Gain an understanding of human behaviour and open doors to a wide range of careers, at a Top 100 university for Psychology in the UK (QS World Rankings 2025).
How do people think, perceive and feel? Psychology is the scientific understanding of human behaviour that opens doors to a wide range of careers, from clinical, business and forensic psychologist to social work and roles in marketing, public relations and human resources.
Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree enables you to confront the issues that humans face with psychology's scientific principles. From brain injury to prejudice reduction, child development to offending behaviour and rehabilitation. We provide you with the tools to develop interventions for hospitals, schools and businesses, making a difference to society through innovations in policy and research.
This is a four-year course where you spend a year in practice between your second and final years. You undertake project work with professional applied psychologists in organisations such as the NHS, the Prison Service or a research establishment.
You'll have accesss to excellent industry-standard laboratory and field research facilities as well as modern teaching spaces.
Kent is in the top 100 for Psychology in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024.
Zara's year working in the NHS gave her a taste of her future career and confirmed that working with young people is what she wants to do.
We have 25 years’ continuous accreditation by The British Psychological Society.
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
ABB
Distinction, Distinction, Merit
128 tariff points - typically H5, H6, H6 or equivalent
Mathematics grade C or 4
Pass the University of Kent International Foundation Programme.
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 45 at level 3 Credits with 18 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit
What do you need to know to do well studying psychology at university? How can you best demonstrate and articulate your abilities throughout your studies and beyond? You'll gain essential information and opportunities to develop skills that will see you through the next years of your course. From academic writing to self-reflection and career planning, this modules gives you a thorough grounding in how to learn effectively and independently, and to use this learning to think and write like a psychologist.
How do psychologists generate knowledge? How can we use scientific methods to better understand human behaviour? In this module, you will learn the essentials of the scientific method, and how we can use this to design psychology experiments effectively. Through a critical examination of classic studies in psychology and seeing how they can be updated with modern methods, you will develop essential critical thinking skills that will help you understand the history and future of the study of psychology. This module will help you understand how to operationalise and measure variables, and how different types of data can be analysed.
You'll start on an in-depth journey into cognitive and biological psychology, introducing you to the foundational theories, methodologies, and critical issues within these fields. Starting with the history and development of psychology as a science, you'll navigate through the complexities of the brain and nervous system, delving into the cognitive processes behind learning, memory, and decision-making, and explores the realms of sensation, perception, and multisensory integration.
Students will also examine the nuances of psychopathology, including the nature and treatment of psychological disorders, and the psychological aspects of social cognition, sleep, and dreaming. Through a blend of historical context and contemporary research, you'll be equipped with a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying human behaviour and mental processes, laying a solid foundation for further study in psychology.
Each lecture within the module is designed to not only impart theoretical knowledge but also to encourage you to critically engage with current research, methodologies, and debates in the field of psychology. Through this comprehensive programme, you are equipped with a deep understanding of the cognitive and biological bases of human behaviour, preparing you for further study or careers in psychology and related disciplines.
A fundamental part of being a psychologist is using data to get answers to questions about how people think and behave. You'll build on what you have learned about psychology and science in Research Methods – Science and Psychology, exploring how to use generic and specialist software to produce descriptive statistics and test hypotheses. You'll also learn how to present your findings in graphical and written form in line with professional requirements to allow you to communicate your findings to a range of audiences. You'll develop an understanding of which types of tests can be used on which types of data, and what conclusions can be drawn from these tests. These essential skills will help you to think and communicate like a psychologist.
Why are some people attracted to each other? Why are some of your friends more open to persuasion than others? What motivates people to help or harm others?
Learn how people think, feel and act in relation to themselves, others, and the world around them. From personal choices to group conflicts, you'll gain a solid understanding of people and groups, and learn about the psychological underpinnings of the brighter and darker sides of human nature. Using fascinating real-life examples, we'll introduce you to classic concepts and research as well as emerging areas in personality and social psychology. You'll learn about their relevance to everyday life, and inevitably, you'll learn something about yourself, as you develop the ability to critically reflect upon psychological ideas and research findings and identify some of the most pressing questions related to human behaviour and the social world.
Psychology allows us to ask and answer fundamental questions about what it means to be human. This is why it is one of the most exciting subjects you can study.
You'll be introduced to some essential debates in the field of psychology which may include things like, 'Why do people commit crime?', 'What are the origins of mental health problems?', 'Is professional success the result of nature or nurture?'. By considering essential research from different areas of psychology, you'll develop your ability to use psychological evidence to build a convincing argument, and to see things from different perspectives. These key skills will set you up for success throughout the rest of your degree and beyond.
You take seven compulsory modules in psychology. These modules, together with the final-year project, are required for professional recognition by the British Psychological Society.
How do our early experiences shape us into the people we are today? Are we simply a product of our genetics or does the environment we grow up in impact the way we think and behave?
