BA (Hons) Psychology (PSI accredited) – Full-time

Overview
Course Content
Structure
Career Opportunities
Fees
Next Steps

psychology degree

Overview

Career in Psychology

Psychology is one of the most exciting and interesting subjects available in third level education. It is the study of human behaviour in all its forms normal and abnormal, natural and learned, productive and destructive. It is a modern and progressive area of study, which with a 150-year history, is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and development in Ireland and internationally.

Professional psychologists work in almost every sphere of contemporary life. Psychology contributes to the design of our classrooms and what takes place in them. Psychology teaches employers the best ways to select and motivate employees. Psychology provides crucial insight into the background of social problems such as suicide, addiction and child abuse. They help coaches to train athletes, help the police to investigate crime, help managers to reduce stress in the workplace and help the health services to design effective health promotion campaigns (for example, anti-smoking and safe driving campaigns).

Aims & Objectives

The general programme aims are as follows:

To provide learners with the opportunity to develop, deepen and expand their theoretical knowledge of Psychology.
To equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competence required to progress in specialist and applied areas of Psychology.
To facilitate in learners a critical knowledge of the main domains of the empirical study of Psychology.
To develop in learners a critical awareness of the contribution of Psychology to understanding human behaviour and experience.
To allow learners to engage in advanced theoretical debates relevant to the understanding of contemporary issues in society.
To give learners an opportunity to access specific and sufficient areas of study to permit them to access relevant further professional recognition.

PSI Accredited

The BA (Hons) in Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, the professional body for psychology in Ireland. As such, it seeks to promote the science and profession of psychology in Ireland and beyond. PSI membership now stands at over 2000 members, and includes practitioners, educators and researchers, professionals and postgraduate students, as well as undergraduate degree holders.

In order to be eligible for PSI Graduate Membership, students must pass the independent research psychology project, and gain at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree, or its equivalent (i.e. an overall pass mark of at least 50 per cent for conversion programmes).

Delivery

This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.

Student Testimonial

"I chose DBS as the programme was offered part time which best suited my circumstances as a single parent, it allowed me to work around my children. I always had an interest in Psychology and I really enjoyed the in-depth study of human behaviour delivered by excellent lecturers. I feel much more confident in gaining employment in my chosen field and the knowledge I gained during my time in DBS is invaluable."

Nora Creamer
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology

Course Content

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Core Modules

Psychological Foundations

Social Psychology 1

Biopsychology 1

Developmental Psychology 1

Cognitive Psychology 1

Psychology Learning Lab

Individual Differences 1

Introduction to Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious

Research Technique and Analysis 1

Positive Psychology

Core Modules

Cognitive Psychology 2

Developmental Psychology 2

Biopsychology 2

Social Psychology 2

Psychology in Action 1

Ethical Research Methods and Design

Research Technique and Analysis 2

Individual Differences 2

Psychical Structures in the Clinic of Psychoanalysis

Experimental Psychology

Core Modules

Psychological Disorders

Psychology in Action 2

Behaviour Science

Research Project

Electives

Health Psychology

Work and Organisational Psychology

Internet Psychology

Criminal Psychology

Hysteria in the Psychoanalysis Clinic

Psychoanalysis and Anxiety

Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Sexuality

Intervention and Therapeutic Practice

Addiction

Performance Psychology

Lacan, Language and the Unconscious

Ecopsychology

Twelve elective modules are available to learners at Award Stage. Learners are free to choose any combination of elective modules as facilitated by the timetable design, although these have been organised into clusters of three modules, two clusters per semester, in order to enhance mutual learning opportunities through meaningful combinations. Psychoanalysis elective modules may only be selected if prerequisite modules at Stage 1 and Stage 2 have been completed successfully.

Teaching and Assessment

Throughout the course some modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end of year examinations, or by continuous assessment alone. Continuous assessment will vary in style and purpose from module to module, depending upon the nature of the subject material and the teaching and learning objectives of the module. Assessments may include essays, multiple choice questionnaire, in-class exam, oral presentation, group work, and poster presentations.

Please note when teaching the corresponding software used on this programme, the lecture notes and materials are for the Windows operating system. Although the software may work on some other operating systems, the programmes are optimised for use on a Windows operating system.

Awarding Body and NFQ Level

As part of our ongoing obligation to quality assurance for QQI and PSI, DBS will carry out reviews and submit the programme for re-approval as required. This means that there may be changes to programme content or delivery during your programme of study. If this does occur, DBS will carefully consider all transition arrangements to ensure consistency for learners.

CORU Recognition

CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator whose role is to protect the public through regulating the health and social care professions listed in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). It includes the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and the Registration Boards established under the Act 2005 (as amended).

