BSc Psychology and Language Sciences

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Reading

Program Overview

This BSc Language Sciences and Psychology at the University of Reading combines the study of human psychology with the science of language, giving you a strong understanding of how we think, communicate, and process speech. It is particularly well suited for students interested in cognition, communication, and the link between the brain and language.

You will explore how language is structured and learned, how the brain processes it, and how psychological factors influence communication across different contexts and stages of life.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you build a solid foundation in both psychology and linguistics. You study core areas such as Introduction to Linguistics, Language in the Brain, The Person and the Brain, and Introduction to Psychological Research, which help you understand how language works and how psychological science investigates human behaviour.

Year 2

The second year focuses on deepening your understanding of how psychology and language interact in everyday life. You study Cognitive and Biological Psychology, Development Across the Lifespan, Linguistics 2, Social Psychology and Individual Differences, and Professional and Clinical Practice, while also gaining practical experience and employability skills.

Year 3

In your final year, you explore advanced topics and carry out independent research. You study Neuroscience of Language and Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology, alongside optional specialist modules and a major research project that allows you to investigate an area of personal interest in depth.

Focus Areas

Cognitive psychology, language development, speech and language disorders, neuroscience of communication, bilingualism, research methods, clinical psychology, and developmental psychology

Learning Outcomes

You will develop a strong understanding of how the human mind processes language, gain the ability to design and evaluate psychological research, and build skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific communication. You will also understand speech and language disorders and their real-world applications.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, supporting your pathway toward professional psychology training and related careers in research, clinical, and applied psychology fields.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

The programme is delivered within a research-active department known for strengths in psychology and language sciences. Students benefit from practical learning opportunities, research experience, and access to specialist facilities that support strong graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BSc Language Sciences and Psychology at the University of Reading develop practical skills from the beginning of the degree by actively engaging in research, experiments, and applied psychology work. Rather than focusing only on theory, the course encourages you to work with real data, use specialist equipment, and take part in research projects led by academic staff in psychology and language sciences. You also gain experience in environments that reflect real-world settings, including clinical and research-based contexts.

This practical approach is built into the degree through structured opportunities that connect classroom learning with real application:

Work with specialist research tools such as eye-tracking systems, EEG for brain activity measurement, and TMS used in cognitive neuroscience research
Use dedicated psychology and language laboratories designed for studying speech, cognition, memory, bilingualism, and communication processes
Develop practical research skills through experiments that investigate real psychological and linguistic questions
Learn statistical and data analysis techniques using professional research software commonly used in psychology
Gain experience in clinical and applied settings through the university’s Speech and Language Therapy Clinic and links with healthcare services
Take part in optional placements in schools, nurseries, education settings, or psychology-related organisations to build real-world experience
Complete an independent final-year research project where you design and conduct your own study using university facilities
Access specialist computing labs and research spaces for data collection, analysis, and experimental work
Work on optional research placements with academic staff on live psychology and language science projects
Benefit from learning in a research-active environment where teaching is informed by ongoing studies in neuroscience, communication, and cognition

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc Language Sciences and Psychology at the University of Reading are well prepared for careers in psychology, healthcare, education, and language and communication-focused roles. The degree also provides a strong foundation for further professional training, especially in clinical and applied psychology fields. Typical early career paths include assistant psychologist roles, speech and language therapy assistant positions, research roles, and jobs in education, NHS services, and social care.

Progression after graduation is supported through academic training, practical experience, and professional accreditation:

University career support services: The School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences provides dedicated employability support, including help with finding placements, CV development, interview preparation, and guidance on psychology-related career routes
Employment outcomes: Many graduates go on to postgraduate training in clinical psychology, speech and language therapy, or educational psychology, while others move directly into roles in healthcare, education, research, and public sector organisations
Industry connections: The programme is closely linked with NHS services and specialist centres such as the Speech and Language Therapy Clinic and the Charlie Waller Institute, giving students exposure to real clinical and research environments
Professional accreditation value: Accreditation by the British Psychological Society provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is an essential step for progressing into professional psychology training pathways
Graduation outcomes: Graduates commonly enter roles in NHS support services, education and learning support, psychological research, HR and recruitment, and wider behavioural science-related careers
Salary progression: Starting salaries are typically aligned with entry-level graduate roles, with significantly higher earning potential available after completing further professional training such as clinical or educational psychology qualifications

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students often continue into postgraduate study such as Master’s programmes in Clinical Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Cognitive Neuroscience, or Educational Psychology. Some also progress to doctoral-level training or research degrees to become chartered psychologists or specialist practitioners.