BSc Psychology online

I'm looking into my options for studying psychology BSc online and I'm looking for feedback from people who are on or have completed at the following universities recently. I have read reviews from 10 years ago and I'd like to believe that the bad reviews from those years ago have had chance to improve.

I'm looking at:

Applied & Clinical Psychology - Anglia Ruskin
Psychology - Arden University, University of Derby, University of Essex.

If you're studying at a location I've not mentioned then I'd still love to hear your feedback and experience.

Background - I'm 35 and work part time in an addiction treatment centre and as a life coach privately. I am looking for a course that can help strengthen my career. Flexibility is necessary as I am also a mother of 3.

Thanks

Reply 1

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Original post by cristynjenkins

I'm looking into my options for studying psychology BSc online and I'm looking for feedback from people who are on or have completed at the following universities recently. I have read reviews from 10 years ago and I'd like to believe that the bad reviews from those years ago have had chance to improve.
I'm looking at:
Applied & Clinical Psychology - Anglia Ruskin
Psychology - Arden University, University of Derby, University of Essex.
If you're studying at a location I've not mentioned then I'd still love to hear your feedback and experience.
Background - I'm 35 and work part time in an addiction treatment centre and as a life coach privately. I am looking for a course that can help strengthen my career. Flexibility is necessary as I am also a mother of 3.
Thanks

Hi there !

I’m Lily a second year psychology student at ARU

Firstly so glad to hear you’re considering us ! I’ve found my experience really positive, with lots of support around me from my tutors and peers. I’ve also really enjoyed the modules taught and found it had really broadened my knowledge across the whole spectrum of psychology.

In terms of you being a mature student, there’s always lots on the psychology course so you won’t be alone there. There is always lots of parents who obviously have other responsibilities at home so I feel the lecturers are very understanding of that. Also you having experience will definitely help you in the long run as well.

In terms of flexibility, If your timetable doesn’t suit you then you can always apply for a time change and switch to a class which suits you, as well as this, lectures are always uploaded online for any reason that you can’t make it.

If there’s anymore questions I would love to answer them.

Best wishes,
Lily ARU Digital Ambassador

Reply 2

cristynjenkins

Original post by ARUStudents

Hi there !
I’m Lily a second year psychology student at ARU
Firstly so glad to hear you’re considering us ! I’ve found my experience really positive, with lots of support around me from my tutors and peers. I’ve also really enjoyed the modules taught and found it had really broadened my knowledge across the whole spectrum of psychology.
In terms of you being a mature student, there’s always lots on the psychology course so you won’t be alone there. There is always lots of parents who obviously have other responsibilities at home so I feel the lecturers are very understanding of that. Also you having experience will definitely help you in the long run as well.
In terms of flexibility, If your timetable doesn’t suit you then you can always apply for a time change and switch to a class which suits you, as well as this, lectures are always uploaded online for any reason that you can’t make it.
If there’s anymore questions I would love to answer them.
Best wishes,
Lily ARU Digital Ambassador

Thanks for your reply Lily. Can I ask, why did you choose this online Psychology degree over the others that are offered online? Also, how much time would you estimate you are committing to study each week? I see other universities give a rough guideline however when I asked the support email they were unable to offer this sort of advice unfortunately. Thanks

Reply 3

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Original post by cristynjenkins

Hi again,

So I actually study in person, so can only give my perspective as an in person student but I would estimate it would be the same amount of time for each course as they’re both an undergraduate degree.

So roughly you will have three modules a term, and depending on credits you will have between 1 and 2 hour lectures, and sometimes multiple times a week. You will also then have seminars for each of these as well, lasting the same amount of time.

Then outside of university is however much time you want to put in. If you really want to get stuck into the literature and really understand I would say at least 2-3 hours a day roughly outside of these lectures and seminars, but if some modules are more credits I’d suggest putting some extra effort into those. 1 credit = 10 hours, so for example if a module was 40 credits, roughly 400 hours of learning and outside learning would be needed.

Again I can only suggest this from an in person student, but hope this helped some of your queries.

