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What makes Psychology with Politics at Worcester special?

Psychology with Politics has been designed to develop you as the psychologist of the future. From innovative and career-focussed assessments to understanding the challenges global societies will face in the future, your course will equip you with the skills, real-world experience, access to cutting-edge research, and aptitude to make a difference.

Alongside studying psychology your course will have a political edge, in that your studies will be contextualised within a wider focus on Westminster, European, and global political philosophies, systems, and challenges. Indeed, in your Psychology with Politics degree not only will you be able to explore whatever interests you most, you will also experience a genuine taste of the work you could be doing after you graduate.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • A welcoming, professional community of students and lecturers, with regular guest speakers, group trips, social nights and a peer mentoring scheme
  • A personalised learning journey, choice of modules, skills development and personal and academic tutoring based as much on your career as your studies
  • Modules and assessments designed with an emphasis on experiential learning which will help you be an active and passionate learner and to apply psychological understanding to real world questions, including in relation to contemporary Westminster, European, and global politics
  • ‘Assessments for life’ designed to reflect the key skills that employers of Psychology and Politics graduates value helping to increase your employability prospects and making you prepared for today, tomorrow and beyond
  • Innovative and cutting-edge modules delivered by practitioners working in their specialist fields through research inspired and practitioner-based teaching

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.


Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112
UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

112 UCAS tariff points (for example, BBC at A Level)

GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS Website.

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Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Year 1

Mandatory

 

  • Introducing Psychology
  • Investigating Psychology
  • Professional Skills and Practice
  • Westminster Politics

Year 2

Mandatory

  • Cognitive Neuroscience and Biological Approaches
  • The Individual and the Social World
  • Research Skills in Psychology
  • European Politics

Year 3

Mandatory

  • Psychology Research Project
  • Global Politics

Optional

  • Business Psychology
  • Coaching Psychology
  • Counselling Skills in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Positive Psychology
  • Cyberpsychology
  • Living with Long Term Conditions
  • Social Cognition & Emotion
  • Understanding Trauma & Violence
  • Negotiated Topics in Psychology
  • Work Based Learning
Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching, and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements, and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

Students are taught through a combination of different learning and teaching methods. Lectures allow for the presentation and introduction of key topics, including both traditional and contemporary sources, which allow students to begin their learning. This is then supported by seminars that enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures. Subject specific skills are the focus of practical classes and workshops (for example, understanding statistical data analysis or political discourse analysis).

The course also has a keen focus on experiential learning, as there is good evidence that this can greatly enhance the student learning experience. Therefore, such methods will be used such as problem-based learning, whereby students will apply theory and content from psychology and politics to address real world, global issues (e.g. the role of AI in the workplace, tackling climate change, understanding Brexit, the rise of populist politics and global pandemics). Such global issues will be themes that run through the course, and as such will be covered elsewhere in other learning and teaching.

Furthermore, the role of research in the learning and teaching methods of this course will be central to all areas. Such research-informed teaching and learning will include practical research classes where students put into practice research methods they have learnt as well as focusing on research in directed study, group activities, assessments and problem-based learning.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip them for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.  A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the Personal Academic Tutoring system enables students to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help them to flourish and be successful.

In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PAT) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year. This will include two group sessions as part of modules, and individual meetings. Students are scheduled to meet their PAT’s on three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

Contact time

In a typical week, students will have around 10-12 contact hours of teaching.  The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year there is normally slightly less contact time in order to do more independent study. 

Typically class contact time will be structured around:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Use of course Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) for online activities

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week.  Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources. 

Duration

  • 3 years full-time
  • 4-6 years part-time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching staff

Students will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes Politics and Psychology staff, the latter being from a range of psychology backgrounds including Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Occupational Psychology and with research specialisms such as emotions, evolutionary approaches to behaviour, positive psychology and individual differences.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and the majority of lecturers on the course have (or are currently working towards) a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. 

You can learn more about Psychology with Politics staff by visiting our Psychology staff profiles and Politics staff profiles.

Assessment

A range of assessment methods are used to enable students to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes. Literacy and critical thinking around psychology and politics is developed and assessed through assignments such as essays, literature reviews, critical reviews of journal papers, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, report writing, political discourse analysis, etc. Indeed, assessments aim to develop skills such as problem solving, research, organisation, planning, and effective communication. Effective and fluent written, oral and visual communication is enhanced further through assessments that use posters and PowerPoint presentations, video and webpage design, whilst the use of group work for assessment enables better team working and the development of leadership skills. Lastly, a number of modules use weblogs, e-portfolios and case studies to develop and assess a range of skills including reflection and independent learning.  

Furthermore the course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.  Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.  

