First programme
5-18 July 2026
Reference summer window for adding a taster.
In-person Programme
Psychology Taster Course
A five-hour Cambridge add-on introducing how psychology studies the mind, behaviour and human experience through scientific research and conceptual theory.
Last verified: 3 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
In-person Programme
Psychology Taster Course
A five-hour Cambridge add-on introducing how psychology studies the mind, behaviour and human experience through scientific research and conceptual theory.
Last verified: 3 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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We review public programme details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
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Psychology Taster Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
Main Reach course required
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Cambridge, UK
Cost
£595
Duration
5 hours
Format
In-person add-on
Psychology
Accommodation: Main programme residential
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of participation
Sessions / cadence: Two weekday afternoons
Accreditation: BAC accredited provider
Psychology Taster Course summary
This compact add-on introduces psychology as both a science and a humanities-linked discipline, examining how researchers and theorists explain human thought, behaviour and experience.
Students encounter perspectives ranging from Freudian psychoanalysis to modern brain-scanning while considering the university-level branches of psychology.
It suits students who want to test psychology alongside a different main academic subject without committing their whole summer programme to it.
What is Psychology Taster Course?
The Psychology Taster Course is an optional Reach Cambridge add-on that introduces the study of the human mind, behaviour and experience. It approaches psychology through scientific research and conceptual theory, showing how the discipline connects scientific and humanities-based thinking.
Students explore perspectives from Freudian psychoanalysis to advances in brain-scanning and consider the different areas available at university. Classes take place in Cambridge alongside a required main summer academic course.
Why Succeed highlights Psychology Taster Course
It offers a focused way to test psychology without replacing the student's main academic course.
The content frames psychology through both rigorous scientific methods and open conceptual thinking.
The short format introduces university-level directions without requiring a full subject-course commitment.
The fee includes five hours of teaching, relevant excursions and required materials.
Students receive a certificate of participation after completing the taster.
Who is Psychology Taster Course for?
Best for
Students curious about psychology who want to sample the subject alongside another main course.
Not ideal if
You want psychology to be your main morning subject or do not plan to attend a Reach Cambridge summer programme.
Is Psychology Taster Course worth it?
It can be worthwhile for a student who is choosing between future subjects and wants a concise introduction to psychology's scientific and theoretical sides. The certificate and defined five-hour structure provide a clear record of participation.
The limitation is that this is an optional add-on, not a standalone summer course, and it costs extra on top of the main programme. It also replaces two afternoons of activities, so students should weigh academic curiosity against their wider summer experience.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£595; includes Five hours of teaching, Required course materials, Relevant excursions outside the classroom.
Accommodation
Main programme residential
Provider details
Review the Reach Cambridge provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
5 hours; Cambridge, UK.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programmesHow much preparation does Psychology Taster Course need?
Effort level
Moderate.
Best started
Begin the main application at least two to three weeks before the closing date.
Main challenge
Balancing the taster with missed activities and free time.
Typical preparation
Review the Psychology Taster and main-course options together.
Draft the required personal statement in the student's own words.
Choose a summer programme window and select Psychology as the add-on.
Plan for the two afternoons that will replace regular activities.
Useful if
You are comparing psychology with another university subject.
What do students do on Psychology Taster Course?
Students examine how psychology explains the human mind, behaviour and experience through scientific evidence and conceptual ideas.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore how psychology studies thought, behaviour and human experience.
- 2
Compare scientific research with conceptual approaches to psychological questions.
- 3
Consider perspectives from psychoanalysis to modern brain-scanning.
- 4
Discuss the different areas of psychology available at university level.
Psychology Taster Course dates and deadlines
Reference date
Second programme
19 July-1 August 2026
Tasters run across two weekday afternoons.
Third programme
2-15 August 2026
Psychology is selectable as an optional taster.
Application closes
3 August 2026
The current site-wide application round.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First programme | 5-18 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Second programme | 19 July-1 August 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Third programme | 2-15 August 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Application closes | 3 August 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Eligibility and requirements
Ages 14-18 as standard
Open to students of all nationalities
Main Reach Cambridge academic course required
Academic English proficiency advised
Personal statement required for main programme
Transcript may be requested
How much does Psychology Taster Course cost?
Psychology Taster fee
£595 — One optional taster course.
Funding or discounts
- Two-taster option: £995 — For two optional tasters.
