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Psychology  (PCS2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Psychology
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Michael O'Connell
Overall Programme Credits:
180
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

Psychology is a very broad discipline and the undergraduate degree in Psychology in UCD will introduce you to its major theories and research methods.

The degree is recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland, and as such provides the foundation for further postgraduate training in any field of psychology.

However, Psychology graduates also go into a variety of other career paths including education, business and health. If you have a questioning attitude and good reasoning skills, you will really enjoy the world opened up by Psychology.

The purpose of a degree in Psychology in UCD is to foster an evidence-based appreciation and scientific understanding of mind, brain, lived experiences, social context, and behaviour, and the nature and outcomes of their complex interactions. Students will learn the importance of psychological approaches to problems in modelling the full richness of mental life, as well as the role of empirical research in shaping, influencing and sculpting theory. The programme stresses the importance of critical thinking, informed awareness of the multiplicity of levels of understanding psychological phenomena, the significance of building research skills, and of ethics in research and practice.





Knowledge is developed through teaching core areas at a number of stages; beginning at an introductory level, supported by tutorials and team-teaching, but becoming steadily more advanced, complemented with increased individual choice and selection of options. Learning is based on active participation, and culminates through demonstrating an ability to undertake an independent piece of research, from hunches and hypotheses, through to execution, data collection, analysis and write-up. A range of assessment methods is used including traditional, innovative and group-based, with detailed feedback to the student an essential component.



 


1 - Thinking Broad: An ability to think critically and reason scientifically. Specific: An ability to appreciate the multiplicity of psychological approaches, and be aware of their theoretical, practical, methodological and ethical implications.
2 - Knowing Broad: An understanding of the scientific process of building knowledge. Specific: A thorough knowledge of core domains of psychology - biological, cognitive, social and developmental psychology, individual differences & research methods.
3 - Planning and Implementing Broad: An ability to generate hypotheses and research questions. Specific: An ability to generate a hypothesis around why humans or animals act the way they do, and design a research process to test this hypothesis.
4 - Communicating Broad: An ability to communicate and present ideas in a clear and incisive way. Specific: An ability to communicate and present psychological data in a professional and sophisticated manner, in both written and oral form.
5 - Integrating Broad: Comprehend, organise and use data in an effective manner, and apply psychological knowledge to real-world issues. Specific: Use a wide range of psychological tools, equipment, computer software and psychological tests.
6 - Managing Broad: Demonstrate effective planning, time-management and project-administration skills. Specific: Carry out an independent research project, from the formulation of a research question, ethical approval, data analysis and write-up.

In your first year (called Stage 1) you take 11 modules over two semesters.You must study seven core modules in Psychology (six are 5 credit modules, and one is a ten credit module), along with two electives (we recommend one in each semester) and two option modules. The School of Psychology has selected for you a range of possible option modules from relevant modules offered by other Schools from which to choose based on your timetable and own interests.

In Stage 2, typically a student will take build up 60 credits from a mix of core, option and elective modules, taking at least 10 modules in Psychology from the total of 12.

In Stage 3, a student, under the supervision of a researcher within the School, undertakes their own independent piece of research, written up as a final year thesis (the research project). This is a 15 credit module. Core, option and elective modules are also taken.

Overall, the student is required to build up 180 credits based on their modules, with the standard module contributing five credits.

In Stage 1 you will be introduced to some key areas within Psychology: a general introduction to the discipline; the brain and its link to behaviour, social psychology and the importance of groups; perception; the great diversity of applications of psychology, as well as learning specific psychological research and writing skills.

In Stage 2 you will continue with the key areas introduced at Stage 1 along with additional modules on child development, health and work, but you will also begin to learn about doing your own psychological research by taking two modules of laboratory practicals, as well as modules on research methods and statistics.

