Postgraduate studies and career options.

I have both a Psychology conversion and MSc in Forensic Psychology, happy to answer any questions

Hi there! Thanks for the reply.

Considering you have completed both courses, do you currently practice as a forensic psychologist? If so, where do you work and how did you find the process of finding a job in the forensic psychology field?

You need the Stage 2 before becoming a qualified Forensic Psychologist, which is another 3 years at least. You can either do the MSc and the BPS Stage 2 qualification, the MSc and a top-up course, or the Professional Doctorate in Forensic Psychology. The BPS qualification takes anywhere from 3-5 years, the Doctorate takes 3 years full-time.

Unfortunately I finished my MSc in the middle of this pandemic so finding employment hasn't been easy, I'd say working up to getting an assistant or trainee psychologist post is the most difficult aspect of becoming an FP as they're not common and there's always lots of competition. At the moment I'm focusing on my volunteer work and CPD by doing online courses.

Thank you. I am aware that the Stage 2 of qualification can take a long time. When you say finding employment has not been easy, do you mean there has been a lack of opportunity or you have just had bad luck in being successful?

how is the volunteering going? I have heard this can also be hard to get hold of, although I am not sure whether this is purely down to Covid?

Where did you study if you mind me asking? And would you recommend the university you studied at to others?

I'd say it's largely due to Covid in my scenario, the lack of vacancies combined with my driving test keep being pushed back has meant my options at the moment are limited.

I love my volunteering role, it's probably one of the best things I've ever done. Direct forensic work experience is difficult to come across at the best of times due to the nature of the work and being largely unqualified, but it's also area specific so down to luck a lot of the time. And as you pointed out, lockdown doesn't help either.

I did my conversion at Aston and my MSc at Coventry. Overall I would recommend Cov, the course structure is good and the modules are all very interesting. I know some students on my course felt there was a lack of support (there definitely was during the start of lockdown), but you need to be mindful of the jump from undergrad to postgrad as well. It's a much harder qualification in terms of intensity, the level of academic writing required and the amount of independent work needed, so it will always feel like there's less support compared to a BSc/BA.

Ah yeah I can imagine the driving situation doesn't help when looking for opportunities. Good to hear that you're enjoying your volunteering role, what is it that you do? I've looked at volunteering for several charities and organisations myself, seems to be a lack of vacancies in my area so I guess i'll just have to play the waiting game for now.

Would you not recommend Aston then? If I decide to do a conversion course then it'll likely be online as many of the local universities do not offer one and moving in the midst of a pandemic doesn't sound all too appealing. Coventry does look very good, they offer an online conversion course and it seems the course is structured well and not to mention it is a top university. The only two things that put me off Coventry is that the conversion is two years instead of one and they do not offer a forensic psych module unlike Manchester Met. In your experience, have you felt at a disadvantage by doing the conversion course? I've heard that it can limit your chances of being successful when compared with other applicants who have studied psychology at undergrad level. I often wonder if by doing the conversion course you are left at a disadvantage from knowledge and employment perspectives.

I am no stranger to a 'lack of support' due to having my second and third years impacted by the pandemic. I am sure this will continue to be the case at any university.

Thanks for answering all of my questions, I really do appreciate it .

I love my volunteering role, it's probably one of the best things I've ever done. Direct forensic work experience is difficult to come across at the best of times due to the nature of the work and being largely unqualified, but it's also area specific so down to luck a lot of the time. And as you pointed out, lockdown doesn't help either.

I'm a mentor in a prison for young offenders, supporting them in the last 3-6 months before release and then continuing that support once they re-enter the community. It's very rewarding and has given me massive insight into prisons and offending behaviour.

No, Aston was good, there's just not too much to say about it, really. I saw the conversion course as just a stepping stone in order to get onto the Forensic Psychology MSc if I'm honest. From what I remember, it was well-run and gave me a good background into psychology.

I haven't felt at a disadvantaged at all, no. Employers in the forensic field are looking at you as a person, your qualities etc, your MSc in FP and any experience you already have. As long as you have GBC, it doesn't matter if it came from a conversion course or the regular 3 year undergraduate. I did feel a bit out of my depth at the start of my MSc but that feeling soon went away, I feel like the insight I gained volunteering actually gave me more of a grasp on the course content than those who had the BSc in Psychology but no experience.

Yeah, Coventy wasn't that good during the pandemic tbh they just put up lectures once a week and that was it. No engagement whatsover, which is particularly important for a subject like psychology where so much can be learned from class discussions. I think some struggled with the amount of information given for assignments more than anything. There were a few where the guidance given was quite limited so there was some uncertainty about not knowing if you were even doing the right thing, but that's the nature of the work at that level unfortunately.

No problem

Not sure what it is like for FP, but what kind of experience is valid for progression onto stage 2 Forensic?

In CP, it is often RA, AP, PWP and similar posts that are most but there is actually a wide range of posts that are valid in the trainees I have met and supervised. Is it more restricted in FP?

(Asking for quite selfish reasons, as we may have funding for a Band 4 AP post in my team shortly. In the past I have advertised in NHS contexts and the local AP groups, but your post is making me think that maybe FP aspirants may be worth targeting as well if they have dedicated Borderline PD experience)

Oh wow that mentoring position sounds great. How did you go about getting a position like that? As you have said, you felt your experience allowed you to grasp the course better, what did you do before you started your masters in forensic psych to gain relevant experience? I am aware that some universities demand a wealth of experience just as much as academic ability to get onto their post grad psychology courses. I would be looking to start a conversion course this September and then if all goes to plan, a masters in forensic psychology immediately after. I am concerned that I would not be able to get that experience in time to start the masters.

Good to hear that in your experience you have not felt at a disadvantage. Like I have said previously, one of the big factors for me is the career prospects after study, so it's very comforting to hear you do not feel disadvantaged.

@Brom99
Hello! I am currently doing an MSc Psychology (conversion course) at Arden University so I know a little about this.

I have really enjoyed the program, and a major benefit was that there was opportunities to work on projects with lecturers to expand your portfolio, and get experience in either working in a lab or assisting projects, such as transcribing interviews - these are big areas for employers. In the course as well there was a great careers advice session. Have you thought about doing an MSc in psychology and doing a teacher training course too? Psychology is an area where there are always lots of jobs and I occasionally see Law positions too...

You mentioned Manchester and Coventry, have you considered Arden as an option? We have blended learning centers in Manchester and down the road in Birmingham if you wanted a blended learning option - but you can also do the full Masters online. Why not check it out - https://arden.ac.uk/our-courses/postgraduate/masters/msc-psychology-bps

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador