Psychology is the scientific discipline that studies mental states, mental processes, and behavior in humans and other animals. The field covers topics such as brain function, cognition, emotion, development, social behavior, mental health, and aging.
The roots of psychology stretch back to philosophy, medicine, and physiology, and modern psychology developed as an experimental and research-based discipline in the late 19th century. Over the years, many universities have become known for psychology teaching and research. Here are some of the top psychology universities in the world, based on current subject rankings and official program information.
Top Psychology Schools in the World
1. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in England, UK. The collegiate institution has 31 Colleges, six Schools, and more than 150 faculties, departments, and other institutions that support teaching and research across a wide range of fields.
The University of Cambridge’s Psychological Laboratory was formally opened in 1913. Today, the Department of Psychology offers undergraduate and postgraduate study and conducts research across several areas of psychological science.
The Department of Psychology highlights world-class teaching and research through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, Cambridge ranks first in the world for psychology. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it ranks second for psychology.
2. Stanford University
Stanford University opened to students in 1891 in Stanford, California, USA, after being founded by Leland and Jane Stanford. The university currently has seven schools and 15 interdisciplinary institutes. Stanford’s alumni, faculty, and researchers have made major contributions in their respective fields, strengthening the university’s reputation over the years.
Stanford’s Department of Psychology traces its origins to 1892, when Frank Angell came to Stanford as Professor of Psychology and became the department’s first head. The university has continued to invest in strong faculty and research facilities, helping its psychology graduates and researchers excel in their fields.
The Department of Psychology at Stanford University remains one of the top psychology schools in the world. It offers undergraduate study and a Ph.D. program in psychology. Stanford Psychology does not offer a terminal master’s degree, although eligible Stanford doctoral or professional students can earn an M.A. in Psychology during their advanced degree program. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, Stanford ranks second globally.
3. Princeton University
Princeton University was chartered in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. A new charter was issued in 1748 while the college was in Newark, and the college moved to its current home in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1756. Princeton University has played a significant role in the historical and educational development of the United States.
Psychology’s early Princeton history includes a psychology laboratory in Nassau Hall in 1893 and the establishment of the Department of Psychology as a separate department in 1920. Generations of Princeton faculty members and students have contributed to the department’s advancement in psychology and related interdisciplinary fields.
Princeton’s Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate psychology concentration and a Ph.D. program. Princeton’s Graduate School lists Psychology as a Ph.D. field, not as a standalone master’s program. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, Princeton ranks fourth globally.
4. Harvard University
Harvard University was founded in 1636 as the first college in the American colonies. It was named Harvard College in 1639 after John Harvard, its first benefactor, and the Charter of 1650 established the Harvard Corporation.
Psychology at Harvard is closely associated with figures such as William James, who was instrumental in establishing Harvard’s psychology department. Since the 19th century, Harvard scholars have contributed to the development of psychology as a modern academic discipline, helping make Harvard University one of the best psychology schools in the world.
Harvard’s Department of Psychology offers undergraduate study and a Ph.D. program with areas including Clinical Science, Social, Developmental, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior. The department does not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though Ph.D. students can earn a master’s degree along the way. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Harvard ranks first globally for psychology; in the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, it ranks fifth.
5. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1868 as the first campus of the University of California system and moved to Berkeley in 1873. It is located in Berkeley, California, USA.
Berkeley’s Department of Psychology was established as a separate unit in 1921–1922 after emerging from the Department of Philosophy. Since its creation, the department has been recognized for research and education in several areas of psychology.
The Department of Psychology offers undergraduate study and a research-focused Ph.D. program. Its graduate program is designed as a five-year doctoral program with guaranteed funding for five years, and students typically complete it in five or six years. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, UC Berkeley ranks third in the world.
6. University College London
UCL was founded in 1826 in London, UK, as London’s first university. It is among the world’s leading research universities, with major strengths across academic, scientific, and professional fields.
UCL’s Division of Psychology and Language Sciences (PALS) undertakes teaching and research across mind, behavior, and language. UCL states that it is ranked first in the UK for Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience research in the Research Excellence Framework.
The Division of Psychology and Language Sciences offers undergraduate, taught master’s, and research-degree options in psychology and related fields. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, UCL ranks sixth globally; in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it ranks fifth for psychology.
7. The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago was incorporated in 1890 and held its first classes in 1892. It was founded by John D. Rockefeller and the American Baptist Education Society and has long emphasized rigorous research and interdisciplinary scholarship.
John Dewey established the Laboratory of Psychology at the University of Chicago in 1893. The Department of Psychology was established in 1905, with James Rowland Angell as its first head.
The University of Chicago is one of the best psychology schools in the world. Its Department of Psychology offers undergraduate study and a Ph.D. in Psychology. It does not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology; however, the Division of the Social Sciences offers related master’s options, including the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences with a psychology concentration and the M.A. in Computational Social Science. In the Times Higher Education 2026 Psychology subject ranking, the University of Chicago ranks 10th globally.
We hope this article on the world’s best psychology schools was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
