Bachelor's Programme in General Psychology

The Bachelor`s Programme in General Psychology has a scope of 180 credits and a nominal length of study time of 3 years.

The tuition will mainly be conducted in Norwegian. Individual lectures may have English as the language of instruction. Electives may have English as the language of instruction.

Every autumn. Applications to the programme are submitted to the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (SO).

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, cognition, emotion and interaction. The Bachelor's Programme in General Psychology will provide you with insight and theoretical knowledge of the basic psychological areas - biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology and social psychology - including the opportunity of an in-depth study in chosen disciplines. The Bachelor¿s Programme provides you with the basis for understanding emotion and cognition, learning and behaviour, and gives you the experience of your own extensive and independent work (Bachelor's thesis). The programme will develop your skills in identification and analysis of people in interaction with others. The programme will also provide you with insight and training in different research methods in psychology.

Psychology explains behaviour by using theories based on scientific methods. By reading and participating in lectures and seminars you will get to know the main orientations, theoretical main perspectives, central research contributions and findings in the subject of psychology

A candidate who has completed his or her programme of studies should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate...

• has knowledge and understanding of the key topics within the subject of psychology.
• understands how a psychological phenomenon can be studied and explained in various ways and assess different theoretical explanations in relation to one another.
• has the ability to describe the subject's historical development.
• is able to keep updated on the subject area of psychology.

Skills

The candidate...

• has the ability to assess different research methods for collection and analysis of data material.
• has the ability to use different psychological perspectives in the analysis and description of a phenomenon.
• has the ability to carry out literature searching and assess relevant specialist literature.
• is able to demonstrate a good command of written and oral communication skills in line with the discipline of psychology.
• has the ability to carry out an independent limited academic work in line with academic, methodological and ethical guidelines.

General competence

The candidate...

• has the ability to adopt a critical approach to current knowledge and practice within the discipline of psychology.
• has the ability to work independently, organise and plan his/her own work within given deadlines, and in line with ethical requirements and guidelines.
• has the ability to present key specialist material to different audiences in both written and oral form.
• possesses an insight into relevant subject ethical issues.

To be eligible to apply for the Bachelor¿s Programme in General Psychology, you must have general university and college admission certification, or satisfy the requirements for prior learning and work experience.

The introductory course is comprised of a total of 30 credits, and comprises an introduction to psychology, ex Phil, and a course in research methodology.

Introductory courses equivalent to 30 credits in the following courses:

• PSYK111 Introduction to psychology and the history of psychology (15 credits): which gives an overview and introduction to the subject of psychology. You will learn about the biological foundation of psychology, about memory, learning, developmental psychology, social psychology and personality. You will also learn about the theoretical foundation of psychology, the origin of psychology and the historical development of psychology as a scientific discipline. The course also gives an introduction into subject specific scientific theory.
• PSYK113 Introduction to methodology (5 credits): Research method I provides a basic introduction to research methodology
• Ex. Phil. (10 credits): provides an overall philosophical perspective. Through tuition and reading the syllabus you are provided with an introduction to central, common basic problems of western thinking, especially in relation to basic psychological problems. NB: this is normally covered in the fourth semester, in accordance with the recommended course of study.

The introductory subjects for the degree are compulsory. You must submit a special application for any exemption or specific recognition of other subjects.

• PSYK114 Developmental, cognitive and biological psychology (15 credits): The course provides an introduction to the subject of psychology's biological and cognitive foundation, combined with developmental psychology. The course aims to provide an understanding of human behaviour and behaviour in other organisms.
• PSYK112 Social and personality psychology (10 credits): The course provides the students with an introduction into the central theories and research within social and personality psychology.
• PSYK202 Method (15 credits): The course provides the students with knowledge about scientific research and measurement methods which are central to psychological and pedagogical research.
• PSYK206 Article reading in General Psychology (5 credits)
• PSYK207 Learning and behavioural psychology (15 credits): provides you with the knowledge of modern behavioural psychology, theoretical and empirical contributions and uses methods and knowledge in learning/behavioural psychology.
• PSYK208 Emotion and cognition (15 credits): provides an introduction to the most important theories and perspectives of the relationship between emotion, cognition and biology. Through this subject you will learn about theories and empirical findings from the field of social cognition.
• PSYK250 Bachelor thesis in general psychology (15 credits)

Elective courses comprise the last 60 credits of the degree and can in principle be completed with all types of approved higher education that do not overlap what is compulsory for the degree. The Faculty of Psychology has, in conjunction with this, planned an offer of recommended subjects and combinations that are useful together with the compulsory elements, and that can comprise a further specialisation within school, health, industry and commerce.

These courses are especially recommended: PSYK106, PSYK109, PSYK110, PSYK115, PSYK116 and PSYK117.

Otherwise courses are recommended within the fields of psychology, health sciences, health psychology, occupational and organisational psychology, education, social anthropology, sociology, social sciences.

The student must have passed the following courses before registering for PSYK250 Bachelor's thesis

Introductory courses:

• PSYK111 Introduction to psychology and the history of psychology
• PSYK113 Introduction to methodology

Specialisation courses:

• PSYK112 Social and personality psychology
• PSYK114 Developmental, cognitive and biological psychology
• PSYK207 Learning and behavioural psychology
• PSYK208 Emotion and cognition
• PSYK202 Method

The student must have passed PSYK206 at the latest during the same semester as taking PSYK250.

It is recommended to take the courses in the following order:

1st semester:

• PSYK111 Introduction to psychology and the history of psychology (15 credits)
• PSYK112 Social and personality psychology (10 credits)
• PSYK113 Introduction to method (5 credits)

2nd semester:

• PSYK114 Developmental, cognitive and biological psychology (15 credits)
• Electives (PSYK106/PSYK109/PSYK115/PSYK116/PSYK117)

3rd semester:

• PSYK207 Learning and behavioural psychology (15 credits)
• PSYK208 Emotion and cognition (15 credits)

4th semester:

• PSYK202 Method (15 credits).
• Examen Philosophicum (10 credits)
• PSYK206 Article reading in General Psychology (5 credits)

5th semester:

• Electives/exchange (30 credits)

6th semester:

• Electives (15 credits)
• PSYK250 Bachelor's thesis in Psychology (15 credits)

It is expected and recommended that you travel as an exchange student in your 5th semester. Today, there are many options for those who wish to spend a semester or two of their education in another country. The University of Bergen has many exchange agreements, both inside and outside of Europe. 

The grading scale A - F or passed/not passed is used for examination results of courses included in the programme.

The programme of study provides a basis for admission to Master of Psychology, and can also form the basis for admission to other Master Programmes at The Faculty of Psychology, and at other faculties at the University of Bergen or other Universities/University Colleges.

Having a Bachelor in General Psychology means that you have knowledge of people. The Psychology subjects and electives provide directions for what you can work with, for example education, case handling, consultancy services, media, non-profit organisations and other organisational work. Many have already obtained an education and the Bachelor in General Psychology is very suitable as an additional qualification, for example for the teaching profession, administration and managerial tasks.

Department of Psychosocial Science

Faculty of Psychology