best uni for psychology

ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Reply 1

University of Bath

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Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hi there,

Its great to hear you're wanting to go into psychology - I did this subject at uni here at Bath and absolutely loved the variety and depth of the different modules the course offers you. It is also a course which can open a lot of doors for you career-wise.

I think your best bet would be to check out a league table such as the complete uni guide or the times higher education. It looks like some good choices besides Oxbridge are LSE, St Andrews, us here at Bath, UCL and Loughborough.

From there, I would suggest you take a look at some of the courses and their modules on their websites, as psychology courses will indeed share some elements (in order to be accredited by the BPS) but will also have a lot of variations in the modules they offer. Its very important that you choose a course with modules that A) you find interesting, B) align with what you want to learn and C) may help you on your way to any career ideas you have for the future.

Other important factors to consider are where you want to be in the country - visit open days of some of the unis you're interested in. See how the campus and the city feels to you, get a feel for the place - could you see yourself being happy there for 3-4 years? Chat to some lecturers, chat to some current students and see what you make of the community!

I would also consider looking into whether or not your courses offer a placement option. Placements offer the chance to work in industry or do professional research for a year and can be a great way to add some experience to your CV, get your foot in the door for future employment and do something fun and different for a year. Here at Bath for example, we have a psychology course with a placement. As a uni we have one of the best placement schemes in the country, with the huge majority of our courses having versions with placements on offer.

I really hope this helps - very best of luck with your A levels and let us know if you have any questions!

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 2

Royal Holloway, University of London

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Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hi there,

It's great to hear you're considering studying Psychology.

One of the best things I would advise to help make your decision is to chat to one of our current students or a member of staff here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/. You can filter by 'Area of Study' to find a student on your chosen course and ask them any questions you may have about studying at Royal Holloway.

You can also join us for our next Online Open Day on Wednesday 15 January to find out more about the course. For this event, we're offering two sessions for some of our departments, at 10am and 3pm, so you can choose which one suits you best: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/student-life/visit-royal-holloway/online-open-day-january-2025/.

You can also visit our campus in person. Book a guided tour of our beautiful campus to discover more about us. If you need any further help, do let us know.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London

Reply 3

McGinger

Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

A course with a work-placement.

Reply 4

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

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Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hi! 😊
It’s great that you’re already researching your university options for psychology—planning ahead makes such a difference. Coventry University is a fantastic choice for psychology students, offering accredited courses by the British Psychological Society (BPS) like Bsc(Hons) Psychology and opportunities for hands-on learning through facilities like our mock counselling rooms and neuroscience labs.
While the "best" university depends on your preferences, I’d recommend considering factors like course content, placement opportunities, teaching support, and student satisfaction. It’s also worth checking university rankings for psychology and attending open days to get a feel for the campus and community.
If you’d like more details about Coventry University’s psychology courses or student life here, feel free to ask! 😊
Hope this helps!

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Reply 5

UEA Rep Grace

Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hi @ammy.xuu,

I don't know if there's a "best" university to study psychology- I think it depends on what you want to do. If you plan to go into clinical or forensics, it may be best to study somewhere that offers modules in those areas, or places with placements/assistant psychologist roles to prepare you. If you want to go into research or academia you might want to consider places that are ranked highly for those things.

It's also worth thinking about what kind of university would suit you. How far do you want to be from home? How expensive is the city you're planning to go to? Would you prefer a city or university campus? What support is available? What is the diversity and equality culture like? What are the entry grades to get on the course you want? Are there food shops nearby? This last one seems silly, but I ended up trekking 45 minutes each way to Aldi once a week!

I'd also highly recommend attending an open day for each university you are interested in so you can speak to students and lecturers, get a tour of the labs and see what the third-year and PhD students are doing for their research projects. Hopefully being on campus will give you a feel for what life at that university will be like.

I've just finished doing psychology at UEA and I really enjoyed it! They offer a variety of different courses, for instance, I added an extra year to my degree and did a placement, while my friend went abroad. UEA is ranked 14th for research quality in Psychology, 21st overall, and has over 90% of graduates going into work or further study within 15 months of their course. It fit all the criteria I had set for my dream university, and most importantly, I could see myself studying there.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions such as what are the benefits of a placement year or how to make the most out of university, let me know!

UEA Rep Grace 😊

Reply 6

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hi @ammy.xuu!⭐️

It’s so exciting that you’re considering studying Psychology! If you’re unsure which program to choose, let me tell you about the BSc Psychology at the University of Essex—it’s truly an amazing choice, especially since we are ranked Top 30 in the UK for Psychology🌎🌟

This program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), meaning it’s designed to give you everything you need for a strong foundation in the field and pave the way for further training if you want to become a chartered psychologist. You’ll dive into fascinating topics like cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, mental health, and social behaviour while also developing essential skills in research, data analysis, and critical thinking.🎓🧠

One of the best parts? You’ll have the chance to apply your learning to the real world. From practical lab work to exploring how psychology shapes everyday life, this degree sets you up for a variety of career paths—whether you’re interested in mental health, education, marketing, or even criminal justice. Employers love the combination of analytical and people skills that psychology graduates bring to the table!🚀💫

The Department of Psychology at Essex is a vibrant, supportive community filled with staff who are passionate about teaching and research. The university itself is known for its beautiful Colchester campus, with plenty of green spaces to relax and a strong sense of community.🌈🌳

Choosing where to study is a big decision, but I’m confident you’ll find Essex to be a fantastic place to start your psychology journey. If you’d like more information or have any questions, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help. Best of luck, and I hope to see you at Essex soon! ✨

Warm wishes,
Essex Student Rep - Renaldas✌️

Reply 7

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Hi @ammy.xuu,

My name is Anna and I study at ARU. I'd like to tell you why ARU is the best answer to your question!

