Course overview

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of psychological and sociological principles in both theory and practice and merge your understanding of these two fields to gain a greater insight into human behaviour and society.

By choosing to study at Aston you will gain a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), have the opportunity to complete a career-enhancing placement in the UK or internationally, and be taught by leading experts in the field of psychology and sociology.

"In my final year, I managed to pick modules that I liked and I developed a bond with most lecturers which increased my sense of belonging. Having a professional rapport with my lecturers helped me understand the delivery of lecturers and encouraged me to book appointments with them."

Cristina Eddo

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

NHS Senior Mental Health Practitioner and EMHP Supervisor

Why Psychology and Sociology at Aston University?

Triple Gold for Teaching

We’re rated Gold across all categories in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)

Excellent prospects

Ranked 7th in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Psychology (Complete University Guide, 2025)

Future career

Psychology graduates have gone on to secure work in organisations such as the BBC, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, local Government, PwC, private care companies, and the NHS

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Excellent student experience

95% student satisfaction rating for organisation and management (NSS 2025)

The Aston University 2030 strategy

What makes us Aston?

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

Discover Power Skills

Course description

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree explores why people behave the way they do and how society operates. Whilst psychology focuses on understanding behaviour at an individual level, sociology focuses on the collective. Jointly, both disciplines interpret what influences our behaviour and the structure of society.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK's second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you, fantastic facilities that will bring your course to life through hands-on, practical experience and years of close industry collaboration that is harnessed to provide you with learning based on real-world needs. 

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to apply a growth mindset to your studies - understand that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, you must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology graduates leave with a wide range of marketable skills, such as excellent communication and problem-solving skills, data processing and analysis, information acquisition and synthesis. It is our aim to make sure you’re well-prepared for an enriching career in a variety of occupational settings.

Placement year
Taking a placement year gives you valuable life experience in the context of working alongside professionals in a working environment and helps you to develop new skills and abilities. Placements are both personally enriching and highly valued by future employers. Recent students at Aston have completed a range of fascinating placements, both in the UK and internationally such as: NHS trusts and the Civil Service, University research teams in the UK, USA, Australia and Singapore, The Home Office, and HM Prison Service.

Career prospects
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology graduates develop a unique insight into some of the biggest questions, making them valuable assets to any organisation. Recent graduates from our suite of psychology courses have gone on to work in organisations including The Civil Service, Deloitte, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HSBC, IBM, Jaguar Land Rover, KPMG, and NHS trusts.

How you will learn

You will experience a wide range of high-quality learning experiences, from informative large-scale interactive lectures to smaller group sessions such as tutorials, where you will discuss the course material with your tutors and peers.

You’ll also complete lab sessions, where you will learn key practical skills for psychological research; plus, there will be opportunities to work with our expert staff on a one-to-one basis and be involved in real-world research.

At Aston University you will learn from leaders in the fields of both psychology and sociology, in specialist facilities, and in an environment where developing your employability is hard-wired into everything you do.

What you will learn

You will investigate and analyse why people behave the way they do, and how our views are shaped by societal structures, culture, and our collective experiences. In addition, you will have the opportunity to research why these societal structures exist in the first place; giving you a rounded view of human behaviour and the impact we have on each other as fellow citizens.

Year 1

In your first year of the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology programme, you will establish a strong foundation in the key principles and concepts that underpin both psychology and sociology. This year is designed to introduce you to fundamental knowledge and skills essential for your academic journey and future career.

Year 2

You will build on the core grounding you gained in your first year and be introduced to exciting new subject areas such as Applied Psychology and Professional Skills and Social Theory for a Changing World. You will also choose from a range of optional modules.

Placement year

This is your opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in the real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals.

Final year

During your final year, you have the opportunity to specialise in the areas of sociology of particular interest and relevance to your career. You will also complete core psychology modules, deepening your understanding of developmental and social psychology, while undertaking a research project in an area of psychology with support from our expert psychology staff.

Facilities

Psychology and Sociology students have access to a range of specialist facilities that reflect the hands-on learning within the field. In these settings, you gain practical experience alongside like-minded students, with workshops and lectures guided by industry professionals and expert technicians.

Specialist facilities

An observation suite (with audio-visual recording).
Equipment and tools for psychophysiological measurements, such as eye tracking and motion-capture.
Experiment labs for cognitive experiments.
Larger labs for focus groups and audience-based experiments.

