BSc Psychology

Develop a broad knowledge of psychology with BSc Psychology, a course that can be tailored to meet your individual interests.

This course enables you to move on to a wide range of careers or pursue further training to become a professional psychologist. You will be able to pick modules that suit your specific interests, including a range of modules from other subjects. Should you wish to study abroad, you can study at a partner institution for a semester during your final year. In the National Student Survey 2023, 93% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (92.77% of respondents studying on BSc Psychology).

The School houses state-of-the-art facilities to support research and learning including eye-tracking and specialist equipment for electrophysiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Additionally, we have various in-house NHS clinics, including our Anxiety and Depression and Speech and Language Therapy clinics, the Centre for Autism, as well as the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for evidence-based psychological treatments on site.

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification, including cognition, neuroscience, development, personality and social psychology. You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during the second year. In the final year of the degree you can develop your knowledge by exploring the areas that interest you most. The vast majority of modules in this year are optional and are regularly revised in order to incorporate the latest developments in psychology. Recent modules have included subjects such as autistic spectrum conditions, behavioural economics, nutritional psychology, and cognitive behavioural theory and therapy.

Throughout the course you will gain practical experience, and learn how to devise and run your own experiments. During the final year you will carry out an original piece of research on a topic of your choice. In the past these have included the effects of emotion on cognition, the effects of Huntington's Disease on quality of life, and using puppets to test children's IQ. You may even have the opportunity to present your work at conferences, and a number of past projects have won awards from the BPS and British Neuroscience Association.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology website.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to gain professional experience through work placements during the second year of the course. These can take place at an outside organisation such as a charity, or with one of our in-house NHS clinics. Our clinics treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, speech and language disorders, and dementia. We also offer research assistant placements, which allow you to get involved in grant-funded projects.

Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course, incorporating a year-long placement.

Overview

Develop a broad knowledge of psychology with BSc Psychology, a course that can be tailored to meet your individual interests.

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology website.

Placement

Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course, incorporating a year-long placement.

Entry requirements A Level AAB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications

Typical offer

AAB (some preference is given to science A levels, including Psychology)

International Baccalaureate

34 points overall

GCSE

Grade C (4) in Science

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Applied and Professional Psychology

Explore how psychology can be applied in the real world, with broad consideration of professional values and ethics. You’ll gain knowledge on various areas of professional psychology, such as educational, occupational, health and forensic psychology and academia, research and teaching. You’ll develop professional skills and competencies that are required to become a psychologist.

Debates in Mental Health

Explore key current and historical issues in clinical psychology and develop your understanding of psychological disorders, their assessment and current evidence-based interventions.

Introduction to Psychological Research

Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods, and develop skills in planning, data gathering and dissemination stages of psychology-related research.

Learning about Learning

Develop an understanding of learning and memory and use this knowledge to reflect on their own learning. You’ll gain knowledge on the nature of learning and the theoretical models underpinning these processes.

The Person and the Brain

Build a broad understanding of psychology and its fundamental concepts and theories. You’ll gain knowledge on key principles of organisation of systems while covering topics such as neural and hormonal function, genetic contributions to behaviour, personality, and group dynamics.

Optional modules

Introduction to Neuroscience Methods

Discover the methods and scientific philosophy of modern human neuroscience. You’ll explore key concepts and applications such as human neuroimaging, brain stimulation, neuropsychology, psychophysics, psychophysiology, brain-body physiology, and scientific data visualisation.

Psychology in the Workplace

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Develop an understanding of biopsychology and cognition, perception and neuroscience through the study of topics such as attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, pain, and cognitive control.

Development Across the Lifespan

Discover how individuals change and develop from the neonatal period, throughout childhood, into adolescence and old age. Explore theories and research in typical and neurodivergent development and enhance your knowledge about observational methods.

Professional and Clinical Practice

Develop a range of work-related skills required of professional psychologists. You’ll participate in workshops, complete a placement in a psychology-related career field, and gain knowledge and expertise to boost your employability.

Research Methods in Psychology

Extend your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology, examine methods of conducting and analysing quantitative and qualitative research, and enhance your data analysis and critical evaluation skills.

Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the complex interplay between social psychology, typical social phenomena and individual differences.

Optional modules

Behaviour Change

Explore the principles of behaviour change and gain an understanding of the research methods used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. You’ll learn how to apply evidence-based frameworks to a wide range of practical problems.

Scientific Computing for Psychologists

Develop your knowledge of scientific computation for data analysis and visualisation. You’ll explore examples and problems drawn from neuroscience, psychology, psychophysics and neuroimaging and gain key programming skills.

Professional Placement

Gain an insight into a psychology-related industry, applying the knowledge and skills developed in your studies.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Project

Conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and a final written project report.

Communicating Current Psychology

Explore issues of current theoretical, ethical and practical importance to psychology and learn to disseminate information about these issues to wider audiences.

Optional modules

Language in the Brain

Discover how the brain correlates with language acquisition and processing. You’ll examine the aspects of language including comprehension (reading and listening) and production (spoken and written) as well as development language disorders and the methods employed in the study of the neuroscience of language.

Health Psychology and Behaviour Change

Study psychological theories to understand key topics in Health Psychology. You’ll consider them in relation to different developmental stages such as food preferences in children, sleep among adolescents, stress in adults and chronic illness in older adults. You’ll develop practical skills as you apply scientific theory and prepare for further study.

Emotion and Motivation

Enhance your understanding of the science of emotion and motivation as you study historical perspectives and current theory related to topics such as emotional expression and regulation, brain-body interaction, and behaviour change. You’ll learn by engaging with conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences and key research methods of the past and present.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

New international students: £29,950 per year for 2025/26 then fixed per year at this fee for the standard duration of your course.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

information on what's available.

Careers

As a graduate of this course you will be qualified for further training to become a professional psychologist. Our BSc Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

This course will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including analytical qualitative abilities, writing experience, presentation skills and the ability to think and analyse scientifically.

You could pursue a career in the NHS, civil services, schools or charities. Skills learned on the course also open up many doors within the private sector, in areas such as HR, recruitment, management consultancy, publicity, finance and journalism. Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies, or by training to become a professional psychologist.

Placement

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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