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Psychology at Undergraduate Level GCSE requirements

Hi!
I’m looking to study psychology at undergraduate level at Uni of Warwick, Uni of Manchester, Uni of Bath, Uni of Edinburgh or Liverpool John Moores. I got a 7 in English Lit, 5 in English Lang, 5 in higher maths, 6’s in bio and chem and 5 in physics (for the sciencey/English/maths ones). I’m predicted an A*AA or AAA, and live in an area that qualifies for contextual offers. I have a lot of mitigating/extenuating circumstances personal to me including bereavement, trauma and health conditions. For majority of these universities, I meet the standard or contextual/widening requirements but not the GCSE maths one. I wasn’t provided any support regarding a maths resit and had no knowledge about having to do one, since I had passed. I’m currently in Year 13 studying Psychology (A prediction) Sociology (A) and Business (A*/A). My parents are not keen on a gap year for me, they’re fearful I won’t want to go to university after it, and it’ll disrupt my education.

What should I do? Do I still have a chance? I would love any advice below!

Thank you!!

Reply 1

If you don’t have a 6/B, and the requirements are 6, you will be automatically rejected. There are many units that accept a 5, such as Cardiff, I think Manchester and Royal Holloway, however they are limited. I recommended doing a gap year and resitting maths if you are set on certain unis which require a 6. Contextual and mitigating circumstances don’t affect or change GCSE requirements.

Reply 2

As above, you can resit GCSE Maths this year to get a higher grade - ask your school, its usually very straightforward. You will be rejected if you do not meet any essential GCSE grades, regardless of your A level predictions.

Psych at degree level is a science subject and is stats/data heavy so its about having an essential skill for those 'top' Unis, not 'nice to have'. This is why some Unis prefer two science A levels for Psych - York and Newcastle as examples.

There are numerous 'Psych and' joint subject courses that, because they are less science focused, will have a lower Maths requirement - Psychology with Law, Psychology and Sociology, Criminology and Psychology, Childhood Studies, Education and Psychology etc etc. Its also worth looking at general 'Social Sciences' degrees as they often include Psychology units.

Reply 3

Original post
by McGinger
As above, you can resit GCSE Maths this year to get a higher grade - ask your school, its usually very straightforward. You will be rejected if you do not meet any essential GCSE grades, regardless of your A level predictions.
Psych at degree level is a science subject and is stats/data heavy so its about having an essential skill for those 'top' Unis, not 'nice to have'. This is why some Unis prefer two science A levels for Psych - York and Newcastle as examples.
There are numerous 'Psych and' joint subject courses that, because they are less science focused, will have a lower Maths requirement - Psychology with Law, Psychology and Sociology, Criminology and Psychology, Childhood Studies, Education and Psychology etc etc. Its also worth looking at general 'Social Sciences' degrees as they often include Psychology units.


If I was to resit would I just do that alongside my alevels this year? Should I still apply?

Reply 4

Unless you fully understand all the stats in GCSE maths you will have catching up to do at the start of most Psychology degrees.

Reply 5

Original post
by ringi
Unless you fully understand all the stats in GCSE maths you will have catching up to do at the start of most Psychology degrees.


I mean I understand all the stats in alevel psychology

Reply 6

Original post
by julia_k.126
If I was to resit would I just do that alongside my alevels this year? Should I still apply?

If your school agrees to you resitting the GCSE this year, you would just list it alongside your A level as a 'pending qualifications. Any offer your Unis make would then include the required grade as an extra condition.

Reply 7

Hi @julia_k.126

For the BSc Psychology course at Liverpool John Moores, our entry requirements are BBB at A-Level and GCSE Grade 4 or Grade C or above in English Language and Maths/Numeracy. You can find full details about the course and modules here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2026/35654-psychology-bsc-hons

Based on your GCSE results and predicted A-Level grades, I would strongly encourage you to apply if LJMU is a university you’re interested in.

If you’d like to get a better feel for the university, we have upcoming Open Days on the 7th and 15th of November, which you can book here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/undergraduate-open-days

You can also watch the Psychology induction video here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/AhQsFa9gEsw

Lastly, we have a Psychology student on Unibuddy if you’d like to ask a current student about the course: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/chat-to-a-student

Hope this helps, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions about the course or life at LJMU.

Megan (LJMU Rep)

Reply 8

Original post
by julia_k.126
Hi!
I’m looking to study psychology at undergraduate level at Uni of Warwick, Uni of Manchester, Uni of Bath, Uni of Edinburgh or Liverpool John Moores. I got a 7 in English Lit, 5 in English Lang, 5 in higher maths, 6’s in bio and chem and 5 in physics (for the sciencey/English/maths ones). I’m predicted an A*AA or AAA, and live in an area that qualifies for contextual offers. I have a lot of mitigating/extenuating circumstances personal to me including bereavement, trauma and health conditions. For majority of these universities, I meet the standard or contextual/widening requirements but not the GCSE maths one. I wasn’t provided any support regarding a maths resit and had no knowledge about having to do one, since I had passed. I’m currently in Year 13 studying Psychology (A prediction) Sociology (A) and Business (A*/A). My parents are not keen on a gap year for me, they’re fearful I won’t want to go to university after it, and it’ll disrupt my education.
What should I do? Do I still have a chance? I would love any advice below!
Thank you!!

I think you still have a chance, especially with your good predicted grades and contextual background. Most universities look at your whole application, not just one GCSE grade.

If your school or referee explains your situation, like the personal and health challenges you faced, I think the admissions team will understand.

You could also try emailing the universities to ask if they can be flexible with the maths requirement. Sometimes they can make exceptions when there are strong reasons.

It sounds like you’ve worked really hard, so I think it’s worth applying and seeing how it goes.

Reply 9

Original post
by UoW Haiming
I think you still have a chance, especially with your good predicted grades and contextual background. Most universities look at your whole application, not just one GCSE grade.
If your school or referee explains your situation, like the personal and health challenges you faced, I think the admissions team will understand.
You could also try emailing the universities to ask if they can be flexible with the maths requirement. Sometimes they can make exceptions when there are strong reasons.
It sounds like you’ve worked really hard, so I think it’s worth applying and seeing how it goes.


Thank you so much for your advice!! I’ll definitely make sure to do this!

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