You'll gain knowledge of the crucial factors that influence us from before birth, through infancy and childhood, and into adolescence. Through engaging with key theories and methods you'll gain an in-depth understanding of how biological and cultural factors impact every child’s development, alongside developing key skills for a career in Psychology or further afield.
In Conducting, Using and Evaluating Research, you will gain experience of the research process from data collection through to the production of professional-standard research reports. You will have the opportunity to work on both qualitative and quantitative data, and to understand the different ways in which these can be used to answer fundamental questions about human behaviour. Building on Making Sense of Psychological Data, you will continue to learn how to apply and interpret statistical tests that will allow you to ask and answer more complex and interesting questions. You will also develop essential skills around the critical reading of scientific research to help you write your practical reports.
How do we study the brain and how it relates to cognition and behaviour? This module gives you grounding in methods, techniques and issues in cognitive neuroscience. It will focus on the biological bases of human behaviour (neural development and plasticity; anatomy and physiology of the nervous system), and on key cognitive processes such as perception, memory and higher levels of cognition with a particular focus on how these processes are instantiated in the brain.
You'll learn about the methods used to study and modulate these processes, such as the recording of physiological signals, brain-imaging, brain stimulation and psychopharmacology. During the seminars you'll gain familiarity with key contemporary research topics and methods in Cognitive and Biological Psychology and develop fundamental critical reflection skills through the discussion of scientific research articles. You'll have the opportunity to train in verbal presentation, a core skill to learn not only in academia but in almost all graduate careers.
We spend 90,000 hours at work over the course of a lifetime, so one thing we all want is a happy, healthy and productive workplace! Business Psychology (sometimes called Organisational, Work or Occupational Psychology) is becoming increasingly important in supporting workplaces in achieving this.
You'll be introduced to important concepts in Business Psychology, such as Positive Psychology, Nudge Psychology, Decision-Making in Teams, Navigating Diverse Work-groups, Ethical Leadership and AI/Automation in the workplace. Skills development (e.g. building your personal brand, reflective practice, writing for a non-academic audience) is also an important part of this module. Teaching takes the form of lectures, covering key concepts; and workshops, where you work in groups to read and critique an empirical article on a ‘hot’ topic in Business Psychology, and lead a short in-class discussion with your fellow students.
This module develops your understanding of Business Psychology, taking you beyond the ‘buzz words’, to develop your understanding of key business psychology concepts and the practical skills you will need as an aspiring business psychologist.
How did we get to the current model of ‘mental health’ that we have today? How do we understand distress and intervene to improve the lives of those we work with? What are some of the strengths and pitfalls of our current practice?
Examine the origins and identification of different forms of atypical cognitions and behaviours and investigate the psychological and social impact for clients. This will give you theoretical instruction and opportunities for critical evaluation in clinical psychology. You'll also cover some of the major mental health disorders, focusing primarily on what research has to say about their social/cognitive/biological bases and the implications they have for treatment.
You'll explore several methodological approaches, and ask fundamental questions about the meaning of normality. The historical developments in the field will be examined and current interventions and treatments will feature highly in this module. You're encouraged to think reflectively about the teaching you receive and how you might apply this new-found knowledge in the future.
Psychological tests from diagnostic measures, to personality tests, to tests of cognitive function have wide-ranging applications in areas including business, health, education and the law. They can be used to inform interventions at the individual, group, organisational and social levels, and are among the most important tools used by professional psychologists. We'll introduce you to some key psychological tests and how they can be used in real-world situations. You'll gain an understanding of how they are administered and scored, as well as developing a critical perspective on their use, learning how to make recommendations based on the results of these tests and to propose interventions related to them. You'll learn how to apply psychological concepts and tests, gaining this essential employability skill for anyone looking to work within the field of psychology.
You spend a year on placement within an organisation that delivers a form of psychological service, such as the National Health Service, Home Office, Department for Education or social services (subject to availability of placements and achieving an average mark of 60% at Stages 1 and 2).
The marks awarded for this year are based on performance on the placement, a Reflective Diary kept by the student (marked on a pass/fail basis), a poster presentation about the placement experience, and the report of a research project conducted while on placement. The research report and the Reflective Diary must be submitted before the autumn term of Stage 3.
What could you do in a year?
My year in industry couldn’t have gone better. I secured a role at IBM, working in their sports and entertainment department – it was perfect for meTom Tillin Find out more
Psychological tests from diagnostic measures, to personality tests, to tests of cognitive function have wide-ranging applications in areas including business, health, education and the law. They can be used to inform interventions at the individual, group, organisational and social levels, and are among the most important tools used by professional psychologists. You'll be introduced to some key psychological tests and learn how they can be used in real-world situations. You'll gain an understanding of how they are administered and scored, as well as developing a critical perspective on their use. You'll also learn how to make recommendations based on the results of these tests, and to propose interventions related to them. Learning how to apply psychological concepts and tests is an essential employability skill for anyone looking to work within the field of psychology.
