The Psychology Course in the UK is the study of how the human mind may affect the health and behavior of an individual, group, or society. It is a rapidly growing field, with extensive research being done by experts on the subject every day; thus, a lot more universities offer psychology courses in the UK than before.

There are an increasing number of prospective students who are considering studying psychology and other related fields. Due to the influx of interested students but the lack of resources, most of the students who want to apply to studying psychology in UK university do not know the prerequisites needed in order to apply. Psychology is a relatively new course of study, and thus the conditions for becoming a full-time student studying psychology also keep updating. Here are the eligibility requirements for individuals who want to study Psychology in the UK.

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What Students Can Expect When Studying Psychology in UK University

A prospective psychology student should have some sort of an idea about which area of psychology they want to specialize in. Psychology study, in general, is the study of human behaviour and the mind. The study of psychology seeks to help explain and better understand the emotions, thoughts, and behaviours of humans.

Programs are often structured in a way that gives students the tools and skills necessary in order to carry out experimental methodologies, practical applications, and help them construct solidified theories. Some of the courses you can expect to be offered when studying Psychology in UK universities are:

  • Research Methodology
  • Statistics
  • Sociology

There are many branches of psychology study that a person can major in after completing 2 years of study: applied psychology, management psychology, law psychology, forensic psychology, educational psychology, and criminal psychology.

Eligibility Requirements

For a student who has studied under the International Baccalaureate system, they (typically) need 34 points in order to be eligible. An A-level student usually needs an A BB in order to be eligible to study psychology at a UK university. For international students, the IELTS score needs to be overall 6.5 and have at least a score of 6.0 in each component in order to pass.

Subject requirements

Generally, it is recommended to take science-based subjects during secondary school, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, to get a better understanding of all that a psychology course in the UK entails. However, subject requirements may differ from one university to another.

Other general application requirements

Of course, each university has different requirements for the minimum high school grades. However, the standard minimum grade requirement for A-level students who want to pursue a psychology course in UK is A B B. Those students who studied under the International Baccalaureate system need to score at least 34 points to be able to apply.

All that a psychology course in UK can include

Most psychology courses in the UK educate students about practices, methods, theoretical concepts, and their applications. There are different modules available, and you can choose one depending on the area of psychology you are interested in, such as educational, law, forensic, criminal, applied, and organizational, to name a few.

Types of Psychology Degrees

There are two classifications of psychology degrees in the UK. One would fall under a Bachelor of Arts degree and the other would fall under a Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Arts degree would be more focused on education and the liberal arts, whereas the Bachelor of Science degree would be more focused on mathematics and science.

Top UK Universities for Studying Psychology

Studying psychology in uk

The top universities in the UK with the best psychology programs are listed below:

University of Surrey

The University of Surrey provides a wide range of postgraduate programs, including a Graduate Conversion Study and MSc courses in Research Methods, Health, and Social and Environmental Psychology. It also offers an undergraduate BSc course in science. Additionally, the university provides a variety of quick CPD training courses in niche fields like interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.

University of York

The Department of Psychology at the University of York encourages applications from practically all nations due to its accommodating approach to international credentials. You can personally contact the international office for more information if your nation is not listed below. International students are required to demonstrate strong English proficiency as part of the requirements.

The University of York has two undergraduate courses in psychology:

  • Three-year program leading to a BSc degree in Psychology
  • Four-year program leading to a Master’s degree in Psychology

Taught Courses:

Course Title Course Name
Master of Science(MSc) Applied Forensic Psychology
Master of Science(MSc) Cognitive Neuroscience
Master of Science(MSc) Forensic Psychology Studies
Master of Science(MSc) Developmental Disorders and Clinical Practice
Master of Science(MSc) Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Masters of Research Psychology

Research courses:

University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham’s Psychology School has a strong reputation for both its teaching and its research. It provides a variety of courses in psychology-related disciplines to potential students.

