Hertfordshire or Lincoln for psychology?

Hi everyone,

I'd really like some opinions here. As you've probably guessed, I'm trying to decide between Lincoln and Herts to study psychology - I have unconditional offers for both.
Both unis have their pros and cons according to my needs.. here are the ones I can think of.

Herts is technically a 'better uni' in general.
Lincoln is technically a 'better uni' for psychology.

My background is in gymnastics and I currently train more within Olympic weightlifting - I'd love to do both though:

Herts has a very good sporting reputation and its facilities include specialised Oly platforms and bars/weights. No gymnastics club/society though.

Lincoln has a gymnastics society and a parkour club. No Olympic weightlifting though.

Herts is in a short train journey away from London and home - not much around the uni.

Lincoln is walking distance from all the clubs and shops - otherwise pretty remote.

Finally I should add that I'd like to go into a career path within clinical psychology. The course at Lincoln is Psych with Clinical Psych, so may give me a slight edge.

Any thoughts?

Reply 1

Fuzzpig

For Psychology, as it's so competitive I'd go for the best department possible, especially as you'll no doubt be aiming to do postgraduate studies if you're serious about the career path.

Therefore, I'd say Lincoln.

Hmmm,

toughie

Tough. Lincoln would be my gut.

Reply 4

llacerta

I agree with the above, when it comes to postgraduate study it seems it's the department, not the overal reputation of the university, that matters the most. Plus as you said, the course at Lincoln has that Clinical Psychology twist to it, and I assume it's also BPS accredited. I'd personally go for Lincoln if I were you.

Reply 5

CrazyBeautiful

llacerta

I agree with this. If you're not bothered about these league tables and snobbery, then go with Lincoln (which as you have said has the better department for Psychology anyway). I'm actually doing the Clin Psych degree at Lincoln now; it's BPS accredited, and the clinical modules are comprehensive and relevent. The second year is mainly related to disorders and their aetiologies, and the third year (though I'm not in it yet :smile:

) is more practical, and related to treatment.

Also, you're not so far away from London that you can't go down there quite happily now and then.

Go to Lincoln.

If clinical is really what you want to do, it may be wise to think where you can get experience from nearby while you study. Trust me about the experience. You don't want to be in a position where you graduate without experience and have to fight against the horde of other psychology graduates to get the few relevant jobs out there.

To be brutally honest, doing a few "specialist modules" at BSc level is not going to give you an edge against people from elite universities (which have their network of contacts), MScs and extensive experience. Good experience (and a range of it) will though.

Reply 8

MightyMe.

Thanks for the replies, I'll bear them in mind :smile:

I'm certainly well aware of the experience required to get onto a D.Clin.Psych course. I've organized some clinical experience for this summer and plan to do as much work within the field as I can whenever I get the chance.

Reply 9

GodspeedGehenna

MightyMe.

I've organized some clinical experience for this summer

Clinical experience?

Reply 10

MightyMe.

GodspeedGehenna

Clinical experience?

Volunteering with the acute therapy service at a mental health unit. It's really just having conversations and taking part in activities with the patients but will look good on my CV for sure!

Reply 11

GodspeedGehenna

MightyMe.

Volunteering with the acute therapy service at a mental health unit. It's really just having conversations and taking part in activities with the patients but will look good on my CV for sure!

Ah right. I did something similar at a psychiatric hospital during my first year. Was alright actually. The nurses were bitches though.

Reply 12

MightyMe.

GodspeedGehenna

Ah right. I did something similar at a psychiatric hospital during my first year. Was alright actually. The nurses were bitches though.

Fair enough, I'll be prepared haha. I hope you don't mind me asking but I've just had a little snoop on your profile and noticed you're at RHUL - that's very close to me so I was just wondering what hospital it was?