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About NUI Galway
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Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Course Overview
Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes, and includes individual and social, human and animal, normal and abnormal aspects. The School of Psychology provides modules in all the main aspects of Psychology including Forensic Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods. The course satisfies the requirements for graduate membership of relevant professional societies (the Psychological Society of Ireland and the British Psychological Society).
Students might consider studying Psychology if they are interested in becoming a professional psychologist, researching Psychology in a research centre, lecturing in Psychology or improving their general education by studying an interesting and useful discipline with careers of a more general type in mind, such as the media, IT or management.
Psychology at the Virtual Open Day
Read questions and answers from our 'Ask a Lecturer' in Psychology Live Q&A session.
Explore courses and careers in Arts through a video presentation.
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
Additional Requirements
Duration
4 years
Next start date
September 2021
A Level Grades (2020)
www.nuigalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
25
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY104
Course code
Course Outline
First-year Psychology is taken with two other subjects selected from the extensive Arts menu. In second year and final year of the BSc in (Psychology) students solely study Psychology courses. Please refer to page 23 to see subjects on offer in first year.
YEAR ONE
• Cognitive Psychology
• Theories of Personality
• Research Methods
• Social Psychology
• Psychology of Learning
• Critical and Collaborative Thinking
• Developmental Psychology
• Biology and Behaviour
Plus two other subjects are selected from the extensive arts menu.
YEAR TWO
• Developmental Psychology
• Experimental Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Biological Psychology
• Psychology of Learning
• Social Psychology
• Theories of Personality
• Perception, Attention and Performance
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Memory and Cognition
• Professional Skills in Psychology
YEAR THREE
Options include
• Study Abroad
• Work Placement
• Research Placement
• Community Service
• Service Learning
• Elective Psychology Modules
• Modules from other disciplines
FINAL YEAR
• Applied Behavioural Analysis
• Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
• Psychological Measurement: Theory and Practice
• Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
• Issues in Cognitive Neuroscience
• Health Psychology
• Forensic, Abnormal and Clinical Psychology
• Research Project
• Relational Frame Theory
• Behavioural Medicine
• Paediatric Clinical Behavioural Interventions
• Neuropsychology
• Positive Psychology
• Human Sexuality
• Various elective modules
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
Optional Subject: Ancient Classics (20 Credits):
Optional CCS315: Intermediate Latin 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CCS205: Ancient Greek for Beginners (Part One) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CC321: Latin Texts from Medieval Ireland and Britain - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CC230: Beginning Latin Part 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CC1101: Mythology and the City in Ancient Greece - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CC114: Written Words & Spoken Languages in the Ancient World - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CC1100: Classics in 20 Objects - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional CCS316: Intermediate Latin 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional CCS312: Advanced Classical and Medieval Latin 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional CCS206: Ancient Greek for Beginners (Part Two) - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional CC232: Beginning Latin Part 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional CC1102: Empire and Literature in Ancient Rome - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Archaeology (20 Credits):
Required AR113: Prehistoric Ireland & Europe - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required AR1102: Recording Monuments in the Landscape - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required AR1104: Material Culture and Museums - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required AR1105: Medieval Ireland and Europe - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Economics (20 Credits):
Required EC1108: Skills for Economics I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC135: Principles of Microeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC1109: Skills for Economics II - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC136: Principles of Macroeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: English (20 Credits):
Required EN1102: Exploring English - 1BA and Denominated Programmes - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required EN124: Introduction to English 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EN125: Introduction to English 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: French (20 Credits):
Required FR1100: Introduction to French Language and Culture - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required FR1101: Introduction to French Literature in Context - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Gaeilge (20 Credits):
Required NG1105: An Teanga Bheo - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required NG1107: Scéal agus Pobal na Gaeilge - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required NG1106: Litríocht agus Cultúr na Linne - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Geography/Tíreolaíocht (20 Credits):
Required TI150: Principles of Human Geography - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required TI1100: Geography in Practice - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required TI151: Principles of Physical Geography - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: German (Advanced) (20 Credits):
Required GR1102: Skills for studying German (Advanced) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required GR1100: German Language and Culture (Advanced) - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional Subject: German (Beginners) (20 Credits):
Required GR1103: Skills for studying German (Beginners) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required GR1101: German Language and Culture (Beginners) - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional Subject: History (20 Credits):
Required HISK1101: Skills for Historians (1) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required HI1103: Europe and Ireland 1789 - 1918 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required HISK1102: Skills for Historians (2) - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required HI1104: Europe: From Medieval to Modern - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Information Technology (20 Credits):
Required CT1100: Computer Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CT1120: Algorithms - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CT1101: Programming I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CT1102: Programming II - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Italian (20 Credits):
Required IT1100: Italian Language and Culture - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required IT1101: Italy at the movies - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional Subject: Léann an Aistriúcháin (20 Credits):
Required LN103: Gnéithe den Aistriúchán - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required LN105: Bunscileanna Aistriúcháin - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required LN1103: Bunscileanna Gramadaí - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional Subject: Léann na Cumarsáide (20 Credits):
Required CG1101: Machnamh Criticiúil agus Láithreoireacht - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CG1100: Scéalaíocht Dhigiteach - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CG1105: Bunús na hIriseoireachta - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CG1104: Na Meáin agus an tSochaí - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Mathematics (20 Credits):
Optional MA131: Mathematical Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA133: Analysis and Algebra 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA185: Analysis and Algebra 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA135: Analysis and Algebra 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA186: Analysis and Algebra 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA187: Mathematical Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MA208: Quantitative Techniques for Business - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Modern Irish Culture Studies: Literature & Music (20 Credits):
Required ISSK1100: Introducing Modern and Contemporary Irish Literature - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required IS1100: Irish Music and Emigration - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required IS1103: Introducing Irish Traditional Music & Dance since 1893 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required IS1104: The Migrant Experience in Modern Irish Writing - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Philosophy (20 Credits):
Required PISK1101: Critical Thinking & Persuasive Writing (Remote Learning) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI108: Introduction To Practical Ethics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI120: Philosophical Questions & Issues - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI107: Introduction To The History Of Philosophy - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Required PS122: Introductory Psychology 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS1103: Introduction to Research Methods and Practical Skills in Psychology - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS124: Introductory Psychology 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Sociological & Political Studies (20 Credits):
Required SP1118: Practising Sociology and Politics 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required SP158: Introduction to Politics & Sociology - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional SP2115: Historical perspectives in Political and Social Thought - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required SP1119: Practising Sociology and Politics 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required SP159: Concepts and Practices of Politics & Sociology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional Subject: Spanish (Advanced) (20 Credits):
Required SH1102: Mundo hispano: An Introduction to the Hispanic World - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required SH1101: Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional Subject: Spanish (Beginners) (20 Credits):
Required SH1100: Intensive Beginners Spanish Language and Culture - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required SH1102: Mundo hispano: An Introduction to the Hispanic World - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Year 2 (60 Credits)

