The University of Cambridge is one of the most selective universities in the world. Each year, it receives approximately six applications per place, making competition for an offer exceptionally high across most subjects.
Psychology at the University of Cambridge is taught as a three-year Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) BA, reflecting a broad, interdisciplinary approach that situates psychology within the wider behavioural and social sciences. The course covers cognitive, biological, developmental, and social psychology, while drawing on related disciplines such as neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology.
In this guide, we explore the full range of entry requirements and admissions expectations for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, alongside admissions statistics to provide context on competitiveness.
Is Oxford or Cambridge Better For Psychology?
Oxford’s Experimental Psychology degree places a strong emphasis on experimental design, quantitative methods, and research-led study from the outset. In contrast, Cambridge’s Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) BA offers a broader interdisciplinary framework, allowing students to study core psychology alongside optional papers in areas such as philosophy, politics, education, and criminology. While Oxford also provides interdisciplinary study through its Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics (PPL) degrees, these combinations are tightly pre-defined.
This breadth makes Cambridge particularly well suited to students interested in understanding behaviour across biological, social, and cultural levels, while still maintaining rigorous scientific and statistical training. Oxford may appeal more to applicants seeking a strongly research-focused and experimentally intensive course from the beginning. Ultimately, both universities are highly selective, and the better choice depends on whether an applicant values breadth and flexibility (Cambridge) or experimental depth and early research specialisation (Oxford).
For applicants considering both universities, we also provide a dedicated guide covering the entry requirements for Psychology at the University of Oxford.
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Cambridge Psychology Entry Requirements
In this section, we outline the entry requirements for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) at the University of Cambridge, including minimum academic offers, subject requirements, and important College-level variations. As with all Cambridge courses, admissions decisions are made by individual Colleges, meaning offers can vary depending on where you apply.
A-Level Requirements
The typical minimum offer for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge is A*A*A at A-level.
To be eligible to apply, applicants must study at least one science or quantitative subject at A-level (or an equivalent qualification). Accepted subjects include:
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Physics
Some Colleges specify which science subject(s) they require and may ask for an A* in a particular subject. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to check the specific entry requirements of their chosen College before applying.
It is also worth noting that a significant proportion of successful applicants exceed the minimum offer. Around a third of PBS students who entered Cambridge in recent years achieved A*A*A* or higher, reflecting the high level of competition for places.
Although A-level Psychology is not a required subject, the majority of successful applicants (81%) have studied it. This reflects applicant interest rather than a formal admissions preference, as Cambridge prioritises strong scientific and mathematical foundations over prior psychology knowledge.
Typical A-Level Offer
Grades: A*A*A
Required Subjects: At least one science or Mathematics:
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Physics
Alternative Qualifications
The following qualifications are typically accepted as alternatives to A-levels:
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Applicants offering the IB Diploma are typically expected to achieve 41–42 points overall, with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level. Some Colleges usually make IB offers above the minimum offer level, including Churchill, Corpus, and Selwyn.
As with A-levels, applicants must study at least one relevant science subject or Mathematics at Higher Level. While the published minimum offer is 41-42 points, many successful applicants exceed this, with a large proportion achieving 43 points or higher and strong Higher Level grades.
Typical Minimum IB Offer: 41-42 points
- Higher Level Requirement: 7, 7, 6
Required Subjects: At least one science or Mathematics:
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Physics
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches is recommended for the most competitive applications, though Applications and Interpretations will also be considered.
Scottish Advanced Highers
For Psychology at Cambridge, applicants are generally expected to achieve A1, A1, A2 in Advanced Highers.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Typical offer: H1, H1, H1, H2, H2 with H1 in subjects more relevant to the course, such as:
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Physics
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate
Personal Statement
As part of your Cambridge application through UCAS, you will need to submit a personal statement of up to 4,000 characters long. This is your opportunity to demonstrate the qualities that make you a strong candidate for Psychology at Cambridge. Personal statements for Oxbridge have to be submitted by October 15th, which is significantly earlier than the standard UCAS deadline.
Cambridge admissions tutors are looking for applicants who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in psychology that extends beyond the school curriculum. Your personal statement should show how you have developed this interest over time, but it is equally important to demonstrate that you have thought critically about the subject at undergraduate level. This includes reflecting on the kinds of material you may encounter on the course, how it connects to your current interests, and how it might shape your academic development in the future. Wider reading can support this, but successful statements go beyond listing books by clearly engaging with ideas and demonstrating independent thought.
To support your application, we have a dedicated guide on writing a successful personal statement for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge, highlighting what has made past submissions effective and how to present your academic interests and skills convincingly.
