What A Levels do you need for psychology at university?

What universities actually ask for

Entry requirements differ between universities and courses, and UCAS says to always check with the provider. On 11 October 2026:

• UCAS subject guide (psychology): average requirement for undergraduate degrees of BBB at A Level. Useful subjects: "at least one from chemistry, physics, biology or maths", then sociology, geography, anthropology, economics, politics, philosophy, history and literature. UCAS lists useful subjects but does not list Psychology among them.
• University of Hull (BSc Psychology): A Level Psychology is "not always required" but recommended; a second science or quantitative subject (biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics) is recommended for research methods, and English, sociology or a language can strengthen an application. The offer is 120 UCAS points overall with at least 80 from A Levels, plus GCSE Maths at grade 4; Hull also accepts an Access to HE Diploma pass with at least 118 UCAS tariff points.
• The Uni Guide (A Level choices for psychology): psychology degrees are "normally open to you with any A-levels", though "a few courses could ask for one or more of the following A-levels: biology, chemistry, maths, or physics". Its examples for September 2025 entry (figures as of 18 December 2024) were Glasgow AAA to ABB with two science A Levels and GCSE Maths at grade 5 or 6, Bath A*AA, and Brunel AAB to BBB.

Three patterns follow. Competitive courses ask for higher grades and sometimes a science. Most courses accept any three A Levels at around BBB. And a quantitative or science subject is valued because the degree is built on research methods and statistics.

Which A Levels help most

• Psychology. Not usually required, but the most direct preparation: the AQA 7182 course covers social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology, approaches, biopsychology and research methods, plus options, and research methods alone carries 48 marks on Paper 2. It shows admissions tutors you know what the subject involves.
• Biology. A common pairing with psychology that satisfies a "one science" requirement while preparing you for the biopsychology content of a degree.
• Mathematics. Degrees lean on statistics, so A Level Maths is valued where you take it, and a strong GCSE Maths grade matters where you do not.
• Sociology. A good third subject for the essay and evaluation skills a psychology degree needs, and the social science that pairs most often with psychology.

If you plan to become a practitioner psychologist, the degree matters more than the A Levels: the British Psychological Society describes Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) as "an important step towards becoming a Chartered Member of the Society", and graduates whose first degree is not recognised by the Society can obtain GBC through a conversion course.

What if you do not have A Levels?

You do not need to go back to sixth form. Adults have two routes:

1. A Levels online as a private candidate. You study at your own pace and sit the same papers as school candidates at an approved centre. Most Lift College learners spend 8 to 12 hours a week and finish a subject in 12 to 18 months, or faster with more time each week, and the courses are open to anyone aged 14 or over (under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support). Our guides can you do A Levels online? and A Level private exam centres explain how study and exams fit together.
2. An Access to HE Diploma. A Level 3 route designed for adults returning to study; Hull's psychology course, for example, accepts an Access to HE Diploma with a pass and at least 118 UCAS tariff points. Lift College's Access to HE Diploma (Psychology) is £79.99 a month on one all-inclusive option.

Studying the A Levels online with Lift College

Every Lift College A Level is the same qualification sat in schools: AQA 7182 for Psychology, AQA 7402 for Biology, AQA 7357 for Mathematics and AQA 7192 for Sociology. Each has Study and +Exams plans, and Biology also has +Exams & CPAC (£119.99 a month or £1,223.99 a year) with the practical endorsement. Study, at £49.99 a month or £509.99 a year, gives you the full course, a named UK tutor, marked practice in every unit, mock papers and AI Study Support; exam entry is only on +Exams. +Exams, at £89.99 a month or £917.99 a year, adds your AQA entry and Tutors & Exams centre fees, with your seat booked for you at one of ten centres in England. A Levels are examined once a year in the May/June series. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial with nothing charged until day 8, no contract, no credit check and a 14-day money-back guarantee on every payment. Monthly +Exams has a 9-month expected term because exam fees are built in; you can cancel any time with no exit fee, but unused exam credit is forfeited.

Taking two or more subjects? Lift College takes 5% off for two courses, 10% for three and 15% for four or more, on top of the 15% annual saving. All 11 subjects are on the A Level hub, and our comparison of online A Level Psychology courses sets Lift College alongside the other main providers.