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

The University of Southampton is in the south coast city of Southampton, and psychology is taught at the Highfield campus. In the UK you apply directly to a course through UCAS; Psychology BSc is UCAS course code C800, institution code S27. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Southampton’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 full time. Year one lays foundations in theory, research methods and analysis with practical experiments; year two covers cognitive, developmental and social psychology in depth; in the final year you complete an empirical project and choose options in health, clinical, educational, developmental, cognitive and social psychology.
• BPS accreditation: the course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and graduates are eligible for membership.
• Flexibility: you can study a second subject as a minor or take modules outside psychology such as criminology, social sciences and law; apply for a year in employment; or study abroad at partners including the University of Sydney, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Western Ontario.
• Facilities: a mobile research vehicle, eye-movement recording, an observation lab with an audiovisual studio and a virtual reality lab.

2. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• A Level: AAB including one accepted science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology, Statistics, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography or Geology). EPQ students also receive an alternative offer of ABB including a science plus A in the EPQ. GCSE English and Maths at 4/C or equivalent are required.
• IB: 34 points with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 in a Higher Level science.
• Gaokao: Southampton accepts the Gaokao for many degrees, but not for degrees that require a specific A Level subject other than mathematics. Psychology requires one accepted science subject, and mathematics is on the list, so confirm with the university before applying with the Gaokao. Equivalencies: AAB equals 75% of the total; an individual A equals 80% and a B equals 75%. Percentages are based on your province’s maximum score; for example, 600 out of 750 is 80%.
• Foundation: students below the direct-entry level can take OnCampus undergraduate foundation programmes (including humanities and social sciences and life sciences), which require completed senior secondary education and IELTS from 4.0 (no element below 4.5) and lead to a place on the chosen degree.

3. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• Equivalencies: a provincial diploma typically needs at least 81% across 5 or 6 Grade 12 subjects. By Southampton’s table, AAB equals an 83% average across five academic subjects (six for the Ontario diploma and New Brunswick). BC students are assessed on five.
• Science requirement: the accepted-science requirement still applies, so BC students should take a relevant Grade 12 science or math.
• IB: IB students in Canada follow the IB requirement above.

4. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• If you do not meet the requirement, you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English programme before the course starts.

5. Transfer students

• The course page does not set out second-year entry criteria. Students hoping to transfer from another university should contact enquiries@southampton.ac.uk.

6. Fees and scholarships

• Fees: the course page lists annual fees of £33,900 for international students and £10,050 for UK students; accommodation and living costs are extra.
• 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships: for new international students from eligible countries; China is eligible (Canada is not). The award is £3,000 off tuition each year for up to four years, up to £12,000, given automatically to students holding a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time on-campus undergraduate programme (except Medicine). Permanent residency means where you lived for three or more years before the course, excluding places lived only to study. Southampton lists these scholarships for students starting in 2027.

7. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• Autumn 2026: apply through UCAS (C800, institution code S27). Applications are assessed on predicted grades, achievements, personal statement and reference.
• Processing: usually 2 to 6 weeks, but January applications near the UCAS equal consideration deadline may take substantially longer.
• January 2027: the UCAS equal consideration deadline. The University of Birmingham states it as 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time for September 2027 entry; confirm on UCAS.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Level AAB (with an accepted science) or IB 34 (17 at HL, science 5); with the Gaokao, 75%+ overall, confirming psychology accepts it first
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
• The 75th Anniversary Excellence Scholarship (£3,000 a year) is awarded automatically with an offer

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

• An 83% average in five Grade 12 academic subjects, including an accepted science or math
• Apply through UCAS before the January deadline

Transfer students:

• No transfer criteria are listed; contact the university before applying

Sources: University of Southampton, Psychology BSc; Entry equivalencies: China; Entry equivalencies: Canada; Undergraduate scholarships; 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships; UCAS deadline as stated on the University of Birmingham psychology course page. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Southampton and UCAS for the latest details.