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BA/BSC Psychology degrees

Some institutions offer both a BA and a BSC course in psychology.

What type of person should go for which course? Is there much of a difference?
BA is short for Bachelor of Arts, so normally ppl who do subjects such as history and english lit would be suited, but BSc is short for Bachelor of Science, so ppl who do science-y subjects

However, I don't think it really matters, since as far as I know everyone does the same lectures and exams, just gets a different title at the end of it
Reply 2
In some course descriptions, esp when speaking about psychology, it says that the BA is more theory-related. Analysis and such. Whereas the BSc includes a lot of biology, neuroscience etc. Basically, it covers the medical aspects of psychology more.

Personally, if you ask which person should go for what, I am definitely a person that would go for the BA as I am not someone who enjoys biological science/chemistry etc too much. Whereas I'd love the analysing and such ...
Reply 3
I've applied to uni's which only have the BSc, and I'd much prefer to have BA. is it really scientific, as in biological like, or is it similar to A level where you analyse and essay write, because I like that. Otherwise I'm in trouble, I hate science!!
*nim*
I've applied to uni's which only have the BSc, and I'd much prefer to have BA. is it really scientific, as in biological like, or is it similar to A level where you analyse and essay write, because I like that. Otherwise I'm in trouble, I hate science!!


i've heard that BSc is more practical work etc & theories blah blah
Reply 5
At Exeter they offer a BSc and a BA, but my impression is that you do exactly the same course and whether you get a BSc or BA at the end of it depends on your A-Levels...
summer_bee
whether you get a BSc or BA at the end of it depends on your A-Levels...


not necessarily, i've applied for all BSc courses & my A levels are Arts subjects.
Reply 7
*nim*
I've applied to uni's which only have the BSc, and I'd much prefer to have BA. is it really scientific, as in biological like, or is it similar to A level where you analyse and essay write, because I like that. Otherwise I'm in trouble, I hate science!!


I do think it will cover lots of biology and science, otherwise you wouldn't get a Bsc. Have you had a closer look at the different modules? Those should tell you more.
Reply 8
I'm doing the BSc at the moment and we do a lot of science, we're even doing a unit now solely on biology so I guess if you don't like that sort of thing then I'd go for the BA, I have heard that the BA is more theory based whereas the BSc is more about practical experiments and the science side of psychology :smile:
Reply 9
I did a BSc.

It tends to be more research/science focused (i.e. lots of psychobiology, cognitive psych, a bit of neuroscience, practicals every week in your first two years for stats and three research projects for us). Nonetheless, it's not like they do not focus also on social psychology or therapies (although abnormal psychology and psychopathology could lean possibly more towards the medical/CBT side rather than counselling, for example). However, as most unis will make you pick your modules at some point through the degree, you can decide which field of psychology you'd like to focus on and maybe avoid the sciency stuff if you don't like it, or the less sciency stuff (I hated social and was definitely happy when I dropped it!)

As for the coursework, you do have stats labs and such, but it is very much of an essay based course and most of it it's about reading lots and coming up with your own ideas on X topic supporting your claims with experimental evidence etc (but then again, if you hate science you won't have the time of your life writing a psychobiology essay...however I don't think you can completely avoid biology even if you do a BA).
At manchester they said that there is absoultely no difference between the BA and the BSc there - they only have the two different names for 'historical reasons' or something like that, everyone learns together and gets the same, seems a bit pointless.
Reply 11
petrolxfumes
At manchester they said that there is absoultely no difference between the BA and the BSc there - they only have the two different names for 'historical reasons' or something like that, everyone learns together and gets the same, seems a bit pointless.


So how do you pick one over the other? :confused:
Reply 12
Basically you don't pick! At most, if not all the unis I've applied to, the Psychology course is just that! When you complete your degree they simply ask whether you want an award of a BA or BSc! Most courses involve essay writing, experimentation of one sort or another and stats. The amount of each vary depending on the uni and its tutors but that apart they are one and the same!!
Reply 13
I don't know about all uni's but I read on the Lancaster site that you do the course then at the end choose the title. So I don't think there's much difference, if any.
Reply 14
Original post by worried_mess
Some institutions offer both a BA and a BSC course in psychology.

What type of person should go for which course? Is there much of a difference?


I'm studying psychology at the moment and another student in a lab session asked what's the difference with BA and BSc.. with BA you won't be able to register with BPS so stereotypical jobs you can get into with a psychology degree won't be assesible with a BA psychology degree as you don't do research methods etc which is important in that line of work
I'm studying psychology at the moment and another student in a lab session asked what's the difference with BA and BSc.. with BA you won't be able to register with BPS so stereotypical jobs you can get into with a psychology degree won't be assesible with a BA psychology degree as you don't do research methods etc which is important in that line of work


Now you need a time travel machine to back to 2005 when your response may have been helpful :P
this is the subject where u read minds right?

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