B.Sc. Psychology

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Social Sciences > Department of Psychology > B.Sc. Psychology

If you are interested in understanding how people think, feel, and behave, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides you with a scientific and practical pathway into the study of human behaviour. The programme examines the biological, social, cognitive, emotional, and developmental factors that influence how individuals and groups function in everyday life.

You will learn how psychological principles are used to address real-world challenges such as mental health issues, workplace productivity, learning difficulties, social relationships, conflict resolution, and community wellbeing. The programme equips you with strong analytical, observational, research, and interpersonal skills needed in health, education, business, public service, and social development sectors.

At OOU, Psychology prepares you to understand the complexity of human behaviour and to apply psychological knowledge to improve individual and societal outcomes.

Course Overview

The B.Sc. Psychology programme introduces you to major fields of psychology, including cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, personality studies, and industrial/organisational psychology. You will explore how the mind works, how behaviour develops, and how psychological theories are applied to solve personal and societal problems.

The programme duration is four years for UTME entrants and three years for Direct Entry students. Throughout your studies, you will develop competence in psychological assessment, counselling foundations, behavioural observation, experimental methods, and research design. You will also be trained in statistics, data interpretation, report writing, and the ethical standards of the discipline, supported by field exposure and professional development activities.

Course Curriculum

The curriculum follows the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for Psychology. It integrates theory, research, and applied practice to help you understand and interpret human behaviour across different contexts.

You begin with foundational courses that introduce psychological concepts, human behaviour, and essential academic skills.

  1. Introduction to Psychology
  2. Basic Applied Psychology
  3. Communication in English
  4. The Use of Library
  5. Nigerian Peoples and Culture
  6. Introduction to Computer Studies
  7. Logic and Philosophy
  8. Basic Statistics
  9. History and Systems of Psychology

These courses provide the grounding you need to advance into specialised areas of psychology.

You explore core areas of psychological processes, development, and measurement, building your analytical, critical thinking, and behavioural science skills.

  1. Developmental Psychology
  2. Physiological Psychology
  3. Social Psychology
  4. Experimental Psychology
  5. Cognitive Psychology
  6. Introduction to Psychometrics
  7. Human Learning
  8. Personality Theories
  9. Entrepreneurship Studies

These courses help you understand how the mind works and how behaviour is shaped across the lifespan.

This level strengthens your practical skills, research competence, and applied knowledge across various branches of psychology.

  1. Abnormal Psychology
  2. Industrial and Organisational Psychology
  3. Counselling Psychology
  4. Psychological Testing and Assessment
  5. Research Methods in Psychology
  6. Motivation and Emotion
  7. Psychological Statistics
  8. Health Psychology
  9. SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme)

You begin applying psychological knowledge through fieldwork, assessments, and supervised placement experiences.

In your final year, you develop advanced competence in psychological theory and applied practice while completing your research project.

  1. Clinical Psychology
  2. Forensic Psychology
  3. Behaviour Modification
  4. Advanced Social Psychology
  5. Community Psychology
  6. Advanced Research Methods
  7. Project Work / Dissertation
  8. Advanced Topics in Psychology

By graduation, you will be equipped for employment or further study in psychology and related behavioural science fields.

Entry Requirements

To gain admission into the B.Sc. Psychology programme, you must meet the approved UTME or Direct Entry requirements.

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)

  1. You must have five credit passes in relevant O’Level subjects in not more than two sittings. These must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and two other acceptable subjects from the Social Sciences or Sciences that support your interest in human behaviour and scientific inquiry.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and three other relevant subjects
  3. Achieve a competitive score in UTME and meet the departmental cut-off
  4. Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise
  5. Demonstrate interest in behavioural science, mental health, or human development

2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)

  1. Five O’Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, and Biology
  2. A-Level passes in at least two relevant subjects
    OR An ND, NCE, or equivalent qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Biology, or related fields with at least Merit or Lower Credit

All applicants must comply with the University’s general admission and screening procedures and provide academic transcripts where required.

Why study at OOU?

