First year
The first year of the UAX online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, comprising a total of 60 ECTS credits, lays the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline. It introduces the major models of human behaviour through a combination of core theoretical, methodological and cross-disciplinary modules, upon which the rest of the programme will be built.
Psychology of Learning
This module covers the major theoretical models of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning and cognitive learning, alongside their applications in clinical and educational psychology. Understanding how we learn and how we modify behaviour is fundamental to any field of psychological intervention.
Psychology of Memory
This module analyses the structures and processes of memory, its neuropsychological basis, and phenomena such as forgetting, false memories and memory impairments. This is essential training for anyone wishing to work in neuropsychology , clinical practice or research.
Basic Statistics
This module provides the quantitative tools essential for any psychologist: measures of central tendency, probability analysis, statistical inference, analysis of variance and regression models. It forms the methodological foundation upon which modules such as Research Methods and Psychometrics in later years are based.
History of Psychology
This module traces the historical development of the discipline from its philosophical roots to the major schools of thought of the 20th century: psychoanalysis, Gestalt, behaviourism and cognitive psychology. It also addresses ethics in research and professional practice, a theme that will accompany students throughout their degree.
Modern Language
This module develops written and oral communication skills in professional and everyday contexts, with a particular focus on writing, reading comprehension and expressing opinions. Mastering English from the first year will enable you to access international scientific literature and function effectively in increasingly globalised professional environments.
Developmental Psychology
From the prenatal stage through to old age, this module examines how human beings change throughout the life cycle. It covers the main theories of development and the scientific methodology underpinning them, with a particular focus on each stage: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. It is a key module for students specialising in educational psychology , child clinical psychology or gerontology.
Biological Foundations of Behaviour
Human behaviour has an inescapable biological basis. This module introduces psychobiology, behavioural genetics, human evolution and, in particular, the nervous system: its anatomy, how it functions and its relationship with psychological processes. It forms the bridge between biology and psychology, and provides the foundation upon which neuropsychology is built.
Professional Communication and Documentation
This module covers the fundamentals of human communication in healthcare and educational contexts, focusing on oral communication, interviews, verbal courtesy and group work, as well as strategies for information retrieval and document management, such as information sources, information literacy and citation styles. In addition to cross-cutting skills that are utilised from the very first day of professional practice.
Psychology of Perception and Attention
How does the brain process information from the environment? This module studies the processes of sensation and perception—visual, auditory and sensory—as well as the mechanisms of attention: its types, theoretical models and neurophysiological bases. It also addresses the psychopathology of attention, linking directly to the clinical content of later courses.
Psychology of Motivation and Emotion
This module focuses on two of the fundamental drivers of human behaviour. It analyses basic and complex emotions, the motivational process, the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the applications of this knowledge in clinical, organisational and educational contexts.
Second year
The second year of the UAX online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, comprising a total of 60 ECTS credits, broadens and deepens students’ training through modules focused on both clinical knowledge and practical intervention.
Educational Psychology
From the definition and history of the discipline to real-world psychoeducational intervention, this module equips students to understand teaching and learning processes and the role of the psychologist in educational settings. It analyses the main theoretical models of school learning and the areas of practice for educational psychologists, one of the most sought-after career paths for graduates of this degree.
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Diagnosis in childhood and adolescence has its own specific considerations. This module examines the general aspects of child and adolescent diagnosis, including neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD, ADHD, learning disorders, motor disorders and behavioural disorders. It also covers impairments in basic needs and emotional problems, including affective disorders, anxiety disorders and trauma. This is essential training for anyone wishing to work with children and young people.
Ethology
Ethology studies the biological basis of sexual, parental, social and feeding behaviour, ranging from theoretical foundations to its direct application in psychology. This module provides a complementary and essential perspective for understanding why we behave as we do.
Thinking and Language
This module examines the processes of deductive, inductive, probabilistic and analogical thinking, as well as the mechanisms of language: its acquisition, comprehension, production and the main associated disorders. It serves as a bridge between cognitive psychology and clinical neuropsychology.
Psychophysiology
Psychophysiology studies the relationship between physiological processes and psychological states, with a particular focus on the central nervous system, the neuroendocrine system and the organisation of the brain. Its content is essential for clinical assessment and for understanding the underlying causes of disorders such as addictions or sleep disorders.
Rotational Placements I
Your first introduction to fieldwork takes place in an educational setting. During this placement, you will observe and participate in classroom dynamics, collaborating in assessment and psychoeducational intervention processes and beginning to identify the individual difficulties of pupils in all their diversity. An experience that transforms theoretical knowledge into real professional competence. This module is worth 3 credits.
