Please be advised that the PBS course structure will be changing from the 2024-25 academic year onwards. The information below is split based the year students enter the course.
For students who matriculated prior to the 2024-25 academic year
In the final year, students undertake a research project on a psychology topic of their choice, reported in a dissertation of 7,000 words. They also choose a further three papers, at least one of which must be chosen from the following list:
- Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology
- Advanced Topics in Social and Applied Psychology
- Cognitive and Experimental Psychology
- Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
- The Family
The list of optional papers may vary from year to year but will typically include papers in:
- Criminology
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Biological Anthropology
The optional papers lists for each part of the Tripos will be published in the preceding Easter Term.
For students admitted to the PBS course from the 2024-25 academic year onwards
In your final year, you undertake a research dissertation of 7,000 words from a range of topics across the psychological sciences. You also choose a further three papers from a selection available, each of which is assessed via a range of assessments, including written and oral exams.
The subject of these papers may change from year to year but typically include the following topics:
- social and developmental psychology
- cognitive and experimental psychology
- behavioural and cognitive neuroscience
- criminology
- selected subjects from those offered at Part IB
The optional papers lists for each part of the Tripos will be published in the preceding Easter Term.