Aston University or BCU for undergraduate psychology?

1

I have received offers from both Aston and BCU for their undergraduate Psychology courses, (Aston course code C801 and BCU course code C800) but I'm really stuck on which is better. My dad has said to consider BCU overall since they're the second best uni after UOB but I really only want to go off of which offers the better course. The UCAS website course summary for the Aston course is a lot more detailed than BCU, and I was hoping that I could compare the courses that way, but because BCU doesn't offer a run down of each year on the course there or assessment methods, I can't compare them that way so I'm stuckkk. If anyone who studied Psychology at BCU is able to give me a detailed account of what each year consists of and how you were assessed, I'd really appreciate it ! Or just anyone's professional opinion on what they'd think is better because I know one of these will be a firm choice. :smile:

Reply 1

Logic1

13

Original post

by iizzxaaaaa

I have received offers from both Aston and BCU for their undergraduate Psychology courses, (Aston course code C801 and BCU course code C800) but I'm really stuck on which is better. My dad has said to consider BCU overall since they're the second best uni after UOB but I really only want to go off of which offers the better course. The UCAS website course summary for the Aston course is a lot more detailed than BCU, and I was hoping that I could compare the courses that way, but because BCU doesn't offer a run down of each year on the course there or assessment methods, I can't compare them that way so I'm stuckkk. If anyone who studied Psychology at BCU is able to give me a detailed account of what each year consists of and how you were assessed, I'd really appreciate it ! Or just anyone's professional opinion on what they'd think is better because I know one of these will be a firm choice. :smile:

What’s ur GCSEs and A level grades if I may ask? What is ur AS grade?

Reply 2

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

18

Original post

by iizzxaaaaa

I have received offers from both Aston and BCU for their undergraduate Psychology courses, (Aston course code C801 and BCU course code C800) but I'm really stuck on which is better. My dad has said to consider BCU overall since they're the second best uni after UOB but I really only want to go off of which offers the better course. The UCAS website course summary for the Aston course is a lot more detailed than BCU, and I was hoping that I could compare the courses that way, but because BCU doesn't offer a run down of each year on the course there or assessment methods, I can't compare them that way so I'm stuckkk. If anyone who studied Psychology at BCU is able to give me a detailed account of what each year consists of and how you were assessed, I'd really appreciate it ! Or just anyone's professional opinion on what they'd think is better because I know one of these will be a firm choice. :smile:

Hi @iizzxaaaaa

Congrats on both of your offers! 🙂

I don't study Psychology unfortunately, but I might be able to help.

Have you had a look at the BCU Psychology course specification? This is under the 'course in depth' section on the website and offers a more in depth look at the course. Here's the link for you to take a look:
https://bcuassets.blob.core.windows.net/docs/us0691-bsc-hons-psychology-mar24-133560209141418020.pdf

Another thing I would suggest is to attend one of the Offer Holder days at BCU. You should have received an email inviting you to come along to have a look at your chosen course, meet your potential lecturers and experience a taster session for your course. This could be a great opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the course content in depth. Keep a look out for this email if you haven't seen it already.

I hope this helps. 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU

Reply 3

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

18

Original post

by iizzxaaaaa

I have received offers from both Aston and BCU for their undergraduate Psychology courses, (Aston course code C801 and BCU course code C800) but I'm really stuck on which is better. My dad has said to consider BCU overall since they're the second best uni after UOB but I really only want to go off of which offers the better course. The UCAS website course summary for the Aston course is a lot more detailed than BCU, and I was hoping that I could compare the courses that way, but because BCU doesn't offer a run down of each year on the course there or assessment methods, I can't compare them that way so I'm stuckkk. If anyone who studied Psychology at BCU is able to give me a detailed account of what each year consists of and how you were assessed, I'd really appreciate it ! Or just anyone's professional opinion on what they'd think is better because I know one of these will be a firm choice. :smile:

Hi @iizzxaaaaa,

I am currently in my final year at BCU doing my Psychology undergraduate and I've absolutely loved all the modules I've taken throughout the course. In your first year, you'll be studying modules that strengthen and reinforce your understandings in the foundations of psychology. You can expect modules such as Contemporary Issues and Applied Psychology, Introduction to Psychopathology, and Psychology of Individual Differences and Personality. There are three modules per semester, and two semester per year. You'll be taking up six modules every year.

In terms of assessment, I can summarise an assessment I did for the Psychopathology module- that is a regular format you can expect in other modules throughout your undergraduate as well. For this assessment, we were presented four case-studies and we had to choose one of them to write our 2,000 word essay on. In the essay you are expected to 'diagnose' the individual according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, clinically assess, explain the symptoms using biological and clinical approaches, and devise possible effective psychological interventions to treat the individual.

This is just one of the usual assessment formats you can expect, other modules may also have a 80-20 overall mark grade where 80% is from an essay of some sort and the remaining 20% is from a quiz. For the most part, most of our assessments are essay-based and individual work. I remember doing group work for only one of my modules in the first year.

Each module offers one seminar and one lecture per week, therefore you can expect six sessions in your timetable. Lectures are usually two hours, whereas seminars are typically an hour. You are also given the opportunity to choose your modules in your second semesters. In my first year, I chose Positive Psychology and Counselling as my optional module and I'm doing Psychology in Policing and Criminal Justice for my optional module now in my third year.

I could go on and on for ages, but if there are more specific questions you have that you would like to find out further, please don't hesitate to ask me for more details!

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep

Reply 4

PG Study Chester

11

Original post

by iizzxaaaaa

I have received offers from both Aston and BCU for their undergraduate Psychology courses, (Aston course code C801 and BCU course code C800) but I'm really stuck on which is better. My dad has said to consider BCU overall since they're the second best uni after UOB but I really only want to go off of which offers the better course. The UCAS website course summary for the Aston course is a lot more detailed than BCU, and I was hoping that I could compare the courses that way, but because BCU doesn't offer a run down of each year on the course there or assessment methods, I can't compare them that way so I'm stuckkk. If anyone who studied Psychology at BCU is able to give me a detailed account of what each year consists of and how you were assessed, I'd really appreciate it ! Or just anyone's professional opinion on what they'd think is better because I know one of these will be a firm choice. :smile:

Hello

Congratulations on your two offers from two super unis that’s great news and really positive. Whilst I study neither psychology nor study at Aston nor BCU, I wanted to drop you a reply with a couple of suggestions that might help you choose.

One thing I want to stress is don’t just go off a league table placing for a university. There are so many different t polls taken that probably most universities will be number one in one league table category somewhere. The most important aspects are more personal, where would YOU like to study. The best way to answer this is to consider the course and most importantly I think how you feel at the university. Whilst the website can go some way to explaining what the course consists of, I think the best way is to visit the university and talk to the staff and students. Therefore, if you can, why not go to an applicant day at each one? These days are specially designed for prospective students and will give you the opportunity to see the university campus, the department, and speak to the tutors and students. You will have the opportunity of finding out about the course content as well as meeting current psychology students who can give you details about what it’s like to study from a student point of view. As well as this you will gain valuable insights into all of the student support facilities outside of the psychology department, such as the library services team, the academic skills team, student support etc. Crucially, you will acquire a sense of how you feel at the university. Do you feel relaxed there, do the staff put you at ease, does it seem to be friendly and inviting and do you feel like you would like to spend three years of your life living and studying there?

I hope this helps!
Good luck,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester

Aston University or BCU for undergraduate psychology?

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