The extensive curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, and promising job prospects of Anglia Ruskin University's psychology degree make it a great pick!

Students can explore a variety of psychological fields and customise their studies to suit their interests thanks to the program's varied modules. Specialised labs with industry-standard equipment are available at ARU's Science Centre, offering practical research experience.

Additionally, did you know that earning a second-class honours degree or above makes one eligible for graduate chartered membership in the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is a vital step towards becoming a chartered psychologist?

ARU also places among the top 10% of graduates in the country for employment or further education, demonstrating how well the curriculum prepares students for prosperous careers.

You can learn a lot more about all our Psychology courses in our website (link here: https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/subject-areas/psychology).

Hope this helps!

Always available for questions,
Bye,
Anna❤️

Reply 8

cuwlt

ucl, oxbridge (obviously), bath, exeter, york, loughborough and durham are very good universities for psychology!

Reply 9

De Montfort University

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Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Hey there 😁

Before narrowing down your university choices, take some time to reflect on what matters most to you in your university experience. While academic expertise is important, there’s so much more to consider. Everyone has different priorities and goals. For me, it was gaining relevant work experience alongside my studies and accessing global opportunities right after achieving BPS accreditation. For you, it might be something entirely different, such as the city, affordability, nightlife, or something else entirely. Think about what’s most important to you and base your research on those preferences.

If you value an inclusive environment, enjoy social events and opportunities, want the option to do a placement year or study abroad, and appreciate comprehensive career support, I highly recommend looking into De Montfort University. I share more about my experience as a Psychology student at DMU here.

I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Reply 10

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

@ammy.xuu
Studying Psychology is enormous fun, I've just finished my MSc Psychology (conversion). I would try and get some experience whilst you do your degree too.

There are some great Universities recommended in the other posts. if you wanted a more flexible option with either 100% studying online or blended learning in a centre in London, Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds, there are psychology degree's and master's programs at Arden University, which are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Reply 11

ammy.xuu

Original post

by De Montfort University

Hey there 😁
Before narrowing down your university choices, take some time to reflect on what matters most to you in your university experience. While academic expertise is important, there’s so much more to consider. Everyone has different priorities and goals. For me, it was gaining relevant work experience alongside my studies and accessing global opportunities right after achieving BPS accreditation. For you, it might be something entirely different, such as the city, affordability, nightlife, or something else entirely. Think about what’s most important to you and base your research on those preferences.
If you value an inclusive environment, enjoy social events and opportunities, want the option to do a placement year or study abroad, and appreciate comprehensive career support, I highly recommend looking into De Montfort University. I share more about my experience as a Psychology student at DMU here.
I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.
Take care,
Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Thank you!!

Reply 12

ammy.xuu

Original post

by Arden University

@ammy.xuu
Studying Psychology is enormous fun, I've just finished my MSc Psychology (conversion). I would try and get some experience whilst you do your degree too.
There are some great Universities recommended in the other posts. if you wanted a more flexible option with either 100% studying online or blended learning in a centre in London, Manchester, Birmingham or Leeds, there are psychology degree's and master's programs at Arden University, which are fully accredited by the British Psychological Society
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

tysm!

Reply 13

McGinger

Swansea's Taster Lectures (online) includes one on Psychology
Masterclass Series Registration - Swansea University

Reply 14

UniofReading

Official Rep

Original post

by ammy.xuu

Hi,
I am currently in year 12 and researching uni options. What are the best universities to study psychology at?

Good afternoon,

Choosing a university depends on what you want from your university experience. Every student wants something slightly different, such as lecture style or exam vs no exams. I always recommend deciding what you want from your university and writing a list. You can compare the two universities to your own criteria; this means the university will be the best fit for you.

At the University of Reading, there is an ambassador scheme via unibuddy, where prospective students can message current uni of Reading students. There is a 2nd-year BSc Psychology student who I recommend you a message. Her name is Bhakti, and you can find her account here . She will be able to give you an inside perspective on the Psychology degree and answer any questions you may have about the course.

The University of Reading looks at every application on individual merit, ensuring every student can receive an offer; this is the contextual offers scheme. However, this does not mean every student gets a university offer.

When I was applying to the university, I found it very helpful to attend an Open Day; however, for students who live far away or do not have access to an Open Day, there is a Virtual Tour, which prospective students can look at from their homes. I highly recommend you have a look at the Virtual Tour; it provides an insight into the campus.

I hope this information helps, and you have a great univerty experience.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology

(edited 1 year ago)