Psychology Online Degree Pathway - Year 1

Psychology Online Degree Pathway - Year 1

This Course at a Glance

• Globally recognised online alternative to Year 1 of university
• Get on the pathway to obtaining a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology
• In partnership with SEG Awards, making degree learning accessible to all
• Unlocks Year 2 of your degree with learndirect
• Complete Year 3 at the London Metropolitan University
• Flexible online study rather than on-campus lectures
• Get on the fast track to your university qualification
• Avoid rising loan repayment fees
• Save on expensive living costs associated with on-campus study

Achieving a degree in psychology can lead you towards a career in counselling, as well as clinical, forensic, occupational, and educational psychology. With our Psychology Online Degree Pathway – Year 1, which consists of the first year of a bachelor’s degree, removing in-person lectures and restrictive timetables, you have the option to complete Year 1 when it suits your schedule.

About Your Online Degree

This undergraduate online degree in psychology (Year 1) is made up of 120 credits and is designed as an online alternative to completing Year 1 at university. Studying with us will fast-track you to the final year of an associated bachelor’s degree, which can be completed with the London Metropolitan University.

Our online degree pathway is accredited by the Skills and Education Group Awards. The course is delivered online, through an engaging array of online learning materials. So, you will find your education both interesting and rewarding. As a self-paced online course, you can also work towards your qualification without pressure, around your existing commitments.

What Will You Learn?

During Year 1 you’ll be introduced to a wide range of historical and contemporary approaches to psychology. This includes exploring areas such as biopsychology, social and developmental psychology, systems of thinking, the origins of psychology as a science, and the role of artificial intelligence in cognitive psychology.

Unlock Year 2 of Your Degree

Upon successful completion of Year 1 of this Psychology Online Degree Pathway, you will be able to study Year 2 with us as well. If you’d like to save even more on the cost of your education with us, purchase both Year 1 and Year 2 together.

University Progression

Upon successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 with us, you will complete Year 3 of your undergraduate degree at the London Metropolitan University, ranked ninth in the UK for teaching quality and 10th in the UK for student experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

For example, you could study:

Applied Psychology

The fees for your third year are an additional cost and are paid separately to the university.

Study for a Degree Without Expensive Fees

If you want to get a head start on your degree and avoid the rising debt that comes with student loans, we have an alternative that is perfect for you. Our Psychology Online Degree Pathway – Year 1 enables you to study Year 1 online from the comfort of home. Upon completion of this and Year 2, you’ll be guaranteed a place at university to do the third year of your degree.

This programme allows you to essentially complete two-thirds of your psychology degree remotely, offering a flexible and convenient learning experience. By liberating yourself from the limitations of scheduled classes and timetables, you can efficiently progress through the course materials and accelerate your journey to the third year in a shorter timeframe.

A More Affordable Choice

Student loan repayments are set to double for university graduates under new student finance rules, while the annual salary threshold for repayments is moving from £27,660 per year to £25,000 per year.

With inflation and interest rates rising in the UK due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, university graduates are affected. For the 2022/23 academic year, there was a risk of student loan interest rates reaching 12%, further hitting the pockets of students.

Due to the current economic uncertainty, a university graduate could end up with an average of £42,900 of student loan debt, with tuition fees costing an average of £9,250 per year.

According to YouGov, 37% of people feel that current tuition fees are unfair, so it’s no surprise that many are looking for alternative options. Here at learndirect, we can offer you an affordable alternative that covers the first year of a degree for a fraction of the cost of the traditional route.

Please note, once you complete your online degree (Year 1 and Year 2), you will need to pay the top-up fee to your select university to study the third year of your course online. You can opt to complete your third year on campus, but prices vary.

Your Living Costs Won’t Be Affected

By studying our Psychology Online Degree Pathway – Year 1, you can complete the first year of your degree comfortably from home, without the additional expenses associated with full-term university study. This eliminates the need for student housing costs and travel expenses, allowing you to study at your own pace and integrate it seamlessly into your lifestyle. So, if you’re currently working, you won’t have to give that up for university life.

Modules

Year 1 covers the following units:

Unit 1: Foundations of Psychology as a Science

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the origins of Psychology as a science
• Understand ethical issues in psychology
• Understand the classifications of the academic branches of Psychology
• Understand the theoretical approaches to Psychology

Unit 2: Biological Psychology (Biopsychology)

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the Human Nervous System
• Understand Sensory Processes in explaining behaviour
• Understand states of Consciousness
• Understand Learning and Conditioning in human development

Unit 3: Cognitive Psychology

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the processes of Memory
• Understand the systems of Thinking
• Understand the principles of Language
• Understand the role of artificial intelligence in cognitive psychology

Unit 4: Developmental Psychology

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the nature/nurture debate in developmental psychology
• Understand early socialisation and the formation of attachment
• Understand the ways in which children process and use information in cognitive development
• Understand psychological changes that accompany ageing
• Understand the application of developmental psychology theories in the real world

Unit 5: Social Psychology

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the concept of Social Identity
• Understand classic and contemporary views of Social Influence and Attraction
• Understand the functions of Attitudes and Attitude Change
• Apply the theories of Altruism and Antisocial behaviour to human nature
• Understand the processes involved in Prejudice and Discrimination

Unit 6: Research Methods

On successful completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how Psychologists use major research methods
• Understand the purpose of descriptive and inferential statistics
• Understand the ethical guidelines within psychological research

Entry Requirements

You’ll need to possess an appropriate level of English.

You will also need a GCE A Level or equivalent, or an appropriate school leavers certificate deemed to be of a similar level.

Minimum Age Restriction

18

Average Completion Timeframe

This qualification typically takes learners an average of 18 months to complete.

Assessment Requirements

There are no exams included in this study programme, instead, you will complete a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your understanding.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

There are no exams included in this online degree pathway, instead a portfolio approach is used to continuously assess you throughout this qualification. You will study the units included in the course and develop a portfolio of evidence for each unit to demonstrate your understanding.

You will have support from a tutor throughout and will also receive additional guidance in terms of researching, planning, and drafting your work.

SEG Awards

Upon successful completion of this online course, you will have achieved the following globally recognised qualifications:

• SEG Awards Level 4 Diploma in Psychology – (610/4239/0)

Skills and Education Group Awards offer qualifications and assessments which are regulated by CCEA, Ofqual and Qualifications Wales. They are driven by delivering a high-quality and trusted service to Centres and learners, so that everyone gets the education they deserve.

Skills and Education Group Awards offer qualifications and assessments which are regulated by CCEA, Ofqual and Qualifications Wales. They are driven by delivering a high-quality and trusted service to Centres and learners, so that everyone gets the education they deserve.

Upon completion of this Psychology Online Degree Pathway – Year 1, you can go on to complete Year 2 in the same way with learndirect.

Only on successful completion of Year 2 can you progress to the third year of an undergraduate degree in the subject – or a closely related subject - at a selected UK university.

You could also pursue direct employment with this qualification, seeking roles within the psychology and counselling field, but make sure you do your research as many jobs in this space require degrees.

For more insight into what your degree could lead to, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions