Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology
Honours Bachelor Deegree
† Indicates that students admitted to the programme are required to undergo a Garda Vetting process.
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
Queries: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus
About You
If you are the type of person who is interested in investigating the reasons behind why people behave the way they do, and in using your knowledge to address important social issues, then this course will be interesting for you.
Why Study Psychology and Sociology at UL?
This course allows you to examine a fascinating variety of human behaviours and social interactions, and opens up a wide variety of career opportunities. This combination of disciplines offers you the opportunity to develop and deepen your knowledge and understanding of how and why humans think and behave the way they do, and how they shape and are shaped by the society they live in.
The programme will help you to understand and explore the complexities of the mind and society. In the final year you will have the opportunity to undertake a research project on a chosen subject in Psychology. By the end of this course you will have the knowledge and research skills essential for a career in Psychology. The BA is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, and will allow you to progress in a career in Psychology.
What You Will Study
This four year honours degree in Psychology & Sociology provides you with a broad introduction to both disciplines in the first year, followed by coverage of the core areas of Psychology required for accreditation including: social, developmental, personality, biological and cognitive psychology as well as research methods and statistics. In your final year of study you will specialise in advanced areas of both Psychology and Sociology, in topics including multiculturalism, the media and applied psychology, while undertaking your own independent research project in an area of Psychology. You will also have an opportunity to undertake study abroad as well as work in an area relevant to psychology or sociology during the course of your studies.
Off-campus programme
In semester 4 and 5 you will participate in an off campus programme. The off- campus programme typically consists of a period of paid employment in a sector related to the field of study, voluntary work and a period of university study in either Europe or North America as part of a Socrates or other exchange programme.
This four year honours degree in Psychology & Sociology provides you with a broad introduction to both disciplines in the first year, followed by coverage of the core areas of Psychology required for accreditation including: social, developmental, personality, biological and cognitive psychology as well as research methods and statistics. In your final year of study you will specialise in advanced areas of both Psychology and Sociology, in topics including multiculturalism, the media and applied psychology, while undertaking your own independent research project in an area of Psychology. You will also have an opportunity to undertake study abroad as well as work in an area relevant to psychology or sociology during the course of your studies.
Off Campus Programme
In semester 4 and 5 you will participate in an off campus programme. The off-campus programme typically consists of a period of paid employment in a sector related to the field of study, voluntary work or a period of university study in either Europe or North America as part of a Socrates or other exchange programme.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer | |
| PS4021 | Psychology: Theory and Method 1 | PS4032 | Psychology and Social Issues | |
| PS4031 | Psychology and Everyday Life | PS4042 | Psychology: Theory and Method 2 | |
| PS4041 | Practical Psychology 1 | PS4052 | Practical Psychology 2 | |
| SO4001 | Introduction to Sociology | SO4002 | Gender: Sociological Perspectives | |
| SO4063 | Introduction to Social Research Methods | SO4032 | Introduction to Sociology 2 |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Summer | |
| PS4011 | Social Psychology 2 | CO4220 | Cooperative Education 1 | |
| PS4022 | Psychology of the Personality | |||
| PS4035 | Biological Basis of Human Behaviour | |||
| PS4043 | Emprical Psychology 1 | |||
| SO4073 | Classic Sociological Theory |
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | |
| OE4310 | Off Campus/External Academic Placement 3 | PS4012 | Human Development and the life span 1 | |
| PS4033 | Research Methods | |||
| PS4034 | Emprical Psychology 2 | |||
| PS4037 | Cognition 1 | |||
| SO4036 | Contemporary Sociological Theory |
| Year 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Summer | |
| PS4045 | Advanced Research Methods | PS4408 | Final Year Project 2 (Psychology and Sociology) | |
| PS4407 | Final Year Project 1 (Psychology and Sociology) | SO4088 | Sociology of Globalisation | |
| SO4037 | Qualitative Methods for Sociological Research | Elective - Choose Min 1 Max 1 | ||
| Elective - Choose Min 1 Max 1 | SO4008 | Sociology of Media Audiences | ||
| PS4027 | Applied Psychology | SO4078 | Inequaliry and social exclusion | |
| PS4087 | Political Psychology | SO4108 | Sociological Approaches to Gender and multiculturalism | |
| PS4107 | Abnormal and Clinical Psychology | SO4118 | Sociology of Gender and Popular Culture | |
| Elective - Choose Min 1 Max 1 | SO4178 | The Sociology of the Body | ||
| SO4057 | Sociology of Health and Illness | SO4208 | Sociology of Love and Its Dark Side | |
| SO4047 | Sociology of the welfare state | Elective - Choose Min 1 Max 1 | ||
| SO4067 | Sociology of Work | PS4047 | Social Psychology 2 | |
| PS4108 | Approaches to Social Identity |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation Maths is not reckonable for scoring purposes.
Applications are especially welcome from mature students, that is those over the age of 23 on 1 January of the year of entry. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.
QQI Entry
Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules.
As an accredited undergraduate Psychology programme, this BA degree will allow you to progress in a range of careers in Psychology. This includes eligibility to apply for entry to the Doctor of Clinical Psychology course at the University of Limerick, and other such doctoral programmes leading to qualifications as a Clinical Psychologist.
Careers open to you with a degree in Psychology and Sociology include;
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Primary Teacher
- Third level Lecturer
- Community Worker
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Social Researcher
- Occupational Therapist
Follow-On Study
Related postgraduate courses at UL include;
- MA Sociology
- MSc Speech and Language Therapy
- MSc Occupational Therapy
- Clinical Psychology (DclinPsych)
Psychology is one of the prerequisite study areas for entry to postgraduate studies in Psychological Science, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy courses at the University of Limerick, as well as professional courses in Educational, Forensic or Occupational Psychology elsewhere. Psychology graduates also pursue careers in research in universities, the public service and voluntary sector.
Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here
Student Profile
Caoilfhionn Timmons
A Day in the Life Of… an Assistant Psychologist
I currently work as an Assistant Psychologist in a forensic hospital with the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. No two days are ever the same! My role involves assessment and intervention for people with severe mental health problems who, as a result of their mental health difficulties, have come into contact with the law. I used many different assessment tools to help get a picture of what the person’s strengths, difficulties, and current needs are. Then comes the intervention bit, where I do both group and one-to-one work using a variety of approaches.
Because this degree is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, I can go on to train as a Clinical Psychologist - I have just gained a place on a doctoral course starting this autumn in London. The doctoral places are fees paid and fully salaried (as it’s a job as well as a course), so while it takes a while to get enough experience to get on the doctorate, it’s well worth the wait in my opinion - especially when the career is so interesting!
Caoilfhionn’s tip:
Before you choose a course, talk to people who previously studied it but are now finished and carving a career out of the degree; inquire about realistic career opportunities and salary, what the day-to-day duties are, and how you go about qualifying, as some degrees require further study in order for you to be qualified.
Student Profile
Sarah O'Grady
I chose this course because it would give me a broader foundation in the research and theory that surrounds social issues. I love the Psychology modules which offer a broad choice; from the study of the brain to the dynamics of group relations.
I like that the classes are quite small. It is easy to ask a lecturer for further explanation. I formed strong bonds with the other people on my course. We always knew we could ask members of the classes for help.
Without doubt, UL has the best campus in Ireland. I used the Sports Arena frequently as membership is cheap for UL students. I like the coffee shops and restaurants. We rarely go straight home after classes because the buzzing atmosphere tempts us to stay around and chat.
I benefited greatly from Co-Op. I got a position as a research assistant in the Psychology Department. It was a tough job, and required a lot of time and effort but it was a great experience.