Undergraduate Admissions Policy - School of Psychology 2022-2023

This policy is for you if your chosen undergraduate degree has a September 2022 start date.

You must also read the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, as both policies apply.

If your undergraduate degree has a September 2021 start date, read the School of Psychology Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2021-22.

This faculty policy is reviewed annually by the faculty’s committees, and any amendments made after the point of publication will be summarised in the Version control section.

The School of Psychology Undergraduate Admissions Policy applies to the following courses:

  • BSc Psychology (C800)
  • MPsyc BSc Advanced Psychology (6L97)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Please see the School of Psychology webpages for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications. 

The School of Psychology recognises that some applicants may have studied a more flexible curriculum, where they have been able to progress through their educational development at an appropriate rate according to their ability. Where a Level 2 (for example, GCSE) or Level 3 (for example, A Level) qualification has been taken ‘early’ the academic reference should include the reasons for this so that they can be taken into consideration by the admissions team. 

The School of Psychology does not accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.  

Where academic requirements have not been met, application information may be shared with the University’s Lifelong Learning Centre or International Foundation Year team for consideration for a Year 0 offer. 

Documentation and references

The reference section of the application is carefully considered by the School of Psychology and is an important part of the selection process. Details of any extenuating circumstances should be highlighted in the reference.

Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities

Eligible Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities candidates will be considered for an alternative offer. However, please see the School of Psychology webpages for the minimum requirements that will usually apply to any alternative offer made. 

Extended degrees with Integrated Foundation Year

Where applicants do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to a degree course, progression may be possible through one of the University’s extended degrees with foundation year. Please see the Lifelong Learning Centre website for details.   

Advanced entry

The School of Psychology will consider applications from those who are seeking entry to the second year.  

All applications must be made through UCAS, as per the deadlines outlined in the Application routes and deadlines section below. To be eligible the applicant must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria: 

  • Meet first year requirements, as detailed on Coursefinder
  • Have met the learning outcomes of year 1 of the relevant programme 
  • Have achieved a minimum 60% average in the first year of study of a British Psychological Society accredited degree 

Decisions on such applications are made by the Academic Admissions Tutor (or other academic lead).  

Entry onto Level 3 of the School of Psychology is not permitted.  

Accreditation of Prior Learning 

Accredited Prior Learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University in order to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes. For further information, see the Advanced entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

Application process

Application routes and deadlines

All full-time undergraduate applications must be made through the online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by 26 January 2022.

The School of Psychology may consider applications submitted after this date. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle. 

Internal transfers 

The School of Psychology will consider applications from those who wish to transfer internally from other programmes at the University of Leeds. Applicants are expected to meet the standard academic entry requirements of AAA at A Level (or equivalent). Applicants wishing to transfer to the School of Psychology will not be considered once the second week of teaching has finished. Students wishing to be considered for second year entry should consult the Advanced entry section above. 

Contextual admissions schemes

The University of Leeds offers a number of alternative routes in order to widen access to higher education. 

For further details of our Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities schemes see the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy

Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants 

As per the information detailed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy the School of Psychology will consider prospective students via the Alternative Entry Scheme run by the Lifelong Learning Centre. Where appropriate applicants will be referred to the Lifelong Learning Centre who will advise the applicant further.  

Part-time study

The School of Psychology does not offer courses on a part-time basis.

Reapplications and former students of the University

The School of Psychology will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution. 

The School of Psychology considers applications from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. Where appropriate, such candidates may be able to apply for advanced entry (see relevant section above). 

Resits

The School of Psychology will consider applications from those who are re-taking examinations prior to entering the University.

Confirmation

Applicants must typically meet the conditions set by the University by 31 August of the application year unless otherwise stated in the prescribed course or professional body requirements, even if the offer is deferred for entry to the following application year.  

The School of Psychology may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after a re-mark; however, applicants may be offered a deferred place or be asked to reapply.  

Applications from those who have not quite met the required grades may be reviewed and their places may be confirmed if there are places still available on their chosen course. However, where applicants are holding offers for deferred entry they may not be subject to the same level of flexibility.  

Deferral requests

The School of Psychology will consider applications for deferred entry and encourages such applicants to make use of the personal statement section of the application form to explain their reasons for requesting deferral. 

Applicants who wish to defer following the submission of their application must do so by 31 August 2022. 

Applicant assessment

Academic grades normally form only one part of the final decision and the following sections give examples of how applicants may demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that we consider will enable them to become successful students on our degree courses.

Please note, the application forms of those who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on their chosen course may be passed to admissions teams for other courses in which the applicant may be interested.

Personal statements

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. An applicant may be assessed based on the strength of their statement relative to others in their cohort, and/or based on criteria set by the academic school. 

It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject. We assess the personal statement on how applicants illustrate:   

  • an accurate understanding of the nature of Psychology as a discipline and as taught within higher education 
  • a realistic understanding of what a degree in Psychology affords them in terms of possible careers 
  • motivation to engage and contribute to university life 
  • the capacity to excel in Psychology

Interviews

Interviews do not form part of the School of Psychology’s standard admissions process; however, in some cases, an applicant may be invited for an interview if it will help inform whether or not an offer should be made. 

Other assessment methods

Some applicants to the School of Psychology, such as mature students, may be requested to provide a piece of written work and/or undertake a test as part of the admissions process. Further details will be provided to the applicant as required.  

As outlined in the Contextual admissions schemes section above, the School of Psychology will consider prospective students via the Alternative Entry Scheme run by the Lifelong Learning Centre. 

Decisions and communications with applicants

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University. 

Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the above policy, using the relevant email address contact from the Useful contacts and resources section below. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given. 

Appeals and complaints

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the Head of School, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section below. 

Useful contacts and resources

For general enquiries and information relating to courses and admission to the University of Leeds, applicants should contact the Admissions Enquiries team: 

Email: study@leeds.ac.uk
Web: www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate

Admissions enquiries specific to the School of Psychology should be directed to the School of Psychology Admissions team:

Email: psyc-admissions@leeds.ac.uk

For all Faculty of Medicine and Health admissions complaints and appeals, please contact the Head of School, Jason Halford:

Email: j.halford@leeds.ac.uk

Version control

Page published: 21 October 2021
Page last updated: 21 October 2021

Details of any amendments since first published: