Entry Points (2023)
531

Course Overview

Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes, and includes individual and social, human and animal, basic and applied aspects of these. The School of Psychology provides modules in all the main aspects of Psychology including Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Biological Psychology, Personality 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 an applied psychologist (e.g., clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, health psychologist etc.), a Psychology researcher, 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.

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

None

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades (2023)

universityofgalway.ie/alevels

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

1 (More Info)

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 third year and final year of the BSc in (Psychology) students solely study Psychology courses (with the exception of some electives).

YEAR ONE

• Cognitive Psychology
• Theories of Personality
• Research Methods & Practical Skills in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Psychology of Learning
• 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                                                                                                                                                                                                   • Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
• Research Placement
• Elective Psychology Modules
• Modules from other disciplines 

Modules in Year 3 include the following:

Core

  • PS3113 Research Project Management: Proposals and Planning
  • PS420 Psychological Measurement: Theory and Practice
  • PS323 Critical Essay

Electives

  • PS3118 Introduction to Consumer Psychology
  • PS3120 Medical Psychology
  • PS3108 Design Thinking
  • PS3115 Community Psychology and Social Justice
  • PS3109 Vertically Integrated Projects
  • BSS2103 Introduction to Sustainability
  • MG3113 Megatrends
  • PS3123 Exploring Routes to Wellbeing

FINAL YEAR

• Applied Behavioural Analysis
• 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 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 CC321: Latin Texts from Medieval Ireland and Britain - 5 Credits - Semester 2
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 AR1104: Material Culture and Museums - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required AR1102: Recording Monuments in the Landscape - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required AR1105: Medieval Ireland and Europe - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional Subject: Classics (20 Credits):

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 EN124: Introduction to English 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EN1101: Literature and the Social World - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EN1106: Exploring English - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EN1102: Exploring English - 1BA and Denominated Programmes - 10 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 NG1106: Litríocht agus Cultúr na Linne - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required NG1107: Scéal agus Pobal na Gaeilge - 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
Optional TI104: Elements Of The Geography of Ireland - 5 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
Optional HI1105: Europe and Ireland 1789 - 1918 (Remote Learning) - 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 CG1100: Scéalaíocht Dhigiteach - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CG1105: Bunús na hIriseoireachta - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required CG1107: Cleachtas Léirithe na Meán 1 - 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 PISK1102: Critical Thinking and Logic - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI120: Philosophical Questions & Issues - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI107: Introduction To The History Of Philosophy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PI108: Introduction To Practical Ethics - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Required Core Subject: Psychology (20 Credits):
Required PS122: Introductory Psychology 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS1103: Introduction to Research Methods and Practical Skills in Psychology - 10 Credits - Semester 1
Optional PS1100: Critical and Collaborative Thinking - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional PS1104: Design Your Life: Planning & developing Skills for your University Journey - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required PS124: Introductory Psychology 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional PS137: Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 2

Optional Subject: Sociological & Political Studies (20 Credits):
Required SP1120: Practicing Politics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required SP1125: Introduction to Politics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required SP1121: Practicing Sociology - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required SP1126: Introduction to Sociology - 5 Credits - Semester 2

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

Optional Subject: Spanish (Intermediate) (20 Credits):
Required SH1101: Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required SH1102: Mundo hispano: An Introduction to the Hispanic World - 5 Credits - Semester 1

Year 3 (60 Credits)


Required Core Subject: Psychology (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
Optional PS409: Psychology, Science & Pseudoscience - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS3114: Introduction to Communication Skills and Counselling - 5 Credits - Semester 6
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 PS338: Theories of Personality - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS3109: Vertically Integrated Projects 1 S1 - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS415: Perception, Attention & Performance - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional BI3103: Career Development and Employability Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS3123: Exploring Routes to Wellbeing - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional PS3108: Design Thinking - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional MG3113: Megatrends - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Optional BSS2103: Introduction to Sustainability 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 5
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 PS336: Psychology, Society & Human Values - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional LW365: Criminology - 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
Optional PS343: Pediatric Clinical Behavioural Interventions - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS329: Service Learning in Psychology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3101: Modelling Learning and Decision Making - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS341: Introduction to Collaborative Enquiry & Applied Systems Science - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3107: Introduction to Psychophysiology - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3103: Health and Well-Being: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3102: Brain and Behaviour: Theory & Practice - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS339: Behavioural Medicine - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS419: Relational Frame Theory, Language & Cognition - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS320: Memory & Cognition - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional ED2104: Design Your Life Semester 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional PS3110: Vertically Integrated Projects 1 S2 - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional AJ2114: Communicating Through Storytelling - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional MG3115: Megatrends - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Optional BSS2104: Introduction to Sustainability 2 - 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.

Psychology prepares students 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 non-psychology professions, such as banking, the media, information technology and management and the criminal justice system.

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

Transferable Skills Employers Value

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

€5,598 p.a. (€5,738 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€2,598 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy** €140.  **Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.  Further detail here.

Find out More

Miriam Lohan,
School of Psychology
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies
T 353 (0)91 493 101
E psychology@universityofgalway.ie 
www.universityofgalway.ie/psychology/ 


What Our Students Say

Michelle

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!