BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought
About this course
BA in Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought, a psychology and philosophy degree centred on the intersections of philosophy, psychology, and the history of science. Core topics include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a second-year research module designed to prepare them for an independent final-year project, which can also be taken via an external placement pathway. The first year introduces foundational subjects through History of Psychology, The Mind, and Knowledge, Self and Reality, with optional choices such as Thinking About Race. The second year advances core knowledge with Cognition and Perception, Psychology Through the Lifespan, and Research in History and Philosophy of Science, alongside optional modules like How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy. The final year focuses on advanced study through compulsory modules such as Philosophy of Mind and Mind, Brain and Society, complemented by a Final Year Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science. Optional modules in the final year allow further study in areas such as Bioethics, Science Communication, and Feminist Social Psychology.
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: AAB EPQ: ABB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD. Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
See the highest paying Psychology degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 170 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 19%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 36%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- History of Psychology
- Introduction to the History of Science
- How Science Works
- The Mind
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social and Health Psychology
- Knowledge, Self and Reality
- The Good, The Bad, The Right, The Wrong
- Thinking About Race
- Magic, Science and Religion
- Darwin, Germs and the Bomb
- History of Modern Medicine
- Philosophy Meets the World
- Research in History and Philosophy of Science
- History of Psychiatry and Mental Illness
- Cognition and Perception
- Social Psychology of People in Context
- Psychology Through the Lifespan
- Contested Solutions: Science and Global Challenges
- Why Trust Science?
- How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy
- Do The Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy
- How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology
- Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics
- Final Year Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science
- Philosophy of Mind
- Mind, Brain and Society
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences
- Bioethics
- Feminist Philosophy
- Science Communication
- Philosophy of Sex and Relationships
- Philosophy of Biology
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophical Issues in Technology
- History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
- Feminist Social Psychology
- Applied Social Psychology
- Development of Language and Literacy
- Reasoning and Decision Making
- Cognition and Emotion
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £42,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 142 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought at University of Leeds?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.