| Code | CK120 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BA (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| CAO Points | 2024: 532 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 532-625 |
Course Outline
As a student on the BA Applied Psychology, you get a chance to engage with a wide breadth of topics. The degree follows a rich, varied and challenging curriculum, from history to neuroscience, culture to biology, from children to the elderly, from professional skills to statistical and laboratory skills. The scope of psychology can be seen in the variety of areas that staff in Applied Psychology in UCC research, which includes examining:
- how children learn and develop
- sensorimotor processes such as those involved in falling
- the interpersonal processes involved in caring which may lead to healthier, experientially richer ageing
- people’s engagement with social media and games and how technology could be designed to give people a chance for a richer life
- adolescent health and wellbeing and how it can be improved
We aim to provide you with an education in Psychology which meets the highest world standards, while recognising our established and on-going commitment to the application and use of that knowledge.
The BA Applied Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, and graduates are eligible for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) with a Second Class Honours or above, or completion of a PSI accredited Psychology Conversion Course with an overall pass mark of 50 percent. This entitles you to apply for postgraduate training in psychology in the specific area in which you choose to specialise.
Modules
The BA in Applied Psychology offers a rich and diverse curriculum. You will complete courses that examine psychology from a philosophical and cultural perspective, enhance your critical thinking and scientific communication skills and help you to develop a strong understanding of the main modern fields of psychology.
All modules have 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
Year 1
- AP1026 Professional and Critical Skills for Psychologists (10 credits)
- AP1031 Biological Psychology
- AP1032 Lifespan Development
- AP1033 Individual Differences
- AP1035 Introduction to Neuroscience, Perception and Attention
- AP1036 Learning and Behaviour
- AP1037 Social Psychology
- AP1038 Digital Literacy for Psychologists
- AP1039 Research Methods in Psychology (10 credits)
- AP1040 Research Design and Statistical Analyses I
Year 2
- AP2046 Experimental Design
- AP2050 Research Methods
- AP2045 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence
- AP2044 Applied Cognition
- AP2047 Social and Organisational Psychology
- AP2041 Critical Skills for Applied Psychologists
- AP2048 Psychology and Everyday Life
- AP2049 Psychology of Aging
- AP2043 Biological Psychology
- AP2042 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Year 3
- AP3117 Research Project
- AP3116 Applied Psychology Seminars
- AP3119 Psychological Therapies
- AP3120 Personal and Career Development
- AP3118 Psychological Measurement
- AP3112 Conceptual and Historical Issues
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
Year 1
You will benefit from a high level of contact with lecturers, tutors and demonstrators. Classes are timetabled over the week, and many of the practical sessions have a compulsory attendance requirement.
Year 2
There is a shift towards more self-directed learning, although this is augmented by 10–12 hours of scheduled lectures and practical sessions.
Year 3
You will attend 8-10 hours of lectures on average, and focus your time more heavily on your independent research project. As with all undergraduate degrees, there is an expectation that you will devote time before and after lectures and practicals to reading, research and developing your knowledge across all courses in the degree.
Why Choose This Course
I learned how to think critically, conduct high-quality research projects, and evaluate research evidence.
Lisa Murphy, Graduate
Find Out MoreI want to help people and understand what makes people tick.
Daniel Waugh, Graduate
The Applied Psychology course is an excellent preparation and grounding for future psychologists. More than 90% of our graduates are in employment in a field of psychology or are in postgraduate training.
Some of the unique aspects of our course include:
- course is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, recognised by the British Psychological Society, and widely accepted internationally
- strong, internationally recognised research by staff
- staff are committed to and engaged in mentoring psychology undergraduates
- committed to supporting work experience among students
- graduates can progress to a wide variety of postgraduate training, in Cork and beyond.
Skills and Careers Information
Internationally, psychology graduates enjoy better job prospects than almost any other discipline. Over the past five years 94% of graduates were working or taking further training. As a graduate of Applied Psychology, you will have the required foundation to follow a career in psychology including clinical practice and research. You will also use your knowledge of psychology in a wide range of careers including:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Human Resource Management
- Advertising & Marketing
- Social and health services
- Criminal justice system
- Industry
- Research
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Other Language |
|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 |
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications
EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest, and prospective students must also apply for and sit the Mature Student Evaluation (MSE) test. Applicants may also be called for interview.
Candidates are expected to show concrete evidence of commitment to psychology as a discipline and ability to cope with the scientific content of the programme.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to undertake an access course with a significant psychology component. The School of Applied Psychology does not endorse any particular course.
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
QQI FET Entry
Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.