Psychology Foundation Year
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International
Northumbria’s global footprint touches every continent across the world, through our global partnerships across 17 institutions in 10 countries, to our 277,000 strong alumni community and 150 recruitment partners – we prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Discover more about how to join Northumbria’s global family or our partnerships.
View our Global FootprintBusiness
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today's possibilities into tomorrows competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success.
More on our Business ServicesResearch
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities
Discover more about our ResearchAlumni
Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. Our alumni network has over 237,000 graduates based in 178 countries worldwide in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world.
Our AlumniIf you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
A psychology foundation year programme is designed to provide students with the academic skills and fundamental knowledge of psychology foundational skills needed to pursue a degree in psychology. The foundation year serves as a preparatory year for individuals who may not meet the standard entry requirements for direct entry into a psychology degree programme.
Throughout the duration of this course you will gain an understanding of the sub-disciplines, classic studies, career paths, underlying debates, controversies and career paths related to psychology. You will also acquire key transferable skills that will prove invaluable when you enter the workplace.
This course is one of the only foundation year courses in the country that is taught entirely within a psychology department, ensuring that all of the content is relevant and tailored towards the curriculum of the BSc level degree.
On successful completion of this course you will possess the qualification required to progress onto BSc (Hons) Psychology or BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology
Over 92% of students studying Psychology at Northumbria thought staff were good at explaining things (NSS, 2024).
Northumbria’s research in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience is ranked 15th in the UK for research power out of 93 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 28 places from 43rd in 2014.
Psychology at Northumbria is ranked Top 40 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.
Discover all of our available Psychology Courses and find the course for you.
A psychology foundation year programme is designed to provide students with the academic skills and fundamental knowledge of psychology foundational skills needed to pursue a degree in psychology. The foundation year serves as a preparatory year for individuals who may not meet the standard entry requirements for direct entry into a psychology degree programme.
Throughout the duration of this course you will gain an understanding of the sub-disciplines, classic studies, career paths, underlying debates, controversies and career paths related to psychology. You will also acquire key transferable skills that will prove invaluable when you enter the workplace.
This course is one of the only foundation year courses in the country that is taught entirely within a psychology department, ensuring that all of the content is relevant and tailored towards the curriculum of the BSc level degree.
On successful completion of this course you will possess the qualification required to progress onto BSc (Hons) Psychology or BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology
Over 92% of students studying Psychology at Northumbria thought staff were good at explaining things (NSS, 2024).
Northumbria’s research in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience is ranked 15th in the UK for research power out of 93 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 28 places from 43rd in 2014.
Psychology at Northumbria is ranked Top 40 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.
Discover all of our available Psychology Courses and find the course for you.
UCAS Code
C801
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 year or 4 years full-time study
Department
Psychology
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024 or September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
The British Psychological Society has accredited a number of our psychology courses. We cover psychology and its various specialisms including health, occupational, organisational and sport
Department
Northumbria psychologists support local residents to change energy use behaviours.
Read the news story.Student wins prestigious award to help improve mental health among farmers and their families.
Read the news story.Northumbria research on ASMR finds interesting link.
Read the news story.Find out what our Psychology students and staff are taking part in and achieving.
Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university videos and articles.
Read our student blog and find out what student life is like at Northumbria from real students, tips and advice and much more.
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Psychology. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
The learning and teaching methods utilised on this course are designed to provide a smooth transition to your chosen Psychology degree.
Teaching is delivered by a series of lectures and interactive workshops that provide the opportunity to explore content in more depth. This will typically involve an initial session where you will be introduced to concepts and given a task or problem to work on individually or in a group. You will then present your solution in a range of formats.
This interactive style of teaching is designed to ensure deep learning of material, as well as development and practice of the academic skills necessary to pursue a degree in psychology.
This course’s assessment methods include formal multiple-choice and short answer examinations, and assignments including essays, and the creation of informational leaflets.
This course is taught by a specialist team of academics with extensive knowledge of psychology and how this applies to both theory and practice.
This course is one of the only foundation qualifications in the country that is delivered entirely within a psychology department and throughout the duration of your course you will be taught by academics who are heavily involved in the creation and delivery of our undergraduate courses, providing the perfect opportunity to prepare you for progression to your chosen degree.
To fully support your learning journey you will have a dedicated personal tutor who will be on-hand to offer help or assistance at every stage of your course.
You will be supported at every step, ensuring you leave with confidence and the understanding required to successfully progress to your new course.
Northumbria University’s laboratories, equipment and bespoke subject-specific facilities will provide you with learning opportunities directly applicable to your future degree subject.
Throughout the duration of your course you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as our University library – which has been recognised as third best in the UK – and well-equipped working space, The Hub, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Technology enhanced learning is embedded throughout this course and materials such as module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists will be available via our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard.
