Faculty: Faculty of Science and Health, Department of Psychology. This 4-year full-time Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Honours program includes a year-long work placement, typically taken in the third year. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the human mind with a specialized focus on how the brain and body affect psychological processes. You will explore the neural mechanisms underlying perception, decisions, emotions, language, attention, memory, and social interactions. The curriculum covers core areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, developmental, biological, and individual differences, alongside foundational research design and data analysis. A significant emphasis is placed on the scientific investigation of brain function using state-of-the-art facilities. You will learn methods in cognitive neuroscience and apply psychological principles to understand brain-behaviour relationships. The placement year provides invaluable real-world experience in a psychology-related professional environment. The program offers opportunities to work one-on-one with researchers as their assistant through the Research Experience Scheme (RES). This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), providing eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

A BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Placement Year) from the University of Essex equips graduates with a strong foundation in both general psychology and specialized knowledge of brain function, along with strong analytical and research skills and significant professional experience. The BPS accreditation enables progression to professional psychology training. Career options include: Research roles (e.g., Research Assistant, Lab Technician, Data Analyst) in neuroscience labs, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or medical imaging; Assistant Psychologist (a common entry-level role towards clinical, forensic, or educational psychology); Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) (often with further training); roles in healthcare (e.g., in neurorehabilitation or mental health services); data analysis; human resources; marketing; advertising; consultancy; public sector roles requiring analytical skills; and further postgraduate study (e.g., MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, or PhD). The placement year provides invaluable practical experience and networking opportunities, significantly enhancing employability in a competitive job market.

The University of Essex fosters a forward-thinking environment and boasts a diverse international community, creating a rich and global learning experience. It is recognized as a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, meaning students learn from academics at the forefront of their fields, often contributing to cutting-edge research. The university's location offers the benefit of beautiful countryside nearby and is only an hour away from London by train, providing a balance of serene study environments and easy access to a major global city. The Department of Psychology has invested in state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Centre for Brain Science (with EEG, TMS, fNIRS, eye-tracking), Babylab, and specialist labs, providing exceptional practical research training in cognitive neuroscience.