University of Reading

Course Details

BA Art & Psychology

Course Description

Develop your practical skills and explore new and emerging art forms. Be stimulated by our internationally excellent staff, take part in wide variety of exhibitions and gain your first qualification towards training as a professional psychologist. Explore how art and psychology feed into one another and discuss the therapeutic properties of creating art on this well-established course. Join a lively community at one of the UK's top ten Art departments (The Complete University Guide 2016). You will explore a vast range of media, experiment with emerging art forms, and develop as an artist. Modules in "Contemporary art theory" and the "History of art" will complement your practical study. You will receive a dedicated studio space, accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and a studio tutor to help develop your individual and professional practice. The studios are a busy place with events, screenings, performances and exhibitions happening regularly. Trips to museums and art galleries help prompt thoughts on how art is displayed and received. You will gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and events. Our teaching staff are all artists, curators and researchers of international standing and strongly encourage regular exhibitions and open debate. The psychology element of this course is accredited by the by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and enables you to move on to further training as a professional psychologist. Your first year will introduce you to the concepts required for BPS qualification, including cognition, neuroscience, development, personality and social psychology. Throughout the course you will gain practical experience, and learn how to devise and run your own experiments. You will develop your knowledge by exploring areas of interest in greater depth. Modules are regularly revised and recent additions include autistic spectrum conditions, behavioural economics, nutritional psychology, and cognitive behavioural theory and therapy. In your final year you will concentrate on your psychology dissertation and art degree show. Both departments actively encourage placements and there is also the chance to experience life in another country. Throughout your degree you will receive advice and guidance in career development.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
4year

Career outcomes

As well as the practical experience gained on this degree our students also graduate with a range of transferable skills, such as self-motivation, time management and strategic thinking and the ability to think and analyse scientifically. As a graduate of this course you will be qualified for further training as a professional psychologist. Our BSc Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. You could go on to work for organisations such as the NHS, civil services, schools or charities. Many of our graduates develop successful careers as artists, writers and curators. These include a number of famous alumni, such as Turner-prize nominated artists, and PhD students who are award-winning artists and curators at influential museums. Others have found employment in galleries, education, art therapy and film and video production. Recent employers include Tate, Whitechapel Gallery, The Burlington Magazine, Christies, Microsoft, and the BBC.

BA Art & Psychology University of Reading