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UEL, UCL , Greenwich?? MSc Psychology Conversion in London?

Hi everyone, I am really confused where to apply for this course. So far I have been accepted by UEL and Greenwich and waiting for UCL's decision. My plan is to continue with research and a doctorate so I would like the best uni to network and lab work. I live in South London and have small kids so also need to keep my study and travel time-efficient, hence limiting to London. UEL appeals because of their research rep and the doc programmes they offer but they seem to get a bad rap, also they are the furtherest away for me. Greenwich is just up the road but is the lowest ranked. UCL I don't know, I know it is higher ranked but it all sounds a bit dry there, also more ££ and I know it is hard to get a place. I did a previous masters there years ago and I just don't know. Any thoughts on Westminster?? Would love some guidance as I need to decide soon. Thank you!

Reply 1

Thanks for your post, I have the same questions with those universities as my choices, I haven't applied yet as I'm still deciding between which I'd go for. At the moment I'm most attracted to UEL because of their Neurology lab led by Dr Wass from 'The Secret Life of four and five year olds', one of my favourite programs that inspired me to considering psychology. However, with the pandemic's restrictions, would we be able to get as much access as we like ? There're also some feedback that showed difficulties getting response from UEL staffs especially if they're not your assigned course tutors. Does that mean the Conversion degree would not let us have as much opportunities as other Specialist Masters > If so then would it matter to choose a University with less lab access but higher academic teaching quality and connections to placements ? I too will be residing in South London, within Greenwich, so would much prefer a shorter commute for sure. Appreciate any advise I could get, thanks in advance !

Reply 2

Original post
by RianeT
Thanks for your post, I have the same questions with those universities as my choices, I haven't applied yet as I'm still deciding between which I'd go for. At the moment I'm most attracted to UEL because of their Neurology lab led by Dr Wass from 'The Secret Life of four and five year olds', one of my favourite programs that inspired me to considering psychology. However, with the pandemic's restrictions, would we be able to get as much access as we like ? There're also some feedback that showed difficulties getting response from UEL staffs especially if they're not your assigned course tutors. Does that mean the Conversion degree would not let us have as much opportunities as other Specialist Masters > If so then would it matter to choose a University with less lab access but higher academic teaching quality and connections to placements ? I too will be residing in South London, within Greenwich, so would much prefer a shorter commute for sure. Appreciate any advise I could get, thanks in advance !

Hi Riane, I don’t know the answer about access but I was most attracted the to UEL too for similar reasons but within Positive Psychology and then found out that the main teacher had left. I emailed the head of department twice now to find out who is replacing him but no reply. I did have a lovely conversation with the lead of the MSc there though. I drove out there over the weekend and it is a bit far for me I think. Inalso emailed the lead at Greenwich and he responded v quickly and was super helpful. UEL has my main subject interests but not sure I can really justify the travel combined with worries over who is teaching what! I may go for a safer option. Applied to Westminster and UCL but not heard back yet. I guess safest would be UCL then Greenwich and Westminster equally. Heart says UEL but head is not sure!! Sorry probably not v helpful to you :smile:

Reply 3

Original post
by SaraSmyth
Hi Riane, I don’t know the answer about access but I was most attracted the to UEL too for similar reasons but within Positive Psychology and then found out that the main teacher had left. I emailed the head of department twice now to find out who is replacing him but no reply. I did have a lovely conversation with the lead of the MSc there though. I drove out there over the weekend and it is a bit far for me I think. Inalso emailed the lead at Greenwich and he responded v quickly and was super helpful. UEL has my main subject interests but not sure I can really justify the travel combined with worries over who is teaching what! I may go for a safer option. Applied to Westminster and UCL but not heard back yet. I guess safest would be UCL then Greenwich and Westminster equally. Heart says UEL but head is not sure!! Sorry probably not v helpful to you :smile:

Perhaps you should email the teachers you are interested in with your questions about access??

