Pursue Undergraduate Program in
Psychology
York’s Psychology program was ranked 4th in Canada by QS World University Rankings 2022.
The field of psychology is dedicated to the scientific study of behaviour including thought, feeling and action, and viewed from social, developmental and biological perspectives. You can study virtually all of the areas of psychology as our program offers the largest variety and diversity of courses of any psychology program in Canada. We provide learning opportunities and research experience in many different areas of Psychology including developmental and social psychology, abnormal psychology and counseling, behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, history and theory, statistics and quantitative methods, as well as explore a wide variety of topics ranging from personality, memory, learning, intelligence, motivation, psychological disorders, biological basis of behaviour, bullying, perception, perfectionism, empathy, cognition, culture, child development and much, much more.
Undergraduate students have the option of working toward either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Students may choose to focus on specific areas of interest such as neuroscience or abnormal psychology or follow a more generalized program that covers a wide variety of aspects of the discipline. The Psychology program is structured so that you are exposed to the breadth of psychology but may also tailor your degree program to focus on specific areas of interest.
- The BA psychology program exposes you to a full range of psychological concepts and applications.
- The BSc option adds a focus on the physical sciences (chemistry, physics, and biology) to a full range of discipline-specific courses.
Reasons to choose Psychology at YORK U
- Our Specialized Honours Psychology Program (both BA and BSc) provides advanced training in research methods, statistical analysis, as well as one-on-one thesis supervision and prepares students wishing to go on to graduate school.
- We offer an extensive and diverse selection of courses taught both in classroom settings and on the Internet. There are also evening and summer courses offered for working students who wish to pursue their studies on a part-time basis.
- Learn from leading researchers in the field: Joel Katz, Canada Research Chair in Health Psychology; J Douglas Crawford, Canada Research Chair in Visual-Motor Neuroscience; Gordon Flett, Canada Research Chair in Personality & Health; and Distinguished Research Professor and Order of Canada recipient Debra Pepler, whose research has changed the way we think about child and youth bullying and aggression.
- Students have the opportunity to gain a credential in one of six Psychology Concentrations: Counselling and Mental Health; Psychological Humanities, Contexts & Communities; Child and Youth Development; Applied Methods and Analysis; Neuropsychology; Aging and Late Life Development.
- Participate in research in one of our many research centres, including the renowned Centre for Vision Research, the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research, and the York University Psychology Clinic.
- Engage in active research alongside your professors. Psychology students often contribute to the Trauma and Attachment Report, a weekly online research report.
- Bridging courses are available for those missing either a math or science prerequisite for entry to the BSc degree.
- The courses Writing in Psychology (2010) (for all Psychology majors), Professionalism and Communication in Psychology (3000) (Specialized Honours Students only), and Critical Thinking in Psychology (4180) (Honours students only) provide transferable skills that employers are looking for.
Program Details
Offered By
Faculty of Health
Degrees Offered
BA, BSc
Fall Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Winter Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Summer Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Ways to Study
Full-Time, Part-Time
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 1010 6.0)
- Techniques of Persuasion (MODR 1770 6.0)
- The Future of Work (SOSC 1510 6.0)
- Current Issues in Mental Health (SOWK 2035 3.0)
Possible Career Paths
- behaviour analyst
- child and youth worker
- policy advisor
- human resources manager
- mediator
- marketing manager
- rehabilitation specialist
- physician, counselor, psychotherapist, lawyer, teacher, social worker, psychologist (with further professional training)
- mental health/family therapist
Viewbooks
Undergraduate
View Viewbook (PDF)
Transfer & Mature
View Viewbook (PDF)
Indigenous
View Viewbook (PDF)
International
View Viewbook (PDF)
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsFaculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Baccalauréat Français
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Bachillerato
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
CAPE
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Chinese High School
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
Turkish High School
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
GCE
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Hong Kong
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
International Baccalaureate
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches higher-level
- Analysis and Approaches standard-level
- Applications and Interpretations higher-level
- Applications and Interpretations standard-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Indian High School
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
OUAC code YHA
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
OUAC code YHB
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- College and University applicants may be admitted with one missing pre-requisite course which can be completed during the first year of study in the Faculty of Health.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- College and University applicants may be admitted with one missing pre-requisite course which can be completed during the first year of study in the Faculty of Health.
Faculty of Health
BA
To be considered a mature student, you must:
be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
Faculty of Health
BSc
To be considered a mature student, you must:
be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- College and University applicants may be admitted with one missing pre-requisite course which can be completed during the first year of study in the Faculty of Health.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- College and University applicants may be admitted with one missing pre-requisite course which can be completed during the first year of study in the Faculty of Health.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Tawjihyah
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
United States High School
- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) - minimum 6 academic courses
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
Faculty of Health
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
Faculty of Health
BSc
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75.
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.