[derbyg]

I've been told I should apply for Cambridge, but I was wondering, is it worth going to Cambridge just for the label over other universities with courses I like better or that have better opportunities like studying abroad (preferably in the USA)?

I have the ability to get the grades for Cambridge, so is it worth studying Psychology there?

Thanks for any help

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by derbyg)
I've been told I should apply for Cambridge, but I was wondering, is it worth going to Cambridge just for the label over other universities with courses I like better or that have better opportunities like studying abroad (preferably in the USA)?

I have the ability to get the grades for Cambridge, so is it worth studying Psychology there?

Thanks for any help

Two criteria matter for choosing a university;

1. The content of the course. Research all the options, look at the modules and subjects covered, decide which course you like most.

2. Whether you want to live there. You go to university for 3 years at least, don't go somewhere you don't like.


And I suppose a third - can you realistically make a successful application. You can take some risks in your applications but you need to get at least one.

Cambridge is as good as any US university, especially for undergrad teaching (it's probably better for teaching due to the supervision system) BUT the difference is not big enough that you should choose a course or place you like less for either reputation or teaching quality. They're all good enough on that front.

[punctuation]

(Original post by derbyg)
I've been told I should apply for Cambridge, but I was wondering, is it worth going to Cambridge just for the label over other universities with courses I like better or that have better opportunities like studying abroad (preferably in the USA)?

I have the ability to get the grades for Cambridge, so is it worth studying Psychology there?

Thanks for any help

You should know that Cambridge does not have "straight psychology" -- instead, they have PPS which is with politics and sociology... unless you enjoy these subjects equally, I suggest you try other unis.

[ROBBY7896]

(Original post by punctuation)
You should know that Cambridge does not have "straight psychology" -- instead, they have PPS which is with politics and sociology... unless you enjoy these subjects equally, I suggest you try other unis.

They have actually just introduced a course for this year called 'Psychological and Behavioural Science', which looks pretty much psychology, so this might me more suited to the OP.

[punctuation]

(Original post by ROBBY7896)
They have actually just introduced a course for this year called 'Psychological and Behavioural Science', which looks pretty much psychology, so this might me more suited to the OP.

Ah, sorry, I didn't realise.

*nods and points*

[derbyg]

(Original post by The Mr Z)
Two criteria matter for choosing a university;

1. The content of the course. Research all the options, look at the modules and subjects covered, decide which course you like most.

2. Whether you want to live there. You go to university for 3 years at least, don't go somewhere you don't like.


And I suppose a third - can you realistically make a successful application. You can take some risks in your applications but you need to get at least one.

Cambridge is as good as any US university, especially for undergrad teaching (it's probably better for teaching due to the supervision system) BUT the difference is not big enough that you should choose a course or place you like less for either reputation or teaching quality. They're all good enough on that front.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to compare course content in more detail then.

[derbyg]

(Original post by ROBBY7896)
They have actually just introduced a course for this year called 'Psychological and Behavioural Science', which looks pretty much psychology, so this might me more suited to the OP.

This is the course I would apply for at Cambridge, but is it better to have work expeience included in the degree or Cambridge 'label'?

[punctuation]

(Original post by derbyg)
This is the course I would apply for at Cambridge, but is it better to have work experience included in the degree or Cambridge 'label'?

Are you referring to the Bath sandwich course?

[derbyg]

(Original post by punctuation)
Are you referring to the Bath sandwich course?

Yes, this one and the sandwich course at Loughborough.

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by derbyg)
This is the course I would apply for at Cambridge, but is it better to have work expeience included in the degree or Cambridge 'label'?

Not going to lie, Cambridge label wins out by a country mile. Work Experience over the summer is as good as years out, and Cambridge offers plenty of links. Plus, such things are included in a course's reputation - Cambridge's reputation is still a lot higher. (no comment on how justified this is, just stating fact)

[iammichealjackson]

Hey im a first year PPSer, and you can ask me about the Psychology course coming out next year.

If you have the money, id go the USA, but for value for money england is better...

Cambridge is challenging but its well worth going, you get face to face experience in supervisions with (sometimes) professors who are at the top of their field, which is great. Its mostly because Cambridge/Oxford have more money to use for teaching you so you have really good facilities. However, you may enjoy yourself a bit more at other universities if you have less work, and get a pretty similar degree. If your passionate about psychology and do a fair bit of reading on the side, then you have a good chance of getting in. Doing well at a level psychology is not enough...

If your applying next year, you do PBS (psychology & behavioural sciences), or you can apply for HSPS (human, social and political sciences).

In PBS, you do one compulsory Psychology paper, a research methods paper, then you pick two optional papers. This is really good, because studying other subjects in your first year gives you a broader perspective, and things like biological anthropology are very relevant to psychology... and other things like sociology & soc anth which are also useful for psychology but not traditionally studied in psych degrees.