Psychology Courses In UK 2023: Eligibility, Cost, Top Colleges & Admission Process

Psychology aims to study the human mind and behaviour and tries to understand the complex nature of our emotions and thoughts. Due to the complexity of the subject, to be a good psychologist, one needs to have exceptional knowledge of the subject and a decent psychology degree.

Most psychology Courses In the UK aim to give the students an insight into the research methods, construction of theory, experimental methodology, knowledge of mental health, and practical applications of the field. The United Kingdom, with its buzzing hub cities and fabulous locations, is ideal for Indian students to pursue their psychology education. You can meet diverse people while receiving a world-class education from top universities.

For Indian students wanting to pursue Psychology, over 150 institutions in the UK offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, certificate courses, and diploma courses in the subject. A UK Psychology qualification can equip you with the necessary skills in the field of psychology, such as critical thinking, literacy, and analytical skills. The Qualifications Assurance Authority (QAA) in the United Kingdom generally sets high standards for the Psychology courses governed by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Here, in this article, we will discuss all psychology courses in the UK and their eligibility criteria for aspiring students from India. Getting into these top universities’ courses can contribute to your excellent career. Let us first understand how the UK is the ideal country to pursue psychology.

Study Psychology in the UK

From its quality education to its scenic beauty, the United Kingdom offers multiple opportunities for international students to pursue their psychology degrees. Some of the reasons to pursue your psychology study at a UK university are as follows:

• UK witnesses a great demand for psychology courses with an increased employment level each year.
• With a diverse population, the UK is an ideal spot for students to explore the mysteries of the human mind and brain. The diversity helps the students to develop skills that they would need as medical professionals.
• UK universities are highly ranked worldwide for their academic excellence and quality of education.
• The psychology modules in UK universities include various branches of psychology and specific subjects such as sociology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, social anthropology, developmental psychology, applied psychology, social psychology, experimental psychology, educational psychology, and criminal psychology or criminology.

Top 5 Universities for Psychology Courses In the UK

• University of Bath
• University of St Andrews
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• University College London

University of Bath

Ranked 2nd for Psychology Courses in The Guardian University Guide 2022, the University of Bath has a top-ranking psychological faculty. A wide range of psychology courses is provided at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. The University of Bath offers a scientific interpretation of human behaviours and experiments to initiate and understand the human brain.

Bachelor’s courses

The bachelor’s degree psychology courses at the undergraduate level at the University of Bath include the study of various issues related to clinical, digital, and behavioural change psychology.

There are two BSc degrees at the University:

• Psychology Bachelor of Science (Hons) with a duration of 4 years, including the placement year
• Psychology BSc (Hons) of 3 years

Postgraduate Courses

The options for a Master’s degree for psychology graduates at the University include:

Full Time

• Applied Clinical Psychology MSc of 1 year
• Sustainable Futures MRes of 1 year
• Applied Psychology and Economic Behaviour MSc of 1 year
• Health Psychology MSc of 1 year
• Applied Forensic Psychology with Counselling MSc of 2 years
• Psychology MRes of 1 year

Part-Time

• Applied Clinical Psychology MSc of 2 years
• Health Psychology MSc of 2 years
• Sustainable Futures MRes of 2 years
• Psychology MRes of 2 years

Postgraduate Research

The PhD, MPhil, and professional Doctorate courses of the department of psychology of the University of Bath include:

• Clinical Psychology DClinPsy of 3 years
• Psychology PhD of 4 years
• Psychology (MPhil)
• Psychology MPhil of 1 to 3 years
• Sustainable Futures PhD of 4 years

Doctoral Programme

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
• Psychology (doctoral programme)
• Sustainable Futures (doctoral programme)

Part-Time 

• Psychology PhD of 6 years
• Psychology MPhil of 4 years
• Sustainable Futures PhD of 6 years

Entry requirements

The course entry requirements generally vary based on the course type one is applying for. In general, Indian applicants need the following qualifications to study abroad at the University of Bath:

• An average score of 85% across 4 subjects in the 12th standard.
• An English Language Qualification such as IELTS 7.0 overall.
• A master’s degree can require more documents, such as your CV and personal statement.

Tuition Fees

For the academic year 2022-2023, the tuition fee for an average BSc psychology degree at the University of Bath costs £24,500, excluding textbooks, travel, and accommodation costs.

Application Process

The application process for the course can be completed through the UCAS platform. Students will be selected based on the application. In certain exceptional cases, you can also be called for interviews to assess your skills better.

University of Cambridge

The Psychology school of the University of Cambridge offers study in two courses:

• Natural Sciences (NST)
• Psychological and Behavioral Sciences (PBS)

For the postgraduates, the University of Cambridge offers a PhD program for higher education and an MPhil in Social and Developmental Psychology. The university also has a psychological research program leading to a degree of MPhil in Biological Science (Psychology).

