Do you need Psychology GCSE or A-Level to study psychology in the UK?

If you're considering studying psychology, you may assume that you need to have taken Psychology at GCSE or A-Level first. However, this is not always the case. 

UK universities set their own entry requirements, and some psychology degree programmes accept applicants who have not previously studied psychology. Depending on the programme, universities may instead consider your overall academic achievement and your background in subjects that develop scientific, analytical, numerical, or communication skills. 

Whether you're considering an undergraduate degree, changing careers, or exploring postgraduate study, understanding the different routes into psychology can help you identify an option that suits your qualifications and goals. 

Do you need a Psychology GCSE to study psychology? 

You do not necessarily need to have studied Psychology at GCSE to apply for a psychology degree in the UK, although GCSE entry requirements vary between universities. 

Individual universities set their own GCSE requirements, which may instead include minimum grades in subjects such as English, mathematics, or science. 

Studying Psychology at GCSE can introduce you to psychological concepts before university, but applicants should check the specific GCSE requirements of each programme they are considering. 

Do you need a Psychology A-Level to study psychology? 

You do not necessarily need A-Level Psychology to apply for a psychology degree in the UK, as entry and subject requirements vary between programmes and providers. 

Depending on the university, applicants may be accepted with subjects such as: 

• Biology 

• Chemistry 

• Mathematics 

• Sociology 

• Geography 

• History 

• English or Literature 

UCAS identifies subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Sociology, Geography, History and Literature as potentially useful preparation for studying psychology. However, requirements vary considerably between universities. 

Some programmes require or prefer applicants to have studied a science or quantitative subject, while others do not specify A-Level subjects. For example, Aston Online’s BSc Psychology specifies A-Level grade requirements without requiring Psychology as a particular A-Level subject. Other universities may have different subject requirements. 

Previous psychology study is not part of every student’s route into the subject. Reflecting on his personal experience of studying the BSc Psychology programme,  

Declan Meager – BSc Psychology student 

Aston Online student Declan Meager says: “I'd never studied psychology before at any level. I was new to it, but that wasn't a barrier. Some of my peers have studied psychology before, at A level, but I've never felt that I was on the back foot. I've never felt that was an impediment.”  

This doesn’t mean that you’ll have the same experience as Declan, but it illustrates how one learner approached the programme without having studied psychology previously. 

The safest approach is to check the entry criteria for each psychology programme before applying. 

Why isn't psychology always required beforehand? 

Many UK psychology degrees introduce students to core areas of the discipline and research methods during the early stages of study. 

Depending on the programme, these areas may include: 

• cognitive psychology 

• developmental psychology 

• biological psychology 

• social psychology 

• individual differences 

• research methods 

• statistics and data analysis. 

For example, psychology programmes at Aston University introduce students to foundational areas of psychology and research methods during the earlier stages of their degrees.introduce students to foundational areas of psychology and research methods during the earlier stages of their degrees. 

This can enable students who have not previously studied psychology to develop the knowledge required for more advanced study. However, programme structures and assumed knowledge vary between universities. 

Can you study psychology if your first degree is in another subject? 

Yes, there may be more than one route available. 

Someone who already holds an undergraduate degree in another subject may be able to apply for a BSc Psychology, depending on the university's admissions requirements. 

However, completing a second bachelor's degree is not necessarily the only option. 

For graduates who do not already hold a British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited psychology degree, a psychology conversion programme may provide another route into graduate-level psychology study. 

Funding should also be considered if you're thinking about completing a second undergraduate degree. Eligibility for undergraduate student finance can depend on factors including previous study, the programme and your individual circumstances. 

What is an MSc Psychology conversion programme? 

An MSc Psychology conversion programme is a postgraduate degree primarily designed for graduates who do not already hold a BPS-accredited psychology degree. 

This can include people whose undergraduate degree was in another discipline. Depending on the university, conversion programmes may also accept graduates who studied psychology previously, but whose degree did not provide the relevant BPS accreditation. 

Rather than requiring you to complete another bachelor's degree, an eligible conversion programme can provide postgraduate study across the core areas of psychology. 

For example, Aston Online’s MSc Psychology (Conversion) is designed for learners who do not already hold a BPS-accredited undergraduate psychology degree. The programme is not intended for applicants who already hold one. 

Individual universities can set additional admissions requirements, so eligibility should always be checked with the programme provider. 

What do you study on an MSc Psychology conversion programme? 

Psychology conversion programmes are designed to provide substantial coverage of the core areas of psychology alongside psychological research methods. 

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s Psychology Subject Benchmark Statement covers both honours degrees in psychology and master's conversion programmes and identifies areas including: 

• biological psychology 

• cognitive psychology 

• developmental psychology 

• individual differences 

• social psychology 

• qualitative research methods 

• quantitative research methods 

• empirical research. 

