Engage with the theories, perspectives, and methods that are used to study the mind, the brain, and behaviour.
Year of entry: 2025/26
C801
Y50
4 years full-time
Complete University Guide 2025
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
of universities included in the National Student Survey 2024 for psychology (non-specific).
Psychology is the scientific study of mind, brain and behaviour. Here at York, we teach psychology as a rigorous experimental biological science.
Our exciting and innovative four year MSci course allows you to engage fully with the theories, perspectives, and methods that are used to study the mind, the brain, and behaviour, while developing your practical, high-level skills in empirical investigation and scientific data analysis.
It will equip you with advanced training in research methods, statistics and specialisation in one of three pathways at the forefront of contemporary behavioural science.
These pathways are:
The benefits of the MSci include the opportunity to:
Applications for this course are closed to UK (home) applicants for 2024/25. Applications for 2025/26 will open in September.
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, assuring the quality and relevance of our teaching.
Complete University Guide 2025
You'll study in a purpose-built psychology building which makes for an integrated department and rich student experience
MSci and BSc students take identical modules and are taught together during Years 1 and 2. At the beginning of Year 3, the two courses take different directions.
In Years 3 and 4 you will select one of the three pathways, each providing advanced modules and extended projects linked to your chosen specialism.
We place a strong emphasis on practical experience, giving you the chance to undertake two research projects rather than one (one in Year 3 and a larger one in Year 4). This means that you will graduate with the strong analytical and independent research skills needed for employment. This advanced training, combined with opportunities to develop professional communication and project skills, will allow you to go on to sought-after graduate-level employment in various sectors of the job market.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In the first two years you will study the main areas of psychology.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In Year 2 you will build on the knowledge you have already gained in Year 1.
Option modules
You will study one option module. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In Year 3 you'll choose a selection of modules from a specialist pathway and from a broad range of advanced options.
You'll also work with a small group to prepare and carry out your own research in an area of your choice.
You will complete two core modules associated with you specialist pathway:
You'll also complete a set of core modules designed to provide you with advanced research training:
You will study one option module. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In Year 4 you will be able to further explore your interests with a research topic on a topic of your choice, as well as a range of option modules.
Core module
Your research project is an opportunity for you to conduct and write up an original piece of research, working closely with a member of staff. The topic of the project is generally associated with the topic of your chosen pathway and you will have access to all the sophisticated research facilities of the Department.
Recent projects have investigated a wide range of topics, for example:
Each year several of the best undergraduate projects are published in mainstream scientific journals.
You will study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £31,100 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We don't anticipate there being any additional costs associated with this course as all text books are available in the library or via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Depending on how you work you may wish to print out notes, costs for this will vary depending on your methods of working.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching during the first two years is mainly by lectures, seminars, practicals and group work, with personal supervision by members of the academic staff. In Years 3 and 4, we place a particular emphasis on independent learning to equip you with skills that will be useful in a wide range of employment contexts and to provide a strong background for subsequent PhD or professional training.
Our lectures are given in state-of-the-art lecture theatres that are equipped with multiple screens for presentations, audio amplification and lecture recording facilities. Interactive lectures that let you instantaneously respond to questions and have your say using your smartphone, are a standard feature of our teaching. Lecture slides are typically available before each lecture and are usually recorded for future revision.
Seminars are an important part of the course. During these you'll focus on a task in small groups, led by a member of staff.
You'll also have the chance to carry out psychological experiments, and we have a new computer laboratory dedicated to this. All aspects of experimentation are covered, from design issues through to the carrying out and analysis of findings.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 8-10 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 1-2 hours per week |
| Practicals | 4-5 hours per semester |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
The Department of Psychology is located on Campus West.
Most tutorials, seminars, practical work, staff offices and laboratories are in our purpose-built psychology building.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Year 1 marks do not contribute to the final degree class awarded. However, you must pass the modules in Year 1 in order to progress to Year 2, and supervisors may refer to marks gained in Year 1 when writing references. Exams are usually multiple choice format. Assessed coursework in the form of essays, practicals, and related tasks provides valuable feedback towards optimal performance in Year 2 and beyond.
Year 2 is examined through exams (mainly multiple choice) held at the end of each module, and assessed coursework in the form of essays and practical reports. Progression from Year 2 to Year 3 of the MSci requires an average mark of 55% in Year 2.
Year 3 includes a literature survey, a mixture of advanced optional and pathway-specific modules, a module in Advanced Research Methods and Year 3 Research Project.
Year 4 includes 3 further advanced modules, and an extended and in-depth research project.
Year 2 contributes 25% of the final degree mark, Year 3 contributes 37.5% and Year 4 contributes 37.5%.
Our graduates are highly successful in securing very competitive professional jobs (eg clinical or educational psychologist roles). Many positions require at least one year of experience working in the field, before starting professional training.
As an MSci graduate you will have a wide range of career options open to you. This masters level qualification will be an excellent springboard to clinical or educational psychology doctorate training positions or funded PhD positions for those wishing to pursue a research career in Psychology. If you wish to pursue a career outside of Psychology, this degree will also equip you with key transferable skills, an understanding of people and the unique blend of arts and science skills that will make you highly competitive for entry into a wide variety of careers such as human resources, advertising, systems analysis, market research, teaching, social work, media, finance and management consultancy.
We have a dedicated employability coordinator, who runs a specialised programme of events and training sessions to ensure you are well prepared for the world of work. They will support you to develop the skills and experience you need to get the job you want after graduation and help you find placements, volunteering roles and paid work alongside your academic work. We'll encourage you to reflect on your academic and extra curricular activities through regular discussion of your Personal Employability Plan with your supervisor. We invite speakers to give you insights into a range of careers available to you and support you to research your career options.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including at least one science. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. We include Biology, Chemistry, Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Psychology as science subjects. For other possible science subjects please contact the admissions tutor. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma (Science) with 39 credits at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit or higher. Other Access to HE Diplomas are considered but must include science/psychology modules. Please contact us for further information. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD. A science subject is essential. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. Please contact the department for more information. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including at least one science subject. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. |
| Degree | Transfer from the BSc course to the MSci course requires an average mark of at least 55 over Year 2 of the BSc course |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall average. At least one science subject must be taken in the final year. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points including 6 in one Higher Level science subject, which may include Psychology. A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in a science subject has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - A in one Science/Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBB A second science subject may be desirable but is not essential. We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You should also have GCSE Maths at grade 5 (B).
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve an A or higher at EPQ, you will be eligible for a reduced offer, one grade below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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