BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science
About this course
BSc (Hons) Psychological and Behavioural Science is a psychology degree combining core psychology with behavioural science, the study of applying psychological principles to organisational problems. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking and Human Behaviour. The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and the final year centres on a supervised research project submitted as a dissertation. The first year lays foundations through Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology, and Introduction to Psychological Research, alongside Academic Skill Development for Psychology and Careers in Psychology, which covers what graduates do with a psychology degree. Year 2 deepens the main areas of the discipline through Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Social and Developmental Psychology and Differential and Clinical Psychology, the latter covering differences between individuals and topics such as psychiatric classification. Contemporary and Conceptual Issues in Behavioural Science examines current debates in the field in a small-group setting, while Advanced Research Methods and Statistics gives practical experience applying research and statistical methods and communicating findings. The final year runs compulsory modules Organisational Psychology: Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity, applying psychological theory to settings such as workplaces, education and health, and Behaviour Change: Foundations, Advances, and Applications, covering behaviour change theory, methods and interventions, together with the Psychological and Behavioural Science Dissertation. Optional modules in recent years have included Current Issues in Mental Health, Forensic Psychology, The Psychology of Social Relations, The Use and Misuse of Statistics in Psychological Research, and Work-based Learning and Career Development.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 43%: 45 offers from 105 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 117 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 11%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 13%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 77%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 71%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 52%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 39%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology (20 credits):
- Introduction to Psychological Research (40 credits):
- Academic Skill Development for Psychology (20 credits):
- Careers in Psychology
- Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Differential and Clinical Psychology
- Contemporary and Conceptual Issues in Behavioural Science
- Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
- Psychological and Behavioural Science Dissertation
- Organisational Psychology: Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Behaviour Change: Foundations, Advances, and Applications
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £37,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £53,500. The £37,000 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University?
43% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 45 offers from 105 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Psychological and Behavioural Science at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.