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Bachelor of Science in Psychology (MI003)

Note: The 'At a Glance' section below is indicative only. Hours and assessment methods vary across semesters and years.

CAO Points 2023: 484

Duration : 4 years full-time

Places Offered: 15 approx.

Location: MIC Limerick

Lecture Hours: 12 approx.

Tutorial Hours: 6 approx.

Assessment:

Mixed but may include presentations, exams, group-work, poster presentations, problem-based learning, short videos, and essays.

  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • Entry Requirements
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Programme Overview

The BSc Psychology is a new four year, full-time honours degree (Level 8). This unique programme provides a comprehensive undergraduate education in Psychology and includes learning in the workplace. This blend of scientific theory and real-world application gives students a chance to develop incredibly valuable critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology MI003 Female student and male students with laptops in lecture theatre in MIC Limerick

Why study the BSc in Psychology at MIC?

Psychology is an excellent choice for prospective students wishing to develop their understanding of why people think, feel and behave as they do. As a scientific endeavour, this research-led programme also encourages critical thinking, problem-solving and digital skills.

MIC’s BSc Psychology is a four-year programme which allows for a focus on research and the application of Psychology. This is invaluable for using the skills gained from a Psychology degree in real world settings. Research is included throughout every year of the programme, as we encourage students to aspire to be the creators, rather than merely consumers of knowledge.

The culmination of the research is the dissertation completed in the final year. Here, you will work under the supervision of experts in their field of research to design, carry out and present your research. We place an emphasis on being able to communicate scientific research as a valuable skill rather than a document that is relatively unseen. This further develops important research and communication skills. As a consequence, Psychology students from MIC have an enviable record of conducting award-winning research.

A distinctive feature of the BSc Psychology programme is the calendar year spent studying Psychology in the workplace. The spring semester of Year 2 and the autumn semester of Year 3 are spent studying organisational psychology in practice. This means continuing to study Psychology, but in a more hands-on way. The placements are organised and supervised by the Department of Psychology. This can include any type of organisation, such as a business, an educational establishment, a sports organisation, a health setting, or a charity. This innovative approach to learning creates an opportunity to apply knowledge from the first part of the programme and develop a new perspective that will enhance skills and learning for the latter part of the programme.

Career Opportunities

Psychology graduates enjoy some of the best career opportunities across the globe. Many will go on to study at postgraduate level and some will seek a career as a Psychologist in areas such as clinical, educational, coaching, counselling, forensic, health, academia, neuropsychology, work/organisational, or sport.

A majority of Psychology graduates will find rewarding careers in an allied profession. The understanding of people and development of inherently useful skills makes careers in healthcare, communications and marketing, human resourcing and development, management, and data analysis accessible options.

As a graduate of this programme, you will be prepared for successfully entering the 21st-century workplace. You will have developed important cognitive skills, such as analytical and critical thinking, creativity and decision making. You will strengthen your communication, both oral and written. You will enhance your digital skills and social skills, including working collaboratively.

Most importantly, you will develop personally, gaining a greater understanding of yourself and others.

Thumbnail that says 'Think about the B Sc in Psychology at MIC'
Thinking about Thinking?
Think about the B Sc in Psychology at MIC

What you will study

The programme blends both the scientific subject of Psychology and application of Psychology. The scientific study of mind and behaviour addresses six core areas: personality and individual differences, cognitive psychology, biopsychology, social psychology, developmental psychology and research methods. Combined, these core areas provide graduates with the necessary psychological knowledge to pursue postgraduate studies in Psychology.

We adopt a wide range of approaches to the delivery of the programme in order to maximise the skills you can develop. This will include learning individually and as part of a team. Many modules include lectures and small group tutorials, some include significant laboratory time, and some adopt a more problem-based learning approach. This has been carefully considered to ensure you are developing a range of important skills throughout each stage of your degree.

Throughout the programme, you will also learn about the application of Psychology in various contexts. This includes work, clinical, educational, sport, health and coaching. The largest application is rooted in the middle of the programme, taking up one calendar year where you will be based in the workplace, exploring where psychology could positively impact the performance and wellbeing of an organisation and individuals. There is also the potential for you to study abroad for a semester.

The research strand of the programme firstly introduces you to basic research design and analyses. As you progress through the programme and your research skills and confidence in this area increase, you will begin to design your own research before carrying out a significant project in the final year and communicating your findings.

A combination of study, research and practice
A combination of study, research and practice
The programme blends both the scientific subject of Psychology and application of Psychology.
First Year Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
First Year Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
This scholarship is offered to entrants on the Bachelor of Science in Psychology programme.

Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships

Each year, Mary Immaculate College awards up to 50 Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships across all undergraduate programmes valued at €2,000 each, on the basis of results obtained in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination.

Further information about Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships available here.

Contact

Prof. Niamh Stack, Programme Coordinator & Head of Department of Psychology

T: +353 61 204311

E: Niamh.Stack@mic.ul.ie

Programme Content

Year 1 (Semester 1)
Individual and Developmental Influences on Behaviour
Cognitive Psychology
Introduction to Research
Performance Psychology
Skills for Study and Work 1
Year 1 (Semester 2)
Historical and Social Influences on Behaviour
Developmental Psychology
Research Design and Analyses
Individuality, Difference and Psychological Science
Skills for Study and Work 2
Year 2 (Semester 3)
Information Technology for Psychology
Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology
Work and Organisation Psychology
Critical Perspectives in Research
Arts elective (x1)
Year 2 (Semester 4)
Organisational Psychology in Practice 1
Year 3 (Semester 5)
Organisational Psychology in Practice 2
Year 3 (Semester 6)
Biological Basis of Behaviour
Psychology of Applied Settings
Advanced Research Methods
Psychopathology
And one Psychology elective from the following:
Health Psychology
Psychology of Motivation
Advanced Issues in Developmental Psychology
Advanced Issues in Educational Psychology
Sport Psychology
Coaching Psychology
Year 4 (Semester 7)
Design and Ethics of Research
Undergraduate Dissertation in Psychology 1
Applied Social Psychology
Advanced Cognitive Psychology
Arts elective (x1)
Year 4 (Semester 8)
Communicating Psychological Science
Undergraduate Dissertation in Psychology 2
Psychology or Arts electives (x3)

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to hold the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include:

  • Grade H5 on a Higher Level paper in at least two subjects
  • Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects (Higher or Ordinary Level)

Subjects must include Mathematics, Gaeilge or another language, and English.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Link modules will be accepted for points purposes but they will not qualify as a subject for matriculation purposes.

GCE/GCSE/BTEC Applicants

Further information about minimum grades and entry requirements is available here or please contact the MIC Admissions Office at E: Admissions@mic.ul.ie.

If you are at least 23 years old on 1 January of the year of entry to college, you are considered as a mature applicant. 

Mature applicants for MI003 must apply through CAO, and the initial closing date is 1st February 2024.

All mature applicants who make an application to the College through the CAO for MI003 will be invited to attend for an interview. Mature applicants who do not meet the normal minimum entry requirements will be considered for admission if, having attended for interview, they satisfy the College as to their ability to benefit from and sustain participation in the programme(s) applied for. Mature applicants who have completed an interview will be contacted by the College to indicate whether or not they are being considered for a place, and all places will then be offered by the CAO.

Personal Statement

In addition to applying through the CAO, Mature applicants must also complete a Personal Statement. The Personal Statement guideline can be downloaded here. It is advisable to download and save the guideline/personal statement form locally, open the saved form from your PC and then email the completed form to Admissions@mic.ul.ie by 31 March 2024

For details of Uversity Scholarships for Mature Applicants click here. Applications can be submitted from 1 February 2024 to 26 March 2024.

For further details on mature entry, please email admissions@mic.ul.ie or telephone 061 205137/204348

Special Entry Route for QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants

A limited number of places per year will be awarded to applicants through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), which gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place on a higher education programme:

  • Within the context of the named major QQI level 5 qualification awards, applicants must present a full award with a minimum credit value of 120 which must include a distinction (i.e. 80% or greater) in at least 5 component awards.
  • Within the context of the named major QQI level 6 qualification awards, applicants must present a full award with a minimum credit value of 120 which must include a distinction (i.e. 80% or greater) in at least 4 component awards.

Further information about Bachelor of Science in Psychology (International) and applying as an non-EU applicant is available here. For International Fees, click here.

You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying on +353 61 204988.

Fees & Grants

Fees

Tuition fees may be paid in respect of full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions. Details of the Free Fees criteria are listed here.

If you do not qualify for free fees, undergraduate tuition fees and other charges may apply. See Undergraduate Fees here.

Grants

Students apply for a grant through Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) and if they meet certain criteria, they may be eligible for full or partial financial support.

Before applying at www.susi.ie, please review the criteria carefully.

Contact
Programme Coordinator & Head of Department of Psychology
Prof. Niamh Stack
+353 61 204311

Ask a Question

  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • Entry Requirements
  • Ask a Question