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Psychology courses

Looking to start a career in Psychology? Interested in broadening your understanding of human behaviour? With degrees accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), see where The Open University’s psychology courses could take you.

Patient in therapy session with a psychologist

PsychologyDegrees 

Stage 1120 credits
Stage 2120 credits
Stage 3120 credits
Total of 360 credits 

How long will it take?

Part time: 16–18 hours per week for 6 years
Full time: 32–36 hours per week for 3 years


PsychologyDiplomas 

Stage 1120 credits
Stage 2120 credits
Total of 240 credits 

How long will it take?

Part time: 16–18 hours per week for 4 years
Full time: 32–36 hours per week for 2 years


PsychologyCertificates 

Stage 1120 credits
Total of 120 credits 

How long will it take?

Part time: 16–18 hours per week for 2 years
Full time: 32–36 hours per week for 1 year

Why study Psychology with The Open University?

As Europe’s largest provider of university-level education in Psychology, we’re proud to produce more psychology graduates than any other university in the UK. Our high-quality content and teaching means our BSc (Hons) Psychology has been accredited with the British Psychological Society (BPS) for over 20 years.

Why you should study psychology with us:

  • You’ll be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership on completion of one of our BPS-accredited degrees. 
  • You’ll develop essential transferrable work-related skills, including problem-solving, reasoning and critical thinking.
  • You can apply your learning to real world problems and situations such as criminal investigations, race and gender equality, relationships and therapy.

Careers in Psychology

Whether or not you later choose to train as a practitioner psychologist, study of psychology opens up exciting job opportunities in a range of professional areas. Studying an Open University qualification in psychology is excellent preparation for further or postgraduate study and career progression.

Psychology is relevant to careers in:

  • Psychotherapy or counselling
  • Policing, prison and probation work
  • Youth services and social work
  • Recruitment, selection and training

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Psychology modules

All Psychology courses

Browse all the Psychology courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Psychology courses