Psychology A Level

Last year, 102 BHASVIC students went onto study Psychology-related degrees at 44 different universities. 

It is regularly in the top two subjects our students go onto study at university. 

Popular universities included Bristol UWE, Royal Holloway, Chichester, Liverpool, Exeter, Manchester and Sussex. One student went onto study Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge which is extremely competitive. 

Should I study Psychology at degree level? 

How do children acquire language? Why do we forget things? What makes a good leader? If these sorts of questions interest you, psychology could appeal. The BSc Psychology course starts off almost like an A-Level overlap in the first year, but gets rapidly more challenging, particularly noticeable with the neuroscience components. 

Types of Psychology degree 

You can choose to study single honours Psychology or a closely related subject, for example 

• Criminology 

• Behaviour 

• Applied Psychology 

• Criminal Psychology 

• Forensic Psychology 

• Neuroscience 

Entry Requirements 

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required 

• No Specific Requirements 

Useful to have 

• Psychology 

• Sociology 

• Biology 

• Mathematics 

Top Universities for Psychology 

Oxford, Bath, Cambridge,  St Andrews, Durham 
Loughborough, Newcastle, Kent, York – all very high student satisfaction scores 
Lancaster, Leeds, Southampton - all with top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

• Criminology and Criminal Psychology 

• Psychology (Sport, Health and Exercise) 

• Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience (Including Placement Year) 

• Forensic Psychology 

Example entry requirements: 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents (please check):  

Newcastle Psychology A,A,A 
Bristol UWE Psychology UCAS Points: UCAS Points 128 
Sheffield Hallam Criminology & Psychology UCAS Points 112-120 

Why not try a foundation degree or higher apprenticeship? 
Coventry Applied Psychology (Foundation) UCAS Points: 40 

Some examples of Psychology-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

• Applied Psychology (Clinical) 

• Business Psychology 

• Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology with Industrial/Professional Experience 

• Cognitive Psychology with a Year Abroad 

• Counselling and Mental Health 

• Criminology with Forensic Psychology 

• Forensic Investigative Psychology 

• Marketing with Psychology 

• Music and Music Psychology 

• Neuroscience and Psychology 

• Philosophy and Psychology 

• Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought 

• Psychological and Behavioural Sciences 

• Psychology (Study Abroad) 

• Psychology (with a professional placement year) 

• Psychology in Education 

• Psychology with Clinical Psychology 

• Psychology with Criminology 

• Psychology with Mental Health 

• Psychology, Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience 

• Psychology (Clinical) 

• Psychology and Sociology 

• Psychology and Sport & Exercise Sciences 

• Psychology with Business and Management 

• Psychology, Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience 

• Sport and Exercise Psychology 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

Studying psychology gives you a broad range of skills that span both science and the arts which open up opportunities with many employers 

• Advice worker 

• Psychology wellbeing practitioner 

• Careers adviser 

• Social Worker 

• Counsellor 

• Occupational Therapist 

• Detective 

• Human resources officer 

• Life coach 

• Market researcher 

• Play therapist 

• Psychotherapist 

Career Prospects 

Jobs in psychology itself are incredibly competitive, so to stand a chance of securing one, you need to get a postgraduate qualification (probably a doctorate in most fields) and some relevant work experience. 

But even though there are so many psychology graduates far more than there are jobs in psychology this subject has a lower unemployment rate than average because its students are so flexible and well regarded by business. With a mix of good people skills and with excellent number andb data handling skills, studying psychology ticks most employers' boxes. 

Local Market Information 

Education 

There is a pressing need for pastoral care workers in Education which is an excellent route for Psychology graduates. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

• Antisocial behaviour Caseworker 

• Assistant Psychologist 

• Mental health Caseworker 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Psychology that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Understanding different theories and analysing data, critical thinking, presentation skills, understanding different perspectives, discussion and presenting arguments 

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

• Construction 

• Creative & Cultural 

• Digital (includes IT and Technology)  

• Engineering & Manufacturing 

• Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  

• Visitor & Hospitality  

• Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  

• Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Health Care Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study include: 

• Applied Psychology (Clinical) 

• Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology with Industrial/Professional Experience 

• Counselling and Mental Health 

• Psychology with Clinical Psychology 

• Psychology, Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience 

• Sport and Exercise Psychology 

Career choices that match the Health Care Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study include: 

• Mental health Nursing 

• Wellbeing Consultant 

• A wide variety of pastoral work in Education 

• Business Psychology 

• HR 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.