International Study Centre

A woman plugged into a brain activity monitoring device

Psychology

Study Psychology

The International Foundation Year in Pyschology is your route to a variety of undergraduate degrees at the University of Sussex. You will study a range of subject specific modules, as well as develop your English language skills and future employability as part of this programme.

Why study with us?

There are many reasons why you may want to study this preparational programme and have the opportunity to progress to a range of undergraduate degrees. These include:

  • =10th in the UK for Psychology (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)
  • =17th in the UK for Psychology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
  • Top 20 in the UK for our research overall in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
  • You’ll enjoy some of the most advanced research facilities for studying psychology anywhere in the country. These include a child development research suite and a human psychophysiology laboratory

What you’ll study

During the International Foundation Year two-semester programme you will study a combination of academic modules, specific to your pathway, and compulsory modules.

You will study a total of seven modules and achieve 120 credits required in your chosen pathway to progress.

Core modules

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

This module aims to introduce you to the fundamental skills that underpin the practice of science within all STEM subjects, introducing core concepts and practical techniques. This module will also provide you with basic study skills and an understanding of good academic practice to facilitate effective engagement with all other modules within your programme of study.

Applications of Maths

The aim of this module is to provide you with opportunities to develop, practice and demonstrate core mathematical skills relevant to a range of undergraduate degree courses at the University of Sussex. Through seminars and independent study, the module will enable you to apply these concepts and skills, including the use of spreadsheets, to real-life situations.

Pure Maths 1

This module aims to provide a solid foundation in mathematics applicable across several disciplines including computing, engineering, life sciences and psychology. The module will develop your confidence in some of the basics such as algebra and calculus, which will prepare you for further study.

This module introduces you to psychological research design and statistical data analysis. You will develop an understanding of how quantitative psychological research is conducted, analysed, interpreted and evaluated. You will also contextualise the basic statistical analyses learned in Mathematics for Psychology within psychological research. This module will provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills during a standard psychology research replication project.

This module will facilitate your understanding of key principles underlying psychology as a science and provide an appreciation of the diversity of psychological approaches. You will understand key themes in the development of psychology as a discipline and consider important ethical considerations of research. The module will develop your study skills appropriate to studying psychology, including scientific literacy and writing, and critical thinking.

^Preferred Module – students on this route are most likely to study this module. You may choose the alternative module given instead.

Pathway modules

This module will provide a greater depth of understanding into key themes of psychology from the biological and cognitive perspectives, such as behaviourism, motivation and psychopathology.  The module will develop your knowledge of theory and research, developing a range of academic skills in preparation for further study.

This module will provide a greater depth of understanding into key themes of psychology from the social and developmental perspectives, such as development psychology, social relations and conformity.  The module will facilitate your appreciation of significant developments within research through engagement with key literature and enable you to further develop your critical thinking through evaluation of research findings.

Students in cafe

How to apply

Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, semester dates and entry requirements.

Sussex graduate smiling in Brighton

University of Sussex International Study Centre

Develop skills to change the world at the University of Sussex International Study Centre. Improve your English, develop your academic skills, and grow the confidence you need to succeed in your degree.

Sussex students studying together

English language courses

Improve your English skills with one of our Online English language courses designed to support international students studying a pathway programme at the International Study Centre.

Join us today

Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you!