In Stage 3, you will have the opportunity to make many more specialist choices from a very wide range of modules (for example, on behavioural neuroscience, intelligence, psychology of the media, psychology and crime) and will undertake a research dissertation on a topic that you have chosen, under the individual supervision of an experienced researcher in psychology.

Students can apply to study abroad for a year in partner universities by extending the degree from 3 to 4 years leading to the award of BSc International degree. The School of Psychology has exchange agreements with: • Université Catholique de l’Ouest, France • Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid, Spain • Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany • University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

The degree is recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland and, as such, provides the foundation for further graduate training in any field of psychology, as well as for a wide variety of careers, including:

• Clinical Psychology • Educational Psychology • Organisational Psychology • Forensic Psychology • Counselling Psychology • Health Psychology

There are also career opportunities in research alongside other social scientists, such as economists and sociologists.

Undergraduate Office,

UCD School of Psychology

psychology@ucd.ie


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10060 Brain and Behaviour Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10080 Introduction to Social Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10130 Key Skills and Concepts in Psy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10050 Introduction to Psychology Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10040 Introduction to the Psychology of Perception and Cognition Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10090 Introduction to Applied Psychology Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PSY10100 Research Methods & Stats I Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ARCH10160 The Human Past Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 CHEN10040 Intro. to Eng. Computing Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ECON10770 Introduction to Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 IS10010 Introduction to Communication & Media Studies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10160 Critical Thinking Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL10160 Foundations of Contemporary Politics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL10170 Foundations in Political Research Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 SOC10010 Theorising Society: Foundations of Sociological Thought Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 SPOL10030 Understanding Social Problems and Policies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10040 Introduction to Ethics Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ARCH10150 Anthropology: an introduction Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ECON10020 Principles of Macroeconomics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 ECON10040 Economics and Sustainability Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 LAW10260 Criminal Procedure Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10020 Mind, Language and Meaning Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10030 Introduction to Modern Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10100 Existentialism and Humanism: An Introduction to Continental Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three modules from the following options. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL10120 Foundations in Global Development Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20020 Child & Adolescent Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20050 Laboratory Practicals in Psychology I Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20150 Foundations of Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20160 Research Methods & Stats II Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20240 Language, Perception & Social Cognition Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY20250 Careers in and with psychology Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PSY30110 Laboratory Practicals in Psychology II Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20130 Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20170 Clinical Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL10020 Mind, Language and Meaning Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20110 Introduction to Health Psychology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20180 The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY20220 Psychology of Ageing Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Select a minimum of three of the following option modules. Although stage 2 students may take level 3 modules, they should reflect on the difficulty level of module content and assessment. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 PSY30470 Mindfulness for Life Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30050 Behavioural Neuroscience Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30340 Human Intelligence and Personality Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30410 Advanced Cognitive Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30480 Research Data & Analysis 3 Autumn  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30500 Research Project Design Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30140 Advanced Social Psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PSY30490 Research Project Dissertation Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20130 Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20170 Clinical Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY30400 Cross-Cultural Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20110 Introduction to Health Psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20180 The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20220 Psychology of Ageing Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY20250 Careers in and with psychology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
 PSY30470 Mindfulness for Life Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30050 Behavioural Neuroscience Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30340 Human Intelligence and Personality Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30410 Advanced Cognitive Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30480 Research Data & Analysis 3 Autumn  10
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30500 Research Project Design Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30140 Advanced Social Psychology Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PSY30490 Research Project Dissertation Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20100 Introduction to Disability Studies Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20130 Introduction to Work and Organisational Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20170 Clinical Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY30400 Cross-Cultural Psychology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20110 Introduction to Health Psychology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20180 The Science + Art of Therapy: From Freud to Zinn Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20220 Psychology of Ageing Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY20250 Careers in and with psychology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY30080 Psychology and Crime Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY30380 Youth Mental Health Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY30440 How to Change Behaviour Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
You may choose one or more of the following option modules in lieu of elective credits if you wish.
PSY30470 Mindfulness for Life Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHSOC016 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHSOC008 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHSOC016 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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