How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Edinburgh: A Four-Year BSc (Hons), and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Edinburgh is in Scotland’s capital. Undergraduate psychology is taught by the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Scottish degrees usually take four years, and single-honours psychology is a Psychology BSc (Hons), UCAS code C802. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Edinburgh’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level and IB students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The program

• Degree and length: Psychology BSc (Hons), four years full time, starting September 2027, taught at the Psychology building in George Square and elsewhere in the Central Area.
• Year by year:
  • Years 1 and 2: research methods, statistics and R programming, covering cognitive, developmental, biological, differential and social psychology. You can also take courses outside psychology and decide your honours focus by the end of Year 2.
  • Year 3: critical analysis, Psychology in Action, advanced statistics in R and qualitative methods, a group research project and advanced options.
  • Year 4: further options and an independent dissertation.
• BPS accreditation: the single-honours degree and most joint degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society, the basis for later professional training in clinical, educational, forensic, health or organisational psychology. Accreditation requires covering the core BPS areas, completing a Year 4 dissertation and achieving a 2:2 or above; Edinburgh says most students graduate with it.
• Other features: study abroad is available in Year 3; there is no placement year.
• Joint degrees: Philosophy and Psychology, Psychology and Business, Psychology and Economics, Psychology and Linguistics, and Psychology and Sociology, all MA (Hons). A Scottish MA is an undergraduate degree and also takes four years.

2. Students at high schools in China

• The Senior High School Certificate is usually not enough: Edinburgh says it does not normally meet the minimum requirements for most subjects, so students usually take the one-year International Foundation Programme first. The College of Science and Engineering considers excellent Gaokao results individually, but psychology sits in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
• A levels: most recent entrants had A*A*A* to AAA, including one of biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geography, geology, life and health science, mathematics, physics, psychology or statistics at B. You also need GCSE English at C/4, and GCSE Mathematics at A/7, or Mathematics and Physics (or Double Science) both at B/6.
• IB: most recent entrants had 37 points (666 at HL) to 34 points (655 at HL), including one of biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental systems and societies, geography, mathematics, physics, psychology or sports, exercise and health science at HL 5, plus SL English at 5 and SL Mathematics at 6 if not taken at HL.
• Maple Leaf World Schools Program (MLWSP) Diploma: for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, five Grade 12 subjects at 80%.

3. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: for all programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Certificate of Graduation with at least five suitable Grade 12 subjects at 80%.
• Required subject: psychology requires one listed science, mathematics or psychology subject (see the A-level list above). The Canada page does not map these course by course, so take Grade 12 math or science and confirm with admissions.
• Ontario: six 4U/4M courses at 80% (no more than two 4M). Ontario diplomas taught only online without a formal partnership are generally not accepted.

4. Transfer students

• The psychology page does not describe entry into Year 2 from another university. Edinburgh’s fee policy mentions direct entry into Year 2 or 3 in general, but not whether psychology offers it. Contact admissions before applying as a transfer student.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; One Skill Retake is not accepted.
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): from 21 January 2026, 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in each component; before then, 92 with at least 20 in each; MyBest scores are not accepted.
• Others: Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 (162 in each); Oxford ELLT 7 (5 in each); Oxford Test of English Advanced 145 (125 in each). IELTS, TOEFL and similar tests must be no more than two years old at the program start.
• School qualifications: GCSE English at C/4 or IB SL English at 5 (not ab initio) also meet the requirement.

6. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time: UCAS deadline for UK, EU and international applicants to programs other than medicine and veterinary medicine. Programs with remaining spaces can be found on the UCAS website.
• What you need: academic qualifications, a personal statement, evidence of English and a reference. Applications that meet or are predicted to meet the requirements enter selection.
• After an offer, accept it and submit your final qualification certificates as instructed.

7. Costs

• Tuition: international students pay a fixed annual fee based on their start date, not subject to annual increases; look up the amount for this program in Edinburgh’s tuition fee finder.
• Living costs: Edinburgh estimates an average of £1,546 a month in 2026–27, or £13,914 for a 39-week academic year and £18,552 for a full year.
• Year abroad: students studying abroad in Year 3 pay related costs, and tuition may be reduced depending on the type and length of the placement.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A levels: aim for AAA or above, with one listed science, math or psychology subject at B; meet the GCSE English and math requirements
• IB: 34–37 points with one listed HL subject at 5 and SL English at 5
• With only the Chinese Senior High School Certificate: consider the International Foundation Programme
• IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each, no One Skill Retake) or TOEFL 4.5

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC Certificate of Graduation with five Grade 12 subjects at 80%; take math or science to meet the required-subject rule

All applicants:

• Apply to C802 through UCAS by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time, with a personal statement and reference
• Transfer students should confirm with admissions whether entry to a later year is possible

Sources: The University of Edinburgh, Psychology BSc (Hons); Entry requirements; Undergraduate programmes A–Z; Entry requirements: China; Entry requirements: Canada; Tuition fees. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check the University of Edinburgh for the latest details.