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I want to become a Psychiatrist, what do I need to do? (England)?

[h="1"]Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.[/h]Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:

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Reply 1
Original post by kidfromthatschoo
[h="1"]Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.[/h]Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:


If you want to be a psychiatrist, you need to take Medicine at university. To do so, you NEED Chemistry to A2 level and preferably Biology as well. It's optional to take either Maths or Physics (only Cambridge requires all 3 sciences at A level) but you can pick any 2 subjects once you have Biology and Chemistry.

The standard medical degree is 5 years, and then you go into specialization. Not quite sure how long specialization is for psychiatry but I'm going to guess it's a few years. Being a psychiatrist is a doctor, just a doctor specialized in mental health. Psychiatry is a bit like a medical part of psychology, yes; but both professions (clinical psychologists and psychiatrists) work together in their field.
Original post by kidfromthatschoo
Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.

Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:


To be a psychiatrist you need to take medicine at university and specialise in psychiatry when you have finished your foundation years. You cant become a psychiatrist from taking psychology.Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental illness so I dont see why that wouldnt be respected? As far as I'm aware it is a well respected job. To get into medicine you will need to take A level chemistry and probably Biology, Physics or maths and one other. You will need to get A/A*s so it will be hard work. Good luck :smile:
Original post by Ginger_Gymnast92
To be a psychiatrist you need to take medicine at university and specialise in psychiatry when you have finished your foundation years. You cant become a psychiatrist from taking psychology.Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental illness so I dont see why that wouldnt be respected? As far as I'm aware it is a well respected job. To get into medicine you will need to take A level chemistry and probably Biology, Physics or maths and one other. You will need to get A/A*s so it will be hard work. Good luck :smile:



That's completely incorrect, you can indeed become a Psychiatrist from Psychology, you just have to specialise in clinical. To get approved from a psychology MA to give out prescriptions you need 2 years work experience in the medical field.

Granted that it seems most people do it through medicine, based on the other posts. That's odd to me, because I know 2 psychiatrists (extended family) and they both did Psychology as their degree. Guess it's just different approaches :dontknow:

Edit: I'm flattered people are using their daily negs on me. I've openly admitted I was wrong and that what was normal to me was in fact abnormal. I mean how often do you see that on TSR :rolleyes:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 4
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Well.. you'd need to take psychology :K:

:eek3:


I never thought I'd see the day when you gave bad advice *shock*shock*gasp*!! Could you be... merely human?!!!

Anyway:

Original post by kidfromthatschoo
I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer.
I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.


I get the impression that you're not too sure what a psychiatrist is/does, which is fine at your age but is something you have to seriously research. As others have said, Psychiatry is a medical speciality, and to qualify as a practising psychiatrist would mean five years of medical school, two years of foundation training and a further six years of speciality training within psychiatry. If it's what you really want then forget about "Psychiatry" for now and start looking into "Medicine", as that'll be the first step of an incredibly long journey.

Original post by kidfromthatschoo

Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?


Most people don't have a clue what a psychiatrist is, so to shut them up you can just say that it's a medical speciality or that a psychiatrist is a doctor. However, there is a stigma among some people about those who work with the mentally ill due to not really understanding the nature of mental illness. I suppose it's easier for them to accept when you mention it as a "neurological illness".

Finally, this site has information about salaries and the like.

Good luck!
Reply 5
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
That's completely incorrect, you can indeed become a Psychiatrist from Psychology, you just have to specialise in clinical. To get approved from a psychology MA to give out prescriptions you need 2 years work experience in the medical field.

Granted that it seems most people do it through medicine, based on the other posts. That's odd to me, because I know 2 psychiatrists (extended family) and they both did Psychology as their degree. Guess it's just different approaches :dontknow:


Really?! You can get into psychiatry from a psychology degree? Are you sure that your family members didn't just do a Psychology undergrad degree then did post-grad medicine? Because you can't go into psychiatry from psychology...
Original post by Vian
:eek3:


I never thought I'd see the day when you gave bad advice *shock*shock*gasp*!! Could you be...human?!!!



Of course I'm human :tongue:

As I said a second ago, the only Psychiatrists I personally know both did Psychology. My girlfriend is currently doing Psychology to go into Psychiatry. It's genuinely come as a surprise to me that most people see medicine as the easiest route, it's twice as long :s-smilie:

Original post by Sannn
Really?! You can get into psychiatry from a psychology degree? Are you sure that your family members didn't just do a Psychology undergrad degree then did post-grad medicine? Because you can't go into psychiatry from psychology...


That's exactly what I said! They did a post grad then specialised in medical for their PhD. It's worth mentioning that you can be approved from a clinical degree to a prescription writing position with 2 years experience in a medical environment (ideally hospital).

