Psychology
Psychology combines cognitive, social, developmental and biological disciplines to study human behaviour.
Below you will find information about the specific degree courses offered by Oxford University and Cambridge University to study Psychology, how to prepare, and how Oxbridge Interviews can help you with your application.
BOOK COURSECambridge offers a degree course in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and is ranked as the second best university in the UK to study Psychology according to the Complete University Guide.
The application process is competitive with 7 applicants per place. To be successful, you generally need to get A*AA at A Level (or equivalent) and A-level Biology and Mathematics are recommended.
Oxford is ranked top in the UK for studying Psychology according to the Complete University Guide.
The application process is highly competitive with only 14% of applicants successful. To be offered a place, you generally need to get A*AA at A Level (or equivalent).
To prepare for your Psychology application, you must demonstrate your motivation for the subject and specific interests. You can do this by reading beyond your school curriculum. Our interviewers recommend:
- 'Opening Skinner’s Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century' by Lauren Slater
- 'The Private Life of the Brain' by Susan Greenfield
Practice interviews for Psychology applications are critical. You wouldn’t sit an exam without doing a mock, so don’t place yourself in an interview without having experienced a practice interview first.
Stephanie (Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, Cambridge)
Stephanie completed her undergraduate degree in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Since graduating, she has worked as a mental health support worker and is now studying for a master's.
Q&A
Stephanie, why did you choose Psychology?
"I was taking A-level psychology and enjoyed the way it combines science and humanities and the fact it has very clear real-world applications. The Cambridge PBS course really stood out for me because of the opportunities to study a wider range of subjects than just psychology, you can also choose from a huge range of other papers - I learnt some evolutionary biology, neuroscience, anthropology and sociology!"
What’s your advice to students applying to Psychology?
"The application really is more about quality than quantity - don't panic if you can't fit everything into your personal statement!"
Applicants to Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge are required to sit an at-interview admissions assessment, if invited to interview, at the following colleges: Fitzwilliam, Gonville & Caius, Homerton, Hughes Hall, Murray Edwards, Newnham, Selwyn, Wolfson. These assessments vary by college. Do get in touch if you would like support with your college’s particular admissions assessment.
All applicants to Psychology at Oxford are required to take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA).
Learn more about the TSA