Top UK Universities For Psychology – Rankings And League Table

Looking To Study Psychology In The UK?

Check out our full guide on the top universities offering psychology degrees to study at in the UK. We’ve also curated a list of high-ranking universities which offer affordable, globally-recognized qualifications for Psychology.

Table of Contents

UK University League Table For Psychology (Updated 2022 Rankings)

The University League Table for Psychology shows some of the top ranking universities to study Psychology in the UK. We’ve compiled a list of universities you should look out for, sorted by UK and global ranking as well entry requirements.

Top UK Universities for Psychology League Table

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Subject Ranking	University	UK Ranking	World Ranking	Location	A Level Reqs	IB Reqs	IELTS	Tuition (per year)
1	University of Oxford	1	2	Oxford	A*AA	39	7	£25,900
2	University of Cambridge	2	3	Cambridge	A*AA	40–42	7.5	£33,825
3	University of St Andrews	4	91	Fife, Scotland	AAB	36	7	£ 25,100
4	University of Bath	10	166	Bath	A*AA	36	7	£23,400
5	University College London	8	8	London	A*AA	39	6.5	£ 31,200

Recommended UK Universities for Psychology League Table

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Subject Ranking	University	UK Ranking	World Ranking	Location	A Level Reqs	IB Reqs	IELTS	Tuition (per year)
8	Durham University	6	82	Durham	AAA	37	6.5	£ 27,350
10	Newcastle University	37	134	Newcastle	AAA-AAB	35	6.5	£23,400
13	University of Exeter	13	149	Exeter	AAA	36	6.5	£ 23,800
18	Loughborough University	7	231	Loughborough	AAB	36	6.5	£ 24,650
21	University of Nottingham	24	103	Nottingham	AAB-AAA	34-36	6.5	£ 25,000
30	Lancaster University	11	132	Lancaster	AAB	35	6.5	£24,070

Top Psychology Schools In The UK

Coming in at number 3 is none other than Scotland’s University of St. Andrews. With a long history of academic excellence and northern charm, it makes a prime choice for students who want to experience the coastal city of Fife.

A notable mention, the University of Bath sits among top universities like Oxford and Cambridge (who rank number 1 and number 2, respectively). Bath ranks at number 4 in subject ranking for Psychology in the UK . The course is a 3-year program designed to equip you with everything you need to become a fully certified psychologist.

If you prefer the hustle and bustle of the city, check out University College London and experience studying and making connections in this well-known metropolis, also a melting pot of cultures from different walks of life.

Recommended Psychology Courses In The UK

Located in the historic Durham City, Durham University’s psychology course ranked as the 8th best in the 2022 UK rankings. Studying there also means you get to experience a rich cultural environment filled with history and lush, beautiful landscapes.

The University of Exeter offers a distinguished yet affordable psychology degree for hopeful students. The campus comes equipped with specialist learning and research facilities include the Mood Disorders Centre, labs for studying animal learning, and equipment for measuring eye movement and brain activity.

Loughborough University is a top 10 university in the UK which also offers a work placement year in another country for those interested in travelling and experiencing different cultures. The extra work placement year is a paid employment and earns the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) which is an additional qualification to the final degree.

Lancaster University is a top 15 university in the UK with a relatively lower entry requirement (AAB / 38 IB). While studying there, you can spend time exploring lush surrounding outdoors and forests, as well as the sights and sounds of the ancient city of Lancaster. It’s location in the centre of UK makes it the perfect location hub for visiting the rest of Great Britain.

How To Apply To Study Psychology In The UK?

Step 1: Choose A University

The first step is to look for popular and high-ranking Universities in the UK that offer courses you are interested in. Refer to the table above to start your search. Here are some things to consider when applying:

• Location
• Employability/Graduate prospects
• Fees
• Entry requirements
• University Ranking

Step 2: Preparation

Once you have narrowed down the search to your top five preferred universities, the first step is to prepare necessary documents and forms. This includes school leaving certificates, exam results, the UCAS application form and a written Personal Statement, among other documents that may be required.

Step 3: Submit UCAS Application

The application process for UK universities differs from local universities as applications go through an organisation known as UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. UCAS handles all admission applications to UK universities, including those submitted by international candidates like you.