Course objectives

Provides you with the opportunities to realise your academic potential through a range of learning experiences.
Encourages you, through a practical approach, to have a passion for Psychology and Sociology and an enthusiasm for learning.
To deliver a programme of a standard which satisfies the accreditation requirements of the British Psychological Society and confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS.
To provide students with an intellectually rigorous and contemporary education in and understanding of the theory, practice, and methods of psychology and sociology, which will help them to identify and achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations in both fields.
To produce highly employable graduates who can bring qualities of critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and personal interpretation to their chosen occupation, and who are capable of applying and disseminating knowledge.
To produce graduates with skills and abilities in research and enquiry, information literacy, personal and intellectual autonomy, and ethical, social and professional understanding in order to tackle effectively the contemporary issues facing people, organisations, and society.
To provide a learning environment that responds to the needs of a wide range of entrants from a variety of routes, that allows students to pursue individual interests, and one in which staff’s research activity and involvement inspires and informs students’ learning.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Key Skills in Psychology I - Gain a solid foundation in key skills vital for today's psychologists. Delve into critical thinking, research methodologies, data analysis, and ethical considerations. This module provides essential tools for understanding human behaviour, fostering effective communication, and applying psychological theories in practical settings.	15
Key Skills in Psychology II - Obtain practical experience in various research scenarios by using innovative software to make online questionnaires and experiments, analyse quantitative data, and write compelling research reports.	15
Developmental and Social Psychology - Developmental and Social Psychology - An introduction to the main theories of cognitive and perceptual development and attachment, as well as the theories, findings, and methods in cognitive-experimental social psychology.	15
Biological and Cognitive Psychology - Learn about core topics in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, including how the brain develops and functions in health and disease.	15
Ideas that Shape Society	15
Power in Society	15
What's Trending? Debating the Challenges of Our Time	15
Crime and Deviance	15
Total	120

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Communicate appropriate understanding of the scope, nature, and applications of psychology and sociology as academic disciplines, including conceptual, ethical, and historical issues, and the contributions of different perspectives.
Communicate appropriate understanding of the scientific method, a range of research designs and qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and a selection of basic descriptive and inferential statistics.
Articulate knowledge of a range of theories and concepts in core areas of psychology (as defined in the British Psychological Society’s GBC curriculum) and sociology.
Competently use information technology for word processing, data handling, communication, and information gathering.
Be able to communicate accurately, effectively, and appropriately, presenting structured and coherent arguments in a range of formats and demonstrating awareness of professional norms.
Evidence a range of transferable academic skills, including an ability to reflect on own learning and development, to engage effectively with feedback, and to work effectively and collaboratively with peers.
Describe a range of possible career pathways that graduates of the programme might pursue, and able to articulate the employability skills and attributes required in these careers.

Year 2 modules

In your second year, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Research Methods and Data Analysis - Learn how to conduct and analyse quantitative research in psychology. Gain hands-on experience of designing questionnaires and experiments and learn a range of advanced data analysis methods.	15
Applied Psychology and Professional Skills - Develop an understanding of your transferable professional skills and knowledge by exploring how they have been, and are, applied towards the improvement of practice within and across applied professions. Prepare for your post-graduate future by improving your employability through an authentic assessment on the application process.	15
Individual Differences and Personality - Learn about how intelligence and personality measures can be used to understand real-world behaviours. We will also cover theories and the history of these concepts.	15
Cognition and Cognitive Neuropsychology - Learn about different types of reasoning, decision making and problem-solving. Develop a basic understanding of cognitive impairments arising from brain damage.	15
Total	60

In addition, you will study two of the following 15 credit optional modules in Term 1:

Module Title	Credits
Global Society - This module looks at sociology through the lens of the global. Students will consider a range of substantive topics, which may include: theoretical approaches to understanding globalisation; globalised governance; global capitalism; global poverty and inequalities; global migrations; diasporas and transnationalism.	15
Embodiment, Deviance and Feminist Theory - This module helps develop an understanding of feminist theories by focussing on debates surrounding the body. It introduces a number of key feminist theorists and draws on empirical studies to explain and explore a range of bodily practices.	15
Digital Methods for Social Science and Humanities - This module introduces students to digital methods and tools used in social science and humanities. It provides a practical introduction to the Python programming language and enables students to develop a set of coding skills they can use to conduct quantitative and qualitative research in the social sciences and humanities	15
Prisons, Policing and Punishment	15
Total	60

You will study two of the following 15 credit optional modules in Term 2:

Module Title	Credits
Racisms - This module introduces students to digital methods and tools used in social science and humanities. It provides a practical introduction to the Python programming language and enables students to develop a set of coding skills they can use to conduct quantitative and qualitative research in the social sciences and humanities	15
Media and Society - This module explores media and journalism from a sociological perspective. Students will be equipped with skills and concepts that enable them to analyse power dynamics in the media, the meaning of social interaction online, as well as journalistic ethics and practices in drastically changing circumstances.	15
Social Theory for a Changing World	15
Victimology	15
Total	60

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the year 2, you will be able to:

Critically evaluate a variety of research designs and methodologies.
Use a wide range of basic and advanced descriptive and inferential statistics for analysing data.
Communicate appropriate critical thinking and to question received wisdom.
Articulate advanced knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary theories and concepts, in core areas of psychology (as defined in the British Psychological Society’s GBC curriculum) and sociology, and of how these link to practice in both fields.
Identify and discuss the most appropriate research evidence and methods for addressing research questions.
Convey a strong understanding and application of formal academic communication styles in their own work.
Synthesise, explain, and critically evaluate different paradigms, concepts, theories, and evidence to form compelling arguments.
Articulate, explain, and reflect critically upon their own employability skills and attributes, and be able to map these against possible graduate career pathways.

Placement year modules

In your placement year, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Placement year - This module aims to provide a framework for students on placement (including working or studying abroad, working or volunteering in the UK in a variety of contexts) to demonstrate the learning they have achieved through their placement experiences and relate these to future employment opportunities.	120
Total	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Demonstrate increasing personal and professional development through a placement.
Articulate key personal, cultural, professional, and disciplinary knowledge and skills relevant to the placement experience, and reflect on performance.
Clearly communicate the ways in which placement-related skills can be transferred to support ongoing personal, professional, and academic development.

Final year modules

In your final year, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Final Year Project - Final Year Project - Working closely with an experienced academic, you will showcase and build on research skills taught earlier in the course by designing and conducting a study that adds new knowledge to psychological and sociological literature.	30
Critical Social Psychology - Explore different topics in social psychology, for example, stereotypes, norms, prejudice, relationships and identity. You will be encouraged to approach social psychology from a critical perspective, for example, considering how social psychology is culturally and socially situated, and to engage with qualitative methods of data collection.	15
Child Development - Develop your critical understanding of research into development across the lifespan including research into antenatal development, parenting, language and literacy, and cognitive development and theory of mind.	15
Total	60

and two of the following 15 credit optional modules in Term 1:

Module Title	Credits
Elites (Sociology)	15
Health Policy (Sociology)	15
Work, Organisations and Society (Sociology)	15
Drugs, Law and Society (Criminology)	15

and two of the following 15 credit optional modules in Term 2:

Module Title	Credits
Bodies, Power and Resistance - This module critically analyses key Sociological debates pertaining to racism, class and gender, and examines the ways in which social inequalities intersect. We apply these insights to specific empirical case studies, such as work, music and sex tourism. (Sociology)	15
Pregnancy and Politics - This module outlines how normative ideals about motherhood, fatherhood, and heteronormativity shape social understandings of issues such as pregnancy, abortion and fertility treatments. By examining the interrelationship between different social structures, discipline and control over human reproduction becomes revealed. (Sociology)	15
Religion and Society - In this module, we look at the place that religion occupies in contemporary society. As the UK is often defined a Christian, non-religious, and multi-faith society all at once, we critically engage with what this actually means, by delving into topics such as gender, sexuality, education, pop culture, media, etc. (Sociology)	15
Corporate Crime (Criminology)	15
Migrations, Borders and Detention (Criminology)	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules. Choose at least 45 credits from Sociology optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Identify a research question and hypothesis, and thereupon design, execute, and report a sustained and independent empirical research project, with clear consideration of ethical practice.
Create and present sustained arguments backed up with evidence that reflects contemporary understanding of the field.
Communicate a detailed, integrated, and critical understanding of issues in – and theories of – psychology and sociology.
Synthesise and critically evaluate concepts, theories, and research evidence.
See different qualitative approaches for analysing data appropriately.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

ASTON POWER SKILLS