Best universities for psychology degrees in the UK 2024

An overview to Best UK universities for Psychology

Psychology is one of the most interesting subjects you can study! It gives an insight into the human mind. It tells us what people are thinking, and why they do things a certain way. Simply put, psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. Psychologists try to explain why intelligent people think of themselves as average, how memory works, or how music can change your mood! No wonder millions of people want to study psychology. To help aspiring students, we have collated a list of the best UK universities for psychology. We have also shared details about the duration, eligibility, and fee for the courses these universities offer.

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University of Oxford

The MSc in Psychological Research is a one-year taught master’s course at the University of Oxford. During this course, you will get hands-on training in the core research themes associated with psychology and it is one of the Best UK universities for psychology .

These research training programs cover behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, developmental science, and social psychology.

• Duration – 12 months, full-time
• Eligibility – A first-class/a strong second-class bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
• Documents needed – Transcripts, CV, Personal Statement, 2-3 letters of recommendation
• Tuition – #23,505 per annum
• Living cost – Between #1,135 and #1,650 per month

At the same time, you will learn in-depth about several subjects, including statistical methods, emotion, language, and brain & cognition. Once you graduate, you can go on to undertake a Ph.D. at Oxford or other institutions. Or you can continue to pursue your psychology career in consultancy and government.

University of Cambridge

The MPhil in Psychology at Cambridge is a one year, full-time research program. This means that, for one year, you will be completely immersed in researching and preparing a thesis about a topic in psychology.

You can choose to research in any area of psychology that you like and an individual supervisor will be assigned to you. Your supervisor will guide and help you whenever you get stuck.

• Duration – 12 months, full-time (24 months, part-time)
• Eligibility – A 3.5 out of 4 GPA, IELTS (7 out of 9) or TOEFL (100 out of 120)
• Documents needed – CV, a brief SOP, Research proposal
• Tuition – Fully funded
• Living cost – #9,670 per year

To this end, the application process demands that you first go through the list of potential supervisors. Once you have chosen a supervisor, you will have to share your CV and a brief on your area of interest with them. If they support your application, go ahead, and start your admissions process. In case the admissions committee finds your research proposal innovative and feasible, your application will be accepted.

University of St. Andrews

Founded in 1413, St. Andrews is one of the best UK universities for psychology students. You will find a number of postgraduate taught and research programs in psychology. These psychology masters programs include evolutionary and comparative psychology, health psychology, neuroscience, research methods, and dementia care and it is one of the Top universities for Psychology UK .

• Duration – 12 months, full-time 
• Eligibility – A good 2.1 Honors degree in psychology, TOEFL or IELTS 
• Documents needed – CV, Personal statement, Academic work, 2 references, transcripts
• Tuition – #23,090
• Living cost – #9,084 per year

On the other hand, the programs that focus on research will let you major in 4 major areas. These include social processes, perception, cognition & action, neuroscience, and the origin of mind! You will pick up a bunch of practical skills associated with various approaches to the study of the human mind. And the degree will leave you with an in-depth knowledge of advanced research training in a range of subjects you find interesting.

University of Bath

The University of Bath is highly ranked for overall student satisfaction and graduate employment. So, you can choose from a range of options, from taught master’s degrees to research degrees and it is one of the best university to Study psychology in UK international students and this university has one of the best psychology Degree in the UK .

You can learn Clinical, Health, or Forensic Psychology, Counselling, Economic Behavior, or even research in Clinical Psychology.

• Duration – 12 months, full-time (24 months, part-time)
• Eligibility – A 2:1 Honors degree in psychology, TOEFL (90 out of 120) or IELTS (6.5 out of 9) 
• Documents needed – Personal statement
• Tuition – #17,400 to #19,400
• Living cost – #310.00 per week

Studying psychology at the University of Bath will set you up with the knowledge and skills to move into a range of health service and research careers. It can be your foundation for further postgraduate training or research in psychology. The degree will even help you prepare for work as an assistant psychologist.

