Psychology
University of Reading
UCAS Code: C800 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
some preference is given to science A levels (including Psychology)
Access to HE Diploma
some preference is given to science units (including Psychology)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
some preference is given to science subjects (including Psychology)
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4) and Science C (or 4).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
some preference is given to science subjects (including Psychology)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
some preference is given to science subjects (including Psychology)
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
The Cambridge Technical Diploma is only accepted when taken alongside one other acceptable level 3 qualification such as an A level or Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
The Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate can also be accepted when taken alongside two other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a Cambridge Technical Diploma. Some preference is given to science modules (including Psychology).
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
some preference is given to science modules (including Psychology)
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
The Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma can also be accepted when taken alongside two other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a Cambridge Technical Diploma. Some preference is given to science modules (including Psychology).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma is only accepted when taken alongside one other acceptable level 3 qualification such as an A level or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate can also be accepted when taken alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications e.g. two A levels or a BTEC National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
some preference is given to science modules (including Psychology)
Scottish Advanced Higher
some preference is given to science subjects (including Psychology)
Scottish Higher
some preference is given to science subjects (including Psychology)
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the grade achieved.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
In psychology you'll explore the inner workings of the world's most complex machine: the human brain. You'll also leave with a wide range of transferable skills including data handling, scientific analysis, problem solving and communication.
You will be taught by experts who are passionate about the study of the human mind. Our clinical psychology modules give you a direct insight into professional practice through our on-site NHS clinics. We have a longstanding reputation for research excellence; for example, the hazard perception component of the UK driving theory test was developed at Reading. Overall, 98% of our research impact has been recognised as internationally excellent or world class (Research Excellence Framework, 2014 - Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience).
As well as mastering the core areas of psychology, required for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS), you will also be able to take additional modules to suit your specific interests, including modules from other subjects. You can also apply to spend a term abroad at one of our overseas partner institutions.
During the final year, you will carry out an original piece of research on a topic of your choice; these are exceptionally well resourced and you may even have the opportunity to present your work at conferences or in publications. Past projects have included the effects of emotion on cognition, the effects of Huntington?s disease on quality of life, and using puppets to investigate children’s cognitive abilities.
**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.
Modules
Sample modules may include:
*Biopsychology
*Cognition and Learning
*Developmental Psychology
*Psychological Research
*Social Psychology and Individual Differences
Check our website for more details of the course structure.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Reading
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Psychology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
20 years ago, this was a specialist degree for would-be psychologists but now it is the model of a modern, flexible degree subject. One of the UK's fastest-growing subject at degree level, and the second most popular subject overall (it recently overtook business studies), one in 23 of all graduates last year had psychology degrees. As you'd expect with figures like that, jobs in psychology itself are incredibly competitive, so to stand a chance of securing one, you need to get a postgraduate qualification (probably a doctorate in most fields, especially clinical psychology) and some relevant work experience. But even though there are so many psychology graduates — far more than there are jobs in psychology, and over 13,800 in total last year — this degree has a lower unemployment rate than average because its grads are so flexible and well-regarded by business and other industries across the economy. Everywhere there are good jobs in the UK economy, you'll find psychology graduates - and it's hardly surprising as the course helps you gain a mix of good people skills and excellent number and data handling skills. A psychology degree ticks most employers' boxes — but we'd suggest you don't drop your maths modules.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Psychology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£24k
£28k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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