BSc (Hons) Cognitive Psychology with a Placement Year

Course Overview

Cognitive Psychology is the study of the mental processes that inform human behaviour, such as attention, language, memory, perception. On this programme you’ll master key theories and research methods of this fascinating field.

You’ll benefit from research-led teaching in a balance of small and larger groups. UEA’s School of Psychology has been ranked 14th overall for research quality in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in the Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis. Throughout your time here you will be supported by your individual academic advisor, as well as having access to the University’s Learning Enhancement and Wellbeing Teams.

You’ll study topics such as the brain and cognition, psychology of risk, the visual world, psychology of language, and clinical neuropsychology. You’ll be able to choose from a range of psychology modules and have the chance to experience topics you may not have come across before. If you discover a new passion or interest during your first year, you’ll have the option to change to a different Psychology pathway, ensuring you are on the right degree for you. In your third year, you'll have the opportunity to get hands-on experience, build contacts, and explore potential roles and career routes by spending a year on a work-based placement.

In your final year, you’ll enjoy access to our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including a fully immersive virtual reality suite, eye-tracking and motion-tracking equipment. You’ll also have the opportunity to demonstrate all you have learned by implementing an individual research project of your own related to cognitive psychology. Past students have researched areas such as autism, face perception, visual perception and attention, and brain activity in relation to social and non-social stimuli.

You’ll gain expertise in human behaviour in a wide range of settings and contexts, and understand how we process information and develop a range of key skills valued by employers, including handling large data sets. We offer a range of career planning support, including a business training event, and competitive paid placement and internship opportunities. Our graduates pursue a range of careers, including human resources, data management, teaching, media, research, communications, marketing and management, healthcare and criminal justice, as well as going on to postgraduate study.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

A levels

AAB

BTEC

Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD

Combinations of BTEC and A levels

Extended Diploma: DDD

Diploma: DD plus B at A level.

Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A level.

BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers

International Baccalaureate

33 points overall

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS:  6.0  overall (minimum  5.5  in all components) 

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Employability

As a Psychology graduate, you can pursue a range of careers in a variety of sectors. The theoretical and research components of your degree will also provide you with a strong foundation for going on to postgraduate study, if you wish.

Throughout your degree, you’ll meet and work with respected psychologists in a variety of settings. You’ll also benefit from a range of additional training opportunities running in parallel with your degree programme. These are carefully designed to help maximise what you have to offer future employers. They include paid placement and internship opportunities, a business training event, and a range of career planning support mechanisms.

All our degree courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This not only means they are respected by employers – it will also put you at an advantage if you choose to progress onto postgraduate study.

The BSc Cognitive Psychology with Placement Year degree is ideal if you are interested in a career in rehabilitation, data management or research. This degree is also a great choice if you want to go on to postgraduate study in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, business or computer science.

Example of careers that you could enter include:

• Psychology
• Legal and criminal justice
• Social work and health care
• Human resources and management
• Education, research and consultancy
• Marketing and advertising

Discover more on our Careers webpages.