King’s College London

The Department of Psychology at King’s College has distinguished programs of research, teaching, and clinical practice. You can pick from a range of postgraduate courses.

These include a master’s in Health Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Psychology, and Mental Health.

• Duration – 12 months
• Eligibility – A 2:2 Honors degree in psychology, IELTS 
• Documents needed – CV, Personal statement, Transcripts and 2 letters of recommendation
• Tuition – #17,700 to #30,200
• Living cost – #1,250 per month

While studying, you will have the opportunity to conduct research on mental and physical health disorders. Also, you will learn how to develop and evaluate new psychological treatments. The course will hone your expertise in applied research and prepare for academic research, or a Ph.D.

University of Glasgow

The School of Psychology at Glasgow conducts extensive research to increase our understanding of human behavior. It’s one of the best UK universities for psychology. Here, you can either pursue a taught degree or choose to apply for postgraduate opportunities.

The taught psychology master’s degree can be in Philosophy of Mind & Psychology, Brain Sciences, and Psychological Science & Research Methods. They also offer an online course for students who want to switch to Psychology.

• Duration – 12 months
• Eligibility – A Second-class Honors degree in Psychology or a relevant subject, IELTS (6.5 out of 9) or TOEFL (90 out of 120)
• Documents needed – Degree certificate, Transcripts, and one LOR
• Tuition – #18,370 to #23,500 for on-campus courses, #15,000 for the online course
• Living cost – #13,060 per year

For students interested in research, the University of Glasgow has labs for Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. You will also have access to state-of-the-art devices for studying brain processes and mental activities. Plus, the university provides an excellent environment for a thriving postgraduate community and interdisciplinary science.

University of Bristol

The School of Psychological Science offers two masters courses that cover clinical and applied neuropsychology. The taught program offers an MSc in Experimental Psychology for students looking to switch careers.

On the other hand, the research program focuses on the experimental study of cognitive processes, brain, behavior & health, and decision making & rationality.

• Duration – 12 months
• Eligibility – An upper second-class honors degree, IELTS
• Documents needed – Not mentioned
• Tuition – #21,400 (taught) #23,200 (research) 
• Living cost – #9,000 to #15,000 a year

Students graduating from The School of Psychological science can chart their careers as chartered psychologists, and specialize in several areas. So, students can build a career in clinical, educational, health, sport, counseling, forensic, occupational, neuro, or research psychology!

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter comes in the top 50 universities for Psychology worldwide. It is one of the best UK universities for psychology. Its Psychology Department has over 170 people in staff, who teach a hundred postgraduate students every year.

As a prospective student, you can choose from a number of psychology graduate programs. These include Animal Behavior, Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Research Methods. The research programs, on the other hand, focus on the practice and research in the field of Clinical Psychology.

• Duration – 12 months, full-time (24 months, part-time)
• Eligibility – A 2:1 Honors degree or equivalent in Psychology, IELTS or TOEFL
• Documents needed – Transcripts, one LOR, and a research proposal for a research application
• Tuition – #22,500 
• Living cost – #1015 a month

What’s more, you’ll get to participate in the latest research, and cover topics like Animal Behavior, Cognition, Neuropsychology, Mood Disorders, Addiction, etcetera! The courses will focus on your personal and professional development by providing a friendly and stimulating intellectual environment.

Lancaster University

Ranked highly for career prospects, Lancaster University is known for the unique course it offers in Psychology of Advertising. Apart from that, you can also master in Developmental Psychology, Disorders, and Research Methods.

All these taught programs are designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the concepts, advanced methods, and techniques used to gauge psychological processes.

