Psychological Science Study Guide 2025/26
What you can study
Psychology at Bristol promotes a scientific, hypothesis-driven approach to understanding all aspects of psychology. We focus on teaching psychology as an experimental and biological science, tailored towards students who are familiar with – or keen to explore – the discipline in this way. We have a strong focus on research methods and open science.
You will find units on:
- mind and brain
- self and society
- health and wellbeing
- social, cognitive, developmental, and biological psychology
Pre-requisites
Psychology at Bristol is a BSc programme (rather than a BA), and is suitable for students with a Science background.
At UK universities, students specialise from their first year and rarely take units outside their degree subject. This means that:
- Year 1 units are suitable for students with secondary school Science.
- Year 2 units require some university study in the discipline.
- Year 3 units require a strong background in the discipline.
Year 1
Pre-requisites: suitable for all students
Teaching Block 1
- Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology - PSYC10012
- Myths and Misconceptions about Psychology - PSYC10005
Teaching Block 2
- Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology - PSYC10013
- Science of Happiness - UNIV10010. Please note that this class is graded as pass/fail so involves no numerical mark.
Year 2
Pre-requisites: suitable for Psychology majors who are familiar with the subject as an experimental science (not as a social science).
Teaching Block 1
- Individual and Social Cognition - PSYC20008. Please note that this is a 40 credit unit so students will be able to take this alongside 1 other unit.
Teaching Block 2
- Brain and Cognition - PSYC20007. Please note that this is a 40 credit unit so students will be able to take this alongside 1 other unit.
Year 3
Pre-requisites: strong background of study in the discipline. Suitable for Psychology majors who are familiar with the subject as an experimental science (not as a social science).
Please note that the workload for Year 3 units is highly demanding and students can request one of these units per Teaching Block. Enrolment onto Year 3 units is subject to academic checks by the Study Abroad Academic Director.
Teaching Block 1
- Cognitive Neuroscience - PSYC30026
- Developmental Science - PSYC30025
- Evolutionary Psychology - PSYC30001
Teaching Block 2
Thinking of applying to Medical School?
Planning to apply to medical school in the future? See our Medical Sciences Study Taster guide which outlines units suitable for students who are pre-med.
Application queries
Contact the Centre for Study Abroad inbound team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:
Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk
You may also be interested in:
- Childhood Studies (under the Policy Studies guide)
- Education
- Neuroscience
What you can study at Bristol
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Study Guides
Study Guides are updated every April for the following academic year.