Conversion programmes may therefore help students develop knowledge of psychological theory alongside skills in research design, data analysis, critical evaluation and independent research. 

Can you do an MSc Psychology conversion with an unrelated degree? 

Depending on the university, yes. 

Psychology conversion programmes can accept graduates from a wide range of academic disciplines. Some UK universities accept applicants with a degree in another subject, provided they meet the programme's other entry requirements. 

This means previous study could include areas such as: 

• Business 

• Education 

• Law 

• Engineering 

• Computing 

• Arts and humanities 

• Social sciences 

• Sciences 

• Health-related subjects. 

These subjects are examples rather than prescribed routes into psychology. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the individual conversion programme. 

For eligible graduates, a conversion MSc can therefore provide a route into graduate-level psychology study without completing a second bachelor's degree. 

Who might consider an MSc Psychology conversion degree? 

A conversion programme may be worth exploring if you've already completed an undergraduate degree but do not hold a BPS-accredited psychology qualification. 

For example, you may: 

• be considering a move into psychology after beginning your career in another field 

• want to develop a deeper academic understanding of human behaviour 

• be interested in further psychology study or research 

• want to apply psychological knowledge within your existing profession 

• need an accredited psychology qualification as part of a longer-term psychology training pathway. 

Conversion programmes can also appeal to learners who want to build on an existing undergraduate qualification rather than starting another bachelor's degree. 

However, completing a conversion MSc does not automatically qualify you to practise as a psychologist. 

Depending on the professional psychology route you want to pursue, further accredited postgraduate training, supervised experience and professional registration may be required. 

What skills can you develop by studying psychology? 

Psychology combines scientific research with the study of human thought and behaviour, enabling students to develop skills applicable across a variety of settings. 

Critical thinking 

You'll have opportunities to evaluate evidence, consider different explanations and draw conclusions based on research. 

Research skills 

You'll gain experience with research design, data collection, qualitative and quantitative methods, and the interpretation of findings. 

Communication 

You'll develop experience communicating psychological concepts and research findings clearly to different audiences. 

Data analysis 

Research methods and statistics can help you develop confidence in analysing data and interpreting evidence. 

Problem-solving 

Studying psychological theories and research can encourage you to examine questions from different perspectives and develop evidence-informed responses. 

These skills may be relevant both within psychology and in areas such as business, education, healthcare, research, marketing and the public sector. 

What careers can psychology lead to? 

Studying psychology does not mean that becoming a psychologist is your only possible career direction. 

Psychological knowledge and the transferable skills developed through study may be relevant to areas including: 

• human resources 

• learning and development 

• marketing and consumer behaviour 

• education 

• healthcare 

• research 

• social care 

• business 

• public-sector organisations. 

If your goal is to become a practitioner psychologist, however, it is important to research the requirements of the profession you are interested in. 

Professional psychology routes can require further accredited postgraduate training, relevant experience and registration in addition to an undergraduate or conversion psychology qualification. 

Choosing the right route into psychology 

There is no single route into studying psychology. 

You might begin after studying psychology at school or college, enter a psychology degree with a different combination of A-Level subjects, or discover an interest in the discipline after completing a degree and beginning your career. 

If you already hold a degree that is not BPS-accredited, a Psychology conversion MSc may provide a more direct postgraduate route than completing a second bachelor's degree, provided you meet the programme's entry requirements. 

Whichever route you're considering, check: 

• the university's academic entry requirements 

• whether particular GCSE or A-Level subjects are required 

• whether the programme is BPS-accredited, if this is relevant to your goals 

• whether your existing qualifications meet the programme's requirements 

• what further training may be required for your intended career 

• your eligibility for funding. 

Final thoughts 

You do not necessarily need Psychology GCSE or A-Level to study psychology in the UK. 

Universities have different admissions requirements, and some psychology degrees accept students who have not previously studied the subject. Many programmes introduce core areas of psychology and research methods during the early stages of study, helping students develop the academic foundation needed to progress. 

If you already hold a degree in another discipline, you may also be able to explore postgraduate conversion study. An MSc Psychology conversion programme is primarily intended for graduates who do not already hold a BPS-accredited psychology degree and can provide a route into graduate-level psychology study without completing another bachelor's degree. 

The right option will depend on your existing qualifications and what you hope to do next, so always check the entry, accreditation and professional training requirements associated with your chosen programme and career path. 

Explore your psychology study options with Aston Online 

If you're considering your first undergraduate degree, explore Aston Online’s BSc Psychology and review its curriculum and entry requirements. 

If you already hold a degree and do not have a BPS-accredited undergraduate psychology qualification, explore Aston Online’s MSc Psychology (Conversion) to find out whether the postgraduate conversion route may be suitable for you.