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Psychology and Philosophy

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 10/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

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 semester 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.

For more information, please visit the course page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/philosophy-ug/ba-psychology-and-philosophy

Modules

Modules may include:

  • Debates in Mental Health
  • Introduction to Psychological Research
  • The Person and the Brain
  • Cognitive and Biological Psychology
  • Research Methods in Psychology.
    *Please note that all modules are subject to change. Check our website for more details about the course structure.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CV85
Institution code:
R12
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher - AABBB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

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) - DDM

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 Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher - ABB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths C (or 4), English Language or English Literature C (or 4) and Science C (or 4).

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDM

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD

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 Introductory Diploma - DDM

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.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - DDM

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.

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate - Not accepted

T Level - D

Minimum grade C in the Core Component.

Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BBC.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
TOEFL (iBT)88We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking.
Cambridge English AdvancedBWe require a grade B or 193 overall.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCWe require a grade C or 200 overall.
PTE Academic64We require a minimum score of 64 overall with at least 51 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Institution's Own TestTest of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).
Trinity ISEMeritWe require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element.

Full list of acceptable English Language Tests http://www.reading.ac.uk/ad-EnglishTests.aspx

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We issue offers to best fit the different circumstances and experiences of our applicants. We take a tailored and holistic approach, considering extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that some students are more likely than others to face barriers to fulfilling their academic potential at school, through no fault of their own. More information on our supportive offer making approaches can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/what-offer-will-i-get

Learn more on the University of Reading website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 5 other psychology courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

97% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
EU£30650Year 1
International£30650Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For Home students: The University will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit set by the UK Government for the relevant academic year. The University will increase tuition fees for Home Undergraduate Students at the start of each academic year, in line with this and the new fee will be communicated to you.

For EU and International students: The University will increase Tuition Fees for International Undergraduate and Integrated Foundation Year Programme Students at the start of each academic year (September). The new fee for each academic year of your Programme will be communicated to you

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