The BA (Hons)/Higher Diploma in Psychology does not currently fall under CORU for the purposes of recognition to the profession. However, learners should be aware that CORU is currently preparing to regulate the psychology profession for all higher education institutions and is taking a phased approach.

Structure

The full-time BA (Hons) in Psychology is a 3 year programme. The degree is divided into three stages. All content in Stages 1 and 2 is mandatory, while there are elective modules in addition to mandatory content in Stage 3.

In Stage 1, students undertake introductory subjects that are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of core disciplines to provide a platform for more advanced study.

In Stage 2, students take subjects that build on the Stage 1 foundation and further develop student knowledge and understanding.

In Stage 3, students take subjects intended to develop understanding of applied areas and key subjects. Furthermore, students also undertake a research project under the guidance of a supervisor.

This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.

A postgraduate qualification is normally required if graduates are to find work as professional psychologists. Such courses are normally at the level of Masters degree or Higher Diploma, and usually are of 1-2 years duration. The full range of specialist areas described below can be studied. Graduates are also eligible to undertake many postgraduate courses and/or research in related areas such as social and cultural studies or health sciences.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychologists work in health settings, engaging in diagnostic and therapeutic work with people with conditions such as schizophrenia and major depression. They often work in teams alongside other health professionals, including social workers, psychiatrists and doctors, in order to tailor treatment that best serves the needs of the patients.

Counselling Psychology

Counselling psychologists work with people who have emotional and psychological difficulties in their daily lives, seeking to guide, support and advise people through their problems. They can work in health settings and in other institutions (such as schools) or they can work in private practice seeing members of the general public.

Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists often work with schools under government or local authority supervision, assisting students with learning, emotional, behavioural or other difficulties through Child Psychology. Some educational psychologists work at the highest levels of the education system,designing and reforming the national curriculum to make it more effective, fairer and more useful to students and students and society. Others specialise in related areas such as special needs or adult education.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists often work in the Prison Service. However, forensic psychologists may also work in the health service (including rehabilitation units and secure hospitals), the social service (including An Garda Siochana and young offender units) and in university departments or in private consultancy. Forensic psychologists also act as expert witnesses and give evidence in court around forensic psychology.

Fees

The fees for Full-time BA (Hons) in Psychology are €5,995 per annum for EU students.

Click here to view international fees.

Click here to view EU fees.

You can also contact our admissions team who will be able to advise on the payment options available to you.

Fees quoted cover the annual cost of tuition, registration and examinations and are EU fees only. Non-EU students please refer to the International section of the website. Please note also that tax relief is available on fees for Irish income tax payers at the standard rate of 20% on all fees exceeding €3,000 and up to €7,000.

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner. More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS (https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions) and on programme handbooks provided at induction.

Course Entry Requirements

Before making an application please ensure you are aware of all our entry requirements.

CAO Applications

Application for first year full-time programmes in the college is through the CAO System. The CAO system applies only to applications for first year admissions to undergraduate full-time day programmes described in the prospectus, which have a CAO Course code www.cao.ie. Application forms and the CAO Handbook are both supplied by the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway or from your Career Guidance Counsellor

Mature Student Applications

If you are over 23 years of age on the 1st of January on the year of admission and do not meet the minimum entry requirements, you may apply as a Mature Student. Mature students should apply directly to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School. Mature students are assessed on the basis of age, work experience, general education standard, motivation and commitment to the programme for which they are applying. Please forward documentation such as any relevant transcripts, a CV or any other related documentation to the Admissions Office. Proof of age such as a copy of driver’s licence or passport must also be submitted.

College Transfer Students

Students holding a relevant Certificate, Diploma or other relevant third level qualification may qualify for entry to the second or third year of degree programme. Transfer applications to the second or third year full-time programmes are to be made directly to the college. Students should send copies of their examination transcripts and other relevant documentation along with their application form (available from the School / College) to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School.

Applications within the EU

A European (EU) Application is one made by a person:
(a) who is permanently a resident in one of the member states of the European Union and/or
(b) who will have received full-time second level education, for three of the five years immediately before the date of proposed admission, in member states.

Non-EU Applicants

Non - EU applicants should contact directly the International Admissions Office at Dublin Business School.

Application fee to CAO

Early applicants to CAO can benefit from a reduced fee of €30 for early online applications. There is a standard application fee of €45 made payable to CAO on submitting your CAO application form or online application to www.cao.ie before the normal closing date. Late applicants will be charged €90 for paper applications and €60 for online applications.

Categories:

International
Psychology & Social Science
Full-time Degrees/ Certificates
Full-Time
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Arts
8

Course overview

Awarding Body:
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

Award: Honours Degree
NFQ Level: Level 8
Award Title:
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Award Type: Major
Duration: 3 Years
CAO Code: DB562
Next Intake: September 2025

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Contact Us

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025. Contact our admissions team for more information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm

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