Psychology in Education BSc (Hons)
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UCAS Code: PSED|Duration: 3|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Psychology in Education at Liverpool Hope University combines the scientific study of psychology with a deep understanding of how people learn and develop in educational settings. This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree is ideal for students who want to explore the factors that influence learning, behaviour, motivation and wellbeing while making a positive impact on children's and young people's lives.
You'll study the core areas of psychology, including developmental, cognitive, biological and social psychology, alongside educational theory and practice. Throughout the course, you'll examine how psychological research can improve teaching, learning and educational outcomes, developing a strong understanding of how evidence can be applied in real educational environments.
Teaching is informed by current research and delivered by experienced academics who will support you in developing practical research skills, critical thinking, communication and independent learning. You'll also gain valuable insight into the relationship between psychology and education, preparing you to understand the challenges and opportunities facing schools and other learning environments.
Whether your ambition is to work in education, educational psychology or a people-focused profession, Psychology in Education at Liverpool Hope University provides the academic knowledge, practical skills and recognised accreditation to help you achieve your goals.
Course structure
The course is organised into modules that guide you through all the essential elements of a psychology-based degree. As you move forward in your studies, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, allowing you to shape your learning experience around your personal interests and career aspirations.
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures and seminars, supported by small group tutorials designed to consolidate and deepen your learning.
During your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years.
On top of teaching hours, you are expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments that you may have.
Accreditation
Our single honours Psychology degree and our combined honours Psychology degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and upon completion of your studies you will become eligible for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership (GBC*). This will give you access to the postgraduate training courses of the BPS and is the first major step in becoming a professional psychologist.
*to qualify for GBC you will need to achieve a minimum classification of 2:2, and pass your final year empirical project.
Assessment and feedback
You will complete a number of formative and summative assessments both individually and working in groups, which will allow you to showcase your skills in a variety of ways. This includes written exams, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, and assessed laboratory work. In the final year all students complete an individual empirical research project (dissertation).
Written feedback is provided for all coursework, along with the opportunity to discuss this in more detail with your tutor.
The report from our 2025 external examiners highlighted that “the level and nature of feedback continues to remain exemplary, with markers giving clear, actionable feedback”.
Curriculum overview
The Psychology in Education degree is a single honours course that provides knowledge and understanding of the human mind and behaviour, and applies this to educational issues and settings. Important concepts such as perception, cognition, personality, and social behaviour are studied as part of this degree. Specialised tutorials will support the application of psychological theory and research to the field of education.
Year One
In the first year of your studies, you will cover a series of 30 credit modules.
Psychology, Self and Society
In this module, you will develop an understanding of the historical and conceptual issues related to psychology as a scientific discipline and consider related questions and debates. You will then study key theories and conceptual issues in social psychology, and personality and individual differences. The content is related to important topics in society (e.g., racism, populism, environmental pressures).
Psychological Research Methods
This module lays the foundations of the critical awareness skills required to examine the scientific and empirical basis of support for the philosophical and conceptual questions raised across the degree programme. Here, you will learn about the practicalities of engaging in research and develop key skills around ethical issues, different forms of research design and methods of analysis.
Educational Challenges
In this module, you will be taught about mass education and the National Curriculum. This will cover topics such as the benefits and drawbacks of individualised educational experiences, the comparisons between private and public/state education, and the equality of opportunity (e.g., social class, gender and ethnicity in both past and contemporary contexts as predictors of educational success). Further, you will study the different forms that education can take and the needs that these forms serve, in addition to the interface between education and social phenomena, such as the economy and technology.
Systems of Learning
This module considers the fundamental question of what learning is and how it is managed. Specifically, this focuses on learning and development (including psychological learning theories, child development/cognitive development theories, philosophical approaches, and sociological/historical perspectives) and the history of learning (e.g., enlightenment coffee house culture, scientific societies, libraries, role of education in industrial and political ‘progress’). Finally, some ‘indigenous’ perspectives of learning will be considered (e.g., Plato’s Theory of Reminiscence vs. Aristotle).
Year Two
Explorations in Psychology and Education
Year two focuses on the topics of cognitive and developmental psychology, and on applications of psychology. Students will gain knowledge and awareness of how psychology can be applied to the field of education, covering issues such as inclusion, wellbeing, technology, and life-long learning.
In Vision and Cognition, you will study topics such as visual perception, memory, attention, and language, and in Developmental Psychology you will cover topics such as maturational changes, biological factors in development, and emotional influences through the lifespan. Research Design and Analysis 2 introduces more complex research designs in quantitative psychology and also covers qualitative methods (e.g., observation, thematic analysis) and mixed methods approaches to research. Integral to this is the increased critical awareness of the role of ethics in research.