• Duration – 12 months, full time (24 months, part-time)
• Eligibility – A 2:1 Honors degree in a related field, IELTS (6.5 out of 9)
• Documents needed – Not mentioned
• Tuition – #22,500 
• Living cost – #12,012

Lancaster University conducts research that is recognized by well-known researchers from all over the world. The research areas cover Early Development, Language & Literacy, Perception & Action, and Various Social Processes. Thanks to high academic standards and a friendly environment, students are driven by the latest findings in psychology.

Durham University

The Department of Psychology at Durham University was founded with the aim to understand and improve how people perceive, think, act, react, and interact. To that end, students at Durham conduct research with world experts, use cutting-edge technologies, and actively prepare for a working life.

You can pick from several taught courses, including Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychopathology, Behavioral Science, and Research Methods.

• Duration – 12 months, full time
• Eligibility – A 2:1 Honors degree in Psychology or a related field, IELTS (6.5 out of 9) or TOEFL (92 out of 120)
• Documents needed – Transcripts and 2 letters of recommendation
• Tuition – #25,000 
• Living cost – #6,355 to #10,078

Students interested in research programs can work on projects like Perception, Action & Awareness, Developmental Science, Social Psychology, and Learning, Memory & Cognition.

So, all these programs are designed to provide you with the core skills, ideal for continuing on to complete a Ph.D., taking a research position, or entering the workplace.

University of York

Founded in 1974, the Department of Psychology at the University of York is a leading research and teaching establishment. The department has over 40 faculty members and accepts 90 postgraduate students every year.

Their taught courses cover Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Neuroscience, and Development, Disorders & Clinical Science. Moreover, students have the opportunity to conduct research as they participate in Experimental Psychology.

• Duration – 12 months, full time
• Eligibility – A 2:1 Honors degree in Psychology or a related field, IELTS (7 out of 9) or TOEFL (96 out of 120)
• Documents needed – Transcripts and one academic reference
• Tuition – #22,720
• Living cost – #9,571 to #14,008

The department also offers full-time and part-time research degrees leading to MPhil. As students graduate, they take up lectureships and research positions in leading universities worldwide.

Other students, depending on their choice of subject, can end up having a career in Forensic, Educational, Child Psychology, Market Research, Social Work, Management Consulting, Human Resources, or even Media! So, if you’re asking ‘What can I do with a master’s in psychology?’, think again.

Which university is the best for me?

To find out, first decide which course type you’re interested in. Do you want to study psychology or would you prefer to conduct actual research? Once you know that, you can pick a program of your choice. But while doing so, make sure you’re eligible to apply for it.

In case you’re switching to psychology from another field, go for a degree in Psychology (Conversion). Most of the universities on the best UK universities for psychology list offer a conversion program for students just like you!

Once you have decided which program you’re going to apply for, it’s time to prepare for the standard tests. At the same time, I suggest you start collating all the documents you’ll need for your application.

All the best!

Key takeaways

• Pursuing a Master’s in Psychology in the UK offers a chance to explore the complexities of the human mind. Several universities in the UK provide outstanding psychology programs.
• The UK boasts a range of universities renowned for their psychology courses. Some top choices include the University of Cambridge, University of Bath, King’s College London, and University of York.
• These universities offer various psychology programs, encompassing areas like clinical psychology, neuroscience, research methods, cognitive psychology, and more.
• Tuition fees and living costs vary among universities and cities in the UK, so you should research and plan your finances accordingly.

We hope this blog was insightful. If you have any questions or would like further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

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FAQs

Q1) What is the eligibility criteria for psychology in the UK?

Answer: Eligibility typically includes a strong undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field, English language proficiency tests, LORs, an SOP, and in some cases, a research proposal. Requirements may vary by university and program.

Q2) How much does it cost to study psychology in the UK?

Answer: Tuition and living costs vary among universities and cities in the UK. However, you can expect to spend approximately 50,000 euros annually including all expenses.

Q3) What career opportunities are available with a Master’s in Psychology from the UK?

Answer: A Master’s in Psychology from the UK can open doors to various career paths, including clinical psychology, research, counseling, social work, HR, and more.