BA Psychology and Philosophy
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UCAS code
CV85 -
Typical offer
ABB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
With the BA Psychology and Philosophy you will explore the inner workings of the mind, and examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong.
Develop a broad overview of modern psychology and philosophy on this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course.
In psychology you will study the subjects required for BPS qualification, including cognition, neuroscience, development, personality and social psychology. The final year will then allow you to build upon this knowledge by exploring areas of interest in greater depth. 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 topics such as self-control, social cognition of non-verbal behaviour and adaptive control of thought. Should you wish to study abroad, you can spend a term of your final year at a partner institution.
You will be able to take advantage of the Department of Psychology's neuroimaging facilities, observation rooms and research laboratories. Additionally, we have three in-house NHS clinics and the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments on-site.
Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, especially Indian philosophy.
The philosophy elements are flexible, allowing you to shape your studies to your interests. In the first year you will take at least two modules, one of which is compulsory. "Reason and argument" will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In years two and three you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen topics in more depth, with modules such as "Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences", "Philosophy of crime and punishment" and "Philosophy of religion".
In the final year of your degree you will carry out an original piece of research on a philosophical psychology topic of your choice. 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.
Placement
Placements are encouraged as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.
You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement during the first year of your course. This can take place at an outside organisation such as a charity, or with one of our in-house NHS clinics. These include anxiety, speech and language therapy, and dementia. Alternatively, you can volunteer as a research assistant on a range of projects within the Department.
During your final year, you can opt to spend a term studying at a university abroad. We have links with many European institutions, as well as places further afield including locations in Australia, USA and Canada.
Overview
With the BA Psychology and Philosophy you will explore the inner workings of the mind, and examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong.
Develop a broad overview of modern psychology and philosophy on this British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course.
In psychology you will study the subjects required for BPS qualification, including cognition, neuroscience, development, personality and social psychology. The final year will then allow you to build upon this knowledge by exploring areas of interest in greater depth. 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 topics such as self-control, social cognition of non-verbal behaviour and adaptive control of thought. Should you wish to study abroad, you can spend a term of your final year at a partner institution.
You will be able to take advantage of the Department of Psychology's neuroimaging facilities, observation rooms and research laboratories. Additionally, we have three in-house NHS clinics and the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments on-site.
Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, especially Indian philosophy.
The philosophy elements are flexible, allowing you to shape your studies to your interests. In the first year you will take at least two modules, one of which is compulsory. "Reason and argument" will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In years two and three you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen topics in more depth, with modules such as "Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences", "Philosophy of crime and punishment" and "Philosophy of religion".
In the final year of your degree you will carry out an original piece of research on a philosophical psychology topic of your choice. 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.
Placement
Placements are encouraged as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.
You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement during the first year of your course. This can take place at an outside organisation such as a charity, or with one of our in-house NHS clinics. These include anxiety, speech and language therapy, and dementia. Alternatively, you can volunteer as a research assistant on a range of projects within the Department.
During your final year, you can opt to spend a term studying at a university abroad. We have links with many European institutions, as well as places further afield including locations in Australia, USA and Canada.
Entry requirements A Level ABB
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.
Typical offer
ABB. Some preference is given for science A levels, including Psychology
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
GCSE
Grade C (4) in English, Maths and 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
DDM
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.
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.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PY1DMH | Debates in Mental Health | DR Dan Jones |
PY1IPR | Introduction to Psychological Research | DR Eugene McSorley |
PY1LAL | Learning about Learning | PROF Philip Beaman |
PY1PAB | The Person and the Brain | DR Juliane Honisch |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP1EL | Elementary Logic | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR George Mason |
PP1MM | Mental Machines | DR Nat Hansen |
PP1RG | The Right and the Good | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1WRI | Writing the Philosophical Essay | DR Luke Elson |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PY2CBP | Cognitive and Biological Psychology | DR Lydia Yee |
PY2DAL | Development across the lifespan | DR Teresa Tavassoli |
PY2RMP | Research methods in Psychology | DR Dan Jones |
PY2SID | Social Psychology and Individual Differences | DR Emma Pape |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PY3PPP | Project for Psychology & Philosophy Students | DR Katie Barfoot |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP3BESR | Business Ethics and Social Responsibility | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3CP | Chinese Philosophy | PROF John Preston |
PP3FAI | Fairness | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3HGML | Happy, Good and Meaningful Lives | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3LA | Philosophy of Law | DR George Mason |
PP3MEDI | Christian, Islamic and Jewish Mediaeval Philosophy | DR Luke Elson |
PP3MOA | The Morality of Abortion | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3REL | Philosophy of Religion | DR George Mason |
PP3RVK | Reason, Value & Knowledge | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3SCF | The Scandal of Film | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP3SPA | Speech Attacks: bullshit, lies, propaganda | DR Nat Hansen |
PP3SSG | Society and State in Ancient Greece | DR George Mason |
PP3WWP | World Views in Western Philosophy | PROF John Preston |
PY3ACT | Adaptive Control of Thought | PROF Philip Beaman |
PY3ASC | Autism Spectrum Conditions | DR Fiona Knott |
PY3AV | Active Vision | DR Eugene McSorley |
PY3BE | Behavioural Economics | DR Rachel McCloy |
PY3CA | Cognitive neuropsychology of ageing | DR Jayne Freeman |
PY3CMC | Computational Models and Methods in Psychology | PROF Ingo Bojak |
PY3CNWM | Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention and Working Memory | DR Eva Feredoes |
PY3DMC | Dietary and Metabolic influences on cognition | DR Daniel Lamport |
PY3DPA | The Developmental Psychopathology of Anxiety | MRS Shannon Wake |
PY3EBL | Eating behaviours across the lifespan | DR Sarah Snuggs |
PY3ELD | Early Lexical Development | DR Beth Law |
PY3FPR | Face Perception and Recognition | DR Katie Gray |
PY3FPT | Forensic Psychology: Theory and Practice | DR Jayne Freeman |
PY3HP | Health Psychology | PROF Kate Harvey |
PY3MLB | Music, Language and the Brain | DR Fang Liu |
PY3MPO | Motivation and Performance in Organisations | DR Amanda Branson |
PY3MS | Memory and the Self: Past, Present and Future | PROF Judith Ellis |
PY3NFD | Neuropsychology of frontostriatal disorders | DR Aileen Ho |
PY3PAC | Psychology and Culture | DR Marat Zagidullin |
PY3RCD | Reward Dysfunction in Clinical Disorders | DR Ciara McCabe |
PY3SC | Social Cognition | DR Lorella Lepore |
PY3SCN | Social Cognition of Nonverbal Behaviour | DR Juliane Honisch |
PY3SCO | Self Control | DR Julia Vogt |
PY3SE | Science of Emotion | PROF Carien Van Reekum |
PY3SNC | Sensory Perception in Neurodevelopmental Conditions | DR Teresa Tavassoli |
PY3TAR | Typical and Atypical Reading | DR Rachel Pye |
PY3TSP | Topics in Social Psychology | DR Emma Pape |
PY3VRB | Virtual Reality and the Brain | DR Peter Scarfe |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £24,500
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
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.
Careers
As a graduate of this course you will be qualified for further training to become a professional psychologist. Our BA Psychology and Philosophy course 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. Additionally, skills in clear thinking, logical analysis and the critical assessment of argument are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing.
Your psychology skills will enable you to work for organisations such as the NHS, civil services, schools or charities. Skills learned on the course also open up many doors within the private sector, such as HR, recruitment, management consultancy, publicity, finance and journalism.
As a philosophy graduate you could also find employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government. Recent employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, Yellow Media Works, local authorities and other universities.
Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies.