How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Manchester: A-Level, IB and AP Requirements for BSc Psychology, and Routes and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At The University of Manchester, psychology is taught in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. The main degree is the BSc Psychology, UCAS course code C800, institution code M20; the faculty also offers BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology and BSc Psychology of Education. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Manchester’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The course

• Length: three years, or four with a placement year or study abroad.
• BPS accreditation: graduates are eligible for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society, a key step toward professional psychology training in the UK.
• Placements and exchange: a 30-hour placement in Year 2; between Years 2 and 3, an optional year-long placement (for example with the NHS, schools or businesses) or a year at a partner university such as Queen’s University (Canada), the University of Sydney or the University of California (the list changes annually). Both depend on meeting progression criteria.
• Content: the first two years cover the accredited core of biological, cognitive, developmental, individual differences and social psychology plus research methods, with lab classes in Years 1 and 2 and an independent research project in Year 3. In Year 1 you can swap Foundations of Health Psychology for a language.

2. Entry requirements: A-level, IB and AP

• A-level: typical offer AAA, including one or more of Psychology, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Applicants predicted AAB are encouraged to apply and may still receive the standard offer. Only one performance-based A-level is accepted, and overlapping subjects (such as Further Mathematics with Mathematics) do not count separately.
• IB: 36 points with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, one of which must be Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology or Mathematics (AA or AI).
• AP: grades 5, 5, 5 with subject-specific requirements; contact the psychology admissions team before applying. Your full educational background is also considered.
• GCSE/IGCSE: normally at least five at grade 6/B, including English Language and Mathematics.
• Selection: based on the UCAS form; applicants may be interviewed online or by phone or asked for an alternative admissions statement. Applicants who choose psychology as a second option with a personal statement geared to another discipline are not considered.

3. Students at high schools in China

• Senior high school graduates: Manchester does not accept the Gaokao for direct entry and expects applicants to complete a recognised foundation programme first, because UK students usually complete one more year of school.
• Foundation options:
  • the INTO Manchester foundation programmes, next to campus;
  • NCUK’s International Foundation Year in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan and Xi’an.
  Psychology is not on Manchester’s list of courses with an integrated foundation year, so these are the routes to use.
• International school students: A-levels, the IB and similar qualifications are accepted for direct Year 1 entry (see above).
• University students: students who have completed at least one year at a recognised Chinese university may be considered for direct entry to some first-year programmes; check with the admissions team and apply through UCAS.

4. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least five Bs in acceptable grade 12 courses is generally considered to meet UK entry requirements.
• Other provinces: Alberta and Saskatchewan require at least a 65% average in five grade 12 courses; Ontario requires the OSSD with an 80% average in six grade 12 U/M courses, studied in person in Ontario or at one of 19 approved international schools (no online study).
• Psychology specifics: country information is general guidance only; email ug.psychology@manchester.ac.uk to check psychology requirements before applying.
• English: under certain circumstances, good Canadian high school grades or AP English Language and Composition may count as English proficiency.

5. Transfer students

• The course page gives no route into Year 2. Applicants with university study normally apply for Year 1 and must meet the course entry requirements.
• A-level resit applicants are reconsidered only if they achieved at least BBB at the first attempt.

6. English requirements

• IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component, GCSE/IGCSE English Language at 6/B, or an accepted equivalent.
• Applicants with English as a second language IGCSE may be asked for another qualification or a higher grade.
• Summer pre-sessional courses can help if you fall short. Some test results are valid for two years and must be valid on the course start date.

7. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition (September 2027 entry): £10,050 a year for home students and £35,800 a year for international students.
• Global Futures Scholarships: more than 350 awards worth over £6 million for 2027 entry. Undergraduate awards are £36,000 (£12,000 a year for three years, with a 60% average required in each year) as a fee discount, for applicants from listed countries: Canada is eligible; mainland China is not on the list. Canadian applicants who apply by the UCAS deadline (13 January 2027) are sent an application form; later applicants must hold an offer by 4 March to receive one.

8. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• 12 May 2026: you can start your application in the UCAS hub.
• 1 September 2026: UCAS applications can be submitted.
• 13 January 2027, 6pm (UK time): equal consideration deadline. Courses with vacancies accept applications until 30 June 2027.
• 31 August 2027: deadline to meet offer conditions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Senior high school students: complete an INTO Manchester or NCUK foundation, then apply through UCAS
• International school students: A-level AAA (with a specified science or psychology), IB 36 (HL 666) or three APs at 5
• IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each component)
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 with a psychology-focused personal statement

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

• BC: five acceptable grade 12 courses at B or above; email psychology admissions to confirm requirements
• Apply by 13 January and look out for the Global Futures Scholarship (£36,000 over three years)

Transfer students:

• No Year 2 entry route on the course page; apply for Year 1

Sources: The University of Manchester, BSc Psychology (2027 entry); 2027 undergraduate course list; China (mainland) country information; Canada country information; How to apply; Global Futures Scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Manchester for the latest details.