Entry Requirements

Students from India need to meet the following entry requirements to secure a seat at the University of Cambridge:

• Five or more A1 grades in relevant subjects or a score of 95% in CBSE or higher in State Boards.
• A minimum overall grade of 7.5 in IELTS Academic.
• A personal statement

Tuition Fees

As an international student at the University of Cambridge, you must consider tuition fees, college fees, and living expenses. For the year 2022, the psychology courses have a tuition fee of £35,517, excluding the accommodation and travel charges.

Application Process

Indian students applying for a place in an undergraduate course at the University of Cambridge can apply through the UCAS online platform, while those aiming for a Master’s degree can apply through the University of Cambridge’s application portal. Most of the applicants can be asked to submit a written sample or take a written admission assessment either at the interview or pre-interview.

Also Read: Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS: Advanced Words

University of St Andrews

With a rich history of research activities, the Univesity of St Andrews is the ideal college for developing research skills related to psychology. The School of Psychology & Neuroscience covers various topics of modern psychology, including behaviour, motivation, cognition, and perception. The university offers the following courses:

Undergraduate Degrees

• BSc Hons
• Joint Psychology Hons Degree (BSc + MSc)

Masters Degrees:

• MSc Psychology (by research)
• MSc Neuroscience (by research)

Research Degrees:

• Psychology PhD
• Neuroscience PhD

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for Indian students are:

• A minimum score of 90% in Class 12th Examination.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 to 38
• You do not need to provide an English Level Qualification score if you have an English-medium secondary/high school leaving qualification.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for a bachelor’s psychology degree at the University of St Andrews is £26,350. You will also be expected to cover the cost of your food, travel, and accommodation.

Application Process

You can apply for the University of St Andrews and other UK universities through a single online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application. In case you are not applying through UCAS, you can apply through the common application. Students also have to submit their UCAS personal statement along with the application.

University College London

The UCL Department of Psychology and Language Sciences offers many programs related to psychology and linguistics. The University of London offers an exceptional theoretical education with hands-on experience in research activities. Students can study Psychology in isolation or in conjunction with some related field. The various courses offered by the university are:

Bachelor Courses

• BSc Psychology
• Integrated BSc Psychology for Medics
• BSc Psychology and Language Sciences

Also Read: Top 8 Colleges for Bachelor of Psychology in Canada

Masters Degrees

The Master’s Program includes these subjects:

• Developmental Psychology
• Organisational Psychology
• Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
• Language Sciences and Linguistics
• Neuroscience
• Cognition and Research Skills
• Human-Computer Interaction
• MSci Psychology
• MSci Psychology and Language Science

Entry Requirements

Before applying to UCL, students applying for the psychology courses should have completed two years of studies at a university level.

• You must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 or 4.0, while in some certain subjects, a grade of 3.7 might be required.
• Indian students can show their English proficiency through IELTS or a qualification score.

Tuition Fees

For overseas students, the fee for a full year of a psychology course is £29,400. Tuition fees are determined based on the first-named department at the time of admission.

Application Process

You can apply through the UCL Apply Online system. You need to add the following details to complete your application:

• A valid email address
• An academic transcript
• A personal statement

University of Oxford

The Psychology Department of the University of Oxford is one of the leading research psychology departments worldwide. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The aspirants can seek a BA degree in Experimental Psychology or a combined BA degree in linguistics and philosophy. The psychology courses offered at the University of Oxford are:

• MSc in Psychological Research
• 2 Year Master’s Research degree
• 4 Year Master’s Research degree
• 1 Year Taught Master’s degree with a full ESRC accreditation
• 3 or 4 Year Postgraduate Research degree
• 6 to 8 Year Postgraduate Research degree

Part-Time

• MSc by Research (MRes) in Experimental Psychology
• DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology

Full Time

• DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology
• MSc by Research in Experimental Psychology (MRes)

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for a psychology degree at the University of Oxford is:

• A-levels: A*AA
•  For the CBSE board: Grades A1 A1 A1 A1 A2 are required, with grade A1 in any subjects that are relevant to the applied course.
• For the CISCE board: The overall grade should be at least 90%, with 95% or above in the top four subjects and 85% or above in the fifth subject. 

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for international or overseas students are between £27,840 and £39,010. The course fees include your fees for both college services as well as university.

Application Process

If you want to study at Oxford, you should apply at least a year before the start date of your psychology course through an online UCAS application form. You need to submit written samples, after which you will be called in for interviews to further assess your knowledge.

Conclusion

That was the list of top psychology courses in the United Kingdom that are renowned worldwide for their top education. Getting admitted to these top-ranking colleges requires expertise, and this is where LeapScholar steps in to help you get admission to the university you are aspiring for. Our expert counsellors will assist you through every step of the application process and ensure that you land at your dream university. 

Related Articles: 

• Top Universities for Masters in Counselling Psychology Canada
• Top Universities for PhD in Clinical Psychology in Canada
• Masters of Psychology in Canada