BSc Psychology

We require grades AAA including one or more of: Psychology, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Mathematics, Further Maths, Applied Science.

We accept only one performance-based A-level (eg photography, drama, art/design, music or media studies). Subjects with overlapping content are not normally considered as separate A-levels; Further Mathematics is not considered alongside Mathematics and Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology.

If you want to check that your specific subjects are suitable for entry to this course, please contact us by emailing ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk . 

Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

We exclude General Studies from a standard offer.

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

We normally require at least five GCSEs at minimum grade B/6, including English Language and Mathematics. If an applicant has a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics, but has a grade 6 in the other subject, we would advise they still apply.

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 2 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4.

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 4 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4. 

We require 36 points overall with grades 6,6,6 in higher level subjects, one of which must include Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics (AA or AI are both considered).

We accept only one performance-based subject at higher level, for example, Visual Arts, Design Tech, Theatre, Film, Music, Dance.

If you want to check that your specific subjects are suitable for entry to this course, please contact us by emailing ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk .

We welcome applications from overseas students. Country-specific information can be found on the University website . However, this is for general information only, as specific entry requirements may be different for the BSc Psychology course.

Please contact us at ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk to check specific requirements for your country before you apply for the BSc Psychology course.

Advanced Placement Tests

We require grades 5,5,5 with subject specific requirements (contact us at ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk to check specific requirements). We will also consider your full educational background in conjunction with your Advanced Placement Tests.

We require grades AAABB together with grade A in Advanced Higher in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology. If you have not studied National 5 qualifications, we would expect you to have studied English and Mathematics at Higher level.

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A level entry requirements.

We require an overall grade of 85% with a minimum of Grade 8 in two subjects (on of which must be a science or Psychology).

The University recognises the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.

In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.

The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme in Business, are required to achieve AAA, which must include Mathematics and an EAP score of B. 

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme in Psychology/Science, are required to achieve AAA in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics and an EAP score of B.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year in Business or Science are required to achieve AAA (including one science) and an EAP requirements score of A.

For all other foundation years, we consider your full educational background.

A decision about your suitability for this course will not be taken based solely on the foundation year completed and will include all prior qualifications. Applicants should pass the Foundation Year (min 75% overall) at the first attempt as resits may not be considered.  

BTEC National Extended Diploma

We require successful completion of a BTEC National Extended Diploma at grades DDD alongside grade A in one of the following A-levels: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

BTEC National Diploma

We require successful completion of a BTEC National Diploma at grades D*D in a science-based subject with one A-level at grade A. If the BTEC National Diploma is in a non-science subject, the A-level must be in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

BTEC National Foundation Diploma

We accept the BTEC National Foundation Diploma at grade D* in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AA.

BTEC National Extended Certificate

We accept the BTEC National Extended Certificate at grade D* in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AA.

Please note, we do not accept the CACHE qualification.

Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

We require successful completion of a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma at grades D*D*D alongside grade A in one of the following A-levels: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

Cambridge Technical Diploma

We require successful completion of a Cambridge Technical Diploma at grades D*D in a science-based subject with one A-level at grade A. If the Technical Diploma is in a non-science subject, the A-level must be in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

We accept the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma at grade D* in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AA.

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

We accept the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at grade D* in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside 2 A-level subjects, one of which to include: Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology with minimum grades AA.

Please note, we do not accept the CACHE qualification.

For Access to Higher Education courses, an overall of 60 credits are required with 45 at Level 3 and all 45 credits must be graded at Distinction. 15 credits must be in a science subject.

You may be asked to provide a sample of previous coursework and/or to attend an interview if it is thought that further information is required on your application.

You should also have a good set of GCSEs (minimum of five subjects) with English Language and Mathematics at Grade B/6, or equivalent. Students educated up to GCSE level who have only taken a one-year Access course will not normally be accepted.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken to include either Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. Grades required will be D3 and/or A.

We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this course. The University does accept specific T Level qualifications on a number of courses please review to our T Level information page for a full list.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (eg AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies). 

Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.

This course will accept grade B in Core Mathematics in lieu of the correct grade in GCSE Mathematics.