Thank you
Lily
ARU Digital Ambassador

Reply 4

cristynjenkins

Original post by ARUStudents

Hi again,
So I actually study in person, so can only give my perspective as an in person student but I would estimate it would be the same amount of time for each course as they’re both an undergraduate degree.
So roughly you will have three modules a term, and depending on credits you will have between 1 and 2 hour lectures, and sometimes multiple times a week. You will also then have seminars for each of these as well, lasting the same amount of time.
Then outside of university is however much time you want to put in. If you really want to get stuck into the literature and really understand I would say at least 2-3 hours a day roughly outside of these lectures and seminars, but if some modules are more credits I’d suggest putting some extra effort into those. 1 credit = 10 hours, so for example if a module was 40 credits, roughly 400 hours of learning and outside learning would be needed.
Again I can only suggest this from an in person student, but hope this helped some of your queries.
Thank you
Lily
ARU Digital Ambassador

I am looking at the online so I do think it would be quite different, it’s over 5 years and it’s Applied and Clinical Psychology so I think the content may be different. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me about your experience 🙂

Reply 5

hippieglitter

Hi, i am currently on my first stage of Forensic Psychology at the open university part time. I am quite enjoying the content, its quite intense and you have to be self-motivated to do the work (i have an essay due on Thursday which i am only half way through; panic time).

Reply 6

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

Original post by cristynjenkins

I'm looking into my options for studying psychology BSc online and I'm looking for feedback from people who are on or have completed at the following universities recently. I have read reviews from 10 years ago and I'd like to believe that the bad reviews from those years ago have had chance to improve.
I'm looking at:
Applied & Clinical Psychology - Anglia Ruskin
Psychology - Arden University, University of Derby, University of Essex.
If you're studying at a location I've not mentioned then I'd still love to hear your feedback and experience.
Background - I'm 35 and work part time in an addiction treatment centre and as a life coach privately. I am looking for a course that can help strengthen my career. Flexibility is necessary as I am also a mother of 3.
Thanks

Hiya @cristynjenkins!

At Essex our online Psychology degree is 100% online programmes accredited by British Psychology Society, you will have optional modules throughout your degree allowing you to tailor your studies to your specific interests and future career paths.

You will have tutors and specialists supporting you during the duration of your degree.
Our online psychology degree will enable you to develop several transferable skills including critical thinking, communication and evidence based reasoning.
More information on the degree can be found here: Psychology - University of Essex Online

Essex Psychology Department in Top 20 in the UK for research outputs in psychology, Top 28 in the UK for Psychology in the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Our next open day will be on Saturday 15th June.
You are more than welcome to attend and this will give you a chance to talk in person to academics and a have a feel of Essex.
Open Days | University of Essex

If you have nay questions don't hesitate in contacting me.

Cat-Essex Official Rep

Reply 7

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post by cristynjenkins

I'm looking into my options for studying psychology BSc online and I'm looking for feedback from people who are on or have completed at the following universities recently. I have read reviews from 10 years ago and I'd like to believe that the bad reviews from those years ago have had chance to improve.
I'm looking at:
Applied & Clinical Psychology - Anglia Ruskin
Psychology - Arden University, University of Derby, University of Essex.
If you're studying at a location I've not mentioned then I'd still love to hear your feedback and experience.
Background - I'm 35 and work part time in an addiction treatment centre and as a life coach privately. I am looking for a course that can help strengthen my career. Flexibility is necessary as I am also a mother of 3.
Thanks

@cristynjenkins

Hi! I studied the MSc in Psychology at Arden and had a great time, this was following a 1st BA Hons Sociology at MMU about a decade before.

In terms of flexibility Arden were great with the option of doing the course 100% online or blended learning was available at centres in Manchester, Leeds, London, and Birmingham. The Virtual learning environment was great with several ways to chat to tutors. The access to online journals was great with a really helpful search engine.

For an unbiased view of any provider, check out their rating on the Teaching Excellence Framework which is readily available online in a report. There will also be reports from the QAA (but they will be from a few years ago as they no longer oversee H.E, I think it is the Office for Students now)

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Reply 8

cristynjenkins

Original post by Arden University

@cristynjenkins
Hi! I studied the MSc in Psychology at Arden and had a great time, this was following a 1st BA Hons Sociology at MMU about a decade before.
In terms of flexibility Arden were great with the option of doing the course 100% online or blended learning was available at centres in Manchester, Leeds, London, and Birmingham. The Virtual learning environment was great with several ways to chat to tutors. The access to online journals was great with a really helpful search engine.
For an unbiased view of any provider, check out their rating on the Teaching Excellence Framework which is readily available online in a report. There will also be reports from the QAA (but they will be from a few years ago as they no longer oversee H.E, I think it is the Office for Students now)
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Hi Marc, Thanks for your reply.

I actually just received a call from Arden and I was quite impressed with the offer especially financially since I would be an overseas student.

Can I ask how you found the course overall? I have done online learning for different courses over the past 5 years but never at degree level. Did you find the support form Arden enough?

Thanks

Cristyn