Psychology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Psychology with Foundation Year |
| DipHE | Psychology with Foundation Year |
| CertHE | Psychology with Foundation Year |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | ULD10003 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | ULD10005 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
For further information relating to FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 and the professional training year, including learning outcomes, aims and module information please view the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme specification.
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - Psychology
Programme Leader
HACK Sarah (Psychology)
Date of production/revision of spec
02/11/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- Develop cognitive skills that allow for critical thinking, problem solving and analysis of data and information.
- Develop key and transferable skills that will help in the assimilation of knowledge and develop autonomy in learning.
- Introduce students to a range of psychological subjects and core academic skills to prepare students for access into a psychology degree programme.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the basics of psychology | K | ||
| Discuss the relevance of psychology to the contemporary world | K | ||
| Search for, select and evaluate sources | CPT | ||
| Demonstrate an awareness of pragmatic, methodological and ethical issues in psychology | KCPT | ||
| Evaluate the research processes and investigative strategies used within psychology | KCPT | ||
| Demonstrate understanding of different approaches to analysing data | KCPT | ||
| Demonstrate attitudes and behaviours that support lifelong learning | CPT | ||
| Demonstrate skills in communication and reflection | PT | ||
| Demonstrate confidence and self-awareness in becoming an independent learner | CT | ||
| Demonstrate understanding of relevant academic skills | CPT | ||
| Demonstrate evidence of engagement with the process of developing assignments and the learning arising from this process | CPT | ||
| Evaluate AI outputs to demonstrate critical engagement with technology | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of a Foundation Year and 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are based on a 15-credit tariff
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over five academic years, consisting of a Foundation Year, an optional professional training year and 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are based on a 15-credit tariff
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 0 - FHEQ Level 3
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY0001 | PSYCHOLOGY IN THE REAL WORLD | Compulsory | 30 | 1 |
| PSY0002 | ISSUES IN SOCIAL RESEARCH | Compulsory | 30 | 2 |
| PSY0003 | THINKING PSYCHOLOGICALLY | Compulsory | 60 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 0 - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 please view the programme specification for the full-time BSc (Hons) Psychology programme.
Year 0 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 3
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY0001 | PSYCHOLOGY IN THE REAL WORLD | Compulsory | 30 | 1 |
| PSY0002 | ISSUES IN SOCIAL RESEARCH | Compulsory | 30 | 2 |
| PSY0003 | THINKING PSYCHOLOGICALLY | Compulsory | 60 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 0 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 and professional training year please view the programme specification for the full-time with PTY BSc (Hons) Psychology programme.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
This programme enables students to develop skills and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital Capabilities: A key focus of the programme is on developing academic skills to provide a strong foundation for success on the undergraduate programme. Students engage with online learning via SurreyLearn and other platforms, using digital tools for collaboration, communication and research. Students also have access to AI tools through the My AI Surrey platform to enhance their learning and develop skills in using AI tools effectively and ethically.
Employability: During the year students are taught by a range of academics introducing them to a range of applied areas of psychology and other areas of work in which psychologists¿ skills are valued. The programme builds transferable skills such as critical thinking, evaluating evidence, and academic writing. Assessments mirror real-world tasks (e.g. reports, reflective writing), preparing students for psychology careers and broader employment.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: Students examine cultural bias in psychology, including concepts like WEIRD populations and ethnocentrism. Attention is drawn to examples of classic and contemporary research conducted by Black psychologists. Students are also introduced to ways of addressing ethnocentrism.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: A key theme of the programme is the importance of wellbeing and resilience. In addition to developing academic skills, students are introduced to a range of psychological interventions so that they will have a repertoire of positive psychology skills and knowledge related to personal and academic resilience.
Sustainability: Students are introduced to applied areas of psychology that explore how psychology may be used in ethically, socially and environmentally responsible ways, within the context of the UN Sustainable Goals, to support the development of a more sustainable future society.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.