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What A levels should i take to become a child psychologist?

I'm pretty sure you don't need to take psychology to do a degree if i'm correct? Because its not that well respected as an a-level. But what DO i need to take? Is it essential to take a science (or even two)? or would i be okay with just maths, i think thats usually counted as a 'science'. The other options i was thinking were history and rs and i'm not sure on my fourth yet. Anyway, thanks :smile:

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You are correct, you don't need Psychology to do it to degree level, however most universities will ask for a science A level, which can include Psychology. Maths is a bit of a dodgy one, I'm not sure where they stand on that, some are ok with it, some aren't. History would be good as it's essay based, and I suppose RS would be ok. If you have a few unis in mind have a look at their entry requirements and see what they say about maths :smile:
Reply 2
Maybe Sociology?
Reply 3
They usually like you have to Biology and possibly Chem at A level if you're planning on doing a Psyc degree. I would check out the individual university websites and see what their requirements are.
psychology
Biology
and then any two other ones (ild take a doss one as a fall back)
Psychology is becoming a more respected A-level, and is now seen as a 'real' A-level by Cambridge. I took it and I found it really interesting, it would probably give you an insight into what it would be like to study at university. Maths is usually counted as a science, i took that too.
Reply 6
You don't need psychology to take it at degree level. However, although it might not be 'well respected' for a lot of degree courses, I doubt they'd count it against you if you were applying for a psychology degree.

Other than that, as others have said, a good range of subjects (biology is very useful, possibly maths, then perhaps a humanity like history) would stand you in good stead.
Reply 7
I'd say take psychology at A-Level, that way you'll know whether you like the subject enough to handle it for another three/four years at uni. I know a lot of people that hated psychology at college that initially wanted to work in that field and changed their mind as a result.
Reply 8
Psychology is well respected; it’s one of the hardest A levels in my view. I know people who do 'respected a levels' and still find psychology the most challenging a level they have.

Well I suggest you take up psychology as it has a whole section on child (developmental) psychology. You should also consider taking biology. Psychology and biology are both sciences, and I think you should take up some social sciences which are relevant, to give you balanced and well rounded A levels. You should consider sociology as a lot of it is surrounding children and families ext, which you will come across a lot as a child psychologist.
Please don’t take up general studies or critical thinking or whatever, because most of the Uni’s don’t consider it, therefore it’s a waste of time.
How do you know you want to be a psychologist if you don't study psychology ? I'd say it's a good idea to take it for A level to see what it's like, and yeah it is becoming a lot more scientific and more respected.
Reply 10
I think you need chemistry to do psychology at uni... you should look at specifications for different unis to get a general idea of what you need.
I think you need to do medicine and specialise in child psychology - a woman at my work experience was specialising in child psychology; she was like a foundation year 2 doctor.
hmmm, psychology or sociology, biology, maths and something else
Reply 13
People seem to be confused about the pathway to becoming a psychologist who works with children.

There a quite a few options which first require a BSc Psychology qualification with GBC - http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/what-do-psychologists-do/areas/areas_home.cfm:

1)Clinical Psychologist who upon graduation chooses to work with children and adolescents (3 year doctorate)

2)Educational Psychologist who works with children and adolescents within the school context (3 year doctorate)

3)Forensic Psychologist who like a clinical psychologist chooses to work with children and adolescents after completing Stage 1 (1 year MSc Forensic Psychology) and Stage 2 of the training (2 years) EXCEPT that it is specifically within a criminal justice setting.

Considering that it will take a minimum of 6 years to become a qualified psychologist from the point you begin an undergraduate psychology degree (realistically it is often much longer as it is a very competitive field) you may wish to consider attaining Early Years Professional Status or (http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/eyps), or becoming a counsellor/psychotherapist who works with children and their families. For these last 2 options I don't believe a psychology degree is required.

For a Psychology degree, I would say the A' Levels Psychology, Biology and Mathematics would work particularly well together. However, if you are more inclined towards the Arts/Humanities then I would recommend you replace Mathematics with English Lit or Lang or History. Sociology may be an option too, but may be perceived as a 'soft option' by universities, so you will have to think about whether you can sell your qualities in the face of such stigma.

Best of luck
Take psychology. It's really not the 'not respected' A level most people say it is!

It's a good way to start experiencing the subject. I think (I don't do psychology so I don't know) there are optional studies too, so if you really want to know if you want to pursue this career you can look into all the studies at A level.

Psychology, maths/biology/chemistry, and English lit/RS/philosophy would be good imo. Sociology too, but only as a fourth if you're interested in that.
Reply 15
This is basically a matter of looking up the entry requirements for psychology degrees at unis you like. Then take whatever subjects are compulsory and work from there.
Reply 16
Two of my friends would like to become a Child Psychologist and they are both taking Psychology, Sociology and Health & Social Care.

To get onto a psychology degree, you do not necessary need to take an A level in Psychology, even though it would be useful as you will gain more of an insight in Psychology and you will therefore, have some knowledge on the subject.

Most Psychology degrees ask for Psychology, Biology, Maths, English, History, Economics and similar arts and social science subjects. All of these subjects would be beneficial, but remember to take subjects you know you will enjoy as well!
It would be best for you to look at your preferred or actually, any universities page for the career and they are likely to tell you their A level subject + grade requirements :smile:
Reply 18
moleman3
I'm pretty sure you don't need to take psychology to do a degree if i'm correct? Because its not that well respected as an a-level. But what DO i need to take? Is it essential to take a science (or even two)? or would i be okay with just maths, i think thats usually counted as a 'science'. The other options i was thinking were history and rs and i'm not sure on my fourth yet. Anyway, thanks :smile:


biology and maths will be good.
psychology if you want to.
the other subjects are up to you, but i suggest essay based ones, to balance out the sciency/maths ones.

hope that helps.
You don't necessarily need to study Psychology at A-level to be able to study it at university but why don't you do it anyway? I don't think you need to be concerned about Psychology being a less respected A-level subject if you're going to study it at university. It's not like you're intending to do a degree in a completely different subject. Besides, studying it now might prepare you for studying it at degree level.

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