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course. We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the academic School for your chosen course who will be able to help you. 

Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.  Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest.  There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.

The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates.  If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.  Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )

If you have international qualifications, you may be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability.

Minimum requirements are typically:

• Grade B/6 GCSE English. We will accept C+ in the Northern Ireland reformed GCSE;
• TOEFL (iBT) - 100 with component scores of at least 25;
• IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each component;
• CIE OR UCLES 1119 English at Grade B.

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

A small number of scholarships may be available.

Applications are considered on the basis of the UCAS form. Candidates may be interviewed online or by telephone, or asked to complete an alternative admissions statement.

Applicants whose personal statement is specific to a different discipline

Because of the high volume of applications we receive, we will not consider those applicants who choose Psychology as a second option and whose personal statement is geared towards a different discipline.

Applications from those who are returning to education are encouraged.

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Requests for deferred entry are granted on the discretion of admissions staff, and are normally granted for one year only. Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date.

If you are resitting your A-levels we will reconsider your application provided you have obtained a minimum of BBB (or equivalent grades) at first attempt. Applicants whose first attempt grades are below BBB (or equivalent grades) may be automatically rejected.

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing, the places will be subject to availability.

The psychology units you will take throughout your degree each fall under one of the following themes.

Adaptability and wellbeing

What are the risk factors for developing psychological disorders? How can we influence choices made by the population, to help promote healthy behaviours?

You will learn from practicing clinicians, health psychologists and field-leading researchers to explore mental health, the influence of individual differences (including personality), ways we can influence choices important to wellbeing, and criminal behaviour.

Psychology in society

What influence does social media have on political attitudes? How can police procedures be optimised to achieve the accurate identification of perpetrators? How do our implicit or unconcious attitudes guide our behaviour and the way we evaluate others?

This theme examines society through a psychological lens, covering a range of topics in social psychology, as well as the application of psychology to politics, the workplace and forensic settings. Having been introduced to key theories, you will evaluate the research evidence cited to support those theories and consider their application in a range of real-world contexts.

Mind and brain

How do we perceive and make sense of the world around us? How can we use sensory information to control our actions?

Our units on cognition will help you understand the brain mechanisms and processes underlying learning and memory, what attention is and how it changes throughout our lives, and how emotion can influence our decisions.

You will learn from experimental studies in healthy people, neuropsychological studies in people with neurological disorders, and insights provided by the latest neuroimaging techniques.

Evolution and development

How do infants come to understand the world around them? What factors influence our cognitive abilities as we move into mid- and late-adult life?

In this set of units, you will learn about how people change throughout the lifespan, from learning to crawl to coping with retirement.

Our units on evolution will also ask how human development differs from that of other animals - what, if anything, sets us apart?

Please note, the course curriculum is currently under review for 2025.

Compulsory units from the four course themes will be supplemented with training in research methods and statistics and a unit designed to support skill and career development.

You will have the opportunity to replace the Group Dynamics unit for a 10 credit unit from the University Language Centre.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Course units from the four course themes will integrate training in research methods and will be supplemented with training in statistics and other course units focused on the application of psychology (eg forensic psychology), as well as those designed to support skill and career development.

You will have the opportunity to replace up to two Psychology units with a diverse range offered by the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning or the University Language Centre, enabling you to broaden your educational horizons. (N.B. there are some restrictions on which unit combinations can be replaced in order to satisfy British Psychological Society Accreditation requirements).

You will also have the opportunity to undertake a short (30-hour) work placement.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Units offered in your final year reflect the research interests of our staff. You are free to select four of these advanced units (taking two in each semester), meaning that you can tailor your degree to match personal interests and future ambitions.

Students wanting to broaden their degree can also opt to swap one advanced psychology unit for up to two non-psychology units from choices offered by University College , Business and Management for all Programmes or the University Language Centre.

You will also undertake a year-long research project, choosing from a wide choice of topics, supervised by a member of staff.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

The course is accredited as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of  The British Psychological Society  and the Graduate Basis for Registration.

The latter is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. To be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Registration, you must gain a minimum of an Upper Second degree classification and pass the Final Year Project unit.