Program Overview
The BA Art and Psychology program at the University of Reading combines creative practice with psychological studies, offering a unique path towards a BPS-accredited psychology qualification. Students develop artistic skills through studio modules, while gaining knowledge in psychology concepts, including cognition, neuroscience, and social psychology. The program provides hands-on experience in art exhibitions, laboratory research, and placements in both art and psychology settings, preparing graduates for careers in various fields, including professional psychology, art therapy, education, and research.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Join our BA Art and Psychology programme, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and develop your creative practice while gaining your first qualification towards training as a professional psychologist. At the University of Reading, you'll learn through sustained experimentation and creative enquiry in practical studio modules alongside complementary studies to introduce, develop and master skills and knowledge of art and psychology. Led by internationally excellent staff from Reading School of Art and the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, you’ll take part in a wide variety of exhibitions, and learn how to conduct laboratory research. During this four-year joint degree, you'll have the opportunity to:
- build on your practical skills
- explore the practice, theory and history of art
- benefit from our approach to the subject, and particular focus on contemporary art
- learn how to devise and run your own experiments
- become familiar with the concepts required for BPS qualification, including cognition, neuroscience, development, personality and social psychology. In the National Student Survey 2023, 92% of our students said that their knowledge and skills for the future were developed well or very well (91.67 % of respondents studying BA Art and Psychology).
Outline:
Year 1
- Art Studio
- Learning about Learning
- The Person and the Brain
- Introduction to Psychological Research
- Debates in Mental Health
Year 2
- Art Studio 2
- Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Social Psychology and Individual Differences
- Optional modules:
- History of Art 3
- International Study
Year 3
- Art Studio 2b
- Development across the Lifespan
- Situated Art Practice
- Optional modules:
- Emotion and Motivation
- Neurodegeneration: Theory and Practice
- The Psychology of Pain and Ill Health
Year 4
- Art Studio 3b
- Project: Art and Psychology
Assessment:
In art, our practice-based assessment methods provide inclusive and diverse combinations that enable you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge relevant to your individual creative practice and strengths. You’ll be assessed via a range of methods, including:
- portfolios of practice
- peer-review presentations
- reflective journal writing
- essays and reports. This will culminate in a written dissertation and an end-of-year group exhibition of your artwork. In psychology, modules are typically assessed by a mixture of coursework and formal examination, with some modules entirely assessed by coursework. Coursework includes:
- essays
- project reports
- reflective writing
- oral and poster presentations
- weekly continuous assessment questions.
Teaching:
At Reading School of Art, you'll have access to a dedicated studio space, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and you’ll be assigned a studio tutor to help develop your individual and professional practice. There's always a high level of activity in the studios with events, screenings, performances and exhibitions taking place regularly. Our teaching staff are all artists and curators highly connected with the creative world beyond the University, and strongly encourage regular exhibitions and open debate. The School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences houses state-of-the-art facilities to support research and learning, including eye-tracking and specialist equipment for electrophysiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Additionally, we have various in-house NHS clinics, including:
- the Centre for Autism
- the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for evidence-based psychological treatments on site. You’ll learn from tutors and lecturers who are at the forefront of ground-breaking research for psychology and conduct internationally leading research in human development and ageing, clinical disorders, neuroscience, multilingualism, virtual reality, and behaviour change.
Careers:
94% of art graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21; includes undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research). As well as the practical experience gained on this degree, you’ll graduate with a range of transferable skills, such as self-motivation, time management, strategic thinking, and the ability to think and analyse scientifically. Our course plays a vital role in connecting how people understand and shape the world. As such, sustainability, accessibility and social engagement are embedded throughout your studies. As a BA Art and Psychology graduate, you’ll be qualified for further training as a professional psychologist. You could go on to work for organisations such as the NHS, civil service, schools, or charities. Other graduates have found employment in galleries, education, art therapy, and film and video production. Recent employers include:
- Tate
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Christies
- Microsoft
- the BBC
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Manolo Blahnik. Alternatively, you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training, or postgraduate study.
Other:
- The course is designed to further your skills, both critically and practically.
- You’ll learn to:
- reflect the relationship of art practices to their global histories, discourse, and contemporary relevance
- share knowledge of the diversity of art practices, materials, media, techniques and processes
- use materials, media and techniques in informed, effective and skilful ways to enhance sustainability, responsibility and safety
- select and present art practices and outcomes using appropriate and effective methods
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories, and evidence in six core domains of psychology, such as individual differences, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, and conceptual and historical issues in psychology
- integrate knowledge from different fields of psychology and cognate areas, and use evidence-based reasoning to argue and critically evaluate a claim
- demonstrate an understanding of practical applications of psychological theory and research
- apply concise written and oral communication skills, including analysis and discussion of viewpoints.
- You’ll be encouraged to undertake placements in both art and psychology settings. There’s also the opportunity to volunteer as a research assistant on a range of projects within the School.
UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
New UK/Republic of Ireland students:
£9,250
New international students:
£27,650