Required PS413: Qualitative Research Methods - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS338: Theories of Personality - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS412: Experimental Psychology Workshop I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS220: Psychology of Learning - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS214: Developmental Psychology 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS403: Biological Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required PS3104: Professional Skills in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required PS320: Memory & Cognition - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required PS428: Social Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required PS219: Research Methods in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional PS400: Villanova University - 30 Credits - Semester 4
Required PS415: Perception, Attention & Performance - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required PS414: Experimental Psychology Workshop 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Year 3 (60 Credits)

Optional PS342: Introduction to Positive Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS340: Neuropsychology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS408: Human Sexuality - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required PS322: Health Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required PS334: Applied Behaviour Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required PS420: Psychological Measurement: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required PS405: Advanced Research Methods in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required PS325: Research Project 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS341: Introduction to Collaborative Enquiry & Applied Systems Science - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3101: Modelling Learning and Decision Making - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3106: Language & Cognition: A Contextual Behavioural Approach - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS4100: Technology and Health - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS345: Applied Developmental Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS343: Pediatric Clinical Behavioural Interventions - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3107: Introduction to Psychophysiology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Required PS427: Forensic, Abnormal & Clinical Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Required PS327: Research Project 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 6
Required PS418: Issues in the Cognitive Neurosciences - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Required PS3100: Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Further Education
Completing the BSc (Psychology) will enable a graduate to gain access to further training to become a professional psychologist or to undertake a research degree in psychology (e.g., a PhD in Psychology). The degree qualifies graduates for entry to specialist postgraduate professional programmes in Ireland, the UK, the USA and elsewhere
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Psychology prepares you for a diversity of interdisciplinary fields, including neuroscience, sports science, health promotion and education. Graduates have gone on to do further training to become professional psychologists (e.g., a clinical or occupational psychologist) and work in a variety of settings. For example, in the health services, they treat mental health issues; in educational settings, they identify learning needs; and in industry, they work on recruitment and retention. Researchers in the field of psychology also work as lecturers in third-level colleges or other research settings. Many graduates also find their psychology degree helps them in nonpsychology professions, such as banking, the media, information technology and management and the criminal justice system.
The BSc in Psychology provides the foundation for professional careers in psychology, as well as careers in a host of cognate areas. Graduates are to be found across all employment sectors, including:
- Social and health services
- Counselling and therapy
- Industry and commerce
- Civil service
- Education
- The defence forces
- Journalism and the media
- Sport and recreation
- Organisation and management
- The criminal justice system
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
In third year, there will be a limited number of work placements relevant to psychology.
Study Abroad
The links we have forged with European universities such as Maastricht and Munich mean that students have the option to study for part of their psychology degree abroad through the Erasmus programme.
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
EU Fees 2020/21:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy: €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.
Find out More
Miriam Lohan,
School of Psychology
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies
T 353 (0)91 493 101
E psychology@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/psychology/
What Our Students Say

Michelle Downes | BA (Psychology)
I am in my second year of a Psychology degree and I love it. We have a different range of subjects every semester and you really do regret it if you miss a lecture because the lecturers make them so interesting. My favourite subject this year was Forensic Psychology because it was just so fascinating - much better than an episode of CSI!