Psychology and Behavioural Sciences
The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) course at Cambridge gives you the opportunity to study cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychology within the broader context of the behavioural sciences. Examples of topics in the course include: language, brain mechanisms, family relationships and influences, personality, mental health and neurodiversity. Overlaps with the Human, Social and Political Sciences and Natural Sciences courses allow students to take papers which broaden their knowledge base, in addition to their core Psychology studies. Research projects also enable you to study in greater depth the topics that interest you most.
Overview
Students admitted per year: 3-4
Typical offer:
A Level: A*A*A
IB Diploma: 41 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Subject requirements: one science from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics
Admissions Assessment: n/a
Written work: n/a
Why choose Newnham for PBS?
PBS students at Newnham College enjoy high levels of support from Senior Members of the College. Newnham has a long tradition of valuing teaching as an integral part of College life. Its current Fellows continue to uphold the ideals of their forebears in taking teaching seriously and seeking the most effective teaching methods for an individual’s style of learning. There is currently one Professorial Fellow with a background in Psychology; Prof Claire Hughes (Centre for Child, Adolescent and Family Research; Department of Psychology). In addition, Dr Sarah Lloyd Fox (UKRI Future Leader Fellow, Department of Psychology) has recently joined Newnham. Support facilities at the College are very good, including a particularly well-stocked library, which provides our students with an excellent study space.
Academic financial support
Newnham is one of the most generous Colleges when it comes to student support. As well as being able to access support for maintenance, opportunity and sports funding, all Newnham undergraduate students can apply for our book grants and research expenses funds each term for essential purchases and expenditure relating to their studies. A proportion of expenditure on books can be reimbursed against receipts (up to a limit of £200 each year), with research expenses assessed on a case-by-case basis. Funds for essential equipment purchases are also available, for example for stethoscopes for medics. We are also fortunate to have very generous funding available for summer research and/or travel. None of these grants are means-tested, so all students can benefit. Students achieving first-class results for their end of year exams will in addition receive at least £400 as a prize or scholarship.
We are fortunate to have dedicated funds to support summer lab placements (either in Cambridge or elsewhere), which can be combined with departmental funding. Awards of up to £1300 are available. Applications should be made via the summer project/travel grants.
