In the first year, you’ll study several key topics, including developmental, cognitive and biological psychology. You will also learn about research methods and statistical analysis, and carry out several studies and experiments.  

In the second year, you’ll begin to shape your course. As well as core modules, you’ll be able to choose options that help you explore areas of interest in more depth. Some examples of options include cyberpsychology, personal construct theory and nonverbal behaviour. Some of these courses are unique to the University of Hertfordshire. 

You’ll also enhance your employability by undertaking 120 hours of work experience, providing an opportunity to explore how psychology is relevant to a range of work settings. If you pass all your first and second-year modules, then you’ll be eligible to take part in our study abroad option. This is a great experience, which some of our students take up to explore different learning environments and cultural contexts, and to also boost their employability. 

In the final year, you’ll continue to shape your course, and we offer a wide range of options, including health psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, counselling, clinical psychology, sports psychology, forensic psychology, occupational psychology and educational psychology. You'll also work with a member of staff to design and carry out your own research project. 

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

Postgraduate study can lead to professional careers in a wide range of areas including: 

• Forensic psychology 
• Clinical psychology 
• Health psychology 
• Educational psychology.  

BPS accreditation is a hallmark of quality that is acknowledged by many employers and is also an important stepping stone if you wish to become a Chartered Psychologist. You can also continue your studies, and eventually teach and research psychology at a University. Due to their transferable skills, psychology graduates are also highly sought after in many different sectors of society, including marketing and advertising, human resources and communications, public relations and sales, learning and development roles in organisations, criminal justice and rehabilitation, business consultancy and management training, sports and wellbeing, and in government agencies and public bodies.