To support your application, we have a dedicated guide on writing a successful personal statement for Psychology at Oxford, highlighting what made past submissions effective and how you can present your skills and interests compellingly.
Interviews
Everything done up until this stage will be viewed by the admissions team at your chosen Cambridge college, who will then shortlist applicants to invite to a round of interviews.
Interviews at Cambridge are a central part of the selection process and are designed to assess academic potential, reasoning ability, and how applicants engage with their subject.
Unlike job interviews, Cambridge interviews are best understood as academic discussions (with someone who has an in-depth knowledge of the subject). During these interviews, applicants are encouraged to explain their thinking, respond to follow-up questions, and engage critically with new material.
Interviews may be online or in person, depending on which College is assessing your application. Applicants should expect to receive an invitation for an interview, usually between the middle of November and early December and attend one to four interviews during the main interview period, which usually takes place in early to mid-December. You may be given only a week’s notice that you have been shortlisted, so you should make sure that you are going to be available during this time as interviews cannot be rearranged (unless under exceptional circumstances).
Being invited to an interview at Cambridge is a significant academic achievement in its own right, so if you receive an invitation, congratulations. If you are not invited to interview, this unfortunately means that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
College Admission Assessments
If you are applying to either Selwyn or St Edmund’s College only, there are some additional assessments you will need to sit.
Selwyn College
St Edmund’s College
Tests
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How Competitive Is Experimental Psychology At Oxford?
Over a five-year period from 2020-2025 the University received 132,985 applications, with 22,243 acceptances. A total of 27,625 offers were made, indicating that the majority of offer-holders went on to accept their offer and meet the required conditions, resulting in a relatively small gap between offers issued and final admissions. This context highlights the intense competition across Cambridge as a whole.
Cambridge PBS Admissions Statistics, 2020-2025
When focusing specifically on PBS, the level of competition remains high. Over the same five-year period from 2020 to 2025, Cambridge’s PBS received 4,632 applications, from which 631 offers were made. Of these, 502 applicants ultimately accepted their offer and secured a place.
This corresponds to an offer rate of approximately 13.6% and a final acceptance rate of around 10.8%. While PBS is not among Cambridge’s most oversubscribed courses by volume, these figures demonstrate that it remains highly selective (slightly more selective than Oxford’s Experimental Psychology in recent cycles), with a clear distinction between applicants who meet the entry requirements and those who are ultimately offered a place.
Applications: 4,632
Offers: 631
Admitted Students: 502
Offer Rate: 13.6%
Offer-holder Acceptance Rate: 79.6%
Overall Enrolment Rate: 10.8%
Conclusion
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge is a highly selective and academically demanding course that rewards applicants with strong scientific curiosity, intellectual flexibility, and a genuine interest in understanding human behaviour from multiple perspectives. The admissions process is designed to identify students who can engage critically with complex ideas, apply quantitative reasoning, and thrive in an interdisciplinary academic environment.
From subject choices and academic attainment to personal statements, interviews, and College-specific assessments, each stage of the application plays a crucial role in distinguishing between strong applicants in an extremely competitive field. With offer rates typically well below 15%, meeting the entry requirements alone is not enough – successful candidates are those who can clearly demonstrate academic potential, independent thinking, and readiness for degree-level study.
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fAQs
1. Do I need A-level Psychology to apply for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge?
No. A-level Psychology is not required to apply for PBS at Cambridge. Instead, applicants must have studied at least one science or quantitative subject, such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Computer Science. Although a high proportion of successful applicants have taken Psychology at A-level, Cambridge prioritises strong scientific and mathematical foundations over prior psychology knowledge.
2. Which science subject is best for Cambridge Psychology?
There is no single “best” subject, but Mathematics and Biology are particularly well regarded due to the course’s emphasis on statistics, data analysis, and biological approaches to behaviour. Applicants offering Mathematics (especially IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches) are often well prepared for the quantitative aspects of the course. Ultimately, Cambridge values strong performance in any relevant science subject.
3. Are Cambridge Psychology offers the same across all Colleges?
No. While the minimum offer level is set centrally by the University, individual Colleges may set higher offers or additional subject requirements. Some Colleges also require written work or admissions assessments as part of the selection process. Applicants should always check both the central University guidance and their chosen College’s admissions page before applying.
4. How important are interviews for Cambridge PBS?
Interviews play a central role in Cambridge admissions. They are designed to assess academic potential, reasoning ability, and how applicants engage with unfamiliar material – not just what they already know. Strong interview performance can significantly strengthen an application, particularly in a course as competitive as Psychological and Behavioural Sciences.