The Clinical Psychology Project is the capstone of your degree, as you bring together what you have learned in the first two years of your studies to produce a thorough, professional research report relevant to clinical psychology. You'll evaluate existing evidence in your chosen area, develop your hypotheses and research questions, and select and run appropriate statistical tests to answer these questions. You'll then present your findings in an accessible and professional style, and discuss how they fit within and build on psychological knowledge relevant to the field of clinical psychology. Research reports are the fundamental tool of communication in the sciences, and producing your own is an exciting opportunity to join the scientific community in making valuable contributions to key discussions in the field of clinical psychology.
On average you'll spend 1/3 of our life at work - yet 80% of workers admit to hating their jobs! Business Psychology (sometimes called Organisational, Work or Occupational psychology) is the study of how to apply psychology to create better workplaces and happier workers. It is one of the fastest growing fields in Psychology today.
You'll be introduced you to theories of psychology and their application to a range of workplace challenges, including recruitment/talent management; workplace motivation; mental health and well-being; leadership and teams; and Equality & Diversity. Teaching takes the form of lectures, introducing you to key theories and workshops, where you will be able to apply your learning to solving practical real world business challenges. You'll gain a sound introduction to business psychology, focusing on key theories and research (including methods), and help you begin to understand the role and importance of business psychology in creating happy, fulfilled and productive workplaces and workers.
Dive deep into the theories and real-world applications of forensic psychology. You’ll explore how forensic psychology is used extensively within the Criminal Justice System, examining how it sheds light on criminal behaviour, aids in victim recovery, and informs court decisions.
You explore and critically analyse the latest research methods and findings in forensic psychology. You’ll consider research on the policies and practices that inform the Criminal Justice System, focusing on how psychology impacts the professionals, victims, and people who offend. Develop the skills to effectively critique this research, gaining a strong grasp of core forensic psychology issues. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to critically evaluate this ever-evolving field and its impact on all parties involved, making you better placed to succeed within it.
To what extent are our thoughts and actions shaped by processes outside our awareness? Are we wrong to believe that we can act out of free will? You'll explore these questions to tackle a variety of current and/or critical topics in cognitive psychology/neuroscience.
The overarching theme focuses on free will and metacognition, looking in particular at the extent to which we control, or feel we control, our thoughts and behaviour. You’ll discuss research that has used a variety of methods, including behavioural, animal and neuroimaging techniques. Practical applications and relevance to everyday understanding of behaviour is emphasised throughout. You will learn how to evaluate pieces of original research in terms of their findings, conceptual underpinnings and/or methodological choices. This will enable you to gain a deep understanding of the topic areas as well as important communication and critical analysis skills.
We are all unique, so why do we assume our experience and understanding of distress would be the same? How do factors like culture, religion or gender influence people’s perceptions of distress? What do cultures around the world have to say about the causes of distress and how we treat it?
Clinical Psychology practice and research have been criticised for being Eurocentric, individualist and focusing heavily on intra-psychic intervention. Research tells us that our current practice doesn’t work for everyone, so what are some of the alternatives? You’ll explore understandings of distress from other countries, other psychological perspectives (e.g. social justice approaches) and how individual factors such as religion, sexuality and culture may influence people’s perceptions of distress. This holistic approach and widened understanding makes you a better practitioner, able to serve more people and offer them more relevant and effective support.
For students interested in further study, or a research career, this module offers an opportunity for you to get experience of data collection at an advanced level. You will work in a research team under the supervision of an academic to collect data for your psychology project.
Working as part of a research team will allow you to develop professional and research skills ideal for further study. The exact nature of the research you undertake will vary depending on the project, but will likely require lab-based data collection. You will undertake supervision as a group, and work together to identify and evaluate evidence relevant to your project. This skills you develop through working in a research team help you stand out to employers, in whichever field or career you want to explore.
Modules are taught by weekly lectures, workshops, small group seminars and project supervision.
We use varied methods of assessment and feedback in a structured fashion to support our students in developing confidence in their academic and professional skills, preparing them to be competitive in the world of work.
Assessments for different modules will be determined by the nature of the module and the learning outcomes each covers, with the nature and order of assessments carefully considered so that skills can be developed throughout modules, stages, and the course as a whole.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Our graduates currently have excellent graduate employment prospects, working in clinical, forensic and occupational psychology or in allied fields related to therapy, teaching, or social work. Many work in communication-focused roles in marketing, public relations and publishing.
If you choose an undergraduate programme with a placement year you can spend a year working with professional psychologists in, for example, the NHS, the Prison Service or another government agency or in a business setting and gain experience that will enhance your employability.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,900.
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,430.
Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Students will require regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. Please see information about the minimum computer requirements for study.
There may be additional costs associated with the Year in Professional Practice such as travel or accommodation, which will need to be covered by the student. Please see Careers and Employability webpages for more information.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
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