What's included
Five hours of teaching, Required course materials, Relevant excursions outside the classroom
How to apply to Psychology Taster Course
- 1
Complete the official online application for a Reach Cambridge summer programme.
- 2
Choose a main academic course and programme date.
- 3
Select Psychology from the optional taster list.
- 4
Pay the required deposit to confirm enrolment.
- 5
Submit the student's personal statement through the online account within 30 days.
- 6
If already applied, email Reach Cambridge to request the taster addition.
What does Psychology Taster Course cover?
The programme covers the following focus areas.
Mind and behaviour
Examine how psychology studies human thought, action and experience.
Research and theory
Compare scientific research with conceptual explanations of human experience.
Psychological perspectives
Consider approaches from Freudian psychoanalysis to modern brain-scanning.
University pathways
Discover different areas of psychology available for further study.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Psychology Taster Course?
A typical day during the programme.
Main subject classes
The main academic course runs before the afternoon taster.
Psychology Taster
Five teaching hours are spread across two weekdays.
Programme activities
The taster replaces two afternoons of activities and free time.
Who teaches on Psychology Taster Course?
Reach Cambridge's teaching body includes professors, researchers, postgraduates and practising specialists, many connected with leading institutions including Cambridge, Oxford and London universities. Teachers have autonomy to shape courses around their expertise.
Reach Cambridge is independent of the University of Cambridge.
Where do students stay on Psychology Taster Course?
Residential plan
- College accommodation: Students stay in Cambridge college accommodation through the main programme.
- Room setup: Single or twin rooms with shared bathrooms are standard.
- Meals: Half board includes two meals daily and breakfast on excursion days.
- On-site support: Senior staff and supervisors live on site and are available 24 hours.
Accommodation is supplied through the required main summer programme, not the taster fee.
What happens after Psychology Taster Course?
After completing this programme, participants often pursue:
Receive a certificate of participation.
Identify psychology areas that could suit university study.
Use the experience to demonstrate subject curiosity.
Compare psychology with the chosen main academic course.
Continue learning through the certificate's course overview and reading guidance.
The taster does not award academic credit or a formal qualification.
Where does Psychology Taster Course take place?
The taster takes place in Cambridge during Reach Cambridge's residential summer programmes. Students attend the afternoon sessions after their main morning subject classes and can experience the wider city through the programme schedule.
Reach Cambridge is a private provider and is not part of the University of Cambridge.
Psychology Taster Course FAQs
It is a short add-on introducing how psychology studies the human mind, behaviour and experience through scientific research and conceptual theory.
No. Every student must choose a main academic subject, and the Psychology Taster is added alongside it.
The taster includes five hours of classes spread across two weekday afternoons.
The introduction spans perspectives from Freudian psychoanalysis to modern brain-scanning and considers different branches of university-level psychology.
Yes. The taster fee covers teaching, required materials and relevant excursions outside the classroom.
Yes. Taster courses culminate in a certificate of participation.
Yes. Students can select up to two tasters during each two-week programme.
Yes. Taking a taster means missing two afternoons of activities and free time.
Alternatives to Psychology Taster Course
Compare these Succeed-listed psychology programmes if you want a longer or more specialised experience.
Alternatives to Psychology Taster Course
Faculty of Psychology
Recently closed
Mind, behaviour and mental-health exploration
Psychology
29 Jun 2026
Check official page
14-17
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students wanting psychology as their main summer subject.
Psychology Summer Camp in Oxford
Recently closed
Psychology with analysis and presentation skills
Psychology
21 Jul 2026
From £2695
13-17
D'Overbroeck's, Oxford
In-person
Best for
Students seeking a longer residential psychology experience.
Psychology Preparation Course in Oxford
Recently closed
Psychology, statistics and academic communication
Psychology
14 Jul 2026
From £3195
15-17
St Hilda's College, Oxford
In-person
Best for
Older students preparing for university-level psychology.
Save this programme in Succeed to compare it with similar programmes, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programmesContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- FAQ - Reach Cambridge
- Terms & Conditions (Updated 2026) - Reach Cambridge
- Summer Programs - Reach Cambridge
- Apply - Reach Cambridge
- Reach Cambridge Program Overview Summer 2026
- Reach Cambridge Summer 2026 Brochure
- Tasters - Reach Cambridge
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 3 Aug 2026)
Course description checked
Current fee checked
Schedule reviewed
Eligibility reviewed
Application process checked
Accommodation details reviewed
Safeguarding information checked
Terms reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
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