Psychology BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Psychology

Year of entry: 2027 (show 2026 entry)

Key facts

UCAS Code

C802

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2027

School

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour. It focuses on building and testing theories to explain how people interact with each other and the world around them.

Psychologists study:

  • how we perceive, think and learn about the world around us
  • the way biological and social factors influence how we behave
  • how interests and abilities differ from person to person
  • how we communicate verbally and non-verbally
  • how and why our mental abilities change across our lives

Psychology is an experimental and observational science. It uses evidence from research studies to develop and evaluate theories.

Find out more about what we study in Psychology in this video:

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

  • In the world's top 30 universities for psychology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Programme benefits

  • Our single honours Psychology degree and most of our joint degrees at Edinburgh are accredited by the British Psychological Society, allowing you to go on to further professional training.
  • You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories for:
    • cognitive neuroscience and developmental science
    • human movement
    • individual differences
    • general experimental psychology
  • Our programme focuses on developing skills in research methods and statistical analysis, including programming in R and qualitative methods, to support our research-led teaching.

I chose to study psychology not only because of the large variation of areas it covers but also because of the opportunities it offers post-degree. Psychology at Edinburgh complimented this choice. Not only that, but the data-analysis course provides a valuable opportunity to learn basic-level coding and transferable skills.

India Sachdev MA Philosophy and Psychology, graduated 2025.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Psychology - 4 Years

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Psychology - 4 Years.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Costs for an optional year abroad

If you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:

  • tuition fees
  • accommodation and living costs
  • country-specific expenses like travel, visas and insurance

You can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.

Find out more about costs for studying abroad

You can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your home town or city.

Numbeo

If you are away on exchange or placement, you may receive a reduction in your tuition fees for the year. This depends on:

  • the type of placement you are on
  • how long you are away

As an indication, you can see the reductions for students studying away in 2026-27. These are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

Study away fees for 2026-27

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 each month on living costs, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

We focus on research methods and statistical analysis in this programme. You will:

  • be trained in basic concepts in research methods and statistics
  • learn how to programme in the R language
  • learn to use a variety of qualitative methods
  • have a practical introduction to laboratory-based psychology research

Through lectures and tutorials, you will complete a general introduction to psychology, covering:

  • cognitive psychology
  • developmental psychology
  • biological psychology
  • differential psychology
  • social psychology

In Year 1, you will cover all the key areas of psychology listed above and the history and theory of psychology. This will give you a good grounding in the breadth of psychology. You do not need prior knowledge of the discipline.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 2, you will complete a year-long, intensive grounding in:

  • research methods
  • statistics
  • R programming

You will continue to study core areas of psychology, developing an understanding of topics in:

  • cognitive psychology
  • developmental psychology
  • differential psychology
  • biological psychology
  • social psychology

You will practise and develop your professional and study skills, such as:

  • reviewing scientific literature
  • report writing
  • ethical awareness
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 3, you will take compulsory courses in:

  • critical analysis, which teaches you to read research papers critically
  • a skills and career-focused course, Psychology in Action
  • advanced statistical analysis using R programming
  • qualitative methods which are applied in a group project

You will complete a research project working in small groups.

Option courses

You will also choose from a range of advanced option courses in psychology. These courses are research-led. They will teach you about cutting-edge topics from psychology sub-disciplines.

These courses combine the core areas needed for British Psychological Society accreditation. 

Advanced option courses can include topics such as: 

  • human personality
  • social psychology of groups
  • developmental psychopathology
  • cognitive development in children
  • the psychology of conversation
  • emotions: social and neuroscience perspectives
  • thinking and reasoning
  • science of close relationships
  • colour perception
  • big data and psychological science 
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Option courses

In Year 4, you will continue to choose advanced option courses in psychology based on your interests. These courses are research-led. They will teach you about cutting-edge topics from psychology sub-disciplines.

You will take a course in integrative psychology which teaches you to think critically about what you have learned over your four years and how it applies to contemporary issues. 

Dissertation

You will carry out a research project in psychology and submit it as a dissertation.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Courses are taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • practical classes
  • project work
  • peer-supported group work
  • computer-based exercises

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework and exams.

In Year 3, you will complete a group research project.

In Year 4, you will complete an independent research project in the form of a dissertation. 

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Where you will study

Study location

Teaching will take place at the Psychology building at George Square, and at other locations in the University's Central Area.

Academic facilities

You will have access to:

  • specialised laboratories
  • the School's own dedicated library
  • the University's Main Library and computer facilities

You will also have access to laboratories for:

  • cognitive neuroscience and developmental science
  • human movement
  • individual differences
  • general experimental psychology

Accreditation

It may be possible to obtain accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

This programme is accredited when you:

  • cover the core BPS areas:
    • cognitive psychology
    • biological psychology
    • social psychology
    • developmental psychology
    • differential psychology
  • complete a dissertation in Year 4
  • achieve a 2.2 or above in your overall degree classification

Most students graduate with BPS accreditation. However, if you do not meet the accreditation criteria, you can still graduate with an alternative degree in Psychology.

Career paths

You will develop skills in:

  • research
  • statistics
  • information technology
  • report-writing

These skills are valued by employers in various sectors. Many psychology graduates have gone on to work in:

  • healthcare and social services
  • charitable organisations
  • human resources
  • management
  • business and finance
  • consulting
  • media and advertising

Some students continue their studies to enter a research or teaching career. Others go on to train as a professional psychologist in a field such as:

  • clinical psychology
  • educational psychology
  • forensic psychology
  • health psychology
  • organisational psychology

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

You are welcome to join our vibrant Psychology society, the Edinburgh PsychSoc:

Facebook - Psychology Society

Email the Psychology Society

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

You may also be interested in

Discover Uni data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Source data of all entry requirements for this programme