About this course
Psychology is an important resource for educators and policy makers. This course is for those interested in how education evolves, how people learn and how they behave in educational settings. Like a single-honours psychology degree, this course will prepare you for a wide range of psychology careers, as well as education-related jobs and further study.
Our course focuses on the rigorous, scientific study of education alongside the core topics of a psychology degree. You’ll also examine how psychology research applies to education.
You’ll study topics such as:
-
curriculum design
-
behavioural neuroscience
-
developmental psychology
-
special educational needs
As part of your degree you can:
-
study UK and international systems, from primary to post-compulsory education
-
explore key topics like social justice, inclusion and digital literacy
-
use our custom observation rooms, eye-movement recording facilities and virtual reality labs
-
access our Institute for Equity and Effectiveness in Education (IE3), one of the country’s leading institutes for education research
-
study abroad at one of our exchange partner universities
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society. It can lead onto Chartered Membership.
Accreditations
What it's like to study Education and Psychology at Southampton
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202223
A-levels
AAB
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level
DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Access to HE additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2
Irish certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels
or
AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
European Baccalaureate
79-85% overall
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
For Academic year 202122
A-levels
AAB
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level
DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Access to HE additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2
Irish certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels
or
AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
European Baccalaureate
79-85% overall
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
You’ll study a balance of modules from education and psychology. Each year you’ll take 7 single modules plus a double module that runs across 2 semesters. We use small-group teaching and a personal tutor system to provide a supportive and friendly environment.
Your studies will include formal class time in lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions, as well as independent work, such as directed study, reading, assessment preparation and revision.
With our ‘Critical Observations’ modules, in years 2 and 3, you can visit schools and colleges and gain valuable experience. You’ll organise your own visits and we’ll provide advice and guidance.
You can choose optional modules from other subject areas, and even learn a new language.
We offer a range of interdisciplinary modules, including Business Skills, Life in the Cosmos or Understanding Modern China. These are a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and create an impressive CV.
Year 1 overview
You’ll take compulsory modules that introduce you to a broad range of education and psychology topics, including:
-
Behavioural Neuroscience
-
Education in Other Countries
-
Individual Differences: Personality and Intelligence
-
Introduction to Teachers and Teaching
-
Special Educational Needs
Year 2 overview
You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods in both subjects, and you’ll learn about social and developmental psychology.
You'll choose your remaining modules for the year from a range, including:
-
Adult Learners and Learning
-
Curriculum Design
-
Developmental Psychology
-
Employability
-
Language and Memory
You must take the Cognitive Psychology in Education module to qualify for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.
Year 3 overview
You’ll put your academic skills into practice by taking either a dissertation module or an empirical project, which consists of a literature review and research.
Your dissertation supervisor will help you conduct your independent research, collect data and write up your findings.
You'll also choose from a range of optional modules, including:
-
Advanced Research Methods
-
Autism Spectrum Disorders
-
The Development of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
-
Post-16 Learning: Critical Observations
-
Social Justice and Inclusive Education
-
Supporting Additional Learning Needs
You must take both the Advanced Research Methods and Current Issues in Clinical Psychology in Education modules to qualify for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
The module aims to develop the themes introduced in the Introduction to Psychology Module in semester 1. The module integrates the approaches and findings of biological psychology in an attempt to understand the biological factors that explain why people...
This module will provide you with a comprehensive overview of key issues and debates in contemporary education. Through studying this module, you will be introduced to some of the main approaches and concepts for understanding key contemporary education i...
The course covers the topics of personality and intelligence from the perspective of individual differences. Some research psychologists explore the ways in which people are the same, and seek to draw general conclusions about human nature. Howeve...
Introduction to Psychology will touch on a number of different topics including The Science of Psychology, Sensation, Perception, Memory, Metacognition, Social Cognition, Attitudes and Emotions, Interpersonal processes, Development & Health Psychology, an...
Psychology is a science that involves experimental work and data analysis. The module will provide the fundamental information required to progress to more complex statistical techniques taught in Semester 2 and Year 2. Learning about research methods and...
