Psychology

Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of psychology and the practical skills necessary to excel professionally. We will provide you with the basis for understanding why people act in certain ways and insights into methods of changing their behaviour.

By choosing to study at Aston University 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 from a range of specialist psychological fields.

"The staff are very supportive and are always happy to help. We were taught a range of transferrable skills for roles in the academic field as well as clinical. The lectures were engaging and incorporated real-life examples that we were able to understand how skills and theory are used in practice."

Magda Skubera

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Health Psychology MSc

Why study Psychology at Aston University?

Professional accreditation

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

Excellent student experience

92.9% of our students felt positive about academic support provided on their course (National Student Survey, 2024)

Future career

Our graduates go on to secure work in top 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 prospects

Top 5 in the UK for Graduate Prospects in Psychology (Complete University Guide, 2024)

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Triple Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

James and his experience studying Psychology

Second Year student James discusses his experience studying Psychology at Aston University

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

The BSc (Hons) Psychology degree at Aston University will equip you with the skills, insights, and confidence required to understand why people behave in the way that they do by considering the complex interplay between biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and social influences on behaviour.

The course covers a wide range of topics including how changes in the brain influence behaviour, why false memories occur, why people behave differently when they are in a group, how language influences thinking, how we learn to understand other’s intentions, how psychological distress can be alleviated, why we identify with some people and not others, how subconscious processes influence our behaviour, and how our thinking develops as we grow from children to adults.

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; 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 graduates leave with a wide range of transferable and marketable skills, such as excellent communication skills, problem-solving, data processing and analysis, information acquisition and synthesis, and critical thinking. We 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 a study exchange in South Australia, a research assistant in neuropsychology in Brazil, a special constable in the police force, mental health support and counselling for a social support charity, a resettlement team volunteer for a Refugee and Migrant Centre, assistant clinical psychologists in an NHS trust, and a project support officer for an environmental consultant company.

Career prospects
There is a huge demand across a range of industries for graduates with a specialism in psychology, as a degree in psychology provides a wide range of transferable skills, such as the ability to problem solve, answer complex but important questions, communicate effectively, critical analysis, writing, and research. Graduates from across our suite of psychology courses go onto a variety of different careers. Some choose to use their British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation to continue their studies post-graduation, working towards a career in occupational, educational or clinical psychology. Many graduates also go into careers such as human resources, organisational development, marketing, business, or the creative industries.

How you will learn

On the BSc (Hons) Psychology at Aston, 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.

In addition to subject-specific knowledge and skills, our Psychology course at Aston actively embeds employability into every aspect of your study, so that you are job-ready upon graduation.

What you will learn

There is a huge range of possibilities for how you could explore psychology at Aston University, thanks to our leading facilities, expert course leaders, and mutually supportive student community. Furthermore, the range of optional modules each year gives you the opportunity to customise your degree according to your specific interests.

Year 1

Studying the key topics that will form the basis of your psychology education, you’ll learn how to articulate your gained knowledge of core theories and concepts and discover more about the possible graduate career pathways open to you.

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 lifespan development and cognitive neuropsychology. You’ll gain communication and critical thinking skills, along with developing your ability to use a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Placement year

This is your opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. This course is available as a 3-year option without placement or a 4-year option with placement. Both options are available to UK, EU, and international students.

Final year

Select from a range of specialist topic modules that fit your interests, and conduct a research project in a specialist area with support from our expert psychology staff.

Facilities

Psychology 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.

Psychology specialist facilities

An observation suite (with covert 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 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 you with an intellectually rigorous and contemporary education in and understanding of the theory, practice, and methods of psychology, which will help you to identify and achieve your personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations in this field
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 you with a learning environment that responds to the needs of a wide range of entrants from a variety of routes, that allows you to pursue individual interests, and one in which staff’s research activity and involvement inspires and informs your 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
Introduction to Clinical Psychology - An introduction to common mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders) and examines their causes and treatment from a biological, cognitive, and learning perspective. We answer questions such as “How can biased thinking keep someone depressed?” “What is happening in the brain of someone experiencing delusions?”	15
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
Foundations of Contemporary Psychology - An introduction to the fundamental philosophical themes that divide the main historical schools of thought in psychology and provided with examples of these approaches in contemporary psychological research	15
Total	90

In addition, you will study two of the following 15-credit optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Psychological Interventions - Learn about some of the different ways we can apply psychology in a variety of real-world settings, and how theory is important in designing interventions at both an individual and group level.	15
Myth-busting in Psychology - Learn about common myths in Psychology and be trained to become myth-busters through critical analysis.	15
Social Responsibility in Psychology - What problems can occur through our interactions with one another and with our environments? In this module, you will be introduced to how psychologists study and understand the societal, cultural and global problems faced by contemporary society.	15
Total	30

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 as an academic discipline, including conceptual, ethical, and historical issues, and the contributions of different perspectives.
Be able to 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)
Competently use information technology for word processing, data handling, communication, and information gathering.
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 transferrable 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
Social Psychology - Explore different topics in social psychology, for example, stereotypes, norms, prejudice, relationships and identity. Students are 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
Brain and Behaviour - Learn the principles by which we can understand the origins of human behaviour by studying the function and structure of the brain. The module describes how our brains create our experience and perception of the world around us, by processing visual and auditory information, how we can allocate our attention and how we react and respond to sensory input with appropriate actions. The module will reference human neuroimaging and neuropsychology studies to provide evidence of how we have established an understanding of brain function as a hierarchical network. The module also provides experience in collecting data from a simple EEG experiment and experience in analysing and writing up a scientific report.	15
Lifespan Development - You will learn about the psychological influences on developmental psychology across the lifespan, together with a critical review of the research methods used in this field.	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	105

In addition, you will study one of the 15 credit optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Psychology and Wellbeing - Learn about different models of wellbeing, including how various factors contribute to or threaten wellbeing, how we measure wellbeing and interventions which aim to promote wellbeing in real-world contexts.	15
Neuroscience in the Real World - Explore how cognitive neuroscience research is helping us understand real-world human behaviour, such as how we understand and interact with other people in social situations.	15
Total	15

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the 2nd year, 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, and qualitative methods, for analysing data appropriately.
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 of how these link to practice in psychology
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 module:

Module Title	Credits
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 literature.	30
Total	30

and study six of the following 15 credit optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
The Developing Brain - Take a journey through brain development, examining key maturational events occurring in the foetus right up to adolescence and how such brain changes might influence behaviour.	15
Addiction and Impulsivity - Take a theoretical and critical approach to understanding addiction and impulsivity. We examine several health-related and psychiatric conditions in which impulsivity and/or addiction have been implicated.	15
Families and Wellbeing - Learn about theories of well-being and family interventions. The module will take you through a range of topics and approaches to doing research with families and give you an opportunity to develop your own psycho-educational intervention.	15
Living with long-term health conditions - Develop a critical understanding of the biological, psychological, behavioural and social factors important in the development and management of a range of long-term health conditions.	15
Clinical psychology of intellectual disability - Learn how to make sense of behaviours that challenge shown by children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism and genetic syndromes.	15
Psychotic and affective disorders - An in-depth multi-level approach to examine some of the most serious mental health problems (psychosis, anxiety, and depression) from a biological, cognitive, and developmental perspective. We answer questions such as “How do common risk factors result in different symptom profiles?”, “How do psychotic and affective disorders influence our ability to remember our personal past?”	15
Neurodiversity - Explore the differences and strengths of well-known neurodevelopmental conditions and consider how these conditions can often overlap, and/or be associated with other clinically significant behaviours (e.g., mental health conditions)	15
Eating behaviour - Explore a wide range of factors and influences that determine how and why we eat as we do.	15
Language learning and loss: Educational and clinical contexts - Explore factors which influence spoken and written language acquisition, as well as different ways in which language can be lost discussing implications for education, diagnosis and treatment of language impairments, and theoretical understanding of language.	15
Perceiving people - The psychology and cognitive neuroscience of various aspects of person perception.	15
Total	90

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 a contemporary understanding of the field.
Communicate a detailed, integrated, and critical understanding of issues in – and theories of – psychology
Synthesize and critically evaluate concepts, theories, and research evidence.

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

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

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.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB in any three A Levels.
BBC in any three A Levels plus grade B in either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
BCC in any three A Levels for contextual offer students.*

The following subjects will not be considered as one of the core three A levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies. We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.

Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Contextual offer applicants need to achieve a grade C as listed below.

