Clinical Psychology with a 2.2 (UK)
Whilst in university I graduated with a 2.2 in psychology with BPS acreditation. Unfortunately after missing one exam and not receiving mitigating circumstances, the 2.1 I would have earned was capped, leaving me with just missing the fine grade by 0.2 percent.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
Reply 1
Original post by Chapy1996
Whilst in university I graduated with a 2.2 in psychology with BPS acreditation. Unfortunately after missing one exam and not receiving mitigating circumstances, the 2.1 I would have earned was capped, leaving me with just missing the fine grade by 0.2 percent.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
Have you ever considered becoming a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)? That's a mental health profession with accreditation where you get to deliver low-intensity CBT. The training is free and you are paid band 5 AfC after 1 year of training on band 4. They just introduced a rule that for 2 years post-training you have to stick to being a PWP, but after that many people go onto apply to the DClinPsy and usually get in as they have direct experience of delivering psychological therapy.
I have a friend who did a Psychology degree (note they did get a first) and then decided not to do a masters, became a PWP in London and then a year later after training (although now it would be 2 years) they got onto a DClinPsy course and had several offers from different unis. They didn't even have AP or RA experience like you, they worked as a support worker on an inpatient psychiatric unit for half a year before becoming a PWP. Becoming a PWP may be a way to get a job delivering talking therapy which is paid at a higher band than AP and also has a London pay enhancement whilst being mainly remotely-based in terms of the 4 days a week placement. You could then apply for the DClinPsy after without having to do an MSc and the fact you'd have 3 years PWP experience would almost certainly bypass the need for you to have a 2:1 or research experience. Sorry if I'm outlining stuff you already know, it's just some people who are hellbent on becoming Clinical psychologists don't know about the PWP career path and don't realise it could help them onto the DClinPsy or end up being something which they stick with because it's somewhat similar.
Reply 2
I think you are quite right to be concerned about having a 2:2 as it makes a lot of courses rule you out or otherwise makes what is already a gruelling process even tougher. Even if you did get an AP/PWP job it will still appear on your application and selectors will take note of it. There is a really good post on ClinPsy that goes into depth about the ins and out of this and what you can do to mitigate: https://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126
I would not personally go down the route of training in another field then come back to psychology. It's one thing to already be an OT then realise you want to switch, as you can start building links and clinical experience with what you already have. To fully study, train and work in a field where your heart is not in it, is fairly disrepectful to those people who want to be an OT/social worker and stay in those roles (whose training post you would be taking up). It also isn't good for service users as they deserve to have someone whose heart is in their role, not just looking for the next thing. Having seen many HCAs just filling time before med school applications it does lead to abysmal care.
I would not personally go down the route of training in another field then come back to psychology. It's one thing to already be an OT then realise you want to switch, as you can start building links and clinical experience with what you already have. To fully study, train and work in a field where your heart is not in it, is fairly disrepectful to those people who want to be an OT/social worker and stay in those roles (whose training post you would be taking up). It also isn't good for service users as they deserve to have someone whose heart is in their role, not just looking for the next thing. Having seen many HCAs just filling time before med school applications it does lead to abysmal care.
Reply 3
Original post by Lord Asriel
I think you are quite right to be concerned about having a 2:2 as it makes a lot of courses rule you out or otherwise makes what is already a gruelling process even tougher. Even if you did get an AP/PWP job it will still appear on your application and selectors will take note of it. There is a really good post on ClinPsy that goes into depth about the ins and out of this and what you can do to mitigate: https://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126
I would not personally go down the route of training in another field then come back to psychology. It's one thing to already be an OT then realise you want to switch, as you can start building links and clinical experience with what you already have. To fully study, train and work in a field where your heart is not in it, is fairly disrepectful to those people who want to be an OT/social worker and stay in those roles (whose training post you would be taking up). It also isn't good for service users as they deserve to have someone whose heart is in their role, not just looking for the next thing. Having seen many HCAs just filling time before med school applications it does lead to abysmal care.
I would not personally go down the route of training in another field then come back to psychology. It's one thing to already be an OT then realise you want to switch, as you can start building links and clinical experience with what you already have. To fully study, train and work in a field where your heart is not in it, is fairly disrepectful to those people who want to be an OT/social worker and stay in those roles (whose training post you would be taking up). It also isn't good for service users as they deserve to have someone whose heart is in their role, not just looking for the next thing. Having seen many HCAs just filling time before med school applications it does lead to abysmal care.
I'd argue that if becoming an OT is a secure route to the DClinPsy, you shouldn't condemn someone for pursuing it. You shouldn't blame an individual, rather you should blame the system that allows this. If there were more occupationally secure, properly accessible routes to the doctorate then perhaps they wouldn't need to consider this option. Also, being an OT can actually be really relevant and valuable hands-on experience in a mental health setting for aspiring Clinical Psychologists to gain. It isn't disrepectful to take this up to get onto training, the OTA on the ward I worked on is open about wanting to gain relevant experience to pursue the Clin Psych training and everyone is fine with it and really encouraging.
