[PenguinMumble]

Is this subject combination at the IB level sufficient to apply for the Psychological and Behavioral Sciences undergrad course at Cambridge???
HL: English, Psychology and History
SL: French ab initio, Environmental Systems and Math Studies
(I've taken humanities subjects because I also have an interest in literature.)
Please let me know what you think because I'm really worried. I can't change my subjects now!!!

[milienhaus]

It's a new course so not sure how many people you'll find here who are on it (for next year, when it starts), but since it doesn't ask for any particular 'essential' subjects you're probably fine. If you can upgrade from maths studies that might be a good thing though, as maths is the only one mentioned by name on the 'recmended' list and if it's anything like the current NatSci course there'll be a fair amount of stats involved.

[PenguinMumble]

Thanks a lot! I may run into problems upgrading though.
Everyone else, I'd love to know what you think as well! <3

[iammichealjackson]

Hey, Im doing the PPS course which is pretty similar for PBS (the first year is pretty much exactly the same, apart from you get less choice but a research methods paper).

Well, your asking firstly whether you will get in with those a levels or whether they will be useful? Some tutors MIGHT like to see some maths/biological/chemical sciences, but they SEEM fine. (im not sure what the requirements are, is maths studies the same as maths? Normally maths + psychology is fine for all psych degrees).

If you want to do biological anthropology and evolution and behaviour as first year paper choices, those a levels are fine. I am revising Bio Anth at the moment now, and other than the genetics parts A level biology won't really help much!! Evolution and Behaviour is the same, evolutionary principles don't really require an understanding of the bio chem.

Generally I have found essay writing subjects (and psychology) to be very usefull.

[PenguinMumble]

Well math studies is the lowest level of math at the IB level, so I'm afraid tutors might want a stronger math background...however math is not my strength and I can't afford to upgrade.
thank you so much! your advice was really encouraging.

[iammichealjackson]

(Original post by PenguinMumble)
Well math studies is the lowest level of math at the IB level, so I'm afraid tutors might want a stronger math background...however math is not my strength and I can't afford to upgrade.
thank you so much! your advice was really encouraging.

I know plenty of people doing PPS without mathsm, and people doing second year psychology through PPS without maths, but PBS may be different, although not much changes from PPS.

[beautiful-lion]

(Original post by PenguinMumble)
Well math studies is the lowest level of math at the IB level, so I'm afraid tutors might want a stronger math background...however math is not my strength and I can't afford to upgrade.
thank you so much! your advice was really encouraging.

Don't worry about the maths.

I don't do Psychology, but I presume there is no/little maths in that. I applied to Cambridge for MML; I do Maths Studies and they did not care at all whether it was Studies or SL, as it did not relate to what I applied for.

Seriously, it's not a disadvantage - it means you have more time to concentrate on your other subjects and get higher grades, so it's a sensible choice.

PM me if you want to know about the application process, as I went through it all over the past year

[PenguinMumble]

Thank you! I'll keep that in mind.

[bíborcsiga]

On the website they say mathematics, science subjects and humanities subjects are all useful, but if you're unsure you could always email the colleges you're interested in applying to.

[PenguinMumble]

thanks for the suggestion!

[iammichealjackson]

(Original post by beautiful-lion)
Don't worry about the maths.

I don't do Psychology, but I presume there is no/little maths in that. I applied to Cambridge for MML; I do Maths Studies and they did not care at all whether it was Studies or SL, as it did not relate to what I applied for.

Seriously, it's not a disadvantage - it means you have more time to concentrate on your other subjects and get higher grades, so it's a sensible choice.

PM me if you want to know about the application process, as I went through it all over the past year

There is a fair bit of statistics/research methods in psychology (compared to MML). So yeh there is, but most of A level maths won't be relevant, although if you do s1 and s2 (statistics modules) it would be useful.

Many of the first year "biological" papers do not require biology a level- i.e. evolution and behaviour or biological anthropology. These do not tend to focus on "molecular" biology like how cells work, but on "broader" topics such as evolution of mind/skeleton/gait/sociality/sexual differences. Its worth self-teaching some basic biology before you come though (as with any psychology degree).

Ideally a mix of the subjects that bíborcsiga mentioned would make you the most prepared, althogh i would suggesting taking subjects you don't like.

[beautiful-lion]

(Original post by iammichealjackson)
There is a fair bit of statistics/research methods in psychology (compared to MML). So yeh there is, but most of A level maths won't be relevant, although if you do s1 and s2 (statistics modules) it would be useful.

Well, although Maths Studies is mocked a fair amount, it's better than no maths at all, and you do look at stats

As I said though, don't know anything about the psychology course...