Choosing a degree in psychology is a major step, but the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) course at Cambridge is often described as a very different beast compared to standard psychology degrees. If you’re asking yourself, “is Cambridge good for Psychology?” or “what should I know before choosing this degree?”, you’ve probably noticed that it covers a massive range of disciplines. However, the best way to understand how these subjects actually mesh together is to speak with someone who is currently doing it.
At Already Doing It (alreadydoingit.co.uk), we connect you with vetted peer mentors who are currently studying PBS at Cambridge. They can provide an honest review of the course at Cambridge and answer the questions that help you decide if this multi-disciplinary path fits your goals.
The Cambridge PBS course is known for being broad-based, moving far beyond clinical psychology to touch on neuroscience, philosophy, and anthropology. It focuses heavily on research methodology and statistical analysis. This structure raises several topics you might want to explore with a peer mentor:
How do students typically balance the “softer” social sciences with the “harder” biological and statistical elements of the course?
What is it really like to study PBS at Cambridge when you have to jump between such different academic departments?
Does the degree feel like a unified subject, or does it feel like studying four different subjects at once?
Talking to a student already doing it can give you a better sense of whether you’ll enjoy the heavy focus on the “why” and “how” of human behavior across different scientific lenses.
Like most Cambridge degrees, the heart of the PBS experience is the supervision system. This involves a heavy reading load and the production of weekly essays on complex topics like the neurobiology of memory or the psychology of prejudice. To get an honest review of the course at Cambridge, you might want to ask a mentor:
What is the reality of the weekly essay cycle—how many hours are you truly spending in the library?
How does it feel to have your arguments critiqued by an expert in a small-group setting? Is it more of a supportive discussion or a high-pressure environment?
How do you manage the transition from learning facts in school to “critiquing existing research” as required by the tutors?
Our mentors at alreadydoingit.co.uk can share their personal experiences of the supervision system and how they adapted to the academic rigour.
Cambridge tutors are often looking for an analytical mindset and a genuine interest in data. If you’re preparing your application, you might be wondering how to move beyond the “wanting to help people” narrative to show true scientific curiosity. You could ask a current student:
How did they select a psychological study to discuss in their personal statement, and how did they approach critiquing its methodology?
What was the interview experience actually like? Were they asked to interpret data or discuss an unfamiliar study on the spot?
What kind of “analytical mindset” do they think the tutors are really looking for during the shortlisting process?
Reading a prospectus gives you the modules, but talking to a mentor gives you the reality. If you want to know what is it really like to study PBS at Cambridge and whether the course matches your expectations, the most reliable source is a student currently enrolled in the programme.
The only way to get the real answer is to talk to someone already doing it. Find your mentor at alreadydoingit.co.uk.
© 2026 Already Doing It Ltd. All rights reserved. The information on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career or admissions advice. Insider Sessions and Our Insider Guides reflect perspectives; always verify specific course details, entry requirements, and module lists with the official University Prospectus before applying.
