B.Sc Psychology Syllabus: Core Subjects, Exam Pattern, Government and Private Colleges in India

• Updated on  Jul 04, 2025, by Shibam Kumar

B.Sc Psychology is a three-year undergraduate course that involves the scientific study of the human mind and human behavior. This course provides students with deep insights into how individuals think, feel and behave, integrating both theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

 

The B.Sc Psychology syllabus is usually designed to cover both basic and advanced units of psychology, which offers a mixture of theoretical principles and practical training. The students take courses in Introduction to Psychology, Biopsychology, Developmental Psychology, and Counseling Psychology.

 

The B.Sc Psychology syllabus covers a broad variety of topics, such as cognition, emotion, personality, social interaction, mental health, and research methodology. There are also practical elements, such as laboratory work, case studies, and research projects, so students can learn to implement the principles of psychology in practice.

 

Table of Contents

  1. B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in India
  2. B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in Government Colleges
  3. B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in Private Colleges
  4. B.Sc Psychology Exam Pattern
  5. FAQs

 

B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in India

Both government and private colleges In India have a broadly common syllabus for B.Sc Psychology course, frequently based on UGC guidelines. The government colleges focus more on theoretical depth and formally organized practice, with a uniform curriculum that focuses on the fundamental principles of psychology and in research approaches.

 

Although following the same basic subject areas, private colleges can be more flexible in terms of electives, up-to-date course content, and access to internship or industry exposure. They even may incorporate newer trends and interdisciplinary approaches faster.

 

Regardless of these disparities, the syllabus of B.Sc Psychology is designed to ensure that the graduates acquire analytical, research, and interpersonal skills that are required in professions in mental health, educational, research, and other relevant areas. For clear understanding, the B.Sc Psychology at one of the best government and private colleges in India are given below.

 

B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in Government Colleges

The B.Sc Psychology curriculum in Indian government colleges aims to present a scientific perspective of knowledge on human behaviour in all its manifestations. The curriculum incorporates a combination of theoretical study and applied concepts, providing the student with not only an idea of the concepts, but also practical experience in the field. The program spans three years (six semesters) exposing students to both Classical and contemporary views in preparation for diverse jobs in mental health, research, and applied psychology. For reference, the syllabus for B.Sc Psychology at Madurai Kamaraj University (Chennai) is given below:

Semester-I

Semester-II

Semester I

Semester II

General Psychology I

General Psychology II

Developmental Psychology I

Developmental Psychology II

Theories of Personality

Family Psychology

Introduction to Psychology (Non Major Elective 1)

Psychology of Human Relations (Non Major Elective 2)

Semester-III

Semester-IV

Physiological Psychology

Social Psychology

Experimental Psychology – I (Practicals)

Experimental Psychology – II

Descriptive Statistics for Psychology

Statistical Reasoning in Psychology

Yoga Psychology (Skill Based 1)

Psychology for Success (Skill Based 2)

-

Extension Activities

Semester-V

Semester-VI

Abnormal Psychology I

Abnormal Psychology II

Industrial Psychology

Positive Psychology

Health Psychology

Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

Guidance and Counselling

Project II – Research Project

Project I – Case Studies (Elective 1)

Value Education

Environmental Studies

Personality Profile – through Handwriting Analysis (Skill 4)

Basic Skills in Counselling (Skill 3)

Trauma Psychology (Disaster Management – 2 units) (Skill 5)

-

NLP Techniques (Skill 6)

 

B.Sc Psychology Syllabus in Private Colleges

The B.Sc Psychology course offered in the private colleges in India is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of psychological theories, research skills, and practical abilities. The curriculum focuses not only on academic knowledge but also on experiential learning, promoting the involvement of the students in projects, internships, and field works. This learning strategy seeks to equip graduates with the various career possibilities in mental health, education, research, and industry. For reference, the syllabus for B.Sc Psychology at Hindustan College of Arts & Science (Chennai) is given below:

Semester-I

Semester-II

Language - I

Language - II

English - I

English - II

General Psychology - I

General Psychology - II

Biological Psychology - I

Biological Psychology - II

Introduction to Indian Psychology (Allied)

Introduction to Community Psychology (Allied)

Soft Skill - I

Soft Skill - II

Non-Major Elective

Non-Major Elective

Semester-III

Semester-IV

Language – Paper III

Language – Paper IV

English – Paper III

English – Paper IV

Core Subject – Paper V: Developmental Psychology-I

Core Course – Paper VII: Developmental Psychology-II

Core Subject – Paper VI: Experimental Psychology (Practical)

Core Course – Paper VIII: Psychological Assessment

Allied Subject – Paper III: Statistics in Psychology

Allied Subject – Paper IV: Consumer Behavior

Professional English for Social Sciences-1

Marketing and Consumer Behavior

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

Semester-V

Semester-VI

Paper IX – Abnormal Psychology – I

Paper XIII – Abnormal Psychology – II

Paper X – Social Psychology – I

Paper XIV – Social Psychology – II

Paper XI – Introduction to Research Methodology

Paper XV – Introduction to Theories of Personality

Paper XII – Health Psychology

Elective III – Guidance & Counselling Psychology

Elective I – Sports Psychology

Elective IV – Human Resource Management

Skill Addition Course

Skill Addition Course

Value Education

Extension Activities

 

B.Sc Psychology Exam Pattern

The B.Sc Psychology exam pattern across India generally includes theory exams, internal assessments, and practicals, with specific weightage assigned to each component to ensure a balanced evaluation of knowledge and skills. Below mentioned is a typical B.Sc Psychology exam pattern with weightage distribution:

Component

Description

Weightage (%)

Theory Exams

End-semester written exams testing concepts and applications

60–70%

Internal Assessment

Assignments, quizzes, presentations, attendance

15–25%

Practical Exams

Experiments, case studies, viva voce

15–20%

Also Learn About B.A Psychology

 

FAQs

What are the methods of internal assessment in a B.Sc Psychology course?

Internal assessment typically refers to the ongoing process that comprises written exams, assignments, case discussion, quizzes, or presentations and attendance. Marks are allocated among these components and teachers will have extensive records of the performance of each student which they notify at the end of the semester. This system promotes frequent engagement and continuous education during the course.

What are the practical skills acquired in the B.Sc Psychology program?

The students are being trained on the methods of psychological assessment, the administration of tests, and the interpretation of results. They are exposed to practical experience with psychological equipment, how to perform experiments and to use their knowledge in practical conditions, e.g. case study or field work, which increases their capability to analyze and rate psychological concepts successfully.

Does attendance matter in B.Sc Psychology programs?

Yes, most universities would demand at least 75% of attendance in classes, seminars and practicals. 75% attendance is not only required as a qualification to sit in exams, but also to successfully complete the internal assessments and the practical components, as low attendance can debar a student from giving exams.

How are practicals incorporated in the B.Sc Psychology syllabus?

Practical exams usually include administration and interpretation of psychometric tests, experimental work, and in some cases vivas. The students will be evaluated on their capacity to apply the theoretical knowledge, keep suitable records, and show practical competency of laboratory, and fieldwork

What is the nature of assignments/projects in the B.Sc Psychology syllabus?

The assignments usually involve practical assignments, including reading literary works and discussing them psychologically, report writing, and presentations. They are intended to encourage creativity and critical thinking and the capacity to apply classroom principles to the real world.

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