You can also access student support and other key University systems through your personal account.
Come and explore our outstanding facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
At the heart of each Northumbria campus, our libraries provide a range of study space and technology to suit every learning style.
This course is delivered by a team of research-active academics who are regularly featured in science conferences and publications related to their area of specialism. Their knowledge is integrated into the content of this course, ensuring that your learning is at the forefront of this dynamic and fascinating discipline.
The psychology department prides itself on its commitment to research-rich learning and on successful completion of this course you will possess a strong understanding of the fundamental debates, key research studies and academic skills relevant to psychology.
You will also be encouraged to develop your own research skills to further enhance your learning and prepare you for your future course.
See the areas of research in Northumbria University's psychology department.
This course has been specifically designed to allow you to commence to one of the following BSc (Hons) degrees: Psychology or Psychology with Criminology, which offer specialisms in the following areas; Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Business Psychology, Health Psychology.
When you begin your chosen undergraduate degree, the skills acquired on the Psychology Foundation Year course should assist in your understanding of your chosen subject. Your newly developed research skills will also prove invaluable for assignments and projects.
Completion of your subsequent undergraduate degree will help to prepare you for future employment or the progression to further education or Master’s level courses.
You can boost your CV and develop your experience whilst studying at Northumbria.
From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, we are here to help.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
Careers and Employment Services
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Psychology. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
80 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants shoud have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
80 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants shoud have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250
* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.
EU Fee in Year 1: £18,250
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
UK Fee in Year 1*: TBC
* Government has yet to announce 25/26 tuition fee levels. As a guide, 24/25 fees were £9,250 per year.
EU Fee in Year 1: **TBC
International Fee in Year 1:
TBC
ADDITIONAL COSTS
TBC
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
PY0300 -
Classic Studies that Shaped Psychology (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn about several of the key concepts and studies that have influenced our formative understanding of Psychology as a subject and importantly how we research psychological processes today. You will cover classic studies in a range of different areas such as behavioural psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, evolutionary psychology and cognitive psychology. In addition to this, you will learn about the development of neuroimaging, discuss ethics in psychological research, and look at classic studies in applied domains such as eyewitness memory.
More informationPY0301 -
Current Debates and Controversies (Core,20 Credits)
Psychology is a relatively new discipline, and is still developing its identity as a science. On this module you will learn about some of the questions that excite researchers right now: what are the boundaries of knowledge and the big questions in areas such as perception, neuroimaging, culture, and consciousness, and which directions are currently being explored?
More informationPY0302 -
Academic Skills for Psychologists (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn academic skills that will assist your learning and development on this programme and your future degree. The skills you acquire will also be transferable to enhance your employability.
You will be introduced to the learning resources that are available to support you. Using these resources you will learn how to conduct effective bibliographic searches and how to evaluate the credibility of the sources. You will learn about the sections of a journal article and how to read journal articles effectively. You will explore what it means to be a critical thinker and begin to learn how to evaluate information. You will focus on writing skills – essay writing and writing for different audiences – and learn the processes involved including referencing and how to avoid plagiarism. You will be introduced to the University’s Assessment for Learning policy and how assessment criteria and feedback can be used to help you develop your skills. Integrated within this you will develop your understanding of research by learning and reading about research, taking part in research studies and reflecting on research activities.
PY0303 -
Psychology for Life (Core,20 Credits)
The Psychology for Life module will primarily focus on developing your knowledge of how psychology is applied in the real world, and supporting you in making longer term decisions about your career. You will be introduced to different chartered routes in psychology, as well as broader professions, in which psychology can be readily applied. This knowledge in the application of psychology will help you to develop your understanding and self-efficacy when it comes to making career-related decisions. In-class discussions will also enable you to develop transferable skills valued by employers, such as communication skills and the role of teamwork.
You will have access to specialist input from the Careers and Employment Service in how to begin your journey in psychology, looking at securing relevant work experience, reflecting on your own skills and interests, CV writing, and interview support. Making use of this service will ensure that you are building your employability from the early stages of your journey in psychology.
Within the department of psychology, we also run invited speakers’ programmes for you to network with a range of practitioners and academics from outside of the university.
PY0304 -
Collecting & Managing Data (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn basic techniques for collecting and managing different types of data. You will learn to differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data and to understand how these types of data are used by psychologists. In taught sessions, you will gain practical experience of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., through interviews, questionnaires and experiments). You will then learn how to collate and describe these data by identifying themes or calculating appropriate summary statistics, using appropriate software where appropriate. Towards the end of the module you will be introduced to the concept of inferential statistics, which allow us to make inferences about the wider population based on data from a sample of that population.
