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To become a psychiatrist, which A levels would I need?

My enrolment isn’t official yet (we start later this year), but the options I have down are A Levels in psychology, sociology and biology. At the moment I’m deciding between a psychologist or psychiatrist as a career, but I’m leaning towards the latter. Would I be able to go to university and study everything I need in future with those A Levels, or should I change them?
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 1
Original post by 0k5s
My enrolment isn’t official yet (we start later this year), but the options I have down are A Levels in psychology, sociology and biology. At the moment I’m deciding between a psychologist or psychiatrist as a career, but I’m leaning towards the latter. Would I be able to go to university and study everything I need in future with those A Levels, or should I change them?

Hi !
I do Biology, psychology and sociology a level and i am working towards becoming a counsellor in psychology. I’d recommend taking chemistry over sociology for psychiatry as its a more medicinal based subject however, content wise and management, I’d recommend sociology.

The trio i do and you planned has some of the most content at Alevel (especially biology and Psychology {these will get you into a psychology field at university}).

Sociology isnt the “easier subject” as both chemistry and sociology fit into the other two just as well.

Don't overload yourself if you know your limits as Alevel can be really stressful.

I changed chemistry for sociology last minute and its the best academic decision i’ve ever made.

The subject will really increase your “daily life” knowledge and oh my god it will make you look at our society differently!
To be a psychiatrist you need to become a medical doctor first, psychiatry is a branch of medicine.

For medicine, things get more complicated. I believe you need certain A-levels (which you don't currently have), and need to start thinking about other medical application tests.
Reply 3
On UCAS, the academic route includes ‘chemistry, biology and either physics or maths’
Also -

I say this in the nicest way. Have you really looked into both these careers? For example, if you're leaning towards psychiatry, did you not know it was a branch of medicine, or were you not sure on the routes in? If you really want to tailor your A-Levels to a career you should make sure you understand these careers well so you don't regret your choices later.
(edited 2 years ago)
If you are leaning towards Psychology (which doesn't involve a degree in Medicine first) be aware that even this requires a PhD before you can practice as a clinical Psychologist - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/clinical-psychologist

There are plenty of reason for doing a Psych degree other than 'being a Psychologist' - its a valuable degree for a vast range of careers. All degrees stretch you head, give you higher thinking skills, and the ability to think/reason/analyse at a much higher level than non-graduates. These are skills that all employers value and you will find Psych grads working in careers that have nothing obviously to do with 'Psychology' - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/psychology

Degrees than might interest you :
Psychology (Mental Health) - https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/social-sciences/ug/bsc-hons-psychology-mental-health
Psychology with Counselling - https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/bsc-hons-psychology-counselling
Mental Health Nursing - https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-mental-health-nursing
Special Education Needs and Disability - https://www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/education-childhood-inclusion-courses/special-educational-needs-disability-ba-hons/
Neuroscience - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/psychology/human-neuroscience-bsc.aspx
Original post by Vboulton
Hi !
I do Biology, psychology and sociology a level and i am working towards becoming a counsellor in psychology. I’d recommend taking chemistry over sociology for psychiatry as its a more medicinal based subject however, content wise and management, I’d recommend sociology.

The trio i do and you planned has some of the most content at Alevel (especially biology and Psychology {these will get you into a psychology field at university}).

Sociology isnt the “easier subject” as both chemistry and sociology fit into the other two just as well.

Don't overload yourself if you know your limits as Alevel can be really stressful.

I changed chemistry for sociology last minute and its the best academic decision i’ve ever made.

The subject will really increase your “daily life” knowledge and oh my god it will make you look at our society differently!

This was quite reassuring and helpful, thank you so much!
Original post by MatthewAteYou
Also -

I say this in the nicest way. Have you really looked into both these careers? For example, if you're leaning towards psychiatry, did you not know it was a branch of medicine, or were you not sure on the routes in? If you really want to tailor your A-Levels to a career you should make sure you understand these careers well so you don't regret your choices later.

I appreciate your response. Also, I don’t think I clarified this in my post but yes, I know that psychiatry is a branch of medicine. I saw somewhere that to study medicine I needed an A Level in Chemistry, so I just wanted a couple of extra voices to confirm or deny.
I was deciding between psychology and psychiatry, so my research was mostly going between the routes of these paths.
Original post by McGinger
If you are leaning towards Psychology (which doesn't involve a degree in Medicine first) be aware that even this requires a PhD before you can practice as a clinical Psychologist - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/clinical-psychologist

There are plenty of reason for doing a Psych degree other than 'being a Psychologist' - its a valuable degree for a vast range of careers. All degrees stretch you head, give you higher thinking skills, and the ability to think/reason/analyse at a much higher level than non-graduates. These are skills that all employers value and you will find Psych grads working in careers that have nothing obviously to do with 'Psychology' - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/psychology

Degrees than might interest you :
Psychology (Mental Health) - https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/social-sciences/ug/bsc-hons-psychology-mental-health
Psychology with Counselling - https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/courses/bsc-hons-psychology-counselling
Mental Health Nursing - https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-mental-health-nursing
Special Education Needs and Disability - https://www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/education-childhood-inclusion-courses/special-educational-needs-disability-ba-hons/
Neuroscience - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/psychology/human-neuroscience-bsc.aspx

This was very helpful, much appreciated!
Original post by 0k5s
I appreciate your response. Also, I don’t think I clarified this in my post but yes, I know that psychiatry is a branch of medicine. I saw somewhere that to study medicine I needed an A Level in Chemistry, so I just wanted a couple of extra voices to confirm or deny.
I was deciding between psychology and psychiatry, so my research was mostly going between the routes of these paths.

Good luck! They’re both really rewarding career paths regardless!
There is a whole section of TSR about Applying for Medicine - including entry requirements (yes, you will need Chem) - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4909646

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