Psychology (International Year One) 2026 entry

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

• Semester 1

  • Psychology A: explores the wide range of theoretical and empirical underpinnings of modern psychology through the detailed study of classic and contemporary literature. You will receive a solid grounding in the empirical approach necessary for conducting research in psychology as well as an appreciation of the diversity of psychology and its practical applications in modern society.
  • Biology 1: introduces you to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes. The central dogma of molecular biology is investigated through the examination of the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins, and how this knowledge led to modern developments in biotechnology. The final section of the module gives an introduction into molecular and population genetics with an emphasis on the process of evolution.
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 1: helps you develop and practise productive and receptive academic spoken communication skills to use within the International Foundation programme and in your undergraduate programme. 
  • Research and Writing for Science A: explores a range of academic functions, including features of academic style and organisation, academic grammar and vocabulary. You will learn how to evaluate the reliability of a variety of published texts and develop your own academic voice. The aim is to improve your overall academic literacy but with a focus on the texts you need to write for science.

• Semester 2

  • Psychology B: builds on the work started in Semester 1 with Psychology A. This module shows how research methods have developed understanding in three areas of psychology: developmental, evolutionary and social psychology.
  • Psychology 2: introduces you to the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology. Learn about the variety of subjects that make up contemporary psychology and gain an understanding of the empirical basis of psychology. 
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you to further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need in your degree.
  • Research and Writing for Science B: further develops the skills introduced in Research and Writing Skills for Science A in Semester 1. You will be working on more extended research skills using references and using them to support arguments in science.

• Teaching and assessment

  Your classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. In a typical week you will spend around 16 hours a week on your focused learning activities like live lectures, seminars and tutorials. To ensure our students are getting tailored support, we schedule seminar classes with groups of no more than 16 students.  

  You will also be expected to complete around 25 hours of independent study each week to achieve your academic goals.  

  Assessment 

  Each module will have a range of assessments with regular feedback from our teaching team. These assessments may include: 

  • academic essays 
  • exams (in-person or online) 
  • tests 
  • speaking and listening exam 
  • integrated skills exams 
  • leading and participating in seminars 
  • presentations  
  • lab and practical or field trip reports 
  • research projects 

  The grade from each module contributes to the final programme grade. Each module handbook will include information on assessments.