Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS)

Director of Studies: Dr Chris Heath

Course Overview

The PBS course at Cambridge covers the full range of psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, as well as the study of atypical development and adult psychopathology.

Psychology shares considerable overlap with disciplines such as anthropology, biological sciences, computer science, economics, linguistics, philosophy, sociology, and many others. It is also of great value in many application areas ranging, for example, from traditional clinical concerns to the design of new technologies, or from how we can best educate ourselves to the workings of the economy or criminality.

While there are a small number of compulsory psychology papers, you will have plenty of choice with options such as the development of social behaviour, psychopathology, cognitive psychology, language, brain mechanisms, gender, family relationships and influences, personality, and group social behaviour. Research projects and a dissertation also enable you to study in greater depth the topics that interest you most.

You will be taught by lecturers and researchers of international excellence in the subject of psychology, as well as staff in the fields of biological and social anthropology, history and philosophy of science, criminology, sociology and education. Seminar programmes throughout the year offer regular talks from guest speakers. In addition to this academic expertise, you will have access to extensive library and computing facilities.

There is further information about the course on the University and Faculty webpages.

Entry Requirements

Applications from mature students taking A levels or Access courses are welcome.  There are no specific subject requirements although it would be useful to have a background in either Mathematics or Biology due to the strong scientific element of the course.  Existing knowledge of psychology is not a requirement. Entry requirements can be found here. You will be asked to submit a piece of written work as part of your application.