BSc (Hons) Psychology and Economics
The course
- UCAS code
- C8EC
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Economics is an exciting new degree combining two of Heriot-Watt University's well-established disciplines. Students will study courses in psychology and economics and understand the many impactful links between the two.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Economics is based in the Department of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University and draws on our well-established undergraduate programmes in Economics and Psychology.
This programme is comprised of core courses in both psychology and economics, ensuring that students graduate with a deep understanding of the nature of both disciplines and the many impactful links between them.
Heriot-Watt University enjoys an established reputation for teaching and research in both psychology and economics, and both disciplines promote a high level of interdisciplinary research.
On this degree, students will take courses in all core areas of psychology with an emphasis on social and cognitive psychology, which will equip them with the tools necessary to understand the links between individual and social behaviour.
They will also study courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, introducing them to the principles of economic analysis, applied to individual decision making within a rational choice framework, and to the behaviour of economic systems.
In Level 3 and Level 4, students will take courses at the intersection of psychology and economics, studying axiomatic analysis of decision making and observationally based models of choice, so that they can explore the implications of these distinct, but complementary, explanations of (human) behaviour.
Finally, they will undergo training in research methods and statistical analysis, culminating in a dissertation, which will run across both semesters of their final year.
At all stages of the programme, there will be opportunities to take optional courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to meet their own interests. The precise choice of courses at each stage will change over time, adapting to students' interests and the research specialisms of academic staff.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Accreditation
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology and Economics is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Semester 1
- Academic skills in psychology
- Introductory Economics
- Introduction to Psychology 1
- Research Methods and Analysis
Semester 2
- Introduction to Psychology 2
- Becoming a professional
- Research Methods and Analysis 2
- Elective
Year 2
Semester 1
- Intermediate Economics 1: Theory and Techniques
- Philosophy and History of Psychology
- Research Methods and Analysis 3
- Human Development and Intelligence
Semester 2
- Intermediate Economics 2
- Social Psychology
- Research Methods and Analysis 4
- Cognitive Psychology
Year 3
Semester 1
- Advanced Economics 1
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Research Methods and Analysis 5
- Forensic Psychology
Semester 2
- Advanced Economics 2
- Psychobiology
- Social Cognition and Personality
- Research Methods and Analysis 6
Year 4
Semester 1
Mandatory:
- Theoretical Research Project 1
Optional:
- Labour Economics
- Strategy and Information Economics
- Topics in World Economic History 1
- Financial Intermediation
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Psychology for Business
- International Trade
- Psychology of Education
- Cognition and Emotion
Semester 2
Mandatory:
- Theoretical Research Project 2
Optional:
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Advanced Social Psychology
- Economics of the European Union
- Development Economics 2
- Psychology of Ageing
- Neuropsychology
- Psychology and Mental Health
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Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings)
- A-Levels BBC
- Int. Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC DDM (Health and Social Sciences preferred)
- HNC B in graded unit Social Sciences (Psychology, Research Methods/Statistics required modules)
- HND BB
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC
- A-Levels BCC
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB (plus AABB at Higher preferably including Higher Psychology A)
- A-Levels ABB - Psychology at A is preferred
- Int. Baccalaureate 34 points
- HNC A in Social Sciences graded unit (Social Sciences, Psychology, Research Methods/Statistics required)
- HND AB / BA in Social Sciences graded units (Social Sciences, Psychology, Research Methods/Statistics required)
- Global College Successful completion of Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Psychology
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £17,320 |
* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.