Psychology or History Degree ?
I’m having a hard time deciding what uni course i want to apply too , and wondered if anyone could give some insight into a history and/or psychology degree.
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Original post by AbigailKay
I’m having a hard time deciding what uni course i want to apply too , and wondered if anyone could give some insight into a history and/or psychology degree.
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
I was in a similar situation but found a love for the clinical side of psychology- turns out my course has a historical section named CHIPS in the first year which was great for me.
A part of my degree does way in maths and biology (i hate maths) but they do take it slower paced for the first term or so to make sure everyone is following.
My decision mainly was made due to the career i want to go into and my interest in psychology. But also that if i change my mind career wise psychology is applicable to so many different careers.
Of course I can’t shed light on the History side of things, but if you did pick History you could always change your course.
At the end of the day pick the course you enjoy the most, read up on the content on what they teach at uni for each course and pick the one that seems most interesting!
Hope this helps, if you have any questions i’m more than happy to try my best at answering!
Original post by AbigailKay
I’m having a hard time deciding what uni course i want to apply too , and wondered if anyone could give some insight into a history and/or psychology degree.
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
If you don't know then you don't really want to do either. A psychology degree contains a lot of science; it's not like A-level where you can just write a 10 or 20 mark answer and throw in a few science facts here and there, hiding your lack of scientific knowledge amongst the reeling off of everything essay-based that you memorised from your textbook. You need to properly research both degrees before you can make a decision.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Vortexswirls
If you don't know then you don't really want to do either. A psychology degree contains a lot of science; it's not like A-level where you can just write a 10 or 20 mark answer and throw in a few science facts here and there, hiding your lack of scientific knowledge amongst the reeling off of everything essay-based that you memorised from your textbook. You need to properly research both degrees before you can make a decision.
I mean i wouldn’t say that because i don’t know what i want to do i don’t really want to do either. I struggled picking my a levels and ended up really enjoying all three.
I’ve researched both degrees in depth , and the reason i’m still stuck is because both sound interesting and enjoyable. That’s why i asked on here , to get some insight from actual students to help me.
Thanks for the info about psychology though , i suspected it would be very different alevel.
Original post by Abi0803
I was in a similar situation but found a love for the clinical side of psychology- turns out my course has a historical section named CHIPS in the first year which was great for me.
A part of my degree does way in maths and biology (i hate maths) but they do take it slower paced for the first term or so to make sure everyone is following.
My decision mainly was made due to the career i want to go into and my interest in psychology. But also that if i change my mind career wise psychology is applicable to so many different careers.
Of course I can’t shed light on the History side of things, but if you did pick History you could always change your course.
At the end of the day pick the course you enjoy the most, read up on the content on what they teach at uni for each course and pick the one that seems most interesting!
Hope this helps, if you have any questions i’m more than happy to try my best at answering!
A part of my degree does way in maths and biology (i hate maths) but they do take it slower paced for the first term or so to make sure everyone is following.
My decision mainly was made due to the career i want to go into and my interest in psychology. But also that if i change my mind career wise psychology is applicable to so many different careers.
Of course I can’t shed light on the History side of things, but if you did pick History you could always change your course.
At the end of the day pick the course you enjoy the most, read up on the content on what they teach at uni for each course and pick the one that seems most interesting!
Hope this helps, if you have any questions i’m more than happy to try my best at answering!
Thanks so much for replying !
It’s hard because i have a real genuine interest in psychology , but i’m worried i’ll find some of the modules hard to grasp and i’ve always struggled with science based subjects. I think i’m just scared to commit to a decision really.
Would you say that the degree course is quite different to the a level ?
Original post by AbigailKay
I mean i wouldn’t say that because i don’t know what i want to do i don’t really want to do either. I struggled picking my a levels and ended up really enjoying all three.
I’ve researched both degrees in depth , and the reason i’m still stuck is because both sound interesting and enjoyable. That’s why i asked on here , to get some insight from actual students to help me.
Thanks for the info about psychology though , i suspected it would be very different alevel.
I’ve researched both degrees in depth , and the reason i’m still stuck is because both sound interesting and enjoyable. That’s why i asked on here , to get some insight from actual students to help me.
Thanks for the info about psychology though , i suspected it would be very different alevel.
If you're interested in both exactly the same, and you think you would perform exactly the same in both, then it comes down to what is realistically going to get you a better job when you finish the degree. The other subject can be a hobby, an area of personal research that you find interesting. There are far too many unemployed graduates forever chasing jobs (even basic/entry-level) with little to no success, without making yourself one of them. The choice should come down to which degree has a higher chance of actually making your life better, or else it will be pointless going to university at all.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by AbigailKay
Thanks so much for replying !
It’s hard because i have a real genuine interest in psychology , but i’m worried i’ll find some of the modules hard to grasp and i’ve always struggled with science based subjects. I think i’m just scared to commit to a decision really.