In the second year, we continue to consider how psychology can be applied to different educational contexts and settings. You will study Educational Psychology which discusses fundamental issues in education such as classroom behaviour, young people who are considered to be at risk in education, civic engagement, and thriving neighbourhoods. You will then select two options from the following*:
- Health Psychology: These lectures explore the role of psychology in supporting psychological health. There is a particular focus on evaluating how psychological perspectives can be used to inform health interventions in the workplace.
- Clinical Psychology: These lectures examine psychological models applied to mental health. The curriculum covers classification, assessment, and treatment, and focuses on specific diagnoses including anxiety, trauma, stress, PTSD, mood and eating disorders, depression, addiction, psychosis, and schizophrenia.
- The Psychology of Learning: This part of the course focuses on concepts such as intelligence, creativity, motivation, and memory. Students will develop an understanding of the key components essential for cognitive development and learning.
Education Research and Policy: In this part of the course students will focus on UK policy at all levels of education. Students will be supported to develop a critical understanding of social, cultural, historical, economic, and political forces that shape education policy.
Year Three
Advanced Studies in Psychology and Education
Year three covers biopsychology, motivations, and emotions, and students choose options based on their interests within psychology and education. Biological Psychology examines psychological functioning at a biological and cellular level and relates this back to societal and individual issues covered in years one and two. The topics covered include brain plasticity, reward circuits, and neuroscientific methods.
In Motivation and Emotion, you learn about the principles and processes associated with motivational goals, such as growth mindsets, social-emotional intelligence, and aggression. You also have the opportunity to explore Future Challenges for Psychology, critically reflecting on the future of the discipline and the challenges (and opportunities) associated with identity and wellbeing, an aging population, increased globalisation, and a warming world.
In the final year all students complete an independent empirical research project, the Dissertation. Here you will explore in-depth an area that you are passionate about and you will be supervised by a lecturer in the School of Psychology. A series of lectures and workshops support the dissertation, helping to further develop the skills needed to conduct an independent research project.
This final year marks the point where students have more ownership over their studies. This will include you choosing to study one from a selection of 12-week Specialist Seminars (topics include Cognition and Wellbeing, Forensic Psychology, Psychology of Addictions, and Perception and Action in Training and Rehabilitation*). You will also choose to study two from a selection of 12-week Options (options include Applied Developmental Psychology, Psychology of Aesthetics and the Arts, Counselling Theory and Practice, Psychology of Religion, Human Memory, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Psychology of Peace and Conflict*).
*Subject to change
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 |
| IB | 26 points |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | Students will need to have a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system) in GCSE Mathematics, or equivalent. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
A Psychology in Education degree from Liverpool Hope University prepares you for graduate careers where understanding learning, behaviour and development is essential. You'll graduate with highly transferable skills in research, communication, critical thinking, data analysis and evidence-based problem-solving, making you well equipped for roles across education, psychology and the wider public sector.
Graduates pursue careers in education, learning support, mentoring, educational services, youth work and roles that support children's development and wellbeing. The course also provides an excellent foundation for careers linked to educational psychology and other professions where understanding human behaviour enhances learning and positive outcomes.
As a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree, successful completion provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), an essential first step towards many postgraduate psychology pathways and professional training programmes.
Students can continue their studies through postgraduate courses, including Educational Psychology, teacher training through a PGCE, and other education and psychology-related master's degrees, enabling further specialisation and career development.
Whether you want to work directly with children and young people, progress into postgraduate study or build a career supporting learning and development, Psychology in Education at Liverpool Hope University provides the knowledge, practical skills and professional foundation to take the next step.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
Students are able to complete a placement year and support will be provided in finding a placement. Short-term placements may be available, including the option to work as a research intern.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,790 for full-time undergraduate courses.*
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,790.
The tuition fees for the 2027/28 academic year will be £10,050 for full-time undergraduate courses.*
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £10,050
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Home students (UK)
*Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Additional costs
If you would like to join the BPS as a student member, the first year is free, followed by an annual fee of £33 (correct as of October 2025). This allows you free access to BPS academic journals, and discounts on conferences, events and webinars.
Many students find it useful to have a laptop during their studies. Any laptop will be fine; however, we do not recommend a Chromebook as this does not support some of the psychology-specific software that you will need in your degree.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £15,225.
The International Tuition fees for 2027/28 are £16,000
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course Enquiry
Got a question about the course? Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.