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2027/28

BSc Psychology

  • UCAS code
    C800
  • A level offer
    AAB
  • Year of entry
    2026/27 See 2027/28 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

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

Choose BSc Psychology at the University of Reading

  • This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), making you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – a key step for those pursuing a career in psychology.
  • 93% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, 71% of respondents from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).
  • 99% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience) and 100% of our research impact has been classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience).

What you'll learn

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 second year.

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, including:

  • cognition
  • neuroscience
  • development
  • personality
  • social psychology.

You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during your second year.

In the final year of your degree, you can develop your knowledge by exploring the areas that interest you most. Most modules in this year are optional and are regularly revised to incorporate the latest developments in psychology.

Recent modules have included subjects such as:

  • Autistic Spectrum Conditions
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Nutritional Psychology
  • Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Therapy.

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 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 choose the four-year version of this course, BSc Psychology with Professional Placement, which includes a year-long placement.

Taught by passionate experts

We aim to provide you with the knowledge, skills, support, and opportunities to thrive in a global workplace.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn from academic staff who are passionate about teaching and are experts in their field. 

How you'll learn

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
  • 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 British Psychological Society and British Neuroscience Association.

Specialist facilities and clinics

The School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences’ facilities support research and learning, including eye-tracking and specialist equipment for electrophysiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Additionally, we have various on-site clinics:

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The home tuition fee for 2026 entry is £9,790. The home tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study.

New international students: £30,650 for 2026/27.The international tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

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.

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

This exciting new undergraduate scholarship scheme is focused on creating a community of global sustainability leaders of the future. We are offering up to 400 scholarships per year, for high-achieving students from the UK and overseas.

Each scholar will receive £6,000 a year for maintenance and living costs, for up to four years of full-time study on their course (subject to terms and conditions).

Find out more about the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship scheme.

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.

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

At the University of Reading, we help you turn your environmental and sustainability values into opportunities that make a difference to your career and the wider world.

Employers are already reshaping their businesses to respond to climate change, and they increasingly value graduates with expertise in environmental stewardship – one of the fastest-growing skill areas (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025).

During your time at Reading, you’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities and support. This will help you graduate with the knowledge and confidence to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges in your career.

In 2025, the University of Reading won the AGCAS Green Careers Award. Judges highlighted the impact of our Careers service and the positive outcomes our students achieve.

Explore climate and sustainability initiatives you can get involved with as a student at Reading.