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subject or uni?

for a future in psych/therapy, would it better to do a course that has a more specific focus that im interested in at a lower ranked, not as well regarded uni, or just the standard broad psychology course at a russell group/ ‘good’ uni?
(chichester vs say, ucl)
Original post by aaamilah
for a future in psych/therapy, would it better to do a course that has a more specific focus that im interested in at a lower ranked, not as well regarded uni, or just the standard broad psychology course at a russell group/ ‘good’ uni?
(chichester vs say, ucl)


i'd say it doesn't really matter so you should probably go to the higher ranked one as you'd be in a more academically stimulating environment, i.e. amongst more academically-inclined peers. the problem with psych is the lack of work experience opportunities (and ideally PhD or at least a Masters) which are critical for a career in it
Make sure that any course you do is accredited by the BPS - if it isnt, dont do it : https://www.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist/accredited-courses
Reply 3
Original post by A Rolling Stone
i'd say it doesn't really matter so you should probably go to the higher ranked one as you'd be in a more academically stimulating environment, i.e. amongst more academically-inclined peers. the problem with psych is the lack of work experience opportunities (and ideally PhD or at least a Masters) which are critical for a career in it


thats the thing, the ‘worse’ one offers placements & experience whereas the others at better places ive been looking at dont
either way i would likely do a masters &/ phd, if i did do the ‘basic’ psychology first i would do a more specialised masters after anyway, im just really drawn to the other course because of how perfect it seems for what i want but im not sure its worth it if i did get offers for a better uni
Reply 4
Original post by McGinger
Make sure that any course you do is accredited by the BPS - if it isnt, dont do it : https://www.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist/accredited-courses


how important is the bps for my bachelors? the ones i have my eye on i cant see on that list but they also arent direct psychology courses, theres expressive arts & wellbeing, childhood & therapeutic play etc
if i went on to a masters that is bps accredited would it matter? or would it be better to do a bps accredited psychology ba and then masters that isnt?
Original post by aaamilah
how important is the bps for my bachelors? the ones i have my eye on i cant see on that list but they also arent direct psychology courses, theres expressive arts & wellbeing, childhood & therapeutic play etc
if i went on to a masters that is bps accredited would it matter? or would it be better to do a bps accredited psychology ba and then masters that isnt?

It'd be better to just do all courses that are BPS accredited
If you want to be a psychologist you do a psychology degree.

If you want to be a therapist, the psychology degree isn’t necessary. A vocational degree in mental health nursing, social work or occupational therapy would probably get you there faster as these are the professions most likely to be recruited to do therapy training, more likely than psychology probably.

Psychology is a long hard journey. May involve quite a few years post grad to get anywhere near the doctorate. Doing the degree at a place like Hull or York may get you there considerably faster but no guarantees. You need to be quite clear about what you want before you sign up for any course of study. So many people I see going for psychology would be much better suited to other routes that they just don’t know exist so make sure if you end up on the psychology route that you know where it is you’re headed.

As to where you do it, nobody will care in principle where you went. But placements done as part of a university degree don’t always count for as much as you might think so don’t choose it just for that. You want to take a holistic approach to your course choice and choose it based on where you think you’ll be happiest, where you think you’ll do best and where you think you’ll get the best experience. Not because of the name on your certificate and not because of one module or one placement.
Reply 7
Original post by Turning_A_Corner
If you want to be a psychologist you do a psychology degree.

If you want to be a therapist, the psychology degree isn’t necessary. A vocational degree in mental health nursing, social work or occupational therapy would probably get you there faster as these are the professions most likely to be recruited to do therapy training, more likely than psychology probably.

Psychology is a long hard journey. May involve quite a few years post grad to get anywhere near the doctorate. Doing the degree at a place like Hull or York may get you there considerably faster but no guarantees. You need to be quite clear about what you want before you sign up for any course of study. So many people I see going for psychology would be much better suited to other routes that they just don’t know exist so make sure if you end up on the psychology route that you know where it is you’re headed.

