Just how competitive is Psychology?

Alexii

Sorry for probably asking something that's been asking numerous times already, but essentially my question is if you have they grades they stipulate and have a strong general application are you likely to get an offer from the top unis (particularly UCL) or is it still highly competitive?

i'll put it this way...i went to one of the best schools in Hertfordshire and everyone i know who applied for psychology at UCL (including myself) got rejected, despite amazing grades...i have NO idea what they are looking for if they won't take a candidate (like my friend) who had all A*'s and A's at GCSE and all A's at AS Level and work experience with children lol... it was confusing....

Reply 2

sorry just to add, i think UCL are just extremely competitive. If you have good grades and make sure you have some work experience relating to psychology, u should be fine :smile:

key = work experience and strong personal statement!

Reply 3

OP

hmm ok thank you :smile:

, but had your friends and yourself all done natural science subjects ?

Reply 4

Alexii

hmm ok thank you :smile:

, but had your friends and yourself all done natural science subjects ?

my friend i mentioned had done Psychology, Biology and Sociology, subjects that they consider fine to apply with :smile:

In my opinion, just go for i, no one can tell you whether you will or won't get in and with 6 choices for your universities i'd say choose ucl as you clearly want to apply :smile:

Reply 5

OP

Ok thanks, I mean I do want to. I'm just not sure my grades are up to scratch... I mean I have AAB at A level but my worry is the B is in Chemistry (only just missed the A, I could retake a module perhaps) and the As are History and English suggesting that I'm not scientifically blessed, although I suppose I've also got B at AS maths... Hmm, with Distinction and Merit in History and English AEAs respectively and my other grades (AABb)(2A*s, 6As, 4Bs and 2Cs at GCSE, not great I know) if I've got a good personal statement and good reference I'm bound to get at least one offer from a top uni, or is that being too presumptuous?
Also I may even try 'Psychology and Philosophy' which should in theory be easier to get into because it's joint honours, shame UCL doesn't do it... And am I right in assuming 'Psychology and Philosophy' would still be 'BPS' accredited?

Edit: Would you class working in a Residential Home as relevant work experience?

Reply 6

flora

7

Work in a residential home is great experience. They key is with the personal statement i think; don't just list stuff you've done, say what you've learned from your experience and why this has made you want to study psychology. Grades might let you down a bit, as loads of AAA+ candidates get turned down from the top unis every year...but then again, seeing as these people don't get offers it does go to show that grades aren't all they're looking for, and if your application is strong in other ways then you stand a chance.

Applying for joint honours is a good idea to improve your chances. Most courses (especially at top unis like UCL) will allow you to qualify for GBR, though you should check that before applying. Don't just do joint hons for the sake of getting a place though, make sure you're really interested in the other subject as well!

Applying for psych at top unis at the moment is high-risk as the subject is just so competitive. So make sure you have a back up plan that you're happy with!

Reply 7

OP

Don't worry, I'm not silly enough to apply to joint honours for the sake of it, I'm really quite interested in how the two disciplines overlap...
Also is it just me or is Psychology a fairly female dominated subject? At least that's the feeling I'm getting from this forum anyway.

Reply 8

flora

7

Alexii

Also is it just me or is Psychology a fairly female dominated subject? At least that's the feeling I'm getting from this forum anyway.

Yes, it is pretty female dominated. In my year at bristol there were about 12 guys out of 80 students. The majority of the lecturers were male though...it's by no means a 'girly' subject!

Reply 9

OP

No no, I didn't particularly think it was, it was just the impression I was beginning to get! Well it looks like 'Philosophy and Psychology' at Warwick, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh and some other places...

The omens are not good however, 213 applicants for 7 places at Bristol, 30 people per place! Yikes, oh dear...

Reply 10

Before you become attached to the idea of philosophy and psychology look at what the title of the degree is. If it's psychology WITH philosophy you'll e majoring in psych, if it's AND it'll be a fifty fifty split. However by the sounds of it you seem to think they will some how revolve around each other? this isn't the case, you just do modules in philosophy and modules in psychology, not modules that include both, although some modules are similar. Look into philosophy before you start considering it as you haven't studied it at A Level. I did it at a level and trust me it is rather difficult to get your head around philosophical ideas!!! maybe read a book :smile:

Reply 11

OP

Don't worry, I've read plenty of Philosophical texts :smile:

And I'm also aware of how the modules work; that the Psychology and Philosophy components are entirely separate of each other, although Warwick look as though they try to intergrate the ideas of the two sides of the course quite well. Of the courses I've looked at closely, it would appear none of them are weighted 50:50; Bristol's course is weighted more heavily towards Psychology whereas Warwick and Durham's are weighted towards Philosophy. So with the latter two I have to watch out which modules I take or else the degree won't recieve BPS accreditation, it says on their site which modules I would be required to take. I know it probably looks like I'm just jumping into this without any idea what I'm doing, but that's only partly true! :biggrin:

Anyway, thanks for the heads up.

Reply 12

omlette