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This course is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of psychological and sociological perspectives in both theory and practice. Combining psychology’s focus on the individual with sociology’s focus on the social, the course provides you with valuable interdisciplinary insight into topics, issues and debates surrounding human behaviour and society. Our interdisciplinary approach encourages you to connect the dots between psychological phenomena and sociological patterns, fostering a holistic understanding of the human experience.

You will also engage with debates about the practical, theoretical and ethical issues in relation to conducting research and analysing data from the perspective of both disciplines, as well as explore how research can be used to better understand and find solutions to address social issues relevant to different communities and social groups.

Throughout the course, you will develop a range of transferable skills that employers are looking for, including critical analysis, communication skills and research skills. Our graduates have gone into a wide variety of fields, including business, health, media, education, social care and management.

On this course you will:

• reflect upon the ways in which psychological and sociological knowledge can affect real change in people’s everyday lives;
• learn to use social scientific methods and evidence to make sense of human behaviour;
• learn how to think and write critically, giving you skills that can be valuable in many professional fields; and
• have opportunities to go into communities and apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world context.

Structure

All students enrol onto the honours degree, but you can choose to exit with an ordinary degree after three years.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, practical workshops and laboratories. Outside these timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. Your work will be assessed using a number of techniques, including essay writing, presentations, podcasts, report writing, critical reflections and examinations.

Exchange opportunities

Studying abroad through our exchange programme can be one of the most exciting and rewarding challenges for a student to experience. The opportunity to travel and live in another country, learn different customs and traditions, meet new people and future career draws many students into the exchange programme. In Year Three you have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. Please visit theÌýExchanges and Study AbroadÌýpages for more information.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:Ìý

• start to gain a thorough grounding in the key concepts, theories and schools of thought in psychology and sociology;
• develop a sound understanding of the historical development and contemporary applications of psychological and sociological knowledge as well as explore the very latest debates in both disciplines; and
• focus on enhancing a wide range of essential transferable skills, paying particular attention to improving your interpersonal and presentation skills, effective reading and writing, analytical thinking and critical reflection, as well as your research skills.

Modules

• Introduction to Academia
• The Sociological Imagination 1 – Classic & Contemporary Sociological Theories & Concepts
• The Sociological Imagination 2 – Diversity and Inequality
• Introduction to Psychology 1
• Introduction to Psychology 2
• Foundations of Psychology: Core Concepts and Practices

Year Two

You will:Ìý

• continue to develop a thorough grounding in the key concepts, theories and schools of thought in psychology and sociology;
• refine your ability to make informed, comparative, critical judgements and evaluations of competing psychological and sociological approaches to substantive issues;
• start to develop competence in the critique of published psychological and sociological research in relation to conceptual and methodological considerations; and
• start to develop research skills in psychology and sociology

Modules

• Current Debates in Sociology
• Material Culture: The Social Life of Things
• Exploring Research
• Self & Identity
• Developmental and Social Psychology Ìý
• Psychology Option module (either Individual Differences, Wellbeing and Ethical Practice or Biological and Cognitive Psychology)

Year Three

You will:Ìý

• continue to develop your ability to critically evaluate the utility of a range of epistemological and methodological perspectives in interrogating psychological and sociological issues;
• refine your skills to employ evidence-based, comparative reasoning and to critically examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychological and sociological research;
• enhance your understanding of ethical issues and current codes of ethics and conduct;
• develop competence in the presentation and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data; and
• have the opportunity (subject to availability) to study for one semester at a university overseas. For more information, visitÌýExchanges and Study Abroad.

Modules

• Interaction & Social Order
• Sociology of Knowledge & Science
• Sociological and Psychological Approaches to Social Movements
• Research Skills
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychology Option Module (either Cognitive Psychology or Psychobiology in Context)

Year Four

You will:Ìý

• develop specialisms in psychology and sociology and be able to demonstrate detailed and contemporary knowledge and understanding in relation to chosen specialisms;
• through independent scholarly activity, synthesise and critically evaluate a wide range of psychological and sociological theories, theorists, concepts and practices;Ìý
• work closely with a member of academic staff to conduct your own independent research project appropriate to sociology and/or psychology; and
• become an independent, pragmatic, reflective and critical thinker.

Modules

• Dissertation (in Psychology, Sociology or both)
• Two Sociology option modules
• Two psychology option modules

Option modules

Sociology options may include:

• Understanding the Sociological Present
• Class, Poverty and Inequality: Social Policy Response
• Sociology of Scotland
• Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Comparative Perspective
• Queer Feminist Sociology in Action

Psychology options may include:

• Cognitive Science of Belief
• Community Engagement
• Critical Engagement with the History of Psychology
• Peer Relations in Childhood and Adolescence
• Memory: Origins and Structures
• Evolutionary Psychology in the Modern World

These modules are indicative and may be subject to change year on year.

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. Please check back here for any updates.

A degree in Psychology and Sociology opens up a wide range of career opportunities, having equipped you with highly sought-after knowledge and skills that are transferable to many fields. Examples of transferable skills you will develop throughout your degree include: critical thinking and analysis, communication skills, problem-solving skills, research skills, data analysis and interpretation skills, teamwork and collaboration.

Our alumni are pursuing careers in social and community work, consumer and social research, public policy development, journalism, teaching, academia, marketing, media and human resource management. These are just a few examples, and the versatility of a joint degree in Psychology and Sociology allows graduates to adapt their skills to various fields and industries, making them well-prepared for the evolving demands of the workforce.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard – BBBB, Minimum – BCCC

A Level:Ìýµþ°ä°ä

Irish Leaving Certificate:ÌýH2 H2 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate:Ìý28 points

International:ÌýIELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5

Required subjects:ÌýEnglish required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/ GCSE at grade C/4 or above

Am I a Widening Access student?:ÌýWe apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to theÌýaccess and applicationÌý±è²¹²µ±ð.

Mature/Access:ÌýWe welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications and/or experience. Visit ourÌýCollege Leavers and Mature Students Advice pageÌýfor more information.Ìý

Direct Entry:

Year Two

• HNC in a related subject with B in the graded unit
• Scottish Higher: BC at Advanced Higher in relevant subjects plus BB at Higher
• A Level: BBB in relevant subjects

Year Three

• HND in a related subject with CB in the graded units

For details of related HNC and HND courses, visit ourÌýCollege Leavers and Mature Students Advice page.Ìý

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme may be required if you chose to engage in work experience/community engagement opportunities.

Other costs

• The cost of the PVG check is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit theÌý

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, pleaseÌýcontact the disability serviceÌýwho will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Terms and Conditions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in ourÌý2025/26 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly for 2025 entry. Please check back here for updates.

You can study this course as an associate student, completing the first year at Newbattle Abbey College or West Lothian College.

Read more about the Associate Student Scheme.Ìý

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