The Student Room Group
Reply 1
I only have the figures for DClinPsych training courses, acceptance rates hover between 25-30%
Reply 2
NSW
ok, so what things will improve chances of getting your prefered job after graduation from psychology? both as a trainee psychologist and in other careers.

Just work experience generally, get as much as possible whenever you have chance to before, during and after your degree. Short courses help as well like certificates in mental health/counselling/psychotherapies - anything that demonstrates potential and a real interest. At least a years experience is often viewed upon as a must before postgraduate.

NSW
and does anyone know how many psychology graduates there are per year in the UK?

Lots. But then again you must account for the fact that much less than 50% of graduates stay in the Psychology field, and that in order to further pursue psychology in light of the heavy competition you need a first or at the very least a 2:1 to ensure you'll find employment / get the opportunity of further study.
Reply 3
I will post 2 routes, Clinical or PhD.

Clinical:
Need 2:1 or higher.
Get a job as an assistant psychologist (a must). To get this, be either male (as there are a lack of these) or female with past experience in care homes etc - voluntary work also helps.
The course requires research experience, so either get a Masters in research or stats, or do a year as a research assistant too.
Make sure you network. The biggest weight to your application is who is your reference.
You will need 2+ years as an assistant psychologist usually, both in different posts.

PhD:
Either
1) look for a PhD in the press you feel you are qualified to apply for - by qualified I mean you know the topic a little, and have your research skills up to date (so you can answer questions in interview) - also visit the supervisor in advance to make sure it is what you want
2) create a topic, find a supervisor at a uni and then apply for a funding grant
3) do a Masters, then return to 1) or 2).

There are lots of other jobs out there, educational / counselling.. but this is foreign to me.

Out of interest. my route:

graduated 2:1
18 months research assistant
1 year Web Designer in London
1 year Teacher in Taiwan
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - child psychology (NHS)
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - neuro psychology (NHS)
applied for Clinical Psychology - offered placement... declined due to opportunity to study a PhD under one of the top 3 psychiatrists in the UK.

Hope this helps, any more Qs, just ask.

Rad
Radnmad
I will post 2 routes, Clinical or PhD.

Clinical:
Need 2:1 or higher.
Get a job as an assistant psychologist (a must). To get this, be either male (as there are a lack of these) or female with past experience in care homes etc - voluntary work also helps.
The course requires research experience, so either get a Masters in research or stats, or do a year as a research assistant too.
Make sure you network. The biggest weight to your application is who is your reference. You will need 2+ years as an assistant psychologist usually, both in different posts.

PhD:
Either
1) look for a PhD in the press you feel you are qualified to apply for - by qualified I mean you know the topic a little, and have your research skills up to date (so you can answer questions in interview) - also visit the supervisor in advance to make sure it is what you want
2) create a topic, find a supervisor at a uni and then apply for a funding grant
3) do a Masters, then return to 1) or 2).

There are lots of other jobs out there, educational / counselling.. but this is foreign to me.

Out of interest. my route:

graduated 2:1
18 months research assistant
1 year Web Designer in London
1 year Teacher in Taiwan
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - child psychology (NHS)
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - neuro psychology (NHS)
applied for Clinical Psychology - offered placement... declined due to opportunity to study a PhD under one of the top 3 psychiatrists in the UK.

Hope this helps, any more Qs, just ask.

Rad


Well done on being offered a Dclin and PHD place. I'm not surprised you have an excellent degree and experience. :smile: What do you mean by who your reference is when apply for the Dclin? who would be a good reference? If you dont mind me asking, which uni did you get your degree from? PM me if you want.
Reply 5
Radnmad
I will post 2 routes, Clinical or PhD.

Clinical:
Need 2:1 or higher.
Get a job as an assistant psychologist (a must). To get this, be either male (as there are a lack of these) or female with past experience in care homes etc - voluntary work also helps.
The course requires research experience, so either get a Masters in research or stats, or do a year as a research assistant too.
Make sure you network. The biggest weight to your application is who is your reference.
You will need 2+ years as an assistant psychologist usually, both in different posts.

PhD:
Either
1) look for a PhD in the press you feel you are qualified to apply for - by qualified I mean you know the topic a little, and have your research skills up to date (so you can answer questions in interview) - also visit the supervisor in advance to make sure it is what you want
2) create a topic, find a supervisor at a uni and then apply for a funding grant
3) do a Masters, then return to 1) or 2).

There are lots of other jobs out there, educational / counselling.. but this is foreign to me.

Out of interest. my route:

graduated 2:1
18 months research assistant
1 year Web Designer in London
1 year Teacher in Taiwan
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - child psychology (NHS)
1 Year Assistant Psychologist - neuro psychology (NHS)
applied for Clinical Psychology - offered placement... declined due to opportunity to study a PhD under one of the top 3 psychiatrists in the UK.

Hope this helps, any more Qs, just ask.

Rad


Hi Rad,

Your experiences sound very interesting. I am completing a PhD in Psychology - investigating differences between different types of gamblers - and still very much want to pursue a career in clinical psychology. I have been applying to assistant psychologist posts for a month now and have not had any replies despite:

BSc Psychology - 2:1
MSc Research Methods
(almost completed) PhD Psychology
Part-time:
1. Research assistant for drugs and alcohol study
2. Care Assistant for 5 years for 2 young adopted children with behavioural problems
3. Assistant Honorary Neuropsychologist
4. Postgraduate tutoring roles
5. Teaching assistant of maths basic skills for adults with learning difficulties/disabilities

I don't know how to make myself 'stand out from the crowd' in my supporting information/personal statement. I have some contacts but they are more academic related rather than clinical and I think my CV is really needing paid full-time assistant psychologist experience before applying to the Clinical Doctorate. I realise the posts for assistant psychologists are extremely competitive now with over 200 applications per post and I may need to be more patient.

Any advice would be much appreciated though.

Thanks in advance :smile: