BSc in Psychology

Developed and led by chartered psychologists, this 100% online BSc (Hons) Psychology allows you to discover the fascinating world of psychology while preparing you for a wide range of jobs and opportunities. It’s also one of the few 100% online courses accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Throughout the course you’ll dive into many thought-provoking topics, including forensic and investigative psychology, education psychology, the psychology of sport and exercise, and critical social psychology. You’ll also get to develop your knowledge within a particular psychology topic of interest by writing a 30-credit final project. Upon graduation, you’ll have a strong understanding of the scientific and theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. The course will also equip you with detailed knowledge of several specialised areas/ applications of psychology, including the ability to recognise the variability and diversity of psychological functioning (and its significance). You’ll develop a number of transferable skills including critical-thinking, communication, evidence-based reasoning, investigative abilities, data analysis and lots more. Throughout this course, you'll explore a broad range of topics including:

• the major developmental milestones from a variety of theoretical perspectives why people differ from one another
• the principles of psycho and pharmacotherapeutic in the treatment of mental health
• theories and methods in the field of social psychology
• the role of memory as the mediator of cognitive processes

University of Essex Online offer 100% online and part-time degree courses to both UK and international students. They’re one of the top 30 universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025). All University of Essex Online degrees are awarded and validated by the University of Essex. This means you’ll get to benefit from world-class research, ground-breaking teaching, and become part of a truly global community.   We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education. Our students benefit from a flexible approach to learning while receiving the same dedicated support. Whether you're a professional looking to enhance your career or a school leaver who wants to boost their CV, online study is a cost-effective, convenient and flexible way to get ahead.

At University of Essex Online, we believe everyone should be able to access education. That’s why we take both academic and work-based experience into account when deciding if a student is eligible for a course.  All our potential students are assessed individually by a dedicated Admissions team who’ll determine whether they’re right for either our academic, open or work experience entry route onto our courses. Academic entry route

• three A-levels or equivalent

Work experience entry route

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent
• three years’ relevant work experience

English language requirements As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency. You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of the countries listed on our website.

• Designated for postgraduate student loans in England.
• Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies.
• Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront.
• Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries.
• Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you are a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.
• 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships.

A degree in psychology is useful for a wide array of fields, including counselling, marketing, the civil service, healthcare and the legal system – as well as for academia, research and training. You could also pursue further education in psychology in order to enter one of the many career paths within this field. These include investigative and forensic psychology; neuroscience; healthcare; child development and education; sports; exercise; occupational psychology; or clinical roles. Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2024 Career and Employability Survey showed:

• 7 in 10 undergraduate students would recommend us to a friend
• 4 in 5 undergraduates said their studies helped career progression
• 2 in 5 students feel ready to make a career change
• 90% of students felt better prepared for their career after studying with us