Choosing a university course.

Hi guys,
I'm planning on going to university in September 2012. However, I need to start applying for what course and university I want to go to this October. I have been looking at Forensic Psychology but I am a little worried that there will be a lot of science involvement within the course?? Is this true??
Also, could you suggest any University courses that would involve psychology that would allow me to pursue a career within the polic/prison/hospitals/social services etc? Something along the lines of forensic psychology would be VERY interesting to me.
How long does it take take to be a fully qualified forensic psychologists?
please please please help me if you can!!
Thank you :smile:

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

iammichealjackson

According to the BPS, Degree (3 years)->Masters(1 years)->further training(2 years) 5 years in total, give or take incase you have to reapply.

http://www.bps.org.uk/careers-education-training/how-become-psychologist/types-psychologists/becoming-forensic-psychologis

All psychology degrees are inherently scientific, do you mean you want to avoid biology?

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 2

gmoorley20

Ahhh so a few years training, that doesn't bother me. Is the further 2 years training at University?
I only gained a C at GCSE for my Science and haven't carried any Science subjects through to A Levels (I'm doing Psychology, which they class as a Science based subject). However, I am a little concerned that the Science involved in the course may be a little to difficult for me to get my head around?

Reply 3

bruce_t89

Original post by gmoorley20

Don't worry about it. As long as you revise thoroughly you won't have many problems with the more sciencey modules. I got DD for GCSE Science (double award) but neuroscience is one of my strengths in my psychology degree due to my enthusiasm for this area.

Reply 4

gmoorley20

Do you know how much Science is involved in the course? I've asked Universities but there has been no reply? Do you think I would be able to cope with the Science then? I'm prepared to put in the effort in and revise?

Reply 5

iammichealjackson

Original post by gmoorley20

GCSE science means **** all. I hated biology/chemistry at GCSE and didn't take them at a level, it doesn't matter too much for psychology. You do need some interest in the biology side of psychology to cope with those modules. I'd recommend reading 'The human mind' by Robert Winston (http://goo.gl/QLUUu) just to get some idea of the biology behind psychology. The chances are, like me you've only been scared off bio/chem from GCSE where its utterly boring. I began to actually like biology since ive been reading about it outside of school.

Alot of people who do psych haven't got science a levels. Just try to find something you like about bio from outside school.

Reply 6

iammichealjackson

Original post by gmoorley20

Look at the 'course structure' for specific courses on the website, its different everywhere you go. E.g. at newcastle:

http://www.york.ac.uk/psychology/prospective/undergraduate/course/

York is quite heavy in bio i think, it changes everywhere you apply to though.

Reply 7

gmoorley20

Okay. Thank you. Have you done Forensic Psychology then?

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 8

gmoorley20

Original post by iammichealjackson

I think i will be fine with the science involved in the psychology. It is just the Forensic side of the course? If you know anything about that?

Reply 9

bruce_t89

Original post by gmoorley20

BPS accredited Forensic Psychology courses will have compulsory Biological Psychology modules, so there is no escaping it. Just work hard and enjoy the biological components of the course and you'll be fine.

Reply 10

gmoorley20

I have already done some biological psychology with AS (I know uni will be harder stuff). Is that all that is included in the course that is science based?

Reply 11

bruce_t89

Original post by gmoorley20

I have already done some biological psychology with AS (I know uni will be harder stuff). Is that all that is included in the course that is science based?

A bit more than what is included in the A-level and it's more in depth.

For my brain and behaviour module this year we started off with neuroanatomy and neurons, then we went into psychopharmacology, movement, sleep, emotion, memory and learning.

Cognitive psychology modules are also scientific. You'll learn about the eye, the auditory and visual areas of the brain etc.

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to PM me. :smile:

Reply 12

Pheebs1201

You need to do a general BPS accredited psychology degree before specialising into a single area such as forensic, this is done at Masters level.

Reply 13

iammichealjackson

Original post by gmoorley20

I have already done some biological psychology with AS (I know uni will be harder stuff). Is that all that is included in the course that is science based?

Yeh, someone mentioned before that there are compulsary biological psychology modules. Do you enjoy biopsychology or cognitive psychology at A Level?

If you haven't performed well at bio GCSE and you have performed well at psychology A level, you are using the exact same skills for each course- you cannot be bad at biology as its just learning facts really.

Reply 14

gmoorley20

Original post by Pheebs1201

You need to do a general BPS accredited psychology degree before specialising into a single area such as forensic, this is done at Masters level.

So why is there specific degreees at university like Forensic Psychology degree!??

Reply 15

gmoorley20

Original post by iammichealjackson

I performed pretty well in the biopsychology modules, found them interesting (but then again i think all psychology is). I've tried contacting universities about it, but they are not very forthcoming with any information.

Reply 16

iammichealjackson

Original post by gmoorley20

Exactly, I would read up on more biopsychology across the hols such as:

http://www.sfn.org/index.aspx?pagename=brainfacts

and put it in your Personal Statement because they might be worried about having low GCSE science scores. You don't have much to worry about if you like the biopsychology stuff! You won't have to do pure chem/bio.

Reply 17

gmoorley20

Original post by iammichealjackson

That's even better if I do not have to do just pure chem/bio modules. The idea of doing this degree is sounding more positive now :smile:

Reply 18

iammichealjackson

Original post by gmoorley20

That's even better if I do not have to do just pure chem/bio modules. The idea of doing this degree is sounding more positive now :smile:

Yeh, the degreee i've applied for is mixed social science degree so i (may be, depending on grades) doing a pure bio anth module, but for all psych degrees its all related to neurological and endocrine systems relevent to behaviour- so it would all be interesting. For example looking brain differences in people with APD 'psychopathy' disorder, you might find interesting. don't worry about it to much, you can read up before anyway if you really want to, with that link i gave before.