With the HCA comment, I worked an HCA for 6 months just filling time after university to gain clinical experience, as I want to pursue Clinical Psychology training myself. Just because I don't want to become an mental health nurse or RMN, doesn't mean the care I give is abysmal. The 'proper' HCA career path is psychiatric HCA > RMN, but most people don't go on to become nurses, however I know many HCAs who are great at their jobs. People who have other aspirations can be great HCAs, I find it's more about consistency of your role and working on the same wards, getting to know the same pateints and continuity of care which matters, and of course your work ethic. It doesn't matter if you want to become a doctor, nurse, psychologist or whatever, your aspirations don't determine how well you carry out the HCA role. Also, do you not think that it is beneficial for future doctors to be working hands on in an undervalued, underpaid and often overworked position? It's good for anyone to experience this for some perspective, plus people complain about doctors lacking in social skills, empathy and emotional intelligence - the HCA role is great for people to develop both of these!
Reply 4
Original post by longhair
I'd argue that if becoming an OT is a secure route to the DClinPsy, you shouldn't condemn someone for pursuing it. You shouldn't blame an individual, rather you should blame the system that allows this. If there were more occupationally secure, properly accessible routes to the doctorate then perhaps they wouldn't need to consider this option.
....With the HCA comment, I worked an HCA for 6 months just filling time after university to gain clinical experience, as I want to pursue Clinical Psychology training myself. Just because I don't want to become an mental health nurse or RMN, doesn't mean the care I give is abysmal
....With the HCA comment, I worked an HCA for 6 months just filling time after university to gain clinical experience, as I want to pursue Clinical Psychology training myself. Just because I don't want to become an mental health nurse or RMN, doesn't mean the care I give is abysmal
I disagree. Occupational therapy is an important and essential field that I hugely respect. It deserves people entering it who want to be OTs. It needs people who are dedicated and oriented to developing the discipline. If someone takes an OT training place with the means to doing something else, over someone who wants to be a dedicated OT, I do take exception to it. I suspect most dedicated OTs will, and it's not the same as someone who wanted to be an OT then branching out to CP, as the prior intent is really different.
I would think equally ill of of someone who takes a DClinPsy place as a means to getting to something else, as I want my field to have people in it who are dedicated, behave with integrity and want to move the discipline forward. I agree the system is far from perfect, but that is a separate thing, and there are lots of routes to that end goal that don't involve depriving a place from someone who would make a good allied health professional.
As for your HCA point, I don't disagree. I was an HCA myself in the past and I certainly drew from that clinical experience to get onto the DClinPsy, and I still draw on that now, as do most of my nursing, medical and AHP colleagues. They are a very common first step on the ladder role for many clinical careers, (and they don't involve depriving anyone else of a training place). My actual point was more about HCAs who are 'going through the motions' in order to get something on their CVs, rather than focussing on the care they are delivering. I was never going to stay as an HCA, but I did focus on caring for the person in front of me and doing the best I could for them. That is not universal, sadly. Over the last 20 years working in the NHS, I have come across several medical school applicants/ psychology graduates/CV fillers who only treat it as a means to an end, and don't care at all for the patient or service user.
Ultimately, I think both points come to the same thing; the implications of a "means to an end" mindset. I know how difficult the pathway is, and I am sympathetic to those aspiring to this career. However, I want people in the field who can approach their goals with integrity and can reflect on the wider impact of their choices. Even now as someone who is towards the senior end of that career there are still options and choices that I know will greatly advance me personally, but will have a negative impact on others so decide against them; I think that is a good thing to see in a clinical psychologist.
Reply 5
Original post by Chapy1996
Whilst in university I graduated with a 2.2 in psychology with BPS acreditation. Unfortunately after missing one exam and not receiving mitigating circumstances, the 2.1 I would have earned was capped, leaving me with just missing the fine grade by 0.2 percent.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
My experience includes:
- Half a year working in agencies for social care.
- Two years in social care as a Support Worker, supporting adults with ASD, complex needs and a variety of mental health conditions.
- Two and a half years as a Senior Childrens Residential Care Worker.
I am currently an Assistant Psychologist who provides consultations to residential staff, 1:1 therapeutic support with children, delivers training, conducts cognitive assessments under supervision (WAIS, WISC, RCADS) and helps write psychologically informed care plans.
Since starting my Assistant Psychology position I have rediscovered my love for psychology. I think a Clinical Psychology DClinPsy course would be amazing, but with a 2.2 this appears to be unrealistic, given how fiercely competitive they are.
I need an MA to support my research ability. The only thing that is stopping me is that doing an MA in psychology will lead me down one path. It will only provide me eligibility to apply to DclinPsy cources and nothing more. With a 2.2, the idea that I may be waiting multiple years to have a chance to secure a place is concerning.
Has anyone found progress in a more occupationally secure route, such as doing an MA in social work or OT and then acheving a place on the DclinPsy? I'm not sure if doing an MA in another allied health profession would be regarded as showing research ability.
If anyone could offer any advise it would be appreciated.
Hey, did you manage to get into the doctrate program?
Reply 6
Original post by Fellowindianstud
Hey, did you manage to get into the doctrate program?
They've not been online for nearly 3 years, so I think it's unlikely you'll get a reply
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