Psychological and Behavioural Sciences

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) provides the opportunity to study all aspects of psychology, spanning social, developmental, cognitive, and biological approaches. Topics range from social relationships and group behaviour to brain mechanisms and neurobiology, and from how a child develops emotionally and intellectually to how psychological functions may be affected by illness, ageing, or injury. 

Applicants for this course need not have studied psychology before. The course requires the ability to analyse and evaluate theories drawn from both the natural and social sciences. An educational background that has allowed for the development of intellectual flexibility, critical thinking, and an interest in understanding mind and behaviour is therefore important.

We normally aim to make from three to five offers in PBS each year. PBS students at Magdalene benefit from an interdisciplinary environment, interacting with students across both sciences and humanities. The course integrates biological, cognitive, social and developmental approaches, applied to topics such as brain mechanisms, cognition, language, perception, personality, psychopathology and social relationships.

In the first year, students take three Psychology papers and one optional paper drawn from other Triposes (for example, from the Natural Sciences or Human, Social and Political Sciences), although the availability of specific options may vary each year.

The College Library currently has around 450 key psychology titles, alongside extensive electronic resources provided by the University. The library team  will hold an induction for new PBS students in fresher’s week to introduce students to these resources and show students how to use libraries at Cambridge.

As well as the Director of Studies, Dr Catherine O'Brien, other Magdalene Fellows with research interests related to Psychology include Professor Paul Dupree (Biology) and Dr Hannah Critchlow (Neuroscience).

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos website.

Is human aggression innate or learnt? Is it affected by the weather? Are emotions a hindrance to rational decision-making or do they in fact help? Can children’s cognitive development be accelerated through teaching, or does it depend on maturational processes?

We are looking for students who are keen to engage with such questions from multiple angles. Psychology involves analysing complexity, weighing competing explanations, and integrating evidence from different approaches.

Psychology examines the relationship between mind, brain and behaviour. You should therefore be willing to engage with both biological mechanisms (such as brain systems and neurochemistry) and socio-cultural influences on behaviour, and the meanings we attach to it.

We are looking for students who can think both philosophically and neurobiologically about psychological questions. As this is a science-based course, you should be prepared to engage with statistics, research methods, and biology.

The course develops skills including critical analysis, evaluation of evidence, and quantitative data analysis. These skills are valued across a wide range of careers.

In addition to achieving outstanding exam results, we look for applicants who are intellectually curious, open-minded, and able to think independently. You should be interested in psychological questions and willing to explore them beyond the school curriculum. You should enjoy writing essays - expressing yourself clearly and combining ideas and empirical evidence in a coherent, lucid and compelling way. You should also have a passion for reading. You should have read a good selection of psychology books and articles, which you can discuss enthusiastically and critically.

Given the scientific nature of core PBS papers, candidates applying to study PBS should have A-level or equivalent in at least one of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics.

Essay subjects such as History, Sociology, Philosophy or English Literature can be helpful preparation for the PBS course.

A-level or equivalent Psychology is neither particularly recommended nor a disadvantage. Knowledge of Psychology A-level material is not a prerequisite for performing well in admissions interviews. A typical competitive candidate will have studied a range of academically demanding subjects in both sciences and in humanities/social sciences.

IB applicants starting the new IB Mathematics syllabus are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches'. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College for further advice and guidance.

The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Super-curricular suggestions may also be helpful.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*A*A at A-level 

IB: 41-42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have two interviews of around 20-25 minutes each. 

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential and commitment to the subject.

We also usually ask for two samples of written work (such as school essays) to be submitted with the application.

There is no admissions assessment for PBS at Magdalene.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.