Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences is an exciting, broad and flexible degree that covers all aspects of psychology.

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Overview

Our course

Psychology is very diverse – overlapping with and contributing to many other disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, neuroscience, philosophy and sociology.

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) at Cambridge gives you the opportunity to study cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology within the broader context of the behavioural sciences.

The course covers, for example, cognitive psychology, psychopathology, language, brain mechanisms, family relationships and influences, personality, statistics and data-science, and group social behaviour. A wide range of options enable you to study the topics that interest you most in greater depth.

Teaching and facilities

In the Department of Psychology, you’re taught by lecturers and researchers of international excellence. Subject societies and seminar programmes offer regular talks from guest speakers too.

In addition to this academic expertise, you have access to the Department library and specialist collections held in associated departments’ libraries – amounting to around 50,000 books and more than 150 periodicals – as well as other resources and computing facilities.

Course costs

Tuition fees

Information on tuition fee rates for PBS is available on the tuition fees page.

Additional course costs

All students are required to have a University approved calculator (c£23).

Changing course

It may be possible to transfer from another course into the PBS Tripos. Transfer would usually take place in the second year if students have taken at least one PBS option in IA. Transferring students would then take four PBS papers in total in their second year - the two compulsory PBS Part IA papers they have not yet taken and the two compulsory PBS Part IB papers, before proceeding to the third year. Students wishing to transfer to PBS will need to consult their Colleges and the department, and in some cases undertake a short assessment.

To be able to change course, you need the agreement of your College that any change is in your educational interests, and you must have the necessary background in the subject to which you wish to change – in some cases you may be required to undertake some catch-up work or take up the new course from the start/an earlier year. If you think you may wish to change course, we encourage you to contact a College admissions office for advice. You should also consider if/how changing course may affect any financial support arrangements.

Professional accreditation and careers

The University’s teaching of psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means that students who successfully graduate (with at least second class Honours) achieve the ‘graduate recognition’ needed to pursue a career in psychology.

Many students continue with further study and research, and graduates are eligible for admission to professional courses in clinical, educational, forensic or applied psychology. Recent graduates of psychology at Cambridge have gone on to positions in psychology and related fields, as well as careers in social, community and charity work, research and teaching.

Our course also equips you with skills and knowledge applicable in a range of professional sectors, including the media, management, the Civil Service, finance, law and business. Some of our former students have gone on to work in destinations as varied as global communications firm Edelman, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the Cabinet Office, and Arsenal Football Club.

Course outline

Teaching is provided through lectures, classes or seminars, and supervisions. Some papers include a practical element, which takes place in laboratories. You can typically expect two lectures a week for each paper.

You also have one or two supervisions a week to discuss your work and develop your reasoning and ideas.

Year 1 (Part IA)

In Part IA, you take a total of four papers, three of which are compulsory:

Introduction to Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience
Social, Applied and Individual Differences
From Subjectivity to Science

The remaining paper is chosen from a selection of around nine options. The optional papers available each year may vary but subjects usually include:

biological and social anthropology
evolution and behaviour
politics
philosophy
sociology

You will be assessed via a range of laboratory reports, and written exams.

Year 2 (Part IB)

Part IB provides specialised training in Developmental Psychology and Biological Psychology, in addition to further developing the research skills for your third year project.

You take four papers in total, two of which are compulsory:

Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology

The optional papers are selected from a broad range. The subjects may change from year to year but typically include papers in:

biological and social anthropology
history and philosophy of science
sociology
neurobiology
philosophy
education

You will be assessed via a range of laboratory reports, and written exams.

Year 3 (Part II)

In your final year, you undertake a research dissertation of 7,000 words from a range of topics across the psychological sciences. You also choose a further three papers from a selection available, each of which is assessed via a range of assessments, including written and oral exams.

The subject of these papers may change from year to year but typically include the following topics:

social and developmental psychology
cognitive and experimental psychology
behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
criminology
selected subjects from those offered at Part IB

For further information about studying Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge see the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos website.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

This page details the standard entry requirements for this course. Check the document below for any variations between Colleges (some may ask for an A* in a particular subject for example):

PDF icon PBS entry requirements by College for 2024 entry (these are subject to change and will be finalised by July 2023)

Typical offers require

A Level: A*A*A
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements.

Subject requirements

Required: No specific subjects required by all Colleges, but applicants would normally be expected to have taken A Level/IB Higher Level Biology or Mathematics. Where this is not the case, applicants should show evidence of strong performance in the Sciences to GCSE level (or its equivalent, as demonstrated in a high school transcript). For IB applicants, if taking Maths at Higher Level we recommend Analysis and Approaches for the most competitive application, however Applications and Interpretations will also be considered.

See Entrance requirements and Choosing your post-16 subjects for additional guidance and conditions of entry.

Admission assessment

Some Colleges may require applicants for this course to take a written assessment if shortlisted for interview - please check the document above for details. You will not need to register in advance for this assessment and the Colleges will provide details directly to you.

See Admission assessment for further information.

Submitted work

Applicants to some Colleges are required to submit written work prior to interview. See the 'entry requirements by College' document above for details.

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries.

Typical PBS entrants (A Level and IB)

For 2017, 2018 and 2019 entry, the majority of entrants from an A Level background achieved at least grades A*A*A (65% of entrants). These successful applicants typically took Psychology (78%) and at least one of Biology or Mathematics (82%). For the same period, the majority of International Baccalaureate entrants achieved at least 42 points overall and/or grades 776 at Higher Level.

This information is intended to give you a sense of the academic standard of our typical A Level entrants. We welcome applicants from a range of qualification backgrounds.

Resources

Find out more about Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos - Find out more about Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) on the course website.

PBS FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the PBS course.

Course leaflet - An overview of the PBS course can be found in the leaflet 'Studying Psychology at Cambridge'.

Course structure - Find out more about the PBS course structure.

Preparatory reading - A short recommended reading list can be found towards the bottom of the FAQ page.

Preparing for the TSA Cambridge - Resources to help prepare for the TSA (required for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at some Colleges). Includes practice tests, suggested textbooks and further reading.

Career Prospects - Read about the excellent career prospects of the PBS course.

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