Anyway, I learnt something new, sometimes when everyone you know does something a certain way you assume that's how it is :blush:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 7
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Of course I'm human :tongue:

As I said a second ago, the only Psychiatrists I personally know both did Psychology. My girlfriend is currently doing Psychology to go into Psychiatry. It's genuinely come as a surprise to me that most people see medicine as the easiest route, it's twice as long :s-smilie:



That's exactly what I said! They did a post grad then specialised in medical for their PhD. It's worth mentioning that you can be approved from a clinical degree to a prescription writing position with 2 years experience in a medical environment (ideally hospital).

Anyway, I learnt something new, sometimes when everyone you know does something a certain way you assume that's how it is :blush:


Ah sorry, misread :colondollar: Could you please supply a website/link that details the whole 'medical' specialization?
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Of course I'm human :tongue:

As I said a second ago, the only Psychiatrists I personally know both did Psychology. My girlfriend is currently doing Psychology to go into Psychiatry. It's genuinely come as a surprise to me that most people see medicine as the easiest route, it's twice as long :s-smilie:



That's exactly what I said! They did a post grad then specialised in medical for their PhD. It's worth mentioning that you can be approved from a clinical degree to a prescription writing position with 2 years experience in a medical environment (ideally hospital).

Anyway, I learnt something new, sometimes when everyone you know does something a certain way you assume that's how it is :blush:



Your family members are lying to you. Psychiatrists prescribe medication. You cannot prescribe unless you have a medical degree. You cannot be a psychiatrist via psychology unless you do medicine as well.
Reply 9
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Of course I'm human :tongue:

As I said a second ago, the only Psychiatrists I personally know both did Psychology. My girlfriend is currently doing Psychology to go into Psychiatry. It's genuinely come as a surprise to me that most people see medicine as the easiest route, it's twice as long :s-smilie:


Ah, it seems my prior assumptions were wrong. You really are human after all!

Anyway, saw your other reply after submitting mine. I got my information from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and never considered that they may be wrong. I did a quick google search but couldn't find anything on becoming a psychiatrist without a medical degree. Could you point me to any sources that might help?

EDIT: I've heard that clinical-psychologists can prescribe certain medications (though I don't know how true that is). Would it be possible that you got the two mixed up?
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Sannn
Ah sorry, misread :colondollar: Could you please supply a website/link that details the whole 'medical' specialization?


Hmmm, whadya mean? As in course wise? I can find a module option I guess, they involve placements at hospitals so you need to pick them to go into it..

I don't know anyone on this course but this is on google:

http://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/bscappliedpsychology/

I'm pretty certain it's the same concept, medical placement in final year, opens MA and postgrad for pure clinical. If you want to do your PhD in mental illness you can then go into something along the lines of this. Note that the entry requirements say 'A relevant subject'.

Anyway, I deleted the 'You have to do Psychology part' from my post because it was bad advice, and medical seems to be the most popular route. Personally I'd prefer a 3 year clinical psychology course then going into MA Psychiatry than a 6 year medicine course to get to the same place :h:

Original post by Vian

EDIT: I've heard that clinical-psychologists can prescribe certain medications (though I don't know how true that is). Would it be possible that you got the two mixed up?


Well I just phoned one of them (and they thought it was very weird) and asked, and they definitely took their BA in psychology. They then went into Psychiatry. I can't find anything on there either, I'm not really sure.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Hmmm, whadya mean? As in course wise? I can find a module option I guess, they involve placements at hospitals so you need to pick them to go into it..

I don't know anyone on this course but this is on google:

http://psychology.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/bscappliedpsychology/

I'm pretty certain it's the same concept, medical placement in final year, opens MA and postgrad for pure clinical. If you want to do your PhD in mental illness you can then go into something along the lines of this. Note that the entry requirements say 'A relevant subject'.

Anyway, I deleted the 'You have to do Psychology part' from my post because it was bad advice, and medical seems to be the most popular route :h:



Well I just phoned one of them (and they thought it was very weird) and asked, and they definitely took their BA in psychology. They then went into Psychiatry. I can't find anything on there either, I'm not really sure.


Are you sure they're not clinical psychologists? I'm quite interested in this if there is another route!
Original post by joker12345
Are you sure they're not clinical psychologists? I'm quite interested in this if there is another route!



Positive... as I said, just had a pretty awkward "Hey, happy new year. By the way..." conversation :lol:

All it says on the entry requirements for an MA is a relevant subject. I'm starting to get the feeling this approach is abnormal, so let's advise the OP against it. I'd hate to somehow hinder them with some complicated approach. All I know is that they're licensed to practice medicine, and they did their degree in psychology. I don't know if they had to do something weird..

