Department of Psychology
Psychology at Reading Top teaching from internationally renowned psychologists
Undergraduate
Psychology at Reading
Psychology at Reading Psychology is the science of mind, behaviour and experience. As a leading centre for teaching and research, at Reading we study this at many levels – from the structure and function of the brain, and the behaviour of individuals, to social and cultural processes. We apply our knowledge to help people with difficulties and to improve overall quality of life. For example, staff investigate diseases of ageing such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and developmental disorders such as dyslexia, autism spectrum conditions and social anxiety, in order to improve understanding and design new treatments.
Why study Psychology at Reading? Top-rated department ‘When I arrived at Reading I lacked self-confidence and wasn’t sure I should even be here. However, my time as a Psychology undergraduate has been an invaluable journey of self-discovery, academic development and hands-on experience. It’s been an absolute pleasure to study here, in such a supportive and engaging environment. The course is delivered excellently by dedicated and passionate lecturers, and its content is much more diverse than I’d expected after A-level! I plan to continue my education at Reading after graduating, and know that when I do leave, I’ll have the skills and knowledge I need to succeed. My time at Reading has been life-changing and inspiring, and I know that I will never forget it.’ Daniel Galbraith Undergraduate
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• Outstanding evidence-based teaching and learning (awarded 24/24 in the last Teaching Quality Audit). • High overall satisfaction for psychology courses in the National Student Survey. • Teaching delivered by academic staff internationally recognised in their fields (top 20 psychology department for research based on the Research Assessment Exercise, 2008). • Teaching delivered by supportive, friendly and enthusiastic staff.
Flexible degree programme • A flexible teaching programme that allows students to study 100% psychology throughout their degree, or to choose from a variety of optional modules available in other disciplines from across the University. • Unparalleled choice of specialist third-year options giving students the opportunity to create a tailored course that emphasises their particular interests. • Cutting-edge, third-year research projects with leading psychologists in a diverse range of areas including clinical, developmental, health, cognitive, and social psychology, neuropsychology and neuroscience.
Psychology at Reading
State-of-the-art facilities • Purpose built, modern teaching facilities including Wi-Fi access, a dedicated 50 PC student computer lab with printing and photocopying facilities and specialist software for searching the internet, analysing data and preparing coursework. • State-of-the-art experimental equipment for student projects, including eye trackers, observation suites, psychophysiology labs, infant language and vision labs, and Virtual Reality and driving labs. • Access to the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN: www.reading.ac.uk/cinn), home to a range of brain imaging techniques, including a Siemens
Career-focused degree 3-Tesla MRI scanner, electroencephalography, near infrared spectroscopy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and peripheral psychophysiology. • Research and teaching links with in-house NHS clinics (the Berkshire Child Anxiety Clinic; the Speech and Language Therapy Clinic) and the Charlie Waller Institute (CWI: www.reading.ac.uk/charliewaller), providing award-winning training and research in evidence-based psychological therapies. Dedicated in-house research panels for access to specialist populations (e.g., Ageing panel, Infant database, Autistic Spectrum Conditions database).
• Career-focused degree that includes work placements, student conference and Psychology at work modules. • Courses that equip students with the practical, analytical and communication skills valued by employers leading to a wide range of career opportunities. • Single and joint honours courses accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which confer eligibility for graduate membership of the BPS and provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.
Clockwise from top left: event-related potential (ERP) brain imaging; Our beautiful campus; Teaching environment; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
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Psychology at Reading
A choice of courses Single honours
We offer a single-honours in psychology, three singlehonours special subject degrees (Psychology, Childhood & Ageing; Psychology, Mental and Physical Health; and Psychology, Neuroscience); four jointhonours degrees (Psychology with Philosophy, Biology, Mathematics or Art) and a fouryear MSci course in Psychological Theory and Practice.
Psychology C800 This is the most comprehensive of our psychology degrees, covering all fundamentals of the discipline. It offers you the greatest freedom in choice of specialised courses in Part 3. There is a wide choice of career paths open to our graduates (see Career options).
MSci in Psychological Theory and Practice C801 The MSci in Psychological Theory and Practice incorporates a BPS accredited Psychology degree with the qualification to become a Psychological Well-Being Practitioner. The course covers the main areas of Psychology, advanced training in research methods and clinical placements. This course is designed for students who wish to practice Clinical Psychology.
Psychology, Neuroscience C8B1 Psychology, Childhood & Ageing C805 Psychology, Mental & Physical Health C806 These courses are broad-based in Part 1 and offer the opportunity to specialise later in the programme. For Psychology, Childhood & Ageing students we offer seminars in developmental psychology and/or topics related to ageing in Part 2 and Part 3 focuses on special modules relating to life span development. This programme provides a good background for students with a particular interest in pursuing a career in education, child psychology and the caring professions. For Psychology, Mental & Physical Health students we offer seminars in clinical, health and neuropsychology in Part 2, and Part 3 focuses on special modules relating to these areas. This programme provides a good background for students with a particular interest in clinical or health psychology or neuropsychology. For Psychology, Neuroscience students we offer seminars in neuroscience in Part 2, and Part 3 focuses on special modules relating to this area. This programme provides a good background for students interested in Neuroscience or Neuropsychology careers.
