The School of Psychology offers single, joint, and combined BSc and MA degrees. All of our Single and Joint Honours degrees are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and students who graduate with these degrees can become graduate members of the BPS. | ![]() |
- What is the difference between the MA in Psychology and BSc in Psychology?
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The Psychology element of either programme is exactly the same and they are both equally valued as Psychology degrees. The only real difference is the subjects that you take alongside psychology in first two years of the degree.
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MA students have typically done arts and humanities subjects at school. Within the MA you will be able to take any arts course (e.g., sociology, philosophy, languages) and any science courses that you have the pre-requisites for (many of the science courses require you to have e.g., biology at higher/A-Level).
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BSc students typically have school qualifications in science subjects and do subjects like maths, biology and chemistry alongside psychology in the first 2 years.
So, whether you're doing an MA or a BSc will depend on what subjects you did to a higher Level at school (as A levels or Highers) and this affects what other courses you can take alongside psychology.
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- What can I study alongside psychology?
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At the University of Aberdeen, Psychology can be studied with many other subjects, leading to several different degrees. The content of the Psychology courses is identical in these different degrees: The range and extent of the subjects you study alongside Psychology will determine the specific degree you undertake.
In the first two years of all our Psychology degrees, Psychology takes up one half of your study, and you choose one or two other ‘outside’ subjects to study alongside it. So, it is important that you consider the broader range of subjects you might like to take before you arrive (see the Catalogue of courses).
It is also possible to study a joint honours degree (with Psychology forming 50% of your overall degree) or a major-minor degree (with Psychology forming 75% or 25% of your overall degree). You can find out more about the degree options here.
- Will my undergraduate degree be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)?
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All our Single and Joint Honours Psychology programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society. This means that graduates from these programmes are eligible for Graduate Membership of the Society with the Graduate Basis for Registration, providing the minimum standard of qualification of second-class Honours in the Psychology component is achieved. This is a first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and is important for onwards study and careers in psychology.