Business Psychology - BSc (Hons)

2023

2024

Standard option
with a Placement Year

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How do people think, perceive and feel? Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour. As a Business Psychology student, you apply psychological theories, methods and processes to real business issues and questions including leadership, corporate crime, gig economy and health and well-being.

Our Association for Business Society (ABP) accredited degree enables you to confront the issues that humans face in life and in work with psychology's scientific principles.

Shape your degree outside the classroom by participating in our student-led Psychology Society who host regular events, including co-run seminars with our academic team exploring current questions. Step into our active community.

Reasons to study Business Psychology at Kent

It’s accredited by the Association for Business Psychology which offers professional certification
You’ll discover your future in a subject ranked 16th in the UK for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2023. Recent graduates across Psychology degrees have started their own businesses, researched in the civil service and become practising Psychologists
You’ll test out your own theories and hypotheses in our excellent facilities, including eye tracking and virtual reality laboratories
You’ll be inspired by our industry-relevant modules, providing you with emerging insights from experts who engage in consultancy work with businesses and government
You’ll break new ground and gain real-world experience by adding a placement year
You’ll benefit from ongoing support in your studies through our peer mentoring scheme, including tailored support for statistics, as well as dedicated academic advisors

What you'll learn

You study the core areas required for accreditation: statistics, biological and general psychology, social psychology and business psychology. Your business psychology training encompasses leadership and enterprise, organisational change, and evidence-based practice through case studies, project work and/or participation in peer mentoring.

Entry requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.

A level

ABB-BBB
GCSE

Mathematics grade C or 4
Access to HE Diploma

The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.
BTEC Nationals

Distinction, Distinction, Merit
International Baccalaureate

30 points or 15 points at HL, including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL
International Foundation Programme

Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average (plus 50% in LZ013 Maths and Statistics if you do not hold GCSE Maths at 4/C or equivalent).
T level

The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Apply now

International students

If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules currently include

SP300 is concerned with methodology in psychology, with statistics in psychology, and how they interact. In the lectures, relevant topics in methodology and statistics are introduced over the course of the year (examples are design considerations, counterbalancing, sample versus population, descriptive statistics, histograms, summary statistics, hypothesis testing). There are a number of dedicated lectures looking at how the psychological literature reflects the methodological and statistical issues that have been addressed in the lectures, and how researchers have balanced the requirements of methods, statistics and theory-driven investigation

Find out more about PSYC3000

This module provides students with an introduction to the methods, techniques and issues of cognitive and biological psychology. The module covers the historical development of cognitive psychology as a science, the brain processes which underlie human behaviour and behavioural genetics. The module focuses on the cognitive processes of learning, thought, perception, memory, attention, intelligence, psychopathology and disorders of cognition. Each topic includes a brief overview of its historical development before introducing students to the current theories, methods and issues. The module is taught through lectures and the accompanying psychology specific skills seminars.

Find out more about PSYC3010

This module, along with other Stage 1 psychology modules, provides a foundation for Stages 2 and 3. It will provide students with an introduction to the methods, techniques and issues involved in the study of social psychology and developmental psychology. The emphasis of the module is on theory as the foundation of an empirical discipline and the importance of scientific methodology. It highlights the interplay between theory, research, and application in both social psychology and developmental psychology. In one part of the module, focus is placed on core theories and research in, as well as applications of, social psychology. In the other part of the module, focus is placed on core theories and research in, as well as applications of, developmental psychology. Each part begins with an overview of the historical development of the subject before introducing students to current theories and methods.

Find out more about PSYC3020

This module will introduce students to key topics about Psychology in the workplace such as leadership, corporate crime, and workplace motivation – there will be a focus on the application of psychology to real business issues and questions, and lectures will focus on expertise within the School of Psychology at Kent. In particular, this module will focus on (1) fundamental applications of psychology, as a science, for understanding important business, work, and organisational issues, and (2) key research methods common in work and organization psychological research. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to apply contemporary psychological concepts and methods to understand the application of psychology to core work and organisational issues.

Find out more about PSYC3110

The Research Participation Scheme (RPS) enables students commencing their training in Psychology to gain experience with academic research through participation in studies conducted by staff and other students who are more advanced in their studies (i.e., Final Year, MSc, PhD). Students enrolled in the RPS accumulate credits that correspond to the time spent participating in studies. All studies offered via the RPS have received independent ethical approval and comply with the BPS Code of Human Research Ethics.

