Would psychology for A-levels be a waste of an option if I want to be a psychologist?

I have to choose what A-levels i want to do in sixth form. I want to do 3 subjects, so i am leaning towards: biology and history, but deciding between psychology and government and politics. I am thinking to become a psychologist as a career, would it be a good idea to take psychology for A-levels, or just do government and politics now and just do psychology as a degree. I didn't have the option to do psychology at GCSE, however i am currently doing citizenship.

I am thinking to do history, and leave government and politics, for university, to study to become a criminal psychologist, perhaps? I don't know if that's a good idea though.

What did you get at GCSE?

I have to choose what A-levels i want to do in sixth form. I want to do 3 subjects, so i am leaning towards: biology and history, but deciding between psychology and government and politics. I am thinking to become a psychologist as a career, would it be a good idea to take psychology for A-levels, or just do government and politics now and just do psychology as a degree. I didn't have the option to do psychology at GCSE, however i am currently doing citizenship.

People have told me it would be a waste of a subject to do psychology for A-levels as i can just do it as a degree, is that true?

I am thinking to do history, and leave government and politics, for university, to study to become a criminal psychologist, perhaps? I don't know if that's a good idea though.

What did you get at GCSE?

I have to choose what A-levels i want to do in sixth form. I want to do 3 subjects, so i am leaning towards: biology and history, but deciding between psychology and government and politics. I am thinking to become a psychologist as a career, would it be a good idea to take psychology for A-levels, or just do government and politics now and just do psychology as a degree. I didn't have the option to do psychology at GCSE, however i am currently doing citizenship.

People have told me it would be a waste of a subject to do psychology for A-levels as i can just do it as a degree, is that true?

I am thinking to do history, and leave government and politics, for university, to study to become a criminal psychologist, perhaps? I don't know if that's a good idea though.

I think they;re still doing their GCSEs

I think it will really help you know if you actually enjoy Psychology and confirm for you if you want to do a degree in it.

One thing I was never told when I chose my psych degree was how much work you have to do afterwards to actually become a psychologist... it’s a good (at least) 7 years of work after A levels... you want to ensure you actually enjoy that subject!

I think psychology would be looked upon my unis as a more academically challenging subject than government and politics. Also studying psychology will give you something to talk about in your personal statement when applying to unis if you want to do psychology!! You can specialise in what part of psychology at degree level rather than narrowing your choices down too quickly.

As a student currently doing A level psychology, who also did not study the subject at GCSE, I would 100% recommend it. Although the first few months took me a while to get used to the course and 'how' to learn, it has now clicked and it is one of my favourite subjects. If you are considering studying biology at a level too, I believe the knowledge you gain from biology can be transferred to psychology which would be useful.

Having said all this government and politics would still be a fine choice for a level.

If you don't mind me asking, did you take another route, instead of being a psychologist, if it was related to psychology, what was it?

I think psychology would be looked upon my unis as a more academically challenging subject than government and politics. Also studying psychology will give you something to talk about in your personal statement when applying to unis if you want to do psychology!! You can specialise in what part of psychology at degree level rather than narrowing your choices down too quickly.

As a student currently doing A level psychology, who also did not study the subject at GCSE, I would 100% recommend it. Although the first few months took me a while to get used to the course and 'how' to learn, it has now clicked and it is one of my favourite subjects. If you are considering studying biology at a level too, I believe the knowledge you gain from biology can be transferred to psychology which would be useful.

Having said all this government and politics would still be a fine choice for a level.

After 19 years in education, I chose to take a break and I’m now in I’m now in adult social care (unqualified social worker) but I’ve tried several ways to use my degree (police etc). I’m now 26 with a good 5 years experience behind me. I’m now trying to make a decision with what I want to do to further my education.

I found by doing the psychology A Level (I did history and forensics too) it really strengthened my love of psychology and made me realise it was what I wanted to do for my degree!

I also want to do it for a degree, but i'm just worried about career options as 7 years in university is quite a long time.

Oh ok.

I would do Biology because it allows you to go to most universities for Psychology degrees and would do History as it is a facilitating subject so gives you more options at university. I would also do Psychology as it would make A Levels less of a hassle since you are interested in Psychology and you would probably get a high grade due to your interest in the subject.

I really recommend looking at this because it’s very difficult to get assistant psych jobs without a masters and then to progress further then that you tend to need a PHD. Psychology is a very broad degree and will support you in any job but I do recommend thinking about the end goal. I was the same as you... psychologist was my end goal but it takes a lot to get there! But if you feel you can do it and you want to go for it then do it 😀. The one bit of advice I wish I received when I was thinking about uni was... choose a course that means you have a professional qualification at the end (social work, Occupational therapy to name a few)

Yes, that was the main reason why i chose history, as i could change my career path with it if i needed to, also because of my passion for history. You, basically summed up why i chose all my subjects,and got rid of my uncertainty in them, thank you!