BSc (Hons) Psychology

Course content

This programme includes courses in psychological science, both theoretical and research based. In years 1-3 this is complemented by a small number of electives taken from the management programmes to broaden the learning experience. The curriculum is based on that recommended by the British Psychological Society.

First year

Students are introduced to psychology from a range of perspectives and begin their studies in research methods, which will continue throughout the programme. Students are also introduced to the specific academic skills required to study and think about psychological contexts.

Second year

Psychology courses cover Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Intelligence alongside more advanced Statistics and Research Design. Students also choose 2 electives in related management subjects, either human resources or marketing.

Third year

Psychology courses cover Social Cognition, Personality, Lifespan Development, Health and Forensic Psychology, and Biological Psychology. These courses take an applied approach, including the discussion of relationships, health and environmental design. Students also take 2 electives in management.

Fourth year

Advanced psychology courses continue the applied focus in a range of areas based on faculty expertise. Currently, this includes topics on consciousness, neuroscience, industrial psychology and psychopathology. In addition, each student undertakes a major independent project. This involves research design, data collection and analysis, and is a chance to learn in depth about a topic of the student’s own choosing.

Career

Honours graduates have a wide range of career opportunities in both psychology and business professions and are eligible for a broad range of postgraduate training prorgrammes relevant to psychology internationally. Heriot-Watt Psychology has a highly active extra-curricular psychology programme to enhance students experience and involvement in the field.

Graduates of this Honours programme (4 years) will be well prepared for many areas of employment, including business management, human resource management, marketing and market research, teaching, counselling and coaching. Students wishing to continue into licensed psychology professions (such as clinical, forensic, health or educational psychology) will be eligible for the relevant postgraduate training at Heriot-Watt and at other UK institutions or internationally implement and maintain secure infrastructures.

Entry requirements

Our normal entry criteria are listed below. However, please note that the final decision remains at the discretion of the course director after evaluating scores of individual relevant subjects.

Students who are eligible to be admitted directly into second year can choose to join the first year, where available. Similarly, students who are eligible to be admitted into the Advanced DEP programme can choose to join the DEP programme instead.

First year entry

• GCE A-Level - CCD (or BBBB at AS Level)  
• CBSE/Other Indian Boards – 70% 
• American High School Diploma/SABIS - 70% + SAT I – 1000 (500 English + 500 Math) 
• Tawjihiyya - 80% or Elite/Advance - 75% + EmSAT (English 1400 and Math 700) 
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points (3 HL and 3 SL) 
• BTEC Level 3 Ext Diploma - MMM 
• African WAEC/NECO/WASSCE - B2  
• FBISE or grade 12 equivalent - 75% 
• Russian/Kazakhstan (Attestat) - Grades of 5 in every subject + IELTS 6.0  
• French Baccalaureate - 13/20 + IELTS 6.0 
• Lebanese Baccalaureate - 80% or 13/20 + IELTS 6.0  
• Foundation year -Successful completion of HWU Entry Programme (Management/Psychology) with CCCC.
• Compulsory subjects to include English.

Second year entry (September Intake Only)

• GCE A-Level - CCC 
• CBSE/Other Indian Boards - 80%  
• American High School Diploma/SABIS -70% + 3 AP at grade 4 or Minimum 3 SAT 2s Subjects 500 each, in relevant subjects.  
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 27 points (3 HL – including Psychology and 3 SL)  
• BTEC Level 3 Ext Diploma - DDD 
• Higher National Diploma (HND) - PPP 
• Transfer students from other universities may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
• Compulsory subjects to include English and Psychology. 

To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.

To find out about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk

English language requirements

As our degrees are taught and assessed in English, applicants must be able to prove their level of English language ability. To know more, please refer to our English language requirements.

Fees and funding

• AED 76045 per year*

* All tuition fees inclusive of VAT

Scholarships and bursaries

See our range of degree entry, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD scholarships and discounts.