Undergraduate courses for studying Psychology Courses in the UK –

Course Title Course Name
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Psychology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Human Neuroscience
Master of Science (MSci) Psychology and Psychological Practice
Master of Science (MSci) Psychology and Psychological Research

Postgraduate programs-

Course Title Course Name
Master of Science (MSc) Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience
Master of Science (MSc) Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics
Master of Science (MSc) Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)/Master of Science (MSc) Psychology (Research)

University College London

Numerous courses in psychology and languages are available through the UCL Department of Psychology and Language Sciences. The foundation of its educational purpose is research activities and a superb theoretical education.

Courses-

Course Title Course Name
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Psychology
Master of Science (MSci) Psychology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Psychology for Medics
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Psychology and Language Sciences
Master of Science (MSci) Psychology and Language Sciences
Master of Science (MSci) Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Cognition and Research Skills
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Developmental Psychology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Neuroscience
Master of Science (MSci) Organizational Psychology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Human-Computer Interaction

University of Cambridge

Both local and international students may apply. A resident student must meet the university’s minimal qualifications, have the necessary funds to pay for their study, and apply for college membership as part of the application process in order to be eligible. In contrast, overseas students must also meet the previously listed requirements and demonstrate English ability. The Cambridge University School of Psychology One of the two following programs at the University of Cambridge offers a psychology major:

  • Natural Sciences
  • Psychological and Behavioral Sciences (NST)

The university may request that you provide extra supporting materials, such as a CV or a personal essay outlining why you chose to study psychology at this particular institution.

University of Oxford

According to the University of Oxford’s psychology department, one of the most successful and respected research psychology departments in the world. Even the faculty name, The Department of Experimental Psychology, reflects the institution’s dedication to research operations.

Courses for studying Psychology Courses in the UK:

Course Title Course Name Course Duration
MSc Psychological Research
Master’s degree Taught Master’s degree with full ESRC accreditation 1 Year
MSc Research (MRes) in Experimental Psychology full-time
MSc Research (MRes) in Experimental Psychology part-time
DPhil (PhD) Experimental Psychology full-time
DPhil (PhD) Experimental Psychology part-time

It’s a difficult mission to get into the Experimental Psychology Department at this university. The best students are sought after by the university. You must have at least three A-level subjects with A*AA grades, or an equivalent, to get admitted. Your application may be supported by a CV, a personal statement, a grade certificate from any previous coursework, and proof of language ability if English is not your first language.

Tuition fees

International students must comprehend the cost of academic programs. Each university may have a different cost of living for graduate students. The anticipated annual tuition costs, however, range from 19,000 to 48,000 pounds for some of the most elite universities in the UK.

Scholarships for Psychology Courses in the UK

Scholarships nameStudyValueEligibility
International Excellence Scholarship

Postgraduate taughtFree reductionInternational student
Marshall Scholarship

The UEA One-Year American Library Scholarship

Not fixedGPA 3.7  
School of Psychology MSc Scholarship

Any MSc course in the school of psychology  7,350 poundsStudents who apply by 5 may 2022 will be automatically considered  
The UEA One Year American Library Scholarship

PhD10,000 poundsUSA students

Master‘s in Psychology Course

Over 100 universities in the United Kingdom offer master’s degrees in psychology, which can be completed in one to three years. Psychology courses in UK universities include aspects of research, statistics, learning styles, and personalities. A student can become a licensed psychologist and register as a practitioner with the HCPC with the help of a postgraduate degree in psychology (Health and Care Professionals Council). The salary range for a licensed psychologist is £59,815.

Why Choose a UK Psychology Master’s Program?

  • Wide-ranging Specializations: Students studying for Master’s in Psychology degrees in UK universities learn about all facets and ideas of how the human mind and psyche function.

In order to understand people’s thinking and behaviour patterns in society, the top universities and institutions offer courses that take into account human stages of mental, physical, and emotional development. Psychology graduates are employed in a variety of professions, including counselling, psychotherapy, organizational psychology, special education, and advertising.

