Overview:
The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) course at Cambridge University explores the diverse field of psychology. Additionally, this intersects with anthropology, archaeology, neuroscience, philosophy, and sociology.
The curriculum also covers various topics, including cognitive psychology, psychopathology, language, brain mechanisms, family dynamics, personality, statistics, data science, and group social behaviour.
Furthermore, the department provides access to an extensive range of academic resources, including a well-equipped library with around 50,000 books, over 150 periodicals, and computing facilities.
Moreover, subject societies and seminar programs feature regular talks by guest speakers, enhancing the overall learning experience. As for costs, you can find tuition fee information on the university website. Students are also required to have a University-approved calculator, which costs approximately £23.
The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Course at Cambridge
| UCAS Code | C800 |
| Minimum Entrance Requirements | A-levels – A*AA IB – 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Admission Test for PBS at Cambridge | PBSAA: Section 1 and Section 2 |
| Subject Requirements – PBS at Cambridge | The university expects applicants 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. Alternatively, you can demonstrate its equivalent in a high school transcript. If IB applicants take Maths at Higher Level, the university recommends Analysis and Approaches for the most competitive application. However, Cambridge Psychological and Behavioural Sciences tutors will also consider Applications and Interpretations. |
| Extras things admission tutors look for | Some colleges require students to submit written work prior to interview. |
| Duration | 3 years – BA (Hons) |
| Admissions Statistics | Applications per place: 11 Number accepted: 87 |
| Cambridge Colleges that offer PBS | Available at all Colleges except Peterhouse |
The Structure of PBS Cambridge
| Structure of the PBS at Cambridge | 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 Psychology, Applied Psychology and Individual Differences From Subjective Questions to Objective Science The remaining paper is chosen from a selection of around nine options. Year 2 (Part IB) Part IB provides specialised training in Developmental Psychology and Biological Psychology. This is in addition to further developing the research skills for your third year project. You will also 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. 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 these is assessed via a range of assessments, including written and oral exams. |
| Common Careers after PBS at Cambridge | Graduates of PBS at Cambridge secure opportunities in: Psychology and related fields Social, community and charity work Research and teaching Media Management The Civil Service Finance Law Business |