This module aims to prepare you for the rest of the programme and so it is intended that you will develop skills that will support you in subsequent modules. You can expect to develop your knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the interaction b...
In this module you will learn about a variety of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SENDs). You will look at the impact of various SENDs on a child's education and progress. The module focusses mainly on the following aspects of Special Education...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
This module will develop your understanding and knowledge of development across childhood, adolescence and adulthood. We will present historical and current research studies and explain how these link to related theoretical frameworks. The module will e...
This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods in education and psychology. Working from research questions that might inform your future dissertation, the module builds on those in Part 1. You will cover fundamentals of ...
This module is designed to familiarise students with the principal theories, concepts, and research methods relevant to social psychology. The lectures and readings are designed to acquaint students with both classic and current research trends in social ...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
The module is aimed at providing a broad overview of adult learning and adult learners. It touches upon FE, HE and work based learning. It aims to explore the barriers and enablers to adult learning and how such learning is a vital part of the world of ...
This module is designed to provide you with an overview of the human cognitive system and its principles of information processing, demonstrating how these have been applied to understanding learning at different educational levels and in different educat...
You will study approaches to curriculum design and the ideologies underpinning these approaches as well as the range of other factors that influence Curriculum design. You will consider the complex relationship between learners, teachers and policy makers...
The module is to learn and apply practical and technical skills in the context of real research, for example, * relating designs to research questions, * processing and analysing "raw" data according to given research question and design, * interpreti...
This module explores the concept of employability both from a conceptual and practical perspective. It explores the many definitions and approaches to this issue, why it has gained significance in light of educational and employment changes and what this ...
This module offers students opportunity to track and reflect on their understanding of the major themes featured in other modules within their degree with a view to indicating through the submission of an assessed piece of writing evidence that demonstrat...
The forces of globalisation reach into all spheres of social life, including education. In this module you can expect to analyse internationalisation in education as a consequence of globalisation. You will consider how globalisation in its various dimens...
This module will introduce students to the discipline of health psychology.
This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to cognitive psychology, or the study of human cognitive processes, with an emphasis on two of those processes – language and memory. Apart from being intrinsically interesting (who isn’t interes...
This module aims to introduce you to the core aspects of leadership and management theories. It will give you the opportunity to consider key themes related to leadership and management approaches and their impact on educational practice. This module aims...
The module will cover basic topics in perceptual psychology. We will discuss how the visual brain uses information from the two eyes in combination with learnt heuristics and other information sources to construct a perceptual representation of the world....
The lectures cover theory, terminology, calculations for statistical tests, concepts relating to research methods and the use of SPSS. This module will focus on understanding rationale behind different statistical procedures, discriminating between di...
Year 3 modules
You must choose your modules from the following modules in year 3:
This module is designed to provide you with some of the research skills required to carry out a final year dissertation in psychology. It involves developing your ability to critically evaluate and review research articles in education and psychology, and...
The module will look at theories and research on attachment and personal relationships and to critical evaluate the application of attachment theory to understand personal relationships, for example by critiquing articles in the area.
This module offers you an opportunity to learn about Autism Spectrum Disorders. It provides different perspectives about how and when autism is identified. The module engages with the debates and controversies that exist in the field including: 'appropr...
Childhood maltreatment is one of the leading causes of mental health problems in the world. This module is designed as an in-depth introduction to the mechanisms via which early adversity might lead to mental health problems. We will also discuss resilien...
You will engage in discussing and analysing contemporary debates in education and heighten your awareness of the relationship between empirical evidence and theoretical arguments in advancing public representations of educational issues. You will develop ...
The course will comprise of an introductory session, five sessions on current and emerging issues in psycho-oncology, and five sessions on current and emerging issues in pain. The sessions on psycho-oncology cover genetic counselling, screening and treatm...
The module will provide an introduction to adult psychopathology, to present the psychological and biological models that have been developed to explain a variety of psychological disorders, and to examine both the empirical foundation of these modules an...