Reply 4

Thanks Sara, that's actually really helpful! Curious as to how you think Greenwich and UEL compare? I have a design background so I was hoping I could get a bit more out of the student life at UEL being an Arts College and potentially think about making some Creative Collaborations to draw these two fields together. UCL is also a popular choice for its fantastic Academic reputation but I'm worried it'd be too theoretically based and that my chances of getting in is slim with my Bachelors degree being in Fashion Design. Since you have already gone through the application process successfully, would you have any advise on getting psychology short courses or volunteering work so that the CV would be more relatable ? I would definitely try to get in touch with the tutors too, really appreciate your advice.

Reply 5

Original post
by RianeT
Thanks Sara, that's actually really helpful! Curious as to how you think Greenwich and UEL compare? I have a design background so I was hoping I could get a bit more out of the student life at UEL being an Arts College and potentially think about making some Creative Collaborations to draw these two fields together. UCL is also a popular choice for its fantastic Academic reputation but I'm worried it'd be too theoretically based and that my chances of getting in is slim with my Bachelors degree being in Fashion Design. Since you have already gone through the application process successfully, would you have any advise on getting psychology short courses or volunteering work so that the CV would be more relatable ? I would definitely try to get in touch with the tutors too, really appreciate your advice.

Hi Riane, just a short reply! My personal circumstances are also influencing my decision as I am a mature student with 2 young kids so my time is limited. I think if I was a younger person I would probably go for UEL as it has a more exciting vibe, courses are fresh and innovative. The location is just a killer for me and also a bit of worry about admin fails! Greenwich is local to me and I love the campus, so pretty. The teaching staff seem really approachable. But for you maybe UEL is a better fit? I am doing a few short courses via Coursera. They are Positive Psychology but there are loads of others to choose from. I am really enjoying them and learning a lot so would recommend. I also worry UCL might be too heavy but I haven’t been accepted yet (probably won’t be as so many applicants!) so not worrying too much about that right now. I would love to hear where you decide to go. :smile:

Reply 6

Hi Sara, thanks for your advice! Really admire that you're choosing to embark on this journey with 2 young children, we should definitely stay in touch, I will be residing in Greenwich myself, in New Charlton. At the moment I am based in Hong Kong for work but will return to London in the Summer, I'm finishing up a couple of basic certification courses in psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy. Good shoutout on Coursera, I've always seen their Ads in social media will definitely check them out. Really need to start nailing down my course applications, will sure keep you posted when they decide to take me :tongue:

Reply 7

Original post
by RianeT
Hi Sara, thanks for your advice! Really admire that you're choosing to embark on this journey with 2 young children, we should definitely stay in touch, I will be residing in Greenwich myself, in New Charlton. At the moment I am based in Hong Kong for work but will return to London in the Summer, I'm finishing up a couple of basic certification courses in psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy. Good shoutout on Coursera, I've always seen their Ads in social media will definitely check them out. Really need to start nailing down my course applications, will sure keep you posted when they decide to take me :tongue:

Yes please do and would love to stay in touch :smile:

Reply 8

Hello 🤗 Did either of you go for the programmes in the end ? I'm also a mum with two young children and will be working part time hours while trying my best to study. My first degree was in economics (though it's not a 2:1 which I know many universities want). However I do have experience of working with children , especially those with SEN. Just curious to know what your experiences were with the psychology conversion programmes. Was it helpful? Did any of you progress on to the doctorate (if that was your intention)? Was the content more theoretical than practical? Most importantly, did you feel it was worth the investment? Thank you for sharing (hopefully!).

Reply 9

Hello 🤗 Did either of you go for the programmes in the end ? I'm also a mum with two young children and will be working part time hours while trying my best to study. My first degree was in economics (though it's not a 2:1 which I know many universities want). However I do have experience of working with children , especially those with SEN. Just curious to know what your experiences were with the psychology conversion programmes. Was it helpful? Did any of you progress on to the doctorate (if that was your intention)? Was the content more theoretical than practical? Most importantly, did you feel it was worth the investment? Thank you for sharing (hopefully!).

Reply 10

I am doing the conversion at Sussex - I have met 3 other students so far who went straight from this conversion into a PhD at Sussex. The course lead arranged for us to meet them all - none of them had come from a psych background, they all did the conversion, and they all went straight onto PhD's. Sussex really look after their 'own' and if you are good they will encourage you to stay for a PhD

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