Behavioural Sciences BSc (Hons)

Buckinghamshire New University

Are you interested in people? Do you often wonder what makes them think, feel and behave the way they do? If you’re fascinated by human behaviour and emotion, our BSc (Hons) Behavioural Sciences course is the right choice for you.

You’ll benefit from our experienced lecturers, guest speakers and professional industry-led workshops. As well as this we offer smaller classroom sizes meaning you form personal relationships with your tutors and a close-knit community with your peers.

Why study this subject? This course is for those fascinated by human behaviour and emotion. On this programme you’ll explore what makes people tick from a range of perspectives and have the chance to specialise in an area you’re really curious about.

You’ll finish with a strong grasp of psychology as a discipline along with a deeper understanding of psychological influences and functioning in those areas you choose to explore with special interest.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? At BNU, our team offers a wealth of experience and expertise in psychology and the social sciences. You’ll be taught by academics with specialist experience in their area, who’ll nurture your learning in this diverse and complex subject.

One of the special things about studying at BNU is that we will always offer you the flexibility to map your own study path by offering lots of different module options. This means you can really delve into the areas you’re interested in or passionate about.

Your learning won’t just take place in a lecture theatre – BNU prides itself on teaching practical skills wherever and whenever we can, meaning you will always leave us feeling confident and prepared for your future.

What’s more, you’ll gain experience volunteering in areas like mental health, forensic, educational addictions and sports psychology. You can also visit professional working environments and go on trips to prisons and courts.

What facilities can I use? In workshops and lectures, you’ll have the opportunity to use our state-of-the-art observation laboratory to engage in the measurement of psycho-physiological responses using Biopac©. You’ll be able to measure the activity of the cardiovascular system, brain, autonomic nervous system and more. You’ll also have access to Tobii eye tracking equipment and HTC Vive, a virtual reality software, meaning you can push the boundaries and get creative with your research ideas!

What will I study? This course has been designed to combine social science and behavioural science, with psychology at its core, meaning you’ll get a lot of choice to pursue your own interests and pick the areas that you’re most passionate about.

You’ll pick from optional modules like criminology, sociology, positive psychology and sports psychology on top of core modules like social psychology, developmental psychology and personality. All of this will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge that will take you through your own exploration of human behaviour.

Unlike British Psychological Society accredited degrees, this course benefits from fewer research methods modules meaning you’ll have more space to study the modules that you find particularly interesting.

How will I be taught and assessed? The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, classroom-based activities, independent learning methods and practical sessions. You’ll always be encouraged to think critically about the ideas you engage with on this course and you’ll be given the opportunity to explore and discuss those ideas with your tutors and fellow students.

You’ll be assessed through a number of methods including poster presentations, essays and assignments, examinations, oral presentations, laboratory/research reports and a literature-based dissertation in your final year.