The course information on this page is for 2024 entry. Details for 2025 entry will be published in March 2024.
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.