Assessment methods include; Essay, Exam, Practical Report File, Reflective Log, Personal Development Plan, Discussion paper, Public Communication, Research Funding Bid, Literature Review, Research Proposal, Presentation (group and individual), Research Project, Poster Presentation, Case Study, Portfolio, Policy Briefing, Extended Essay, Workbook, Political Discourse Analysis.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1

  • 2 Essays
  • 1 Multiple Choice Exam
  • 2 Practical Report Files
  • 2 Reflective Logs
  • 1 Personal Development Plan
  • 1 Discussion paper

Year 2

  • 1 Public Communication
  • 1 Research Funding Bid
  • 1 Essay
  • 1 Literature Review
  • 1 Practical Report File
  • 1 Research Proposal
  • 1 Report
  • 1 Political Discourse Analysis

Year 3

  • 1 Research Project
  • 1 Poster Presentation
  • 1 Case Study
  • 1 Essay
  • 1 Political Discourse Analysis
  • 1 Policy Briefing
  • 1 Extended Essay

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Hannah Carstairs - Former Politics student

Politics is such a vast subject covering topics of history, sociology, ethics and a little philosophy. It helps you to gain a clear understanding of the world around you and I have really enjoyed how the course focuses on contemporary political issues rather than just ideologies. The lecturers use a variety of interactive media to engage students and help you find interesting research. Studying politics has assisted me to fine tune the skills I will need to seek a career in teaching and writing. I will take what I have learnt on this course into my Masters.

I would highly recommend the university to others. The lecturers on my course have been incredibly supportive and understanding allowing me to take the course at my own pace.

Linda Lukangu - Former Politics student

The politics classes are quite small, so it’s easy to get your voice heard and you really get to know your lecturer and your classmates. The classes are usually divided into a lecture about a specific subject and the second half is more about discussions and group work where you can develop your critical thinking.

I would definitely recommend the university. It's the right size with loads of greenery and a good sized town centre only walking distance away. The university also offers loads of assistance for those who need it so you never feel alone and the course selection is so big, everyone is guaranteed to find something they are interested in

Meet the team

Sarah Lloyd

Sarah is a lecturer in Psychology, co-lead of Undergraduate Psychology Courses, and Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) Co-ordinator in the School of Psychology. She is predominantly interested in Forensic Psychology but teaches across the Psychology curriculum, leading the Professional Skills and Practice, Evidence Based Practice, Psychology in the Real World, and Psychology and Law undergraduate modules.

Sarah completed her MSc in Forensic Psychology at Birmingham City University and is currently in the final year of her PhD which explores the group decision-making processes of juries. Before joining the team at Worcester in 2021, she was an Assistant Lecturer in the Forensic Psychology MSc at Birmingham City University. 

dr-helen-scott

Dr Helen Scott

Helen's research interests lie in the areas of empathy and emotional intelligence in healthcare roles. In particular she is interested in how these concepts are demonstrated and assessed, using social psychological theories and individual differences as frameworks for investigation.

dr-daniel-farrelly

Dr Daniel Farrelly

Daniel is interested in how evolution can help us explain human behaviour and psychological processes. For example how cooperation has evolved in humans, particularly in response to different social situations and pressures, and how this is applied to real-world issues such as environmentalism.

Dr Luke Devine

Luke is currently Course Leader for Sociology

Careers

Careers

Before you start your Psychology with Politics degree, you’ll probably want to know how it can help you into a fulfilling career. Here at Worcester, we’ve designed the whole Psychology with Politics curriculum around your future ambitions - and we support you in developing the skills that will open doors in a range of sectors, including health, business, counselling, forensics, education, sport, and politics. Communication, digital literacy, problem solving, critical thinking, team working, and data collection and analysis are just some of the skills that will increase your appeal to employers.

We don’t just help you develop your skills we also provide opportunities for you to practice them, and help you understand your unique and personal ‘skills rucksack’. We work closely with the University’s Careers and Employability team, arranging placements, both paid and voluntary, with many local and national organisations - including the NHS, West Mercia Police Constabulary, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Worcestershire County Council and HMP Aylesbury.

Moreover, the Politics team enjoys links with local councillors, MPs, and parties; in the past, students have gained valuable work experience across a range of political parties (including in the Conservative, Green, Liberal, and Labour parties) and campaigns (including the last General Election), as well as working in local constituencies and Parliament. According to the latest available data, 80% of Politics graduates were in employment after study.

You can also take part in workshops devoted to CV writing, interview skills, recruitment and assessment techniques. And you’ll have the chance to talk to guest speakers and visit potential employers - as well as getting help to apply for work and postgraduate study.

Take a look at these external resources for more information on Psychology careers:

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Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £9,250 per year (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the academic year 2025/26 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Psychology with Politics - C8L2

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry into full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK. For the latest information, check the UCAS website at www.ucas.com

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

C8L2

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Sarah Lloyd

Co-lead Undergraduate Psychology courses

Dr Luke Devine

Politics Lead