Would you say that the degree course is quite different to the a level ?
It’s hard because i have a real genuine interest in psychology , but i’m worried i’ll find some of the modules hard to grasp and i’ve always struggled with science based subjects. I think i’m just scared to commit to a decision really.
Would you say that the degree course is quite different to the a level ?
No problem!
It is definitely very different to A-level, it is less debate and more saying it how it is. For example the so called nature vs nurture debate has been dead for a while now.
For my uni during the first year there is a large section on developmental psychology, a section on the context and historical issues of psychology, research methods, and biology and cognitive psychology.
Im enjoying it more than i enjoyed A-level at the moment.
I think the biggest thing about University though is that you pick what you enjoy, doesn’t even have to be your best subject, i did better in History than i did Psychology.
Whatever you pick both the subjects you want to do require a lot of pre-reading before lectures, so if you enjoy it, it will make that task easier.
I recommend having a look at what different universities offer in terms of the different courses, seeing what you find to be most appealing to you
Original post by AbigailKay
I’m having a hard time deciding what uni course i want to apply too , and wondered if anyone could give some insight into a history and/or psychology degree.
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
I don't know you personally, but from what you've written - I'd say go with History. If your only worry is that you will find it boring, then you're better off than you think. History is a very comprehensive subject, very global @ uni-level. In my first year of BA, I did find it boring at times because I wasn't studying the areas I enjoyed (we had some options but because it was our first year, we had some compulsory modules).
BUT I had pretty much full flexibility during my last two years and enjoyed it thoroughly because I found what I wanted to study. My dissertation was the perfect mix of challenges and intrigue. HOWEVER, History (like psychology) is very research-based @ uni-level and the more research you do, the better grade you get in assignments and exams. I'll put it this way: in my first year, I felt like dropping out, in my last year I wanted to do a MA. For History, once you find your specialist subject you can't go wrong.
Ultimately, my experience was my own and you have to make your own mind. Just remember your degree is what you make it. Good luck!
My field of study was nineteenth century culture, especially the last part of that century. That included associationism, darwinism and the way they merged in functionalist psychology. This has nothing to do with clinical psychology, it was more a philosophy of mind at the time. British empiricism etc. But as I was studying this I was told that very few people really bothered about specializing in the history of psychology. If you do that, you get a little of both your worlds?
There are many interesting things that has happened in the history of psychology, all theories emerge within a social context. Most of the focus will probably center on the twentieth century, even if Mind and Brain were established as journals after 1857. You then have both world wars, and the cold war. The first world war was actually in my opinion more significant than the second.
There are many interesting things that has happened in the history of psychology, all theories emerge within a social context. Most of the focus will probably center on the twentieth century, even if Mind and Brain were established as journals after 1857. You then have both world wars, and the cold war. The first world war was actually in my opinion more significant than the second.
Original post by AbigailKay
I’m having a hard time deciding what uni course i want to apply too , and wondered if anyone could give some insight into a history and/or psychology degree.
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
Up until a few weeks ago i was set on doing psychology , since i have a genuine interest in it , but i also really enjoy history and it’s my best subject (i’m predicted an A grade at the moment)
I’m not sure if i’d enjoy a psychology degree as much as i think , since i know a lot of the degree is research based and i’ve never really been much good at science. So i’m leaning towards history now since i really do enjoy it and i’m good at it , but im also worried that i’ll find it boring and i’ll regret choosing it.
I think i eventually want to go into teaching (or maybe publishing ) so i think either would be fine , but any insight into either degrees would really be appreciated so hopefully i can make a decision quickly. Thanks ! 😊
What did you end up studying in the end? And how was your first year?
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Psychology, Politics or History Degree
- A-level choices??
- What A levels to pick with biology and psychology?
- picking A-levels combinations HELP!
- A-Level Choices
- Can I do a degree in psychology with my current A-Level choices?
- are these good options?
- which a levels should i pick?
- A level choices affecting uni
- Pursuing psychology in LSE
- Should I choose sociology or History for A level
- Psychology, Biology and ???
- Is a psychology degree hard without a science background?
- A level subjects for bachelors in psychology
- Will a GCSE in maths hold me back?
- idk what degree to do in university
- Is it better to follow your passion?
- What can I do with these A levels?
- Is it worth me swapping to A-Level Biology?
- Reading Materials for Psychology
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 days ago
What path do I take - Looking for History undergraduate, Anthropology MasterLast reply 1 month ago
MA History of Art: The Courtauld, UCL, Edinburgh or St Andrews?Last reply 1 month ago
Any Courtauld MA History of Art students with Social Sciences undergraduate degreesTrending
Last reply 2 days ago
What path do I take - Looking for History undergraduate, Anthropology MasterLast reply 1 month ago
MA History of Art: The Courtauld, UCL, Edinburgh or St Andrews?Last reply 1 month ago
Any Courtauld MA History of Art students with Social Sciences undergraduate degrees
