Psychology with Foundation

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, encompassing the full range of human experience from perception and memory to personality, social influence and abnormal psychology. It brings rigorous empirical methods to bear on questions about why people think, feel and act as they do, and it draws on biology, neuroscience, philosophy and the social sciences to build an integrated understanding of mental life. It is both a fascinating intellectual discipline and a practical one, with applications in healthcare, education, business, sport, law and public policy.

At the University of Reading this programme includes a foundation year, providing a supportive entry route into degree-level psychology for students who want to develop the scientific background and academic skills needed before engaging with the full degree. The complete programme runs full time over four years. The degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, providing the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership on graduation, which is the essential first step towards professional registration as a psychologist.

You will study the core areas of psychological science, including cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, biological psychology and abnormal psychology, developing both theoretical knowledge and the research skills in experimental design and statistical analysis that are central to the discipline. Reading's research environment in psychology is strong across a range of specialisms, and students benefit from studying within an active research department.

You will develop skills in critical thinking, research design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, academic writing and professional communication. The Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership provides the foundation for postgraduate training routes to professional careers in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, educational psychology, occupational psychology and forensic psychology. Many graduates also move directly into careers in healthcare, research, education, human resources and business.