We’ve also created this guide to help students like yourself choose the right A-Levels for studying Psychology at the university. Our guide includes information on the A-Level requirements of the Top Psychology universities in the UK.

After reading this article, you’ll feel more confident in making an informed decision about your future.

What Subjects Do You Need For Psychology A-Level?

University of Cambridge

You can study Psychology in-depth at Cambridge by applying for the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos. The typical Cambridge A-Level for this course is A*AA.

However, it is worth noting that some Cambridge Colleges may require A*A*A. No required or preferred subjects were specified.

University of Oxford

There are two Psychology courses you can take at the University of Oxford, including:

MSci Experimental Psychology – standalone Psychology
BA or MSci in Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics – students can choose to study two out of these 3 subjects

The Oxford A-Level entry requirement for either of these Psychology courses is A*AA.

For those wanting to study Psychology, Oxford highly recommends studying any of the following subjects to A2 Level:

Mathematics
Science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology)

University College London (UCL)

The required A-Level grade to study Psychology at the University College London is A*AA. With a contextual A-Level offer of BBB.

For aspiring UCL Psychology students, you’re required to take at least one A-Level subject from among the following:

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology

Although it’s preferred if you take two, rather than just one.

University of Bath

The University of Bath requires A*AA in three A levels for students who want to study Psychology. An alternative offer is AAA.

Bath requires an A-Level each in numeracy and essay-based subjects.

Numeracy subjects include:

Mathematics
Statistics
Any science
Economics
Psychology

Essay-based subjects include:

Economics
English Literature
History
Philosophy
Psychology
Sociology
Religious Studies

King’s College London

King’s College London requires A-Level grades of A*AA for prospective Psychology students. What is the contextual offer? It’s AAB.

Applicants need to have at least an A in any one of the following required subjects:

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology

It’s important to note that King’s doesn’t accept these subjects as one of your A-Levels:

General Studies
Critical Thinking
Thinking Skills
Global Perspectives

University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews requires an A-Level grade from ABB to A*A*A for Psychology applicants. Does it specify what subjects it prefers or requires? Nope.

The A-Level requirement is the same for the two Psychology degrees you can choose from:

Psychology BSc (Honours) – study Psychology alongside science subjects
Psychology MA (Honours) – study Psychology alongside arts subjects

University of Bristol

The University of Bristol offers three undergraduate Psychology courses:

All three have the same standard A-Level offer of A*AA and contextual offer of AAB.

Both BSc Psychology and MSci Psychology with Innovation require an A in a science-related subject, including:

Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Further Mathematics
Geography
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Statistics

What about for MSci Psychology and Neuroscience? Bristol requires an A in a core science/maths subject, including:

Psychology
Biology (or Human Biology)
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics (or Further Mathematics)

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter’s standard A-Level offer for BSc Psychology is AAA with an A in a Science subject.

Here are Exter’s accepted Science subjects:

Biology/Human Biology
Chemistry
Computing
Design and Technology
Economics
Electronics
Environmental Studies
Geography
Geology
Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only)
Marine Science
Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths
Nutrition and Food Science
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Science (applied)
Sport Science
Statistics

Durham University

Durham University offers the following Psychology courses:

With these joint programmes:

The standard A-Level offer for these courses (except BA Education Studies – Psychology) is AAA. What about for BA Education Studies – Psychology? The required A-Level grade is AAB.

Durham doesn’t require specific A-Level subjects. However, for BA Education Studies – Psychology, a Grade 5/B (or above) in Mathematics GCSE is needed for the application.

Cardiff University

What A-Level does Cardiff University require for prospective psychology students? A*AA-AAB. There are no specific or preferred A-level subjects for Cardiff’s Psychology (BSc).

Do You Need Maths For A-Level Psychology?

Maths is not a requirement for A-level psychology, but it is useful to have a strong foundation in maths skills. This is because much of the coursework in psychology involves conducting and analysing research, which requires strong maths skills.

Did you notice how most of the Top Psychology schools in the UK we’ve covered in the previous section require at least one or two maths/science subjects for A-Level?