As to where you do it, nobody will care in principle where you went. But placements done as part of a university degree don’t always count for as much as you might think so don’t choose it just for that. You want to take a holistic approach to your course choice and choose it based on where you think you’ll be happiest, where you think you’ll do best and where you think you’ll get the best experience. Not because of the name on your certificate and not because of one module or one placement.


thank you, ive seen so many people saying that psychology is just the standard best course to do for anything in that realm but i want to go into art therapy with children and i think a degree more focused on that would be better for me
i also don’t want to limit my options in the future if i change my mind though
Original post by aaamilah
how important is the bps for my bachelors? the ones i have my eye on i cant see on that list but they also arent direct psychology courses, theres expressive arts & wellbeing, childhood & therapeutic play etc
if i went on to a masters that is bps accredited would it matter? or would it be better to do a bps accredited psychology ba and then masters that isnt?

If you're set on becoming a psychologist, then BPS accreditation at undergraduate level is a must have. If your undergrad isn't accredited, you'd have to complete a conversion course (one year, MSc) before doing a more specialised MSc or doctorate.
Reply 9
Original post by bones-mccoy
If you're set on becoming a psychologist, then BPS accreditation at undergraduate level is a must have. If your undergrad isn't accredited, you'd have to complete a conversion course (one year, MSc) before doing a more specialised MSc or doctorate.


thanks for the info! ill look into conversion courses but after looking around more i think i may just go for an occupational therapy degree
Reply 11


oh thank you! i was thinking about reading but i hadnt seen that
Original post by aaamilah
oh thank you! i was thinking about reading but i hadnt seen that

i think doing occupational therapy maybe best especially if thats the career avenue you're considering, and because youll have done OT if you do a masters etc most actually do accept OT so an accredited undergrad degree isnt necessary. im applying to OT too this year where are you thinking of applying? check out the bps website and also check out prospects website too theyre very thorough about different job profiles and degrees so search your job profile on prospects and itll explain it all properly for you
Reply 13
Original post by husnaanbread
i think doing occupational therapy maybe best especially if thats the career avenue you're considering, and because youll have done OT if you do a masters etc most actually do accept OT so an accredited undergrad degree isnt necessary. im applying to OT too this year where are you thinking of applying? check out the bps website and also check out prospects website too theyre very thorough about different job profiles and degrees so search your job profile on prospects and itll explain it all properly for you


yeah thats what im leaning toward, one of my dream unis is cardiff but im also thinking of plymouth, goldsmiths or cumbria, you?
Original post by aaamilah
yeah thats what im leaning toward, one of my dream unis is cardiff but im also thinking of plymouth, goldsmiths or cumbria, you?

so i applied at liverpool, bradford and huddersfield and i’ve got interview left for liverpool but got offers for both huddersfield and bradford! cardiff is brilliant i’ve heard, also take into account accommodation costs cos they can be crazy
Reply 15
Original post by husnaanbread
so i applied at liverpool, bradford and huddersfield and i’ve got interview left for liverpool but got offers for both huddersfield and bradford! cardiff is brilliant i’ve heard, also take into account accommodation costs cos they can be crazy


yeah definitely, cardiff is relatively cheap accomodation actually but for goldsmiths it would definitely be a lot more which is something im debating on, but congrats on your offers thats great!
Original post by aaamilah
yeah definitely, cardiff is relatively cheap accomodation actually but for goldsmiths it would definitely be a lot more which is something im debating on, but congrats on your offers thats great!

thank you, i'd say go with cardiff. when are you applying etc or have you already because i know the ucas deadline has been passed already. or are you looking to apply next year?
Reply 17
Original post by husnaanbread
thank you, i'd say go with cardiff. when are you applying etc or have you already because i know the ucas deadline has been passed already. or are you looking to apply next year?


im applying for next year! so i’d probably be looking to apply in like sept/oct, just considering all my options

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