Basic Psychodiagnostics
This module introduces the fundamentals of psychological assessment in clinical, educational and organisational contexts: the clinical interview, functional analysis, psycho-educational assessment tools, self-reports, questionnaires and scales. It also covers assessment in specific populations: children, older people, people with disabilities and migrants.
Personality Psychology
Every person is unique, and psychology provides the tools to study this uniqueness with scientific rigour. This module analyses the main theoretical and methodological models of personality, the cognitive, emotional and social processes that shape it, and provides an introduction to personality disorders. It also explores key concepts such as personal identity, self-regulatory behaviours, and the genetic and cultural influences on personality development.
Differential Psychology
Complementing the previous module, differential psychology examines what makes us different from one another and why. It examines the possible causes of individual differences, the research methods of the differential approach, and the systems of human diversity in their personal, environmental and cultural dimensions. With 3 credits, it is a short but conceptually very sound module.
Social Psychology and Marginalisation
This module examines how group, cultural and institutional contexts shape behaviour: impression formation, attribution theories, attitudes, social influence and communication. However, it goes further by introducing the dimensions of marginalisation and social exclusion, vulnerability, and prosocial and antisocial behaviours. A perspective that links psychology to the wider social reality.
Psychometrics
Psychometrics provides the foundations for designing, analysing and validating psychological measurement instruments. The course covers Classical Test Theory, reliability, Item Response Theory, and the criteria for validity and the use of tests. A technical yet essential module, directly linked to psychodiagnostics and any professional role involving psychological assessment.
Third year
The third year also comprises 60 ECTS credits and marks a turning point in the programme. Modules shift their focus away from psychological processes alone towards intervention, advanced assessment and the major areas of professional practice: clinical, psychosocial and organisational.
Rotational Placements II
The second rotation takes you into the psychosocial field. Here, you will discover the dynamics of a social psychology centre, the roles of psychologists in community intervention and models for working with vulnerable clients. It also covers diagnosis, assessment and intervention in contexts of social exclusion, significantly broadening the professional perspective acquired during the first rotation. This module is worth 3 credits.
Group Psychology
People do not behave in the same way when acting alone as they do in a group. This 3-credit module examines the origins and types of groups, collective processes, social identity, group decision-making and leadership. It also analyses the applications of group psychology in organisations, education and healthcare, with particular emphasis on conflict management and cooperation.
Adult Psychopathology
In this module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of mental disorders in adults, which is an essential requirement for any clinical psychologist. You will systematically explore the major diagnostic categories: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, somatoform and dissociative disorders, sexual disorders, addictive behaviours and psychotic disorders. This forms the foundation upon which all subsequent clinical intervention is built.
Assessment Techniques and Tests
Moving beyond basic diagnosis, this module delves into the assessment tools most commonly used in clinical practice: the psychological report and ethical considerations, projective techniques, psychometric techniques, neuropsychological assessment, and the clinical assessment of specific disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, OCD, PTSD and dissociative disorders.
Psychogeriatrics
This module covers normal and pathological ageing, the main geriatric syndromes, dementias, geriatric assessment, intervention in cases of abuse, person-centred care, and support during bereavement and at the end of life. Training that is increasingly essential in a rapidly changing demographic context.
Work and Organisational Psychology
This module covers the history of the discipline, types of organisations and their culture, human resources recruitment and development processes, career guidance and occupational health. It also analyses wellbeing in the workplace, motivation and conflict management.
Family Therapy
This module introduces the theoretical and technical foundations of family therapy, ranging from the systemic model to the Mental Research Institute, the Milan model and solution-focused therapies, as well as family assessment tools such as the interview and the genogram, and the ethical and legal issues specific to this field. A growing specialism with direct applications in clinical practice, family mediation and social services.
Research Methodology in Psychology
Every psychologist needs to know how to conduct research and how to critically evaluate research. This module covers the scientific method as applied to psychology: research design, hypothesis formulation, observational methodology, survey methodology, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and the preparation of scientific reports. A cross-disciplinary module that is essential both for the Final Year Project and for ongoing professional development.
Rotational Placements III
The third rotation takes place in a clinical setting: psychology centres, private practices and mental health services. You will observe and participate in real clinical practice, learn about models for working with patients, assist with diagnosis, assessment and intervention processes, and gain an understanding of the diversity of psychopathologies within their context. This placement provides the most direct preparation for a career as a clinical psychologist.
