Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Course overview\
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes, while cognitive neuroscience looks at how our brains support our thoughts, feelings and actions. On our BSc Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, you'll gain a solid grounding in psychology, with an emphasis on approaches and knowledge of cognitive neuroscience.

Our course offers flexibility - with options to study abroad, spend a year in industry or extend your studies with pathways in Computer Science or Data Analytics and AI. This gives you the chance to broaden your experience and shape your degree around your ambitions.

You’ll study with a team that includes senior academics, international research experts and industry practitioners – who all bring cutting-edge psychological science directly into your studies.

From your first year, you’ll develop strong psychological literacy, exploring how identity, memory, emotion, relationships and social systems work and why they sometimes don’t. You’ll also learn the fundamentals of neuroimaging research and practical methods and analysis in cognitive neuroscience. Our course is structured so your knowledge grows confidently and progressively.

As you advance on the degree, you can specialise in areas that excite you, choosing from a range of optional modules that explore contemporary psychological challenges in depth. With experts from across the spectrum of psychology, we’re able to offer you a choice from many different areas in both theoretical and applied psychology. For example, you can explore topics including forensic or clinical psychology, cognitive development, neuropsychology and educational or social psychology.

Alongside this, you’ll build transferable skills in communication, analysis, teamwork and problem solving – the kind of abilities employers consistently look for.

Research is a major part of the experience. Our research is transforming lives and we want our students to be part of this. For your third-year project, you’ll work closely with expert staff on a research topic that genuinely interests you, with opportunities to contribute to ongoing studies and applied projects.

You will also be able to apply for our Psychology Insights project, which gives you the opportunity to work on a live brief with a local organisation. Previous project topics range from neurodiversity to addictions and post-traumatic growth. Hear from students who have taken part before and find out more about this career accelerating experience: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/science/psychology-insights-project.html

Throughout our course, you’ll gain the core knowledge and skills required for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, opening the door to professional training and a wide range of careers.\
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**Why choose this course?\
Course highlights**

* Opportunities to study abroad, spend a year in industry or extend your studies with a year in Data Analytics and AI or Computer Science.

* Network with potential employers through our Psychology Insights project.

* Gain the training required for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society.

Proven results

* We’re ranked top 100 in the world and 18th in the UK for Psychology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).

* 93.9% of psychology graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both one year after graduation (LEO data from 2022/23 tax year, published in 2025).