3-Term Pathway - International Foundation Year in Life Sciences - Continue to Bachelor of Science - Psychology

This program will prepare students to enter Year 1 of an undergraduate degree program at Lancaster University, which ranks 2nd in the UK for graduate prospects in biomedical sciences (The Guardian University Guide 2024).

Psychology is the scientific study of how humans think and behave. Studying this programme will develop students' ability to understand and support people, preparing them for a wide range of rewarding careers.

This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which is essential if students wish to pursue a career in professional psychology in the UK, and follows the main themes of modern psychology:

Students will learn from passionate academics, all of whom are active researchers and world leaders in their field, which allows students to benefit from their insight, expertise and cutting-edge research.

In the first year, students will gain an in-depth overview of the main study themes through our Understanding Psychology module. They will explore the theories underpinning these areas, learn to evaluate scientific journals and develop your ability to construct formal arguments. Running parallel to this, students will also undertake the Investigating Psychology module, which will equip them with important practical skills for conducting research in psychology, such as data analysis and report writing.

As well as these core modules, students will also take a minor subject, which can be another science or a subject that is selected from a different part of the University, such as a social science or management programme. This gives them the chance to explore another discipline that interests them and experience another part of the University. Sociology, criminology and philosophy are just some of the more popular minor choices among Lancaster students.

Structured Work Experience

Alongside their academic study, students will have the opportunity to gain voluntary work experience through the Psychology Employability Programme, allowing students to develop invaluable skills for either a career in psychology or a graduate programme. They can choose between working part-time in the community with charities and organisations that support vulnerable people, or working alongside staff in the Psychology Department on their ground breaking research projects. Crucially, every placement will provide students with experience and skills that are valuable to both psychology careers and more general graduate level occupations, strengthening their CV and enhancing employability for life after graduation.

Voluntary work can be an enlightening and rewarding experience, enabling students to make a difference to the lives of others, while having the opportunity to try something new, which may lead them to change or confirm their career plans and is recommended by the British Psychological Society.