Find out more about PSYC3130

This module will provide you with the fundamental skills needed to succeed in degree-level psychology. As well as explicit training in the mechanics of academic writing, referencing, and critical thinking, it will give you a thorough grounding in the psychology of effective learning, considering key topics from cognitive psychology (e.g. memory, attention) in terms of how they relate to successful study strategies.

Find out more about PSYC3141

Optional modules may include

This module will introduce students to key topics in Forensic Psychology including the development of offending, the rehabilitation of offenders, the criminal justice system, criminal statistics, policing, and the public response to crime. In particular, this module will focus on (1) fundamental applications of psychology, as a science, for understanding important forensic issues, and (2) key research methods common in forensic psychological research. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to apply contemporary psychological concepts and methods to understand the important forensic psychological issues outlined.

Find out more about PSYC3060

You have the opportunity to select elective modules in this stage.

Stage 2

Compulsory modules currently include

The broad aims of the module are: (a) to provide a continued training in methodological skills appropriate to psychological investigation; (b) to provide advanced training in statistical techniques of the analysis of psychological data; (c) to provide training in computing skills for conducting analysis of psychological data; and (d) to provide direct experience of some of the phenomena encountered in other Stage 2/3 psychology modules.

The practical component of the module consists of a structured course of laboratory classes and non-laboratory sessions during which students work in small supervised groups designing and carrying out four research projects related to themes encountered in the department's other Stage 2/3 modules. A course of statistics lectures and computing workshops is closely linked to the practical classes. Computer–based statistical analysis is illustrated using R, a general-purpose statistical package.

Find out more about PSYC5000

Find out more about PSYC5880

The module provides a comprehensive overview of the major theories and scientific discoveries in personality and individual differences, attitudes and social cognition, and the social psychology of group processes, interpersonal relationships and intergroup relations. It emphasises findings from systematic empirical research in both field and laboratory settings and focuses on key topics in classic and current research. Possible topics include mental abilities, emotions, self-esteem, the self, political attitudes, attraction, stability and change in personality and attitudes, social influence, leadership, social identity, prejudice, and prejudice reduction.

We will consider what personality is, why it differs between people, and what impact personality and individual differences have on life outcomes. We will also focus on the impact of perceptions of the self, others, and groups on attitudes and behaviour within close relationships, within groups and between groups.

Find out more about PSYC6392

This module provides students with theoretical instruction and opportunities for critical evaluation in abnormal psychology. It examines the origins and identification of different forms of atypical cognitions and behaviours and investigate the psychological and social impact for patients. The module covers some of the major mental health disorders, focusing primarily on what research has to say about their social/cognitive/biological bases and the implications they have for treatment. In addition, the module describes several methodological approaches, ask fundamental questions about the meaning of normality. The historical developments in this field are examined and current interventions and treatments feature highly in this module.

Find out more about PSYC6410

This module will research the changing world of work and work options, for example paid, self-employed, portfolio, part time and gift work-against the context of such challenges as the financial/banking crisis, global warming, the neo-liberal economic model and the alternatives.

Find out more about PSYC6490

This module examines behaviour, performance, and health and well-being of individuals in work and organisational situations. Teaching focuses, with varying emphasis, on the areas of psychological assessment, work design and organisational change, health and well-being, and positive and negative aspects of performance. Overall the aim is of the module is to provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of core topics in business psychology.

Find out more about PSYC6500

Students will attend up to four talks/workshops specifically relating to careers in Business Psychology (e.g. talks by consultant psychologists; recruitment agents). They will also participate in the Academic Peer Mentoring scheme as mentees. They will be required to keep a log book of all personal and professional development activities. This reflective practice enhances students' development, provides a record of activities for their CV, and contributes to employability.

Find out more about PSYC6510

Optional modules may include

The focus of this module is on understanding how children develop. Understanding something of the processes of developmental change is a central part of any psychology degree, and by the end of this module you should be in a better position to understand the significance of child development for human psychology. As the course progresses we will move from issues germane to early infancy, through childhood and the associated social, cognitive and emotional changes the child experiences during that period, concluding with an overall look at the bigger picture.

Find out more about PSYC5280

You have the opportunity to select elective modules in this stage.