BTEC Qualification Name	BTEC grades required	A-Level Requirements
Extended Diploma (QCF) / National Extended Diploma (RQF)	Distinction, Distinction, Distinction (DDD)	Not applicable
Diploma (QCF) / National Diploma (RQF)	Distinction, Distinction (DD)	With this BTEC you must also achieve a grade B in one A Level subject
Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) / National Extended Certificate (RQF)	Distinction (D)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
90 Credit Diploma (QCF)	Distinction, Distinction (DD)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
National Foundation Diploma	Distinction (D)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects

*Please note that on the UCAS application form QCF BTEC Extended Diploma appears under the name BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) and the RQF BTEC Extended Diploma appears under the name Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (1080) (2016 to Present). If you are unsure of which qualification you are taking, please contact your school or college provider to confirm.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Standard offer: 31 points overall and must include grades 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language.

Contextual offer: 29 points overall, three Higher Level subjects at 5 5 4. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Maths and English Language for contextual offer students.*

Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 15 distinctions and 30 merits. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

We accept grade Distinction in any of the below subjects:

• Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
• Digital Production, Design and Development
• Education and Childcare
• Building Services Engineering for Construction
• Onsite Construction
• Digital Business Services
• Digital Support Services
• Health
• Healthcare Science
• Science

Five GCSEs all at grade C/4 and must include Maths and English Language or English Literature. Please note we do not accept Key skills or Functional skills in place of these.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Other

Degree

Year 1:

We consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 60% overall and 120 credits with no fails at another recognised university. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications, and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2:

We are not taking applications for second year transfers.

Year 3/final year:

We do not accept any transfers into year 3 or final year of this programme

View our Transfers Policy

Age of qualifications

Applicants must normally have achieved their eligible academic qualifications for entry onto this course within the last three years. Applicants presenting qualifications older than three years will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Admissions Lead.

External Foundation Programmes

We consider external foundation programmes for entry into our year 1 programmes on a case-by-case basis. We will always require applicants to have met the following criteria prior to application:

5 GCSE’s at grade C/4 or above including Maths and English CCC at A-Level

Any conditional offers made will be based on meeting a specific grade in your foundation programme. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications.

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,535*
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,500
During placement year:	£2,500

UK students (Home Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £9,535 (subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to increase the maximum tuition fee from £9,250, payable by Home Undergraduate students on full-time courses). The fee for the placement year is £1,250.

International students (Overseas Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £21,500. The fee for the placement year is £2,500.

All students:

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this course page and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology curriculum utilises a range of different assessment types and the assessment strategy reflects the national educational requirements in the Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education (FHEQ).

You will be assessed throughout the course. A wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes are used, including:

class tests/end-of-year examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple choice questions)
essays
individual research reports
presentations (group or individual)
statistics assignments

Career prospects

Our Psychology programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

Graduates from across our suite of psychology courses go on to a variety of different careers. Some choose to use their British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation to continue their studies post-graduation, working towards a career in occupational, educational or clinical psychology.

It’s not just careers directly related to psychology that would be open to you either. Many graduates also go into careers such as human resources, organisational development, marketing, business, or the creative industries.

Recent graduates from Aston have gone on to the following broad range of careers:

Assistant Psychologist for an NHS trust
Educational Psychology Intern for a city council
HR Graduate Trainee at a leading luxury UK automotive business
Marketing Intern at a humanitarian organisation
Police Constable for a UK police force
Project Worker for a leading drug, alcohol and mental health charity.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study psychology at Aston

Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychology course provides you with highly transferable skills set to help you stand out from the graduate crowd. You’ll benefit from a broad curriculum that emphasises human behaviour and real-life applications of psychology and get the exciting opportunity to put your skills into practice through a placement year in the UK or abroad.

Will studying this course help me to become a psychologist?

Yes! With a BPS accreditation, you’ll have the qualifications you need to go into clinical, educational, or occupational psychology. With the additional experience and exposure to the workplace you’ll get at Aston, you’ll be an outstanding work-ready candidate. Beyond these careers, being a psychology graduate can also open up lots of opportunities in human resources, business, marketing, the creative industries, and many other career paths.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Study at Aston University and you will be part of a multi-cultural community located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham. Our courses are practical, inspired by industry and many have internationally recognised accreditations. Renowned for our employability prospects and connections to business and industry, we provide outstanding career support, advice and placement opportunities.

For those interested in working in the UK after they have graduated, the UK Government has created a new post-study work visa.