What subjects pair well with A Level Psychology?
What subjects pair well with A Level Psychology?
Created:Updated: 23-August-2025
Picking the right A Level combinations can boost your confidence and open doors at university. Psychology (AQA) pairs especially well with science, maths, and essay-based subjects—depending on where you want to go next.
Best Subjects to Combine with A Level Psychology
- Biology — Perfect for clinical, cognitive and biopsychology topics (nervous system, hormones, brain structure). Strong choice for Psychology or Neuroscience degrees.
- Mathematics (or Statistics) — Builds data handling and research-methods confidence. Helpful for psychology, consumer psychology, and data-led social sciences.
- Chemistry — Valuable if you’re leaning toward Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or biological/health pathways.
- Sociology — Complements social influence, aggression, and research methods; great for Social Policy, Criminology, and related degrees.
- English Language or English Literature — Sharpens writing, evaluation and critical reading. See A Level English Literature or A Level English Language & Literature.
- Physics — Useful for scientific thinking and measurement; occasionally chosen alongside Maths for a strong STEM profile.
- PE / Sport Science — Supports Sport Psychology routes (motivation, performance, coaching).
- Business or Economics — Good for Consumer/Occupational/Organisational Psychology and HR pathways. See A Level Business and A Level Economics.
- Law — Helpful foundation for Forensic or Criminal Psychology interests (evidence, argument, ethics).
- Modern Foreign Language — Enhances communication skills and global opportunities (study abroad, international research).
Smart Combinations by Future Pathway
- Psychology (BSc) / Neuroscience: Psychology + Biology + Maths (or Chemistry).
- Clinical / Health Psychology (long-term goal): Psychology + Biology + Chemistry.
- Forensic / Criminology: Psychology + Law + Sociology (or English).
- Sport Psychology: Psychology + PE/Sport Science + Biology.
- Business / HR / Marketing (Consumer Psychology): Psychology + Business/Economics + Maths.
- Education / Teaching: Psychology + English (Lit or Lang/Lit) + another facilitating subject.
University Notes (Quick Guide)
- We teach the AQA course. See the official spec: AQA A Level Psychology (7182).
- Check individual entry requirements on university pages or UCAS: UCAS entry requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which subjects pair best with A Level Psychology?
Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Sociology, English, Physics, Business/Economics, and Law are popular combinations. Choose based on your strengths and the degree or career you’re aiming for.
What’s the best combo for Psychology BSc or Neuroscience?
Psychology + Biology + Maths (or Chemistry) gives a strong science profile and prepares you for research methods and biological content at university.
Do I need Biology to study Psychology at university?
Not always. Many programmes prefer at least one science (often Biology), but requirements vary—check each course on university pages or UCAS.
Is Maths important for Psychology degrees?
Yes for statistics and research methods. It isn’t universally required, but Maths strengthens applications and makes first-year quantitative work easier.
Can I combine Psychology with humanities like English, Law or Sociology?
Absolutely. These pairings develop essay writing, evaluation and argument—ideal for forensic, criminology, education and policy-related routes.