Universities that include maths as one of their preferred subjects include:

University of Oxford
University College London
University of Bath
King’s College London
University of Bristol

The list of universities that prefer A-Level Mathematics speaks volumes on how beneficial maths is for Psychology.

Is there a GCSE for Psychology?

Yes, there is a GCSE for Psychology. But do you need GCSE Psychology to take A-Level Psychology? Nope, it’s not a requirement for A-level, but it is recommended.

What is usually required for taking A-Level Psychology is a grade 4 or 5 in Maths/Science, English Language, and another subject.

It’s worth noting that taking a GCSE in Psychology will give you a strong foundation in the basics of psychology, which will be useful when you move on to the A-level course.

It also serves as good preparation for university-level Psychology.

Graduate Destinations

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services “What Do Graduates Do” Survey 2021/22 reports that:

45.5% of Psychology graduates work full-time
12.5% work part-time
15% work and study
and 11.9% proceeded to further study within 15 months after graduation.

A majority of those employed work in:

Childcare
Health
and education professions.

Check out Psychology graduate destinations from specific university graduates:

University of Bristol

Most recent graduates work within three sectors:

Education
Health
Social Work

Here are the specific percentages:

32% Assistant Psychologist
26% Health-Related Research
17% Clinical Doctorate Course
13% Continuing Education
12% Others

Other professions Bristol Psychology graduates get into include:

Wholesale & Retail
Banking & Accountancy
Journalism & Media
Recruitment & Personnel

University of Exeter

Discover Uni reports that 90% of Exeter Psychology graduates were employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation. Those employed earn an average entry-level salary of £26,000.

Here are some of the professions of Exeter Psychology graduates:

Therapy professionals
Project support officers
Teaching professionals
Data analysts
Programmers and software development professionals
Business and related research professionals
Marketing associate professionals
Financial accounts managers
Police officers
Taxation experts

Who are some of the employers of Exeter Psychology graduates?

Avon and Somerset Police
BBC
Ipsos MORI
KPMG
NHS
The Francis Crick Institute
Victim Support
YouGov

For those who are enrolled in further study, what are some of the courses Exeter Psychology graduates took?

MSc Cognitive Neuroscience
MSc Developmental Psychology
MSc Global Mental Health
MSc Forensic Mental Health
MSc Human Resource Management
MSc Applied Data Science and Statistics
MSc Psychological Research Methods
MA Conflict, Security and Development
PhD in Psychological Medicine
PGCE Secondary Psychology

Durham University

Many Durham Psychology graduates proceed to have successful careers, whether directly related to Psychology or not, such as:

Clinical Psychology
Human Resources
Marketing Analysis
Speech & Language Therapy (via conversion course)
Law (also via conversion course)
Teaching (PGCE Primary or Secondary).

Others chose to study further to get a Master’s or PhD degree in Psychology.

Do you want to know more about the career opportunities available to Psychology graduates? Then, check out this article, “What Can You Do With A Psychology Degree?”

What’s the Difference Between Psychology and Psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with mental illness. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating mental illness.

Psychologists, on the other hand, are not medical doctors. They do not prescribe medication or conduct medical procedures. Instead, psychologists use techniques such as talk therapy to help people deal with their mental health issues.

While there is some overlap between the two fields, they are quite different. Psychology is a much broader field than psychiatry. It includes the study of human behaviour, emotions, and cognition.

But Psychiatry focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

If you’re interested in a career in psychology, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Are you interested in a career in psychiatry? Then you will need to complete a medical degree.

So, if you’re looking to study Psychology at the University, it’s important that you take the relevant Maths and Science A-Level subjects. However, don’t forget that other degrees are available in this field, so do your research to find the right one for you.

We hope this article has been helpful and wish you all the best with your future studies!

Subscribe to the Immerse Education newsletter for £100 off your programme*

We’ll send you our company updates and latest news. Subscribe for free by completing the form below.

*Not in conjunction with any other offers

Newsletter Signup

Name*
First Last
Email*
School Name
I am a...*
- Student
- Parent
- School counsellor/advisor
- Educational agent
- Other
I consent to receiving updates from Immerse Education*
- I consent
CAPTCHA

A Level Requirements For Psychology