Entry Requirements

You will need 64 UCAS Tariff Points or above from one or more of the following:

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificat
• BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma
• Access to Higher Education Diploma (minimum 30 credits at Merit or above)
• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills
• For any qualification not identified above the HE Admission Team will determine equivalences through UKNARIC.

Applicants wishing to be considered for entry to the second year of study or wishing to import credits or evidence of prior learning into the course for which they are applying will be considered in accordance with the awarding bodies policy on Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning.

Applications from mature students who do not possess the entry requirements as listed above but who possess related professional experience or professional qualifications are welcome to apply. You will need to demonstrate by interview exceptional entry portfolio (this is likely to include evidence of paid or unpaid work experience) and/or written assessment that you are suitable for the course. In the first instance we suggest you contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk to discuss your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

Students on this course may be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of your work placement requirements. The cost of the DBS check is payable by the student. The cost of this is currently £49.50.

Further information about the process, including how and when to apply, will be provided by the University.

Important:

Disclosure and Barring checks cannot be carried out for applicants who are not or have never been resident in the UK. Applicants who reside or previously have resided overseas will be required to provide a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their country or countries of residence prior to entry on to the course.

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules (Level 4)

• Foundations of Psychology
• Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
• Introducing Social Research Methods
• Personality, Intelligence, and Individual Differences
• Psychology in the Modern World
• Introduction to Applied Psychology

Year 2 Modules (Level 5)

• Applying Social Research Methods
• Practice Learning
• Introducing Cyberpsychology
• Developmental and Social Psychology
• Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Year 3 Modules (Level 6)

• Empirical Project (Dissertation)
• Psychology of Mental Health
• Applied Social Psychology
• Criminal and Forensic Psychology
• Educational Psychology

Assessment & Feedback

Teaching & Learning

Contact hours: 13 hours per week. Plus independent study (suggested 30 hours per week).

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of independent learning.  

A range of appropriate facilities including the library and online learning resources the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum supports your independent learning.

You will receive on-going feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers. You will also receive summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback. 

Feedback on the Final Major Project/Dissertation module in Year three is provided throughout and through supervision meetings as scheduled.

What Next...

• Human Resources Advisor – Strong demand across all sectors, with progression into HR management and organisational development.
• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (with further NHS training) – A common entry route into mental health services.
• Research Assistant – Suitable for universities, the NHS, charities, and private research organisations.
• Probation Service Officer – Uses psychological principles in offender rehabilitation and risk management.
• Behaviour Support Practitioner – Working with children or adults with behavioural or additional support needs.
• User Experience (UX) Researcher – A growing field combining psychology, technology, and user behaviour; often offers excellent salaries.
• Mental Health Support Worker – A solid entry point into NHS or community mental health careers.
• Learning and Development Officer – Designing and delivering staff training within organisations.
• Family Support Worker – Working with local authorities or charities to support vulnerable families.
• Educational Psychologist – A longer-term goal requiring postgraduate training, but one of the highest-paying and most rewarding psychology careers.