To ensure a better chance of getting accepted, it is important that you prepare all the necessary documents and fill out all forms correctly. We also recommend that you apply for multiple universities simultaneously to ensure that you get your preferred offers. Read our full guide on UCAS here.

More about UCAS

The entire application process might be daunting and lengthy for some, so let us help you. Make a free appointment with us today for professional assistance in submitting applications to your preferred UK universities.

UK Psychology University Entry Requirements

Here are some of the common entry requirements and tests a student has to pass before being accepted at a UK university to study Psychology.

1. English Language Test requirement – such as IELTS or TOEFL.
2. Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities)
3. Health checks.
4. Entrance interviews.
5. Personal statement. This is a supporting document an part of your application to a UK university. Usually, you will write about what you hope to achieve studying at the course, what you plan to do after graduating and why you are applying for this specific university. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the top university for psychology in the UK?

The number 1 university for psychology in the UK is currently the University of Oxford, as of 2022.

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations for international students. If you’ve decided to study a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology in Britain, you will enjoy high academic standards, experienced professors, and a multicultural environment with students from all over the world.

We’ve listed below the best psychology schools in the UK based on international university rankings created by:

• Times Higher Education
• TopUniversities
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• The Guardian
• The Complete University Guide

1. Best psychology schools in the UK – Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2022

• University of Cambridge
• University College London (UCL)
• King’s College London
• University of Edinburgh
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• University of Kent
• University of Manchester
• Cardiff University
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Warwick

Check out the full Psychology ranking on the Times Higher Education website.

2. Best psychology schools in the UK – TopUniversities Subject Rankings 2021

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University College London
• King’s College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• University of Warwick
• University of Exeter
• Cardiff University

See other ranked psychology schools on the TopUniversities website.

3. Best psychology schools in the UK – Shanghai Ranking by Subject 2021

• University College London
• University of Oxford
• King’s College London
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• Cardiff University
• University of Bristol
• University of Warwick
• University of York
• City, University of London

Read the full list of psychology schools on the Shanghai Ranking website.

4. Best psychology schools in the UK – The Guardian 2021

The Guardian releases the University Guide every year. The main criteria used to create the ranking are course satisfaction, teaching quality, feedback, staff-student ratio, spend per student, career after 6 months, continuation rate, and others.

• Cambridge University
• King’s College London
• St. Andrews University
• Bath University
• Oxford University
• University College London
• University of Cumbria
• University of Chichester
• York University
• Cardiff University

The full ranking is available on The Guardian website.

5. Best psychology schools in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2021

The Complete University Guide release their ranking every year. It evaluates universities based on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects.

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Bath
• UCL
• King’s College London
• Cardiff University
• Durham University
• University of Glasgow
• Newcastle University

For the complete ranking and details about each university, visit The Complete University Guide website.

We also recommend checking out these UK universities offering Psychology degrees:

• Birkbeck, University of London
• Coventry University
• Leeds Beckett University
• Swansea University
• University of Derby

If you want to study from the comfort of your home, check out online Bachelors and Masters in Psychology.

Find Psychology Masters in the UK

Student reviews of the best psychology schools in the UK

Since an important part of practising Psychology is listening to other people, it’s only normal to include several student reviews of the top British psychology schools. Hopefully, they will help you understand what kind of study experience you will have.

University of Surrey

“My overall study experience has been rewarding. Like any other journey, my university journey had its peaks and valleys. Altogether, you learn how to quickly be resilient and also celebrate your successes. I have been encouraged and mentored both by academic and non-academic mentors who are successful in their own right. Altogether, the experience moulds you to be your best self, I therefore highly recommend you pursue a degree in the UK.”

University of Bristol

“The fields of study were so varied you could always find something to interest you on a personal level. Tutors were friendly and approachable. The University has great halls and social areas, and Bristol is a lovely creative city.”

University of Sussex

“The University of Sussex makes feel welcome since the very first second you put your feet at the school. They have an amazing staff to help you with everything you have trouble with. The professors are well prepared, and the modules are very interesting. The city is beautiful, but the country is really expensive, which doesn’t have to be a problem because you can find a scholarship suitable for you.”