The module aims to enhance students' knowledge about current theories and research in the area of developmental psychopathology.
This module provides you with a structure and some key milestones in the preparation and development and implementation of a selected research project. Your small-scale project can take different forms and be situated in a range of contexts. For example,...
The aim of this unit is to outline the basic learning mechanisms that allow us to organise our behaviour and adapt to our environment. One of the essential ingredients for successful organisation and adaptation is the capacity to anticipate impending even...
This is an advanced module that exposes students to the scientific study of intergroup relations and interpersonal influence. The module will cover research illustrating the psychological underpinnings of persuasion, conformity, obedience, group/group-mem...
This module aims to provide a descriptive and critical overview of the practice of educational psychology in the UK and to highlight some of the key debates.
The Year 3 Empirical Project comprises two components, linked to one another. Each component comprises its own module. Thus, the Empirical Project consists of two modules. The first component, run in Semester 1, is the Literature Review (PSYC 3003). ...
This module will incorporate critical observation and analysis of diverse aspects of post-16 education. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the values and theories of post-16 education that underpin current practice. Your time in school m...
This module adopts a project-based approach. Through building the first project, the basic rules and syntax of the five web technologies (HTML5, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript) are gradually introduced as they are used in the project. Subsequent projec...
Advertising is an everyday and significant phenomenon. Sponsors hire agencies to inform us about, and persuade us to buy, innumerable branded products and services on the market, though a variety of mass media. Advertisements also urge us to donate to cha...
The Year 3 Empirical Project comprises two components, linked to one another. Each component comprises its own module. Thus, the Empirical Project consists of two modules. The first component, run in Semester 1, is the Literature Review (PSYC 3003). ...
This module is designed to familiarize students with the principal theories, concepts, and research methods relevant to the area of self-conscious emotions. The lectures and readings are designed to acquaint students with both classic and current research...
Societies are increasingly diverse nowadays. This module aims to explore the complexity of the concepts of social justice and inclusive education and how everyone can contribute towards the development of a more inclusive world. This will be achieved ...
Humans are adapted to be highly social. We interact with a number of other people everyday, and successful social interactions depend on the ability to infer other's mental and emotional state from limited cues. Social and affective neuroscience applies t...
This module offers a critical perspective on the ways in which education is organised and delivered, the values and power relationships that underpin it, and the outcomes it produces. You will be introduced to a variety of sociology of education theories,...
This module will incorporate critical observation and analysis of educational and training provision for learners with additional needs. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the underpinning values and theories of educational practices in ...
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
How we'll assess you
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:
How we'll assess you
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
James Hall is the course leader.
Careers
Graduates of this course will be eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). This stands out on a CV and provides access to career and training events at the BPS. It also qualifies you to apply for postgraduate training in the psychology professions.
You’ll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills, including:
-
understanding how people learn
-
effective communication with different audiences
-
empathy
-
research methodologies and techniques
-
evaluation of results
-
team working
-
problem solving
These skills are attractive to employers in the education, social science and psychology sectors and beyond.
After completing the course, our highly employable graduates pursue careers in:
-
teaching
-
the full range of psychology careers
-
social/educational research
-
educational welfare
-
local government
-
educational and community development
-
human resources
-
marketing and business-focused roles
You’ll be in a great position to continue your studies in education or psychology at master's and PhD level. You can also enrol on a PGCE and start teacher training. Because psychology is a school subject, you can apply directly to the PGCE in secondary education.
We offer a number of internships and placement opportunities to help our graduates gain valuable work experience. Our students have recently secured paid, year-long internships with the Office for National Statistics.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
We offer a number of internships and placement opportunities to help our graduates gain valuable work experience. Our students have recently secured paid, year-long internships with the Office for National Statistics.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
You’ll be responsible for paying certain costs not covered by the tuition fee. These include:
-
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification costs
-
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
-
books that are not available in the library
-
equipment and materials used in projects
-
costs related to modules from different courses
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: CX83
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
