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

The University of Leeds is in the north of England, and psychology is taught by the School of Psychology. 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 Leeds’ 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 full time, starting September 2027. The course emphasises research-based learning, with chances to work in academic research groups; facilities include EEG and fNIRS equipment and the human appetite research unit.
• BPS accreditation: the course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. Leeds notes that practising and chartered psychologists need a BPS-accredited degree plus a postgraduate qualification and HCPC registration; this course is the first step.
• Placement and study abroad: both are optional, adding a year in industry or abroad at a reduced fee.
• Support for international students: weekly academic language and literacy sessions and one-to-one consultations with the Language Centre.

2. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• A Level: AAA including one or more of psychology, geography, mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, geology, economics, statistics, environmental science or computing. Critical thinking, citizenship studies and general studies do not typically count; only one performance-based A Level is accepted; vocational qualifications are not. GCSE English Language at 4 (C) and Maths at 5 (B) are required.
• IB: 35 points with a Higher Level science at 6 or above, plus the GCSE English and Maths requirement or equivalent.
• Gaokao and other national qualifications: the course page does not list Chinese requirements; Leeds asks applicants to contact psyc-admissions@leeds.ac.uk to confirm grades and subject requirements for their home country.
• Foundation: international students who do not meet the academic requirements can take the University of Leeds International Foundation Year, taught by Leeds academics, and progress to Leeds degrees; Leeds is also an NCUK member, so NCUK International Foundation Years are another route.

3. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• The course page does not list equivalencies for Canadian provincial diplomas either; contact the School’s admissions team to confirm BC requirements.
• IB students in Canada follow the IB requirement above (35 with HL science 6).
• Canadian students should take the listed subjects (such as math, biology, chemistry or physics) in Grade 12.

4. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component; see Leeds’ table for other qualifications.
• International students below the requirement may take the undergraduate pre-sessional English course.

5. Transfer students

• Second-year entry is possible: apply through UCAS by the deadline, meet first-year entry requirements, have met the learning outcomes of year one of the relevant programme, and have at least a 60% average in the first year of a BPS-accredited degree.
• Key restriction: Leeds states that second-year applicants must not be studying under a Student Visa, and entry to year three is not permitted.
• Current Leeds students can apply to transfer into year one of psychology by the end of the second week of teaching if they meet standard entry requirements.

6. Fees and scholarships

• Fees: £33,800 a year for international students, fixed for the duration of the course; £10,050 for UK students in 2027/28.
• Scholarships: Leeds offers more than £20 million in scholarships for international students; see the scholarships directory for details.

7. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• Autumn 2026: apply through UCAS (C800). International students apply the same way as UK students; Leeds recommends applying early to allow time for a visa.
• UCAS deadline: the 2027 course page currently says applications received by 14 January 2026 receive equal consideration, which appears to repeat the previous cycle’s date. The University of Birmingham states the September 2027 deadline as 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time; confirm on UCAS. The School may consider later applications if places remain.
• Deferred entry: considered; explain your reasons in your personal statement.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Level AAA (with a listed subject) or IB 35 (HL science 6), plus GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
• With the Gaokao or a Chinese high school transcript, email the School first; otherwise consider the International Foundation Year
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)

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

• Confirm BC requirements with the School and take the listed subjects in Grade 12
• Apply through UCAS before the January deadline

Transfer students:

• A 60% first-year average on a BPS-accredited degree for second-year entry; not open to Student Visa holders

Sources: University of Leeds, Psychology BSc; International entry and English requirements; Foundation routes; International scholarships and funding; UCAS deadline as stated on the University of Birmingham psychology course page. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Leeds and UCAS for the latest details.