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Psychology at Reading
Joint honours
In our joint-honours courses, the psychology component is designed to meet the BPS requirements necessary to obtain Graduate Basis for Chartered status, meaning that our jointhonours graduates can enjoy the further study and career opportunities available to our single-honours graduates.
Psychology & Biology CC18 The biology component provides a sound knowledge base, with considerable flexibility to focus on specific aspects as the course progresses, from the molecular, biochemical and cellular to the physiological, environmental and ecological. This degree is an excellent opportunity to study cellular, molecular and behavioural neuroscience and prepares you for cross-disciplinary work, e.g. with our Centre for Integrative Neuroscience & Neurodynamics (CINN) or with the Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR), www.reading.ac.uk/icmr. Career prospects include research in universities or industry, pharmaceutical research and development, education and marketing.
Psychology & Philosophy CV85 In the philosophy component, students critically examine fundamental beliefs about human nature and gain an understanding of central principles, concepts and problems. Studying this programme
will enhance your ability to think rationally and logically, evaluate arguments in a critical and detached manner and challenge your own ideas and those of other people. The critical thinking skills you will develop can be widely applied in a range of professions, including banking, business and management, local government and politics.
Mathematics & Psychology GC18 This degree programme is of particular value in areas of psychology dependent on thorough mathematical analysis and modelling. It offers the opportunity to study courses that underpin neurodynamics or computational modelling of brain function. Career opportunities include companies and research institutes that use mathematics directly, manage-
ment services and computing. The education and financial sectors recruit many graduates in mathematical disciplines. Mathematics & Psychology graduates are much in demand by employers since they have logically trained minds with an expertise in problem solving.
Art & Psychology CW81 This is a 4-year programme during which students take 60% of their courses in Art and 40% in Psychology. All art programmes at Reading emphasise studio practice with a sound contextual base. During the course you will be able to initiate, research, explore and execute your ideas within a framework which allows for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Career opportunities include artist, art therapy, art writing, criticism, journalism and publishing.
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Psychology at Reading
Core structure Part 1
Part 2
All students registered for a single -honours or joint-honours degrees take the same compulsory modules during the first year, for a total of 60 credits. These are:
modules from the wide range available across the University rather than focus solely on Psychology. These include:
• Psychological research
Archaeology
• Perception
Biological Sciences Philosophy
• Cognition and learning
Business Enterprise Plant Sciences
• Introduction to neuroscience • Developmental psychology. In addition, there are optional 10 or 20-credit modules in Psychology, from which students may choose up to a total of 60 credits worth. These are: • Skills for psychology • Applied psychology • Debates in psychology • Psychology at work • Work placement • Clinical psychology Uniquely, our course in Part 1 is designed to also allow students to continue their interest in a broad range of subjects at university -level if they wish. Single-honours students can choose their optional
‘If I could describe Psychology at the University of Reading in only three words it would be: inspirational, supportive and fulfilling.’ Ahmed Mohammed Graduate
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History of Art
Computer Science Politics & International Relations Economics English
Statistical Methods
Foreign Languages Typography & Graphic Geography Communication History Joint-honours students take the compulsory modules connected to their other subject and can choose any remaining modules from the selection available. Teaching in the first year consists of lectures, tutorials, practicals, self-paced web tutorials and psychological research workshops. Coursework includes practical reports, essays and psychological research tests. Exams are taken in summer term of the first year. The end of year grades do not count towards the final degree classification but you must pass in order to carry on at the University. At the end of the first year, students prepare posters or talks on a research topic of their choosing and present them at a student conference.
Single-honours students take modules totalling 120 credits but have the opportunity to substitute 20 credits in another subject (e.g. a language or a Henley Business School module: www.henley. reading.ac.uk) at both Part 2 and Part 3. Joint-honours students cover the same topic areas in special modules amounting to 60 credits, with the remaining credits taken in their other subject. The modules taken ensure you qualify for BPS recognition when you graduate. Topics covered are: • Research methods & data analysis • Cognition • Neuroscience • Personality and social psychology • Typical and atypical development • Careers in psychology. The Careers in psychology module includes a 100-hour placement of your choosing (e.g. shadowing an applied psychologist; working as a research assistant; working in industry, schools, local government or business). Second-year teaching includes lectures and research methods classes. In addition, small-group seminars provide you with the opportunity to interact with staff in their specialist areas. Miniprojects (groups of about five students working together on a project) give you experience in designing and reporting your own research studies in preparation for your third-year project. Second-year coursework and exams contribute to the final degree mark.
