy behaviours?
You will learn from practicing clinicians, health psychologists and field-leading researchers to explore mental health, the influence of individual differences (including personality), ways we can influence choices important to wellbeing, and criminal behaviour.
Psychology in society
What influence does social media have on political attitudes? How can police procedures be optimised to achieve the accurate identification of perpetrators? This theme examines society through a psychological lens, covering a range of topics in social psychology, as well as the application of psychology to politics, the workplace and forensic settings. Having been introduced to key theories, you will evaluate the research evidence cited to support those theories and consider their application in a range of real-world contexts.
Course content for year 1
Compulsory units from the four course themes will be supplemented with training in research methods and statistics and a unit designed to support skill and career development.
You will have the opportunity to replace the optional Group Dynamics unit for a 10 credit unit from the University Language Centre .
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Research Methods & Statistics | PSYC10100 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | PSYC10211 | 10 | Mandatory |
Lifespan & Ageing | PSYC10311 | 10 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Cognition | PSYC10421 | 10 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Social Psychology | PSYC10711 | 10 | Mandatory |
Brain & Behaviour | PSYC11212 | 10 | Mandatory |
Sensation & Perception | PSYC11312 | 10 | Mandatory |
Group Dynamics | PSYC11402 | 10 | Mandatory |
Foundations in Mental Health & Distress | PSYC11412 | 10 | Mandatory |
Foundations of Health Psychology | PSYC11512 | 10 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
Course units from the four course themes will be supplemented with training in research methods and statistics and units focused on the application of psychology (eg forensic psychology), as well as those designed to support skill and career development.
You will have the opportunity to replace up to two Psychology units with a diverse range offered by the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning or the University Language Centre , enabling you to broaden your educational horizons. (N.B. there are some restrictions on which unit combinations can be replaced in order to satisfy British Psychological Society Accreditation requirements).
You will also have the opportunity to undertake a short (30-hour) work placement.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Perception and Action | PSYC21012 | 10 | Mandatory |
Topics and Issues in Developmental Psychology | PSYC21021 | 10 | Mandatory |
Cognitive Neuroscience | PSYC21022 | 10 | Mandatory |
Evolution of Behaviour and Cognition | PSYC21031 | 10 | Mandatory |
Interventions to Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing | PSYC21032 | 10 | Mandatory |
Personality and Individual Differences | PSYC21042 | 10 | Mandatory |
Statistics and Data Analysis | PSYC21061 | 10 | Mandatory |
Forensic Psychology | PSYC21072 | 10 | Mandatory |
Cognition | PSYC21081 | 10 | Mandatory |
Topics and Issues in Social Psychology | PSYC21701 | 10 | Mandatory |
Displaying 10 of 19 course units for year 2 | |||
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Course content for year 3
The 12 units offered in the final year reflect the research interests of our staff. You are free to select four of these advanced units, meaning that you can tailor your degree to match personal interests and future ambitions.
You will also undertake a year-long research project, choosing from a wide choice of topics, supervised by a member of staff. Students wanting to broaden their degree can also opt to swap one advanced Psychology unit for up to two non-Psychology units from choices offered by University College , Business and Management for all Programmes or the University Language Centre .
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Organisational Psychology | PSYC30242 | 20 | Optional |
Language and Communicative Development in Educational Settings | PSYC31121 | 20 | Optional |
Sociality & Communication: Evolutionary Perspectives | PSYC31131 | 20 | Optional |
Qualitative Research Methods in Applied Contexts | PSYC31151 | 20 | Optional |
Cases in Clinical Neuropsychology | PSYC31161 | 20 | Optional |
Lifestyle Behaviour Change | PSYC31212 | 20 | Optional |
Clinical Psychology | PSYC31222 | 20 | Optional |
Communication in Healthcare | PSYC31232 | 20 | Optional |
Understanding Dementia: Brain and Behaviour | PSYC31242 | 20 | Optional |
Psychology of Politics, Identity and Society | PSYC32242 | 20 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 12 course units for year 3 | |||
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Scholarships and bursaries
What our students say

"My lecturers often challenge me to think more critically about research and how it can contribute to wider existing literature.
"The diverse and multicultural community here has allowed me to expand my horizons and develop greater insight into the perspectives of others."
Marcus Quek / BSc Psychology Year 3 student
Facilities
In addition to the excellent resources available to all students at the University, psychology students have access to subject-specific research facilities and equipment.
This includes dedicated labs for the study of sleep, nonverbal behaviour, eye movements and decision-making. Our neuroscience facilities include EEG, MRI and TMS.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities

"I'd recommend Manchester because the level of teaching is really good and all of the lecturers were extremely supportive and approachable.
"The BSc in Psychology was a requirement to be accepted onto my master's course, but I particularly think that the course helped me in my master's interview, as my degree equipped me with the presentation skills I needed."
Jessica Lomas / BSc Psychology 2015 graduate and MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health student
Gaining a BPS-accredited psychology degree is the first step toward a professional psychology career (clinical, counselling, health, forensic, organisational, educational, sports).
Only 15-20% of psychology graduates choose to complete the required postgraduate training to become professional chartered psychologists; the majority of graduates will work in other professions where the skills developed during their study will be highly valued.
These skills range from research and critical thinking to data handling and analysis, in addition to the important knowledge about how people think and work in everyday life.
Our graduates
Our graduates work in a range of careers, including marketing, advertising and consumer psychology; journalism; human resources; management consulting; academic research; teaching; police and prison service; mental health nursing; counselling; and social work.
We have strong links with our graduates, many of whom provide work placements and give advice and inspiration to our current students.
How we support our students
Through a range of units, opportunities for work experience, support from academic advisors and bespoke careers events involving our psychology graduates, we help you to work out not only what you would like to do, but also how to get there.
Work placement options
You can take a Year 2 unit that includes a short work placement or opt for a full-year placement in Year 3.
Both give our graduates a competitive edge in the labour market, having had experience of applying for professional roles, being interviewed and gaining relevant experience.
Careers consultants
We work closely with our dedicated careers consultants and the wider careers service to deliver bespoke events and support for our students. We bring the careers service to you in weekly drop-in sessions.
Further opportunities to enhance your employability
In Years 2 and 3 you have the opportunity to swap Psychology units for those offered by The University College for Interdisciplinary Learning and Business and Management for all Programmes. Choosing to study units outside of the core psychology curriculum will allow you to develop key knowledge and skills in areas selected on the basis of your career ambitions.
For example, for the Leadership of Learning unit, students complete a project while placed in a local school, while the Marketing unit offers training from the Manchester Business School.
Psychology students are also eligible to submit work for awards that are valued by employers, including the Manchester Leadership Award, Manchester Global Award and Manchester Enterprise Award.
More information
See the Higher Education Academy's psychology careers resources for further information.
Accrediting organisations
The course is accredited as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of The British Psychological Society and the Graduate Basis for Registration.
The latter is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. To be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Registration, you must gain a minimum of an Upper Second degree classification and pass the Final Year Project unit.