Fundamentals of Psychological Intervention
The third year concludes with a module dedicated to the principles underpinning any therapeutic process: the functional analysis of behavioural problems; models and techniques of psychological intervention; cognitive and behavioural techniques such as classical conditioning, observational learning and instruction-based learning; and the therapeutic management of the main psychological disorders. This forms the starting point for the practical clinical intervention that begins in the fourth year.
Finally, in the third year, elective modules worth 12 credits will be taught.
Fourth year
The final year comprises 60 ECTS credits and culminates in highly specialised clinical and therapeutic modules, alongside a definitive immersion in real-world professional practice through the Practicum. This is the year in which everything learnt comes together: theory, assessment, diagnosis and intervention are integrated into a comprehensive professional profile, ready to tackle the challenges of 21st-century psychology.
Therapist Skills and Professional Ethics
Being a good psychologist does not depend solely on technical knowledge. This module focuses on the competencies that define an effective therapist: epistemological and instrumental competencies—hypotheses, strategy, technique and self-reflection; interpersonal competencies—the therapeutic relationship and its impact on outcomes; and personal competencies—motivations, therapeutic identity and professional characteristics. It also addresses psychotherapist burnout, its risk factors, the professional’s psycho-emotional problems, and strategies for prevention and intervention.
Neuropsychology
The relationship between the brain and human behaviour is explored in greatest depth here. Neuropsychology examines neuropsychological assessment techniques, brain disorders and their aetiologies, hemispheric specialisation and major neuropsychological impairments: memory and amnesia, language and aphasia, perception and agnosia, apraxia and frontal lobe dysfunction. It also addresses ageing, dementias and neurodegenerative processes, and concludes with the fundamentals of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Psychotherapeutic and Psychopharmacological Intervention Techniques
One of the most practical modules in the entire degree programme. Structured by condition, it addresses three key areas for each disorder: the conceptualisation of the case based on scientific evidence, the plan for psychotherapeutic intervention techniques, and pharmacological treatment. It covers in depth major depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as agoraphobia, phobias, hypochondria, generalised anxiety, OCD, PTSD, third-generation therapies, dissociative disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders are all covered in depth.
Practicum
The Practicum is the most transformative experience of the degree programme. Before joining professional settings, students take part in a personalised guidance interview with their internal tutor, during which they clarify their interests, aptitudes and career options. Subsequently, through practical seminars, individual and group follow-up interviews, and group work sessions, you will integrate into a real professional environment, apply your skills under supervision and produce a final placement report. An experience that transforms academic knowledge into professional identity. This module is worth 24 credits.
Final Year Project
The Final-Year Project is the project in which you will demonstrate your maturity as a psychologist. Under the guidance of an expert professional, you will work on scientific documentation techniques, problem formulation and hypothesis testing, critical methodology and textual hermeneutics, the handling of direct and indirect sources, and bibliographic citation styles. The result is an original piece of work that integrates and showcases everything you have learnt over the four years of the degree.
Finally, in the fourth year, elective modules worth 12 credits will be offered.
Optional modules
Tailor your studies and specialise in the area of psychology that interests you most.
Modules | Credits |
Diversity and Inclusive Education | 6 ECTS credits |
Conflict resolution in schools | 6 ECTS credits |
Sex and Couples Therapy | 6 ECTS credits |
Human Resources Management | 6 ECTS credits |
Coaching and Leadership | 6 ECTS credits |
Psycho-educational Assessment and Intervention in Learning Difficulties | 6 ECTS credits |
Crisis and Emergency Intervention | 6 ECTS credits |
Educational Guidance and Tutoring | 6 ECTS credits |
Legal and Forensic Psychology | 6 ECTS credits |
Business Psychology and Marketing | 6 ECTS credits |
Organisational Consultancy and Ergonomics | 6 ECTS credits |
Summary
The modules of the UAX online and on-campus Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology are structured over 4 years and 240 ECTS credits.
The first year consolidates the scientific and theoretical foundations of the discipline: basic psychological processes, the history of psychology, statistics and the biological foundations of behaviour. The second year broadens this foundation to include assessment, diagnosis and the main areas of application, with the first rotational placements in educational settings. The third year focuses the programme on practical intervention: adult psychopathology, family therapy, occupational psychology and placements in psychosocial and clinical settings. And the fourth year culminates with highly specialised modules such as neuropsychology, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological intervention techniques, and therapeutic skills, as well as the Practicum and the Final-Year Project, which serve as the definitive bridge to the labour market.
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