  • Universities with BPS accreditation: Numerous psychology degrees, some lasting a year and others just a few months, are offered by UK universities. These are accredited in the UK by the British Psychology Society, which also oversees psychology research and high-quality instruction.
  • Adaptable Skills: The master’s programs in psychology offered by universities in the United Kingdom give students access to specialized resources for researching both theoretical and practical issues.

They offer pupils more effective and contemporary learning psychology patterns to use their knowledge and abilities effectively. Universities today are pushing more and more for their students to take part in residential field trips, which give them valuable experience.

Required Documents

You must provide the following paperwork with your application if you want to study abroad. Some of these papers are necessary for all participating universities. However, certain universities can want you to submit additional paperwork and information. Some of them are as follows:

  • Transcripts: Your application packet should include transcripts from any previous colleges or universities you attended.
  • Letter of recommendation: Typically, you need at least two letters of reference from professors and employers. For instance, the University of Oxford requires applicants to submit three letters of recommendation.
  • Resume: Although it is not required, applicants with prior experience must provide a CV with their application materials.
  • Tests: Exams for studying in the UK IELTS, TOEFL, and other test results are required as part of the admission process.
  • Personal statement: A personal statement is needed by nearly all prestigious universities and aids in the evaluation of your application materials.

Career Prospects for a Psychology Student

Those who have graduated with a degree in psychology can apply for a variety of jobs, both in the private and public sector. Some career prospects include social work, mental health care, marketing, teaching, human resources, and psychotherapy.

  • Average starting professional salary: £19,048
  • Average starting non-professional salary: £16,000

Source: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Salary range

In the UK, a psychologist makes an average salary of £59,815. 

Best places to work as a psychologist-

LocationAverage salarySalary range
North Yorkshire£195,000£195,000 – £195,000
Southampton£159,900£159,900 – £159,900
Coventry£123,500£123,500 – £123,500
Liverpool£123,500£123,500 – £123,500
Sheffield£123,500£123,500 – £123,500
South West London£123,500£123,500 – £123,500
Stamford, Lincolnshire£123,500£123,500 – £123,500

Psychology Job Profiles

Some of the job profiles are given below:

  • Psychotherapist
  • Counsellor
  • Consultant
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Social Worker
  • Therapist
  • Practitioner

Although studying psychology is a broad field in and of itself, every other course that calls for the study of human anatomy and related topics also incorporates the fundamentals of psychology into its course material. Psychology is usually a part of counselling courses, physiotherapy therapy programs, and other medical programs.

Psychology classes require that you study and understand how the human brain works, what consciousness is, how people act, what their personalities are like, and other related topics. You can apply for this psychology course in the UK through AHZ Associates if your prior educational experience meets the prerequisites. You can always rely on our AHZ Associates experts to help you determine your eligibility and select the appropriate course and university.

FAQs

How much does it cost to study psychology in the UK?

The anticipated annual tuition costs, however, range from 19,000 to 48,000 pounds for some of the most elite universities in the UK.

What is the best university to study psychology in the UK?

The top universities in the UK with the best psychology programs are listed below:
1.  University of Surrey
2.  University of York
3.  University of Birmingham
4.  University College London
5.  University of Cambridge

What to study psychology in the UK?

A prospective psychology student should have some sort of an idea about which area of psychology they want to specialize in. Psychology study, in general, is the study of human behaviour and the mind.

Why study psychology in the UK?

Psychology Course in UK is the study of how the human mind may affect the health and behaviour of an individual, group, or society.

Can international students study clinical psychology in the UK?

Psychology is a relatively new course of study, and thus the conditions for becoming a full-time student studying psychology also keep updating.

What marks do I need to study psychology in the UK?

For a student who has studied under the International Baccalaureate system, they (typically) need 34 points in order to be eligible. A level student usually needs an A BB in order to be eligible to study psychology at a UK university.

What subjects are needed to study psychology in the UK?

Generally, it is prescribed to take science-based subjects during secondary schools, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, to get a better understanding of all that a psychology course entails. However, subject requirements may differ from one university to another.

What marks do I need to study psychology in the UK?

Those students who studied under the International Baccalaureate system need to score at least 34 points to be able to apply.