How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Birmingham: A Three-Year BPS-Accredited BSc, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Birmingham is in Birmingham, the UK’s second city. In the UK you apply directly to a course through UCAS; Psychology BSc is UCAS code C800. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Birmingham’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A Level and IB students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The course

• Psychology BSc: three years, starting September 2027, awarding a Bachelor of Science. Year one covers cognitive psychology, psychobiology, developmental and social psychology and research methods; later years combine core and optional modules, with places on oversubscribed options allocated by past performance.
• BPS accreditation: Birmingham’s BSc and MSci Psychology are accredited by the British Psychological Society, giving Graduate Membership with the Graduate Basis for Registration.
• Optional extra year: from 2026/27, students can add a Placement Year or a Year in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science through an internal transfer in their third year. Birmingham also offers Psychology with a Year Abroad BSc and a four-year MSci in Psychology and Psychological Practice.

2. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• A Level: three A Levels, AAB with one science subject or AAA without. Science subjects are Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Maths, Further Maths and Statistics; General Studies, Critical Thinking and similar subjects are not accepted. EPQ or Core Maths students who make Birmingham their firm choice receive an alternative offer one grade lower plus the EPQ or Core Maths grade.
• IB: 6,6,6 to 6,6,5 at Higher Level with at least 32 points.
• Gaokao: Birmingham accepts the Gaokao for undergraduate entry, requiring at least 80% overall, plus 80% in mathematics where A Level maths is required (psychology does not specifically require A Level maths). Birmingham explains how maximum scores work for provinces such as Hainan.
• Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate: students who complete it with at least 85% overall in years 11 and 12 (and 85% in relevant subjects where required) can also apply.
• Foundation: students who do not meet the Gaokao requirement can take Birmingham’s on-campus one-year foundation or a four-year integrated foundation programme leading directly to undergraduate courses.

3. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• Birmingham shows country equivalencies through a “select a country” menu on the course page that displays only after selection, so this article does not include the figures. Select Canada on the course page or contact the admissions team.
• Offers differ for applicants with a science (AAB) and without (AAA), so take a Grade 12 science or math and confirm the Canadian equivalent with Birmingham.
• IB students in Canada follow the IB requirement above.

4. English requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• TOEFL: for tests before January 2026, 88 overall with at least 21 in reading, 20 in listening, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing; for tests from January 2026, 4.5 overall with at least 4.5 in two skills and 4 in two skills.
• Offer holders with an English condition can take a Presessional English course instead of retaking IELTS.

5. Transfer students

• The course page does not set out second-year entry criteria; contact Birmingham’s admissions team before applying.

6. Fees and scholarships

• Fees: UK students starting in 2027 pay £10,050 in their first year. International fees are shown by country on the course page, so this article does not include the figure; Birmingham states that the international fee stays constant for the duration of the course, and a full year abroad or on placement is charged at 50%.
• Scholarships: Birmingham offers more than £10.5 million in scholarships for international students. For 2026 entry it offered £5,000 High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships for students from China and Canada, now closed; check for 2027 arrangements.

7. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• Autumn 2026: apply through UCAS (C800).
• 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time: Birmingham’s stated application deadline for September 2027 entry.
• Deferred entry: Birmingham is neutral on gap years, and you can apply in advance for deferred entry.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Level AAB (with a science) or AAA; IB 32 (666 to 665 at HL); Gaokao 80%; or the graduation certificate with 85% in years 11 and 12
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band) or TOEFL
• Submit through UCAS by 13 January 2027

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

• Select Canada on the course page to see requirements; take a Grade 12 science
• Submit through UCAS by 13 January 2027

Transfer students:

• No transfer criteria are listed; contact admissions before applying

Sources: University of Birmingham, Psychology BSc; Psychology and neuroscience courses; Gaokao undergraduate entry; Students from China; Students from Canada; International entry requirements; Tuition fees. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Birmingham and UCAS for the latest details.