BA Psychology and Philosophy

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Reading

Program Overview

The BA Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Reading combines scientific study of the mind with philosophical exploration of ideas about knowledge, reality, and ethics. It is well suited to students who want to understand human behaviour through psychology while also developing strong reasoning and critical thinking skills through philosophy.

You will learn how psychological research explains behaviour and mental processes, while philosophy helps you question and analyse ideas at a deeper conceptual level.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you are introduced to the core foundations of both psychology and philosophy. You study psychology topics such as cognition, brain and behaviour, development, personality, and social psychology through modules like The Person and the Brain, Learning about Learning, and Introduction to Psychological Research. Alongside this, you begin philosophy with Reason and Argument, which builds your skills in logic, structured thinking, and evaluating ideas.

Year 2

The second year develops your understanding of psychological science and expands your philosophical thinking. You study Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences, Development Across the Lifespan, and Research Methods in Psychology, while also exploring philosophical themes such as ethics, knowledge, mind, and political philosophy. This year strengthens both your analytical and research abilities.

Year 3

In your final year, you study more advanced and specialised topics in both subjects. Psychology becomes more research-focused and applied, while philosophy explores deeper areas such as philosophy of mind, ethics, language, and religion. You also complete an independent research project that allows you to bring together ideas from both disciplines and investigate a topic of your choice in depth.

Focus Areas

Cognitive psychology, neuroscience, social behaviour, human development, research methods, ethics, philosophy of mind, logic, political philosophy, language, and knowledge

Learning Outcomes

You will develop strong research and analytical skills, a deep understanding of human behaviour, advanced critical thinking, and the ability to construct and evaluate complex arguments. You will also gain experience in independent research and learn to connect scientific evidence with philosophical reasoning

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The psychology part of the degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, giving you eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is an important step toward professional psychology training

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Reading is known for its research-led teaching in both psychology and philosophy, with strengths in cognitive science, neuroscience, ethics, and philosophy of mind. Graduates progress into careers in psychology, law, education, research, civil service, and other fields that require strong analytical and reasoning skills

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Reading focuses on developing practical and analytical skills through a mix of psychological research training and philosophy-based critical thinking. You learn in an interactive environment where psychology is explored through experiments and data analysis, while philosophy is developed through structured debate, discussion, and argument evaluation. This combination helps you build both scientific research ability and strong reasoning skills that can be applied in real-world contexts.

This hands-on learning is supported through specialist facilities, research opportunities, and applied teaching methods:

Access to psychology laboratories for studying cognition, perception, development, and social behaviour in controlled experimental settings
Use of neuroscience and brain research facilities to explore how mental processes relate to brain activity
Participation in psychological research projects involving experiments, data collection, and real participant studies
Training in research methods and statistical analysis using professional tools such as SPSS and other psychology software
Exposure to applied psychology environments, including links with clinical and mental health-related services within the university
Small-group philosophy seminars focused on debate, logical reasoning, and critical discussion of ethical and theoretical issues
Opportunity to complete independent research projects that can combine psychology and philosophy perspectives
Access to extensive university libraries and digital academic resources for both psychology and philosophy study
Optional opportunities to gain experience with external organisations such as charities, education settings, or community-based projects
Teaching informed by active researchers working in areas such as cognitive science, neuroscience, ethics, and philosophy of mind

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BA Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Reading develop strong analytical, research, and reasoning skills that prepare them for a wide range of careers in psychology, education, public services, and other professional fields. The combination of scientific understanding of behaviour and philosophical training in logic and critical thinking supports progression into roles such as assistant psychologist, research assistant, HR officer, policy analyst, and other research or people-focused careers.

Progression after the degree is supported through structured academic guidance, employability support, and strong links with professional practice:

University career services: Dedicated careers support helps students with CV development, interview preparation, finding placements, and tailored advice for psychology and philosophy-related career paths
Employment pathways: Graduates typically move into roles in the NHS, education, civil service, charities, research organisations, and private sector roles that value analytical and communication skills
University–industry links: The programme benefits from connections with NHS services, clinical psychology environments, and applied research settings, giving students exposure to real-world psychological practice
Long-term accreditation value: Accreditation by the British Psychological Society provides eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is an essential step toward professional psychology training
Graduation outcomes: Graduates commonly enter careers in healthcare support, research, education, HR and recruitment, policy work, journalism, and government services, or continue into further study
Salary progression: Entry-level graduate salaries are typically in line with UK graduate averages, with higher earning potential available after completing postgraduate or professional training in psychology or related fields

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students often continue to postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy of Mind, Law, Education, or Mental Health. Many also progress to doctoral research or professional training routes in psychology and related disciplines.