BSc Psychology with International Foundation Year

Develop a broad knowledge of psychology, and tailor learning to your individual interests, with our BSc Psychology with International Foundation Year degree.

This programme is designed for international students. If you want to study psychology at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year BSc Psychology with International Foundation Year programme enables you to undertake an undergraduate psychology degree.

You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BSc Psychology degree. This normally means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies.

The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. 93% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 64% of responders from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).

For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme website.

Overview

Develop a broad knowledge of psychology, and tailor learning to your individual interests, with our BSc Psychology with International Foundation Year degree.

For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme website.

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

AS and A Levels

72 UCAS tariff points.

International Baccalaureate

24 points from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or International Baccalaureate Certificate.

GCSE

Grades 9–4 (A*–C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications

IELTS

A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5.

See our IFP English Qualifications page for full details of the academic and English language entry requirements for this course.

Compulsory modules

Foundation in Academic Skills

Enhance your academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities. Engage in various in-class group activities and individual study tasks to develop these skills effectively.

Psychology and Research

Explore the key research methods applicable to psychology as you develop your skills of analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking to data collection and reporting. You'll focus on theories of conformity and obedience and learn to critically evaluate research by highlighting the limitations found in classic experiments.

Optional modules

Topics in Sociology

Advance your understanding of sociology as you look at the significance of consensus and conflict, social structure, and social order and change. You'll analyse key concepts related to gender, ethnicity, social class, and age and consider how these can be applied to areas including social stratification, mass media, crime, and sociological theory.

Government and Politics

Study the nature of political institutions, concepts, and ideologies and develop the ability to interpret political information and execute into it a developed argument. In particular, you'll focus on UK and US government and politics and identify their parallels, connections, similarities and differences.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Applied and Professional Psychology

Explore how psychology can be applied in the real world, with broad consideration of professional values and ethics. You’ll gain knowledge on various areas of professional psychology, such as educational, occupational, health and forensic psychology and academia, research and teaching. You’ll develop professional skills and competencies that are required to become a psychologist.

Debates in Mental Health

Explore key current and historical issues in clinical psychology and develop your understanding of psychological disorders, their assessment and current evidence-based interventions.

Introduction to Psychological Research

Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods, and develop skills in planning, data gathering and dissemination stages of psychology-related research.

Learning about Learning

Develop an understanding of learning and memory and use this knowledge to reflect on their own learning. You’ll gain knowledge on the nature of learning and the theoretical models underpinning these processes.

The Person and the Brain

Build a broad understanding of psychology and its fundamental concepts and theories. You’ll gain knowledge on key principles of organisation of systems while covering topics such as neural and hormonal function, genetic contributions to behaviour, personality, and group dynamics.

Optional modules

Introduction to Neuroscience Methods

Discover the methods and scientific philosophy of modern human neuroscience. You’ll explore key concepts and applications such as human neuroimaging, brain stimulation, neuropsychology, psychophysics, psychophysiology, brain-body physiology, and scientific data visualisation.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Develop an understanding of biopsychology and cognition, perception and neuroscience through the study of topics such as attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, pain, and cognitive control.

Development Across the Lifespan

Discover how individuals change and develop from the neonatal period, throughout childhood, into adolescence and old age. Explore theories and research in typical and neurodivergent development and enhance your knowledge about observational methods.

Professional and Clinical Practice

Develop a range of work-related skills required of professional psychologists. You’ll participate in workshops, complete a placement in a psychology-related career field, and gain knowledge and expertise to boost your employability.

Research Methods in Psychology

Extend your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology, examine methods of conducting and analysing quantitative and qualitative research, and enhance your data analysis and critical evaluation skills.

Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the complex interplay between social psychology, typical social phenomena and individual differences.

Optional modules

Behaviour Change

Explore the principles of behaviour change and gain an understanding of the research methods used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. You’ll learn how to apply evidence-based frameworks to a wide range of practical problems.

Scientific Computing for Psychologists

Develop your knowledge of scientific computation for data analysis and visualisation. You’ll explore examples and problems drawn from neuroscience, psychology, psychophysics and neuroimaging and gain key programming skills.

Professional Placement

Gain an insight into a psychology-related industry, applying the knowledge and skills developed in your studies.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Project

Conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and a final written project report.

Communicating Current Psychology

Explore issues of current theoretical, ethical and practical importance to psychology and learn to disseminate information about these issues to wider audiences.

Emotion and Motivation

Enhance your understanding of the science of emotion and motivation as you study historical perspectives and current theory related to topics such as emotional expression and regulation, brain-body interaction, and behaviour change. You’ll learn by engaging with conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences and key research methods of the past and present.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of your bachelor's level study. The University of Reading will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit as set by the UK government for the relevant academic year. The fee cap for 2026/27 hasn't been confirmed yet. Please check the fees and funding webpage for the latest information. For 2025/26 entry, the standard tuition fee is £9,535 per year.

New international students: £23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of your bachelor's level study. The International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For 2026/27, the standard tuition fee is £30,650 per year. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

As a graduate of this course you will be qualified for further training to become a professional psychologist. Our BSc Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

This course will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including analytical qualitative abilities, writing experience, presentation skills and the ability to think and analyse scientifically.

You could pursue a career in the NHS, civil services, schools or charities. Skills learned on the course also open up many doors within the private sector, in areas such as HR, recruitment, management consultancy, publicity, finance and journalism. Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies, or by training to become a professional psychologist.

BSc Psychology with International Foundation Year - September Entry

Tuition fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

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