BSc Psychology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Psychology, a psychology degree centred on the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. This four-year undergraduate programme incorporates laboratory-based investigations and systematic evaluations of empirical evidence. The first year introduces foundational principles across cognitive, developmental, biological, and social psychology alongside training in programming and basic statistics. Year two advances these themes with deeper exploration of research methods, statistical techniques, and scientific literature review. In the third year, students undertake advanced statistical analysis and qualitative group projects while selecting from specialised options such as human personality, developmental psychopathology, and the psychology of conversation.
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: from A*A*A* to AAA (required: Biology or Human Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Computer Science or equivalent at B, Environmental Science at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Life and Health Science at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B, Psychology at B, Statistics at B) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
What students say
Based on about 50 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 110 students who started
- Continued on course: 94%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 22 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 16%
- South East: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 60%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started
- A levels: 77%
- Baccalaureate: 11%
- Access course: 4%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 6%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modules
- 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
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- biological psychology
- differential psychology
- social psychology
- research methods
- statistics
- R programming
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- differential psychology
- biological psychology
- social psychology
- reviewing scientific literature
- report writing
- ethical awareness
- 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
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £41,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 185 UCAS points.
Is BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
94% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.