Stage 3

Compulsory modules currently include

This module offers an exciting opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge research into groups.

You will understand and apply group research to social policy, business, politics, marketing, etc. and get the chance to consider current affairs and personal experiences with the opportunity for small group discussions and team work. Example topics: alcohol and group processes, leadership, organisational identity, improving cooperation in groups.

Find out more about PSYC6030

This module complements the focus of BSc degree on basic (fundamental) psychological research by providing training in applied psychology. The module equips students with an understanding of what is meant by applied psychology, of the domains in which psychology can be applied (e.g., in business, education, health, and the law), and decision rules governing applied psychology such as the balance between the cost and risks inherent in an intervention with its benefits. It would also introduce students to ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges in applied psychology. Students are also introduced to the history and philosophy of applied psychology, for example contrasting humanistic and behaviourist approaches to intervention, and a consideration of the role of socially constructed "value" in the application of science (for example, how prejudice versus homosexuality have waxed and waned as “problems” warranting psychological intervention according to prevailing social values).

Find out more about PSYC6330

The module will systematically explore common logical and psychological barriers to understanding and critically analysing empirical research. Major topics to be considered include common fallacies of deductive and inductive reasoning, judgmental heuristics relevant to evaluating empirical research claims, essentials of a scientific method, misleading statistical and graphical techniques, establishing genuine associations, the role of inferential statistics for identifying illusory associations, essentials of causal inference, threats to the validity of experimental and non experimental research.

Find out more about PSYC6360

All students are required to carry out a piece of psychological research on a specific topic, and to then present it as a report that adheres to the conventions of academic Psychology.

Find out more about PSYC6480

This module focuses on practical aspects of applying psychology to work and organisations. The module combines teaching of conceptual frameworks with opportunities to engage in evidence-based practice through case studies, project work and/or participation in peer mentoring.

Find out more about PSYC6520

You have the opportunity to select elective modules in this stage.

Fees

The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:

Home full-time £9,250
EU full-time £16,400
International full-time £21,900
Home part-time £4,625
EU part-time £8,200
International part-time £10,950

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

Scholarships

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Teaching and assessment

Modules are taught by weekly lectures, workshops, small group seminars and project supervision. The Psychology Statistics and Practical modules include laboratory practical sessions, statistics classes, computing classes and lectures in statistics and methodology.

Most modules are assessed by examination and coursework in equal measure. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree result. Our assessment methods are varied and will include, but are not limited to, examinations, written assignments and essays, group work and oral presentations

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

provide a programme that will attract and meet the needs of both those contemplating a career in business psychology and those motivated primarily by an intellectual interest in psychology.
contribute to widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes.
provide a sound knowledge and systematic understanding of principal approaches and perspectives in psychology, with emphasis on improving working life.
develop a critical awareness and appraisal of the different approaches to psychology and related disciplines, and to introduce students to a range of different theoretical and methodological perspectives.
offer a range of modules covering foundations of psychology, as well as specialised modules in business psychology.
provide teaching which is informed by current research and practice, and which requires students to engage with aspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge.
enable students to manage their own learning and to carry out independent research, including research into areas of psychology they have not previously studied.
develop general critical, analytical and problem solving skills which are applicable in a wide range of different applied and non-applied psychological and extra-psychological settings.
provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate for graduate employment both in the psychology professions and other fields.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

psychology statistics, practical experimentation and research from a theoretical and practical application.
how interpersonal and group behaviour affects individuals.
how cognition and biological processes play a role in human behaviour and experience.
personality and individual differences, and the impact they have on individuals and groups.
the historical, philosophical and theoretical issues in psychology.
the relationship between psychology and allied disciplines.
the different frameworks in psychology, and an ability to demonstrate different levels of description and explanation.
theory and practice of Business Psychology as applied to individuals, groups, and organisations.

Intellectual skills

You will develop intellectual abilities in the following:

be able to undertake critical reflection on particular issues in the field of psychology
communicate ideas and research findings effectively and fluently by oral discussion including in groups
demonstrate findings by means of written analysis and interpretation
be able to make critical evaluation and exposition of ideas
demonstrate development of writing and reading skills
use effective personal planning and project management skills
demonstrate self-reflection and development from feedback from different sources (e.g., staff and peers, information technology)
demonstrate clarity in thinking, critical thinking and problem identification.

Subject-specific skills

You will gain subject-specific skills in the following:

completion of an empirical study in an area of business psychology, under supervision
demonstrate expertise in the design and conduct of empirical research
evaluating and selecting appropriate frameworks and methodologies for exploring issues in business psychology
awareness of ethical principles and approval procedures and being able to apply these to work undertaken by business psychologists
use of the major analytic techniques employed by business psychologists
demonstrate competence in use of inferential method of science (deductive methods, single case methods, semiotics)
reason statistically, and use a range of statistical methods with confidence
demonstrate competence in the use of psychology-oriented software applications (e.g., database programmes, experiment generators, statistical packages)
an ability to disseminate psychological information to appropriate bodies, and use of psychological knowledge to enhance this process.

Transferable skills

You will gain transferable skills in the following:

Communication: organise information clearly; respond to written sources; present information orally; adapt style for different audiences; use of images as a communication tool
Numeracy: make sense of statistical materials; integrate numerical and non-numerical information; understand the limits and potentialities of arguments based on quantitative information
Information Technology: produce written documents; undertake online research; communicate using e-mail; process information using databases
Working with others: define and review the work of others; work co-operatively on group tasks, assignments, and projects; understand how groups function; show leadership and followership
Improving own learning: explore personal strengths and weaknesses; time management; develop resilience; review working environment (especially student-staff relationship); develop specialist learning skills (e.g. foreign languages); develop autonomy in learning
Problem solving: identify and define problems; show entrepreneurship; explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them.

Independent rankings

Psychology at Kent scored 86% overall and was ranked 29th out of 117 in The Complete University Guide 2023.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates have gone on to work in:

government administration
marketing
NHS and health charities
public relations
publishing
social welfare
social work
teaching
the Home Office
the probation service

Many continue their studies at postgraduate level to qualify as a:

clinical psychologist
educational psychologist
forensic psychologist
neuropsychologist
occupational psychologist.

Help finding a job

The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:

apply for jobs
write a good CV
perform well in interviews.

Work experience

The School of Psychology has valuable links with educational establishments, hospitals and prisons in the area, offering you the possibility of both visits and work placements. We also offer a Research Experience Scheme that gives you a taste of working within a research environment.

Career-enhancing skills

Studying for a degree is not just about mastering your subject area. Employers also look for a range of key transferable skills, which you develop as part of your degree.

These include:

computing skills
writing and presentation skills
analytical and problem-solving skills
the ability to respond to challenges.

You can also gain extra skills by signing up for our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Apply for Business Psychology - BSc (Hons)

If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.

Find out more about how to apply

Contact us

United Kingdom/EU enquiries

Enquire online for full-time study

Enquire online for part-time study

T: +44 (0)1227 768896

International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

School website

School of Psychology

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*Where fees are regulated (such as by the Department for Education or Research Council UK) permitted increases are normally inflationary and the University therefore reserves the right to increase tuition fees by inflation (RPI excluding mortgage interest payments) as permitted by law or Government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course. If we intend to exercise this right to increase tuition fees, we will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which we intend to exercise that right.

If, in the future, the increases to regulated fees permitted by law or government policy exceed the rate of inflation, we reserve the right to increase fees to the maximum permitted level. If we intend to exercise this extended right to increase tuition fees, we will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which we intend to exercise that right.

Business Psychology - BSc (Hons)

Next steps

Undergraduate Open Day

Overview

Reasons to study Business Psychology at Kent

What you'll learn

Featured video

Entry requirements

A level

medal-empty GCSE

medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

medal-empty BTEC Nationals

medal-empty International Baccalaureate

medal-empty International Foundation Programme

medal-empty T level

International students

English Language Requirements

Form

Course structure

Fees

Your fee status

Additional costs

Funding

trophy Scholarships

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Teaching and assessment

Contact hours

Programme aims

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Intellectual skills

Subject-specific skills

Transferable skills

Independent rankings

Careers

Graduate destinations

Help finding a job

Work experience

Career-enhancing skills

Apply for Business Psychology - BSc (Hons)

All applicants

International applicants

Apply now for part-time study

Contact us

United Kingdom/EU enquiries

International student enquiries

School website

Discover Uni information

GCSE

Access to HE Diploma

BTEC Nationals

International Baccalaureate

International Foundation Programme

T level

Scholarships