Applying for Psychology in top universities

I'm aiming for Cambridge/St.Andrews. To make my application strong, would I definitely need one of the three sciences? Would it be better if I have one? Or does it not really matter as long as I have one science subject? At the moment I'm doing English Literature, History, Biology and Maths and I want to drop Biology. Would just doing Maths (it does count as a science subject) be enough for my application? Although it alone fits the requirements for the universities, would it make me a stronger applicant if I have an actual science subject in my A-Levels?

Reply 1

returnmigrant

Since neither specify the subjects required on their websites, you might like to email them and ask
a) what subjects, if any, are required
b) is there an advantage with doing more than one science - do they 'prefer' science applicants over those doing humanities?

Even if a science is not 'preferred' or 'required' you will find A level Biology and Maths useful for the fundamentals of any Psychology degree.

Reply 2

chazwomaq

If it's PBS at Cambridge, take note of this: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/pbs_subject_requirements.pdf

A few colleges specify maths and/or biology or another science.

Personally I would second returnmigrant's advice and do biology and maths as they are the most relevant A levels for psychology. And if you do both and miss a grade in one, you have a chance to make it in the other and maximize your chances.

Reply 3

pon1de2replay3

theyre not required at all, plus cambridges degree is less science based (compared to oxford) so i dont think it matters that much. as long as u have good predicted grades and a personal statement that makes you unique

Reply 4

returnmigrant

Also, if you are thinking of applying to other Unis as well as just these two (you have 5 choices, it makes sense to use them all) - then its very likely you will need a science subject - as an example, Bristol requires at least one science or maths : https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2020/psychology/bsc-psychology/

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

Hi. I know a friend studying Psychology at St Andrews. She studied Maths, Economics, and English and still got into St Andrews.

It says on their website. (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/psychology/psychology-ma/ or https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/psychology/psychology-bsc/). MA or BSc really depends on what other subjects you'll be taking. They teach you the exactly same thing.

According to their website: "No previous knowledge of Psychology is required." and "GSCE (5 or B) in English language or English literature, and one GSCE (5 or B) from the following: (Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology)

By the way, there is no advantage with doing more than one science. She asked them during the visiting days.

Best of luck!

Reply 6

erhine27

Hey, my IB subjects were 3 HL languages and SL Math, Psych and Bio; even though almost all universities stated they wanted x+ IB points and at least one of Psychology or Biology in HL. I still applied and got accepted at UCL, LSE, King's, St. Andrews and Bath. So don't worry about HLs and science requirements, if you can demonstrate you want to study the subject and if you have good grades in general, don't hesitate and apply!