Studying Psychology at Olabisi Onabanjo University provides you with a strong scientific foundation for understanding and improving human behaviour. The programme offers a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research experience that prepares you for work in health, education, business, social development, and community service. You will benefit from:

  1. A CCMAS-compliant curriculum covering all major fields of psychology—clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, industrial, and forensic
  2. Training in psychological assessment, behavioural analysis, and experimental methods
  3. Lecturers with expertise across multiple branches of psychology and behavioural science
  4. Hands-on exposure through SIWES, laboratory work, applied exercises, and supervised field activities
  5. Development of critical thinking, empathy, communication, research, and analytical skills
  6. A learning environment that promotes self-awareness, professional ethics, and scientific inquiry
  7. Preparation for careers in mental health support, education, human resource management, social services, counselling foundations, and community development
  8. A strong platform for postgraduate studies in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Counselling, or related behavioural sciences

At OOU, you are trained to apply psychological knowledge to real-world challenges and contribute positively to personal, organisational, and societal wellbeing.

Research Project

Your final-year research project allows you to investigate a psychological issue using scientific methods. This project demonstrates your ability to design research, collect data, analyse findings, and apply psychological theories to real human problems.

Your research may focus on:

  1. Mental health and abnormal behaviour
  2. Human development and learning
  3. Social influence, attitudes, and group behaviour
  4. Workplace behaviour and organisational dynamics
  5. Personality assessment and behavioural differences
  6. Stress, coping, and wellbeing
  7. Cognitive processes such as memory, attention, or problem-solving
  8. Community psychology and social issues
  9. Counselling principles and behaviour modification
  10. Forensic or legal psychology

During the research process, you will:

  1. Propose a research topic addressing a behavioural or psychological issue
  2. Review relevant literature and develop a theoretical foundation
  3. Design and execute an appropriate research method
  4. Collect data through experiments, surveys, tests, or interviews
  5. Analyse your findings using psychological and statistical tools
  6. Prepare and defend a well-organised dissertation

This project helps you build the research competence required in professional psychology, behavioural science, and postgraduate studies.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Academic Requirements

  1. Complete and pass all compulsory, required, and elective courses
  2. Earn a minimum of 120 credit units if admitted through UTME or 90 credit units if admitted through Direct Entry
  3. Maintain a minimum CGPA of 1.00
  4. Complete and defend your final-year research project

Grading and Degree Classification

Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:

Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology, a qualification recognised for its relevance to mental health services, behavioural science, human development, social interventions, and organisational practice.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Psychology prepares you for a variety of careers where understanding human behaviour, motivation, and mental processes is essential. Your training equips you with analytical, interpersonal, observational, and research skills that are highly valued across sectors.

Possible Job Roles Include:

  1. Human Resource Officer
  2. Mental Health Support Assistant
  3. Behavioural Technician
  4. Counselling Support Officer
  5. Social Welfare Officer
  6. Research Assistant
  7. Rehabilitation Assistant
  8. Health Promotion Officer
  9. Community Development Officer
  10. Customer Relations Officer
  11. Industrial/Organisational Assistant
  12. Youth and Development Facilitator
  13. Forensic/Correctional Assistant
  14. Educational Psychology Assistant

Where You May Work:

  1. Hospitals, clinics, and mental health centres
  2. Schools, colleges, and special education centres
  3. Human resource departments in various organisations
  4. NGOs focused on health, youth development, or social welfare
  5. Correctional facilities and rehabilitation centres
  6. Research institutes and behavioural laboratories
  7. Community and public health programmes
  8. Government ministries and agencies
  9. Customer-facing organisations and corporate service units

The programme also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Social Psychology, and related behavioural science fields.

How to Apply?

1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)

  1. Select Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) as your first-choice institution.
  2. Choose Psychology as your preferred programme.
  3. Sit for UTME with English Language and three relevant subjects.
  4. Possess at least five O’Level credits including English Language, Mathematics, and Biology.
  5. Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off.

2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)

  1. Hold A-Level passes in two relevant subjects OR possess an ND/NCE in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Biology, or related fields with at least Merit or Lower Credit.
  2. Present five O’Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.
  3. Upload your academic transcripts and required documents via the OOU Admissions Portal.
  4. Complete all University and departmental screening procedures.

Course Coordinator

The B.Sc. Psychology programme is supervised by a team of dedicated behavioural scientists, mental health scholars, and research-driven academics within the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.

The current programme coordinator is:

Dr [Full Name]

Contact Information:

  • Email:  
  • Phone: 
  • Office: 

Course Overview

  1. Next Admission Process
  2. Current Academic Year
  3. Associated programmes = Undergraduate
  4. Course Duration = 4 Years
  5. Degree = Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  6. Faculty = Social Sciences
  7. Course Type = Full Time
  8. Course Delivery = On campus.
  9. Location = Faculty of Social Science, Main Campus.
  10. Scholarship opportunities