Psychology at Reading
Part 3 The main BPS requirements are fully met in Part 2, allowing students in Part 3 to specialise through their choice of optional modules. These offer the opportunity to acquire knowledge about cutting-edge research and are led by experts in the field. Students prepare presentations, engage in class discussion, work on in-class ‘problems’, and write extended essays on topics related to their modules. Single-honours students take six modules, while joint -honours students take three. Our current list of optional modules is listed below. The list is frequently revised to include new modules that reflect recent developments in psychology. • Active vision • Attachment & offending behaviour • Autism spectrum conditions • Behavioural economics • Brain mechanisms of learning and decision making • Cognitive & affective neuroscience • Cognitive & behavioural theory to therapy • Cognitive behavioural approaches to psychological disorders • Cognitive neuropsychology of ageing • Cognitive perspectives in adult clinical psychology • Controversies in cognitive neuroscience • Developmental neuroscience • Early lexical development • Forensic psychology: managing offending behaviour
Our courses • Health psychology • Improving intergroup relations • Lexical processing & aphasia • Neuropsychology of frontostriatal disorders • Nutritional psychology
BSc Psychology C800 BSc Psychology, Neuroscience C8B1 BSc Psychology, Childhood & Ageing C805 BSc Psychology, Mental & Physical Health C806 MSci Psychological Theory and Practice C801
• Psychopharmacology of clinical disorders
BSc Psychology & Biology CC18
• Science of emotion
BSc Mathematics & Psychology GC18
• Social & affective neuroscience • Social cognition • Visual perception – more than meets the eye? • Working memory & cognition Using experience gained from miniprojects in Part 2, a major, investigative project is planned towards the end of Part 2 and carried out in Part 3. This is your big opportunity to produce a piece of original research that addresses important questions in your field of study. Many of our students’ projects are presented at national and international conferences, or are written up as research papers in leading journals. Students also complete assignments demonstrating their ability to apply the theories and research skills they have acquired during their studies to contemporary issues in the news. This popular credit module allows students to select an issue of interest to them and explore the contribution of psychological theory and evidence to the topic. Recent questions explored by students include: ‘What is aromatherapy?’, ‘Does sleep have a cognitive function?’ and ‘Why do people keep pet fish?’.
BA Psychology & Philosophy CV85 BA Art & Psychology CW81 All programmes are 3 years, full-time with the exception of Art & Psychology, which is a 4-year programme.
Standard offers UCAS tariff for C800, CV85, GC18, CC18 and CW81 AAB-ABBB, excluding Key Skills and General Studies. UCAS tariff for C805, C801, C8B1 and C806 AAA-AAB, excluding Key Skills and General Studies. Subjects C800, CV85, C805, C806 – Any A level subjects are acceptable though some preference will be given to students with science A levels (including Psychology and Geography). GC18 – A level in Mathematics is required. CC18 – A level in Biology and at least one other science (Chemistry preferred) are required. CW81 – Entry is additionally dependent on fine art portfolio and interview. All candidates require GCSE Mathematics, English and Science or the equivalent, grade C or above preferred. We welcome applications from mature students, international students and those with other qualifications and will consider their qualifications for entry on an individual basis.
Related subjects Speech and Language Therapy Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Nutrition with Food Consumer Sciences 7
Career options Our degree courses will train you in all aspects of modern psychology and qualify you for further training as a professional psychologist. The major career fields in psychology are: • clinical psychology • educational psychology • health psychology • occupational psychology • counselling psychology • forensic psychology • neuropsychology • sport and exercise psychology • lecturing / teaching psychology • research in psychology and neuroscience Importantly, a degree in psychology opens up a wide variety of career paths, not only in psychology-related professions, but also in the wider commercial world.
For example, you can use your psychology training in personnel management, social work or market research or career guidance. You can also use your graduate status to join the armed forces or the police, or to go into the field of management training, accountancy or teaching. For further information on careers in psychology, contact: The British Psychological Society St Andrews House 48 Princess Road East Leicester LE1 7DR 01162 549 5688 mail@bps.org.uk www.bps.org.uk
Come and visit us … Come and visit us at our open days in June and October and see our beautiful campus and extensive facilities. We run a series of talks, commencing with an ‘Introduction to psychology’ and members of staff and students will be on hand to talk to you and show you around. For the latest information see: www.reading.ac.uk/opendays If you apply to us and receive an offer, we will also invite you to a visit day. These usually run between November and April on Wednesdays and Saturdays and, as part of your visit, typically include a short interview with a member of academic staff. Further information will be sent to you with your offer letter.
Psychology at Reading For more information, please contact: Admissions Secretary Department of Psychology University of Reading Earley Gate Whiteknights Reading, RG6 6AL psychology@reading.ac.uk Tel (0118) 378 7106/8523 Fax (0118) 378 6715 www.reading.ac.uk/psychology Find our page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ universityofreadingpsychology Department Twitter feed: twitter.com/UniRdg_Psych
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The University of Reading is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Whilst the University of Reading makes every effort to ensure that the contents and statements made in this publication are fair and accurate, it can accept no liability for omissions, errors or subsequent changes. The statements made and information provided are a general guide and there may be changes following publication which affect the contents. Programmes or modules may be altered or withdrawn without notice and assessment arrangements may be changed. For details of any changes made since publication, please refer to the website address at the bottom of this page. This document is © University of Reading 2012.