More informationPY0305 -
Research Skills for Psychologists (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn research skills that will assist your learning and development on this programme and your future degree (e.g., how to read a journal article, how to find psychological literature, how to form a research question, how to design a psychology study, and how to interpret and communicate results). The skills you acquire will also be transferable to enhance your employability.
You will be introduced to the learning resources that are available to support you. You will learn how to conduct research and how to best report your findings. You will work individually and in groups to test your own abilities. You will explore the psychological theories behind the psychological phenomena and relationships that you investigate. Integrated within this you will develop communication skills by learning how to present information using posters, PowerPoint slides, and learn how to give confident oral presentations. In teaching session discussions, you will develop group working skills and enhance your understanding of the role of teamwork.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
PY0300 -
Classic Studies that Shaped Psychology (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn about several of the key concepts and studies that have influenced our formative understanding of Psychology as a subject and importantly how we research psychological processes today. You will cover classic studies in a range of different areas such as behavioural psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, evolutionary psychology and cognitive psychology. In addition to this, you will learn about the development of neuroimaging, discuss ethics in psychological research, and look at classic studies in applied domains such as eyewitness memory.
More informationPY0301 -
Current Debates and Controversies (Core,20 Credits)
Psychology is a relatively new discipline, and is still developing its identity as a science. On this module you will learn about some of the questions that excite researchers right now: what are the boundaries of knowledge and the big questions in areas such as perception, neuroimaging, culture, and consciousness, and which directions are currently being explored?
More informationPY0302 -
Academic Skills for Psychologists (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn academic skills that will assist your learning and development on this programme and your future degree. The skills you acquire will also be transferable to enhance your employability.
You will be introduced to the learning resources that are available to support you. Using these resources you will learn how to conduct effective bibliographic searches and how to evaluate the credibility of the sources. You will learn about the sections of a journal article and how to read journal articles effectively. You will explore what it means to be a critical thinker and begin to learn how to evaluate information. You will focus on writing skills – essay writing and writing for different audiences – and learn the processes involved including referencing and how to avoid plagiarism. You will be introduced to the University’s Assessment for Learning policy and how assessment criteria and feedback can be used to help you develop your skills. Integrated within this you will develop your understanding of research by learning and reading about research, taking part in research studies and reflecting on research activities.
PY0303 -
Psychology for Life (Core,20 Credits)
The Psychology for Life module will primarily focus on developing your knowledge of how psychology is applied in the real world, and supporting you in making longer term decisions about your career. You will be introduced to different chartered routes in psychology, as well as broader professions, in which psychology can be readily applied. This knowledge in the application of psychology will help you to develop your understanding and self-efficacy when it comes to making career-related decisions. In-class discussions will also enable you to develop transferable skills valued by employers, such as communication skills and the role of teamwork.
You will have access to specialist input from the Careers and Employment Service in how to begin your journey in psychology, looking at securing relevant work experience, reflecting on your own skills and interests, CV writing, and interview support. Making use of this service will ensure that you are building your employability from the early stages of your journey in psychology.
Within the department of psychology, we also run invited speakers’ programmes for you to network with a range of practitioners and academics from outside of the university.
PY0304 -
Collecting & Managing Data (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn basic techniques for collecting and managing different types of data. You will learn to differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data and to understand how these types of data are used by psychologists. In taught sessions, you will gain practical experience of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., through interviews, questionnaires and experiments). You will then learn how to collate and describe these data by identifying themes or calculating appropriate summary statistics, using appropriate software where appropriate. Towards the end of the module you will be introduced to the concept of inferential statistics, which allow us to make inferences about the wider population based on data from a sample of that population.
More informationPY0305 -
Research Skills for Psychologists (Core,20 Credits)
On this module you will learn research skills that will assist your learning and development on this programme and your future degree (e.g., how to read a journal article, how to find psychological literature, how to form a research question, how to design a psychology study, and how to interpret and communicate results). The skills you acquire will also be transferable to enhance your employability.
You will be introduced to the learning resources that are available to support you. You will learn how to conduct research and how to best report your findings. You will work individually and in groups to test your own abilities. You will explore the psychological theories behind the psychological phenomena and relationships that you investigate. Integrated within this you will develop communication skills by learning how to present information using posters, PowerPoint slides, and learn how to give confident oral presentations. In teaching session discussions, you will develop group working skills and enhance your understanding of the role of teamwork.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS
International applicants please apply using the links below
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.
We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.
You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.
We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:
If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.
Information about all of our tuition fees, funding and scholarships.
Get an insight into life at Northumbria at the click of a button! Come and explore our videos and 360 panoramas to immerse yourself in our campuses and get a feel for what it is like studying here using our interactive virtual tour.
Back to top