Graduate Entry Medicine or Clinical Psychology

Hello, I am a current second year Psychology student. I am having a bit of careers crisis, I have always wanted to become a Psychologist because I believe in the models that they use to assess and treat mental illnesses. I also saw myself doing a career in mental health but I wanted to take a proactive role, thus Clinical Psychology.

However, I am not doing as good in my degree as I wanted to (I have tried to bring up my grades using feedback sessions, office hours, going to my supervisor but for some reason I seem to be stuck on the same grade). This has lead to a chain reaction because I am on the waiting list for modules which would have helped me to peruse a career in Clinical Psychology. This has lead me to rethink about whether Clinical Psychology is for me or if I've lost interest in Psychology.

Medicine has always been a profession that I have been interested in and I even contemplated taking a year out to study A Level Biology but my teacher advised me against it and told me to keep pursuing Psychology. I thought about becoming a Physician Associate but because of the funding, I'm not quite sure and they are generalist rather than specialists. I know that graduate entry medicine is more difficult to get in, especially with the GAMSAT but some universities also accept UCAT, which is also difficult. Should I try sit either the GAMSAT or UCAT, or is it just better to keep pursuing Psychology?

I do still love Clinical Psychology, and I am very passionate about mental health but I guess I am unsure if this is really the path for me. I know my chance is extremely small with the competitiveness of graduate entry medicine, I'd have to apply several times along with the GAMSAT and UCAT.

Reply 1

PAR2MED

The general advice around here is, if you're stuck between X and medicine, do X.

If you're struggling with psychology at university, there's every chance you'll struggle with medicine too - I can't imagine it's any easier! Maybe some work experience might help you make up your mind? However be aware if you do decide to study medicine, you'll have to learn about all areas of medicine, it'll be a lot longer before you can specialise in, whereas with clinical psychology you get to specialise much earlier!

Reply 2

TheMedicOwl

Are you studying the psychology degree at Hull? You have to take their clinical modules to be considered for direct entry onto their DClinPsy, but no other training programme requires you to have taken specific units at undergraduate level. You need a BPS-accredited degree and ideally a high 2.i or better, followed by some experience in a relevant role. Most courses ask for a minimum of one year's full time employment. It's competitive but no means impossible, so don't write it off as a career just because you can't take the modules of your choosing.

However, you need to make sure you have a realistic idea of the training and the career. A lot of people have the mistaken impression that clinical psychology is a prestigious, well-paid type of counselling. It's academically rigorous with an increasing emphasis on research methods as you go, including statistics and quantitative methods. Some applicants are unprepared for the science and stats involved and see them as just an annoying obstacle to get out of the way before they get to the "real" psychology. If you're not enjoying the academic element, it's unlikely you'd flourish on a doctoral-level training and the career it leads to.

What is it about medicine that interests you? It seems like a big jump from clinical psychology to med, and if it's the competition that's putting you off psychology, not a very logical one. Medicine is just as competitive as the DClinPsy, and for GEM I think it's even more so. Most GEM courses ask for the same 2:i that the DClinPsy programmes want. Ask yourself what kind of work you see yourself doing in future. If it's direct therapeutic work with people who are experiencing psychological distress, then a qualifying MSc in occupational therapy, mental health nursing, or social work might be more up your street. In the meantime I think the best thing would be to focus on getting the highest grades you can in your degree, and reassessing after that.

Reply 3

Nerol

Original post by j.a29

Hi!

It might be worth having a think about what modules you generally do better in and/or enjoy more - this could help you figure out what you want to do. For example, are you more interested in research, clinical skills, psychological therapies etc.? What is it that interests you aout mental health? Do you see mental health problems as biological - something to be treated with medication, or are you more interested in working therapeutically with people with these problems (or both!)? Thinking about what your perception of mental health problems is and where your interests and skills lie could help you narrow your focus a little.

There are other careers in Psychology besides Clinical Psychology, so maybe have a look on the BPS website to get an idea of other careers that might interest you. There are also other roles, such as mental health nurse, psychotherapist, psychological wellbeing practitioner and many more that could suit your skill set, interests and values.

Reply 4

Lord Asriel

Original post by TheMedicOwl

However, you need to make sure you have a realistic idea of the training and the career. A lot of people have the mistaken impression that clinical psychology is a prestigious, well-paid type of counselling. It's academically rigorous with an increasing emphasis on research methods as you go, including statistics and quantitative methods. Some applicants are unprepared for the science and stats involved and see them as just an annoying obstacle to get out of the way before they get to the "real" psychology. If you're not enjoying the academic element, it's unlikely you'd flourish on a doctoral-level training and the career it leads to.

This point should be put on a billboard outside psychology departments or as an email to every single UCAS applicant for undergraduate psychology and conversion course. You see this misapprehension all the time, and it leads people to make very expensive and/or disappointing decisions.

OP, you probably would benefit from having some real life clinical experience and exposure to these two different, but very complementary professions. As a Clinical Psychologist who works in a medical setting, my day looks completely different from the medic in the next office, and the CPN on the other side despite being in the same team. From the outside and you wouldn't have any clue, and only until you worked in the service would you appreciate how the different professions break down.

Reply 5

Interrobang

Both are very competitive, so look at the academic entry requirements (in addition to work experience) to see what courses you would be eligible for

Reply 6

hinwit

I definitely wouldn't say that getting into medicine is harder than getting into DClinPsy. Last year, only 22% of applicants got into DClinPsy, whereas around 32% of applicants get into medicine. DClinPsy also requires at least a year or two working in the psychology field, preferably under the direct supervision of a clinical psychologist. Getting into medicine (especially undergrad med) is much easier as a grad than getting into DClinPsy, so you shouldn't choose to remain in psychology just because you think it's easier to get in. Choose the career you're most passionate about. I hope this helps :smile: