University Certificate Psychology at University of Derby

Programme overview

The University Certificate in Psychology (UCP) will introduce you to core areas of psychology that you are interested in through the selection of optional modules. You will learn about the fundamental theoretical issues in psychology, and you can tailor your module choice to your area of interest, career focus or personal preferences, choosing from: cognitive, developmental, social, biological psychology and historical issues in psychology.

What you will study

To successfully complete the University Certificate in Psychology you must pass 60 credits, by completing three x 20 credit modules. If your first degree did not include any research methods training, you will be encouraged to select the Introduction to Research Methods module as one of your options.

Career pathways

Studying this course provides you with your first step into a career within psychology and a gateway to our BPS accredited online BSc (Hons) Psychology *. This course also provides you with 60 credits in psychology which can help you gain entry to our BPS accredited online Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology course .

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You may wish to complete this programme as professional development or because you are interested in psychology. However, by completing this course, you have the choice to progress to our BSc (Hons) Psychology (Online) or our Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Online) programmes. The entry criteria varies depending on your preferred career path.; Option 1: Entry criteria for University Certificate in Psychology to complete this programme without progressing onto a further course; Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age.; Option 2: Entry criteria to complete the University Certificate in Psychology and progress to the BSc (Hons) Psychology; For automatic progression to the BSc (Hons) Psychology, students must complete the University Certificate in Psychology with a final average grade of 50% and pass all their modules. For students who do not achieve this, progression on to the BSc (Hons) Psychology will be at the discretion of the programme director.; Students can RPL up to 60 credits of modules on the University Certificate in Psychology towards the BSc (Hons) Psychology.

Domestic applicants: GBP 2,865 for the whole programme (2026/27). Total course fee for online study; same fee for UK/EU/international students Source

International applicants: GBP 2,865 for the whole programme (2026/27). Total course fee for online study; same fee for UK/EU/international students Source

Intake: September, January

Duration: Part-time: 6 months-1year

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