Anyway, it seems best to advise the OP to go into Medicine. That should be fun, better get off TSR and start working.
I used to want to be a psychiatrist and a while back I sent an e-mail to the RCP, I got a reply saying to first be a medically qualified doctor (so an undergraduate degree around 5 years), then there's a 2 year Foundation program (placements in various positions). After that, you can then specialise in psychiatry, which is 3 years core training, then 3 years higher training, where you decide which field to specialise in. Finally, there's the exam to be accepted in the RCP. So you'll be around 32 years old by the time you're a psychiatrist.
Reply 14
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah

I'm pretty certain it's the same concept, medical placement in final year, opens MA and postgrad for pure clinical. If you want to do your PhD in mental illness you can then go into something along the lines of this. Note that the entry requirements say 'A relevant subject'.


It says that "Through achieving a PhD, opportunities are available to compete for peer reviewed research funding and to develop a full academic career.". It doesn't mention actually practicing as a psychiatrist.

Is your family member a practising psychiatrist that never did a medical degree (though I'd understand if you don't want to repeatedly call them)? Either way, I think I'll simply refrain from giving advice on psychiatry in future as I'm now horribly, horribly confused. :unsure:

EDIT: Whatever you decide, OP, good luck. You're bloody well going to need it!
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Hal.E.Lujah
Positive... as I said, just had a pretty awkward "Hey, happy new year. By the way..." conversation :lol:

All it says on the entry requirements for an MA is a relevant subject. I'm starting to get the feeling this approach is abnormal, so let's advise the OP against it. I'd hate to somehow hinder them with some complicated approach. All I know is that they're licensed to practice medicine, and they did their degree in psychology. I don't know if they had to do something weird..

Anyway, it seems best to advise the OP to go into Medicine. That should be fun, better get off TSR and start working.


Don't worry, I found your advice pretty interesting so I'll definitely research into any possible 'other route' (med applicant but quite interested in pshychology, so could be a backup if I don't get in).
Original post by Vian
It says that "Through achieving a PhD, opportunities are available to compete for peer reviewed research funding and to develop a full academic career.". It doesn't mention actually practicing as a psychiatrist.

Is your family member a practising psychiatrist that never did a medical degree (though I'd understand if you don't want to repeatedly call them)? Either way, I think I'll simply refrain from giving advice on psychiatry in future as I'm now horribly, horribly confused. :unsure:



No it's me who's going to refrain! I thought I knew about this stuff from them, there's 3 people close to me who are practising/becoming psychiatrists and I'm kind of in shock to learn that they're all the weirdos who did it, well, wrong.

My understanding of psychiatry was that it required the PhD (Even if qualified from medicine), and you could go into it from a psychology degree. They both have licenses, perhaps medicine was recognised on their degree at the time, I know that the GMC change their definition of suitable when doctors are scarce.. :innocent:
Original post by kidfromthatschoo
[h="1"]Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.[/h]Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:


Since no one else has hit the years point yet:

5-6 years of medical school
2 years postgraduate training
And THEN you get to choose to train in psychiatry.

Just to drive this point home since Hal.E.Lujah is confused: you cannot become a psychiatrist without a medical degree - it is a medical specialty. Although, there are other positions outside of the medical profession which may be interesting to you such as clinical psychology.
Reply 18
Original post by kidfromthatschoo
Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.

Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:


Original post by jennaz77
Your family members are lying to you. Psychiatrists prescribe medication. You cannot prescribe unless you have a medical degree. You cannot be a psychiatrist via psychology unless you do medicine as well.




you either do medicine
or you do a pyschology degree, a PhD and then get into it (friends older sister has done that)
both long routes and very competitive!!
Reply 19
Original post by kidfromthatschoo
Okay, I've always wanted to become a psychiatrist, because I like to help people and make sure people don't suffer. But now that I'm older, and wanting to actually do some work to start getting good grades for becoming a psychiatrist, I want to know what A-Levels I'll have to take, and then what University I could go to and what I'll need to take at University.

Also, I'll like to know how many years it'll be before I become a qualified psychiatrist and start working.
Money is not my main aim in this but I just want to know, how much would I earn once I've started to work as a psychiatrist, and would it go up after a few years of starting to work?
People are saying that becoming a Psychiatrist is not good and it's a rubbish work, and I won't be respected, I don't care what other people think about me, but why do they think that?
Isn't psychiatry a medical part of psychology, so it's like a doctor, right?
So why would they say being a doctor is better than a psychiatrist?
And also how long would each thing take in years, like how many years would I have to be in University, and stuff like that.

Could someone experienced answer please, and answer all my questions, (I know there's a lot, sorry :s-smilie:)

Thank you to everyone who answers. :smile::smile::smile:



you wont be a called a psychiatrist until you're in you're 30s...
if you take the med route, youll be on a salary once you finish your 5th year at med school, then you do 2 year of foundation years then a further 5+ years of training for the degree
if you take the pyschology degree route then im not entirely sure- my friends sister did a PhD and then worked as a teacher part time too and now shes in her 30s is almost done with her training

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