Psychology Foundation Year

The Psychology Foundation Year programme has been developed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and academic skills needed for a degree in psychology. During the course, students will understand the basic debates and career opportunities related to the subject.

The course outline covers health, occupational, and sport psychology, and after a successful completion of this year, students are qualified to move on to a BSc (Hons) Psychology or BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology degree.

Students are taught through lectures and interactive workshops, and are introduced to central concepts and are given tasks to work on individually or in groups and are also assessed through regular evaluation throughout each subject, with an emphasis towards the end of each module. Students will also learn research and communication skills, which will be useful for future studies and employment.

Northumbria University, located in Newcastle on Tyne, is a respected institution known for excellent education and research with a commitment to quality research and learning, and the university has state-of-the-art facilities for students, including interactive virtual reality suites, motion capture laboratories, and specialised mental testing labs. Its research in Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience has gained significant recognition that ranks 15th in the UK for research power as the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fields such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, Business, and the Arts. The university is dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment, with many student services and resources available to help with academic and personal development. The campus is located in a city that offers opportunities for students to engage in activities outside of their studies.

Candidates are required to submit a personal statement in which they discuss their reasons for applying for the course, a relevant academic and/or employer reference, and have the option to upload their CVs along with their applications.

Grade Requirements: 

• Applicants need 64 to 80 UCAS tariff points. Offers are typically made within this range, but the university does consider individual circumstances. 
• Applicants need to have a minimum of grade 4/C in GCSE English Language and Maths, or an equivalent qualification. 
• The university accepts applications from applicants who may not have the standard academic qualifications but have work or life experience.

English Proficiency: 

• Applicants need a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no individual element below 5.5, 
• The university accepts a large number of English language test scores, such as TOEFL and PTE.

For the academic year 2025/26, the tuition fee for the BSc Psychology Foundation Year programme is £19,350.

Northumbria University offers scholarships and discounts to support students, including those in foundation years, as they progress into their undergraduate degrees with opportunities such as Pathway Programme Scholarships are available to international students applying for foundation programs, with automatic consideration for funding support starting at a 10% discount and the Northumbria International Scholarship, which offers a £3,000 tuition fee discount to eligible students who complete their foundation year and progress to the undergraduate degree. The Choral Music Scholarship is also open to students in all disciplines, including those in foundation years. 

Furthermore, all students, including foundation year students, may be eligible for an Early Payment Discount of £500 if they pay their fees by the specified deadlines. Students are advised to review the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship and discount to determine their potential eligibility.

Graduates of the BSc Psychology with Criminology from Northumbria University, Newcastle, can become:

• Educational Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Human Resources Manager
• Counsellor

Admission to the BSc Psychology with Criminology programme is made through UCAS. We at AHZ can assist you with your application process.