Sociology and Psychology BSc Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our dynamic Sociology and Psychology combined honours degree is ideal for those wanting a deeper knowledge of the of the complexities of society and social inequalities, who also have a fascination for the workings of the human mind. You will be supported and empowered to develop a lifelong curiosity and unique way of looking at the world around you, and the behaviour of individuals, through a critical and theoretically informed lens.

In an ever-changing world grappling with pressing social and mental health challenges, there's a growing demand for informed, critical thinkers who can navigate these issues reflexively, and who can apply practical skills in doing so. Our curriculum is designed so that both subjects complement one another and give you a well-rounded, applied understanding of social inequalities and contemporary issues, and a deep, evidence-informed insight into psychological theories and debates. You will be taught by staff who are actively engaged in research, who bring this expertise to their teaching.

This course allows you to gain a deep understanding of the human mind, and explore the complexities of human thought, emotions, and behaviour. Our Psychology component provides a solid foundation in mental health, social psychology, and cognitive processes. This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and our course ensures you can achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartership of this professional body.

Alongside gaining core knowledge and skills in Psychology, you will delve into a range of important social issues through a sociological lens, including the influence of the media and media representations, welfare policy and the governance of poverty, gender and the body, and consumer culture.

The combination of subjects facilitates a deep exploration of the intersection of human behaviour and social structures. You will develop the skills to become a force for positive change, learn to analyse complex social issues, communicate effectively, and apply your knowledge to a range of current, real-world problems. Our expert staff will guide you through a curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. Our course includes opportunities for work placements and networking with local organisations.

Join us at the University of Chester and embark on a journey that will equip you with a unique and sought-after range of knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Why You'll Love It

We offer a dynamic, vibrant learning environment that will help you to thrive

You'll have the opportunity to put theory into practice

Two people sitting at a table in front of an open laptop screen in background the room has brick effect decoration.

Professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society

Psychology Students on phone during a Psychology Demo

What You'll Study

The Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Year route offers you an important preparation year as part of your four-year degree.

For Law and Criminal Justice subjects, you will explore legal frameworks, criminal justice systems, wider social contexts and issues, as well as case scenarios, and research and problem solving in law and criminology.

For Humanities and Social Science subjects, you will explore people and societies and their beliefs, cultures, power structures, stories and narratives, as well as critical inquiry into societal issues and global affairs with contemporary and historical perspectives.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The Sociology and Psychology course offers an in-depth understanding of social and psychological issues, debates and challenges affecting our lives today and in the future, alongside giving you the skills needed to explore and respond to such issues independently.

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop an understanding of Psychology and its distinctive qualities, and key approaches and perspectives within the discipline, alongside building core academic skills. You'll also be introduced to core research methods in Psychology. You will then have the chance to focus on the sociological topic of social welfare policy, seeing this topical issue in a historical perspective and examining the role of welfare policies in shaping everyday experiences and inequalities, using theory to do so. Other topics you'll have the opportunity to explore from Sociology include climate change and global inequalities, and the role the media and the ways different groups are represented; and from Psychology, additional topics include a further exploration of key approaches, and key issues in applied Psychology. 

In Year 2 (Level 5), you will build on your learning and skills developed in the first year, with the opportunity to study research methods and processes in Psychology in more depth, and engage with further study of social and individual differences including qualitative methodology. You're also offered the chance to engage in theoretically informed debates on contemporary social issues such as mobilities, globalisation, social class, decolonisation, race, ethnicity and migration. The sociology of the body is another topic you'll explore, building an understanding of how our bodies are constructed, categorised and regulated in contemporary Western societies, with a critical focus on topics such as gender, race and disability. You will consider the influence of wider forces such as social media and social policies on bodily experiences and practices.

In Year 2, you are also offered opportunities to put your learning and skills into practice through real-world experience to support and develop your future career plans. This includes the chance to gain relevant work experience related to your chosen subject, study abroad, engage with a research project, or learn a language. 

In Year 3 (Level 6), you will have the opportunity to explore sociological topics including the sociology of consumption, education, and a consideration the role of social science outside of academia, and its potential to promote positive social change and challenge inequalities through engaging the public and making social scientific knowledge more accessible. In Psychology, there is the chance to study topics such as psychopathology, health psychology, and atypical development. Furthermore, you will consolidate your knowledge and skills through undertaking an independent project on a key issue of your choice in one of your subjects, with continued support and guidance from experienced researchers.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules.

Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is primarily delivered in-person, with some online learning. Students can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising of lecture content, task-based workshops and peer-led seminar discussions. 

Outside of timetabled teaching, students should expect to spend an average of 30–34 hours per week on independent study, which might include undertaking weekly asynchronous learning activities for each module, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments. 

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics with expertise in the subject, including guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods to optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable students to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace.

These will include formative assessment such as group tasks and discussions where students can receive feedback from lecturers and their peers to build their confidence and skills. Summative assessment will include written coursework, such essays (short and long form), summaries and critical reviews of literature and/or policy, case studies/reports, and writing for public as well as academic audiences. In addition, summative assessment will focus on visual, verbal and practical skills, encompassing, for example, posters, presentations and Q&A discussions.

This will help to ensure that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace, and have opportunities to build the skills and confidence to manage these effectively.

Students will be given ongoing support with assessments throughout each module, in addition to being guided on how to utilise past feedback. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they put our students in the best position for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
International Baccalaureate	28 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP
International Baccalaureate	24 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall
T Level	T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: MMP
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors.

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Where You'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job prospects

Many of our Psychology graduates go on to postgraduate studies in Psychology (e.g. Cognitive Neuroscience, Forensic and Sport Psychology) or have secured a graduate role in industries such as Marketing, Banking and Project Management due to their sought after transferable skills, such as communication, team working, analysis, creative and critical thinking.

Sociology graduates pursue diverse career paths including in the public sector and civil service, politics and government, social work, charity and advocacy work, public relations, advertising, market research, journalism, academia and teaching. The critical and analytical skills developed through studying Sociology are highly transferable and extremely sought after by employers.

Progression options

Social Work MA

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Sociology and Psychology BSc (Hons)

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