Study pyschology in the UK
Where can I study psychology?
The UK has three of the top ranked universities for psychology teaching – the University of
Cambridge (third), the University of Oxford (forth) and University College London (seventh). You can
take your pick from almost a thousand courses across the country, ranging from BAs with more of a
focus on liberal arts and education, to BSc qualifications, with a greater emphasis on science and
mathematics.
The UK has three of the top ranked universities for psychology teaching – the University of
Cambridge (third), the University of Oxford (forth) and University College London (seventh). You can
take your pick from almost a thousand courses across the country, ranging from BAs with more of a
focus on liberal arts and education, to BSc qualifications, with a greater emphasis on science and
mathematics.
What is the application process?
Most psychology degrees in the UK will require at least two A–levels or equivalent, with many of the
most popular courses expecting ABB or higher.
Typical requirements for International Baccalaureate will be 34 points, with an IELTS of 6.5 overall,
and no lower than 6.0 in any one component.
How long does it take to graduate?
Psychology undergraduate degrees usually take around three years to complete in the UK. Many
offer opportunities to extend your studies with a year’s work experience placement or studying
abroad.
Postgraduate degrees are usually between one and two years, with many universities offering
integrated master’s courses which allow you to complete both elements in just four years of full time
study.
What will the course cover?
The exact content of your psychology degree will usually vary depending on whether you choose a
BA or a BSc.
A BA is likely to emphasise the social aspects of psychology, with a bias towards modules in areas
such as applied psychology, child psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology
and social psychology. A BSc might place slightly greater emphasis on the scientific aspects of the
field, such as experimental psychology, neuroscience and forensic psychology with course work
focusing on lab time and statistics
However, you will always leave with a knowledge of all key areas of the subject, such as criminal
psychology and brain behaviour to evolutionary psychology and the statistical methods required to
interpret your data accurately.
And the flexible nature of UK degrees also means you can tailor a lot of your learning towards the
areas that interest you most, no matter which qualification you choose.
psychology and brain behaviour to evolutionary psychology and the statistical methods required to
interpret your data accurately.
And the flexible nature of UK degrees also means you can tailor a lot of your learning towards the
areas that interest you most, no matter which qualification you choose.
Why is the UK a good choice for psychology?
The UK has been at the forefront of modern psychology for hundreds of years. The first psychological
society was established here in 1875, followed by the world–famous British Psychological Society in
1901.
Over the years our knowledge and research have helped to broaden every aspect of the field, as well
as applying it in all areas of everyday life, from medical and therapeutic applications to industrial and
sporting sectors.
Whether you want to understand how we develop as children, or the secrets of motivating the world’s
best athletes, you’ll find the best possible insights into the human mind in the UK.
Are there any scholarships for psychology?
There are hundreds of psychology scholarships open to international students travelling to the UK,
both undergraduate and postgraduate – including several from the best ranked universities in the UK
. Some of these are limited to applicants from specific countries or regions , while others are open to
all nationalities to apply.
You can also choose to apply for one of the more high profile opportunities such as Chevening
Scholarships or Commonwealth Scholarships, which are both open to residents of any country.
What are my work options after I graduate?
Psychology is one of the broadest degrees available in terms of career scope and transferable skills.
A range of specific career paths in psychology exist – such as clinical psychologist, educational
psychologist, forensic psychologist and sport and exercise psychologist though many of them require
postgraduate qualifications.
However, many UK psychology graduates choose to pursue public and private sector roles in more
loosely related fields, such as marketing, business, education, human resources and social work. The
flexible academic skills offered across these courses, and the research, analytical thinking and
problem solving that are essential to these courses, mean that you will leave with an extremely
versatile qualification that you can take anywhere.
Starting salaries for psychology graduates tend to be in the region of £19,000, but with such a wide
range of career options, there are no limits to what you can achieve.International students who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay
and work in the UK for two years upon graduation, through the Graduate Route.
To find out more about studying psychology in the UK and to find a course,
