Choosing a uni for clinical psychology
Hello!
I am looking to study clinical psychology with an end goal to practice in hospitals and/or clinics. I have received a conditional offer at Uni of Birmingham as well as Newcastle University. The former is offering me a more research based course instead of the practical one I wanted. The latter has the course I want. But Birmingham being such a good university and city, I am unsure which one to choose and how I can get a more practical course in Birmingham. I'd love to hear insights from people studying in the UK, particularly in Birmingham or Newcastle on the quality of education at both. Thank you!
I am looking to study clinical psychology with an end goal to practice in hospitals and/or clinics. I have received a conditional offer at Uni of Birmingham as well as Newcastle University. The former is offering me a more research based course instead of the practical one I wanted. The latter has the course I want. But Birmingham being such a good university and city, I am unsure which one to choose and how I can get a more practical course in Birmingham. I'd love to hear insights from people studying in the UK, particularly in Birmingham or Newcastle on the quality of education at both. Thank you!
Reply 1
The only course that qualifies you to practise as a clinical psychologist is the doctorate in clinical psychology (DClinPsy). I'm assuming you haven't applied for the doctorate as they don't offer alternative courses to candidates who have been rejected.
If you're talking about an undergraduate degree, the most important thing is that it's accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). You will need GBC to apply for the clinical doctorate later on. BPS-accredited degrees are all required to cover the same core content, so there isn't that much to choose between them. Choose a university with a psychology department that feels strong and active (have you been on any open days?) and a city you'd enjoy studying in.
Being able to carry out and interpret research is a core skill for a clinical psychologist, so on any BPS-accredited course you'll be taught research methods. There will be quite a lot of statistics. Some students are unprepared for this, as they imagine that psychology is basically counselling and their degree will be spent learning to chat to people about their problems. This does not happen on an undergraduate psychology degree. If you want to be a clinical psychologist then you will need to get to grips with the research element. If that doesn't appeal to you, then you should look into a different helping profession that would allow you to pursue therapy qualifications without doing research (mental health nursing, occupational therapy, etc).
If you're talking about an undergraduate degree, the most important thing is that it's accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). You will need GBC to apply for the clinical doctorate later on. BPS-accredited degrees are all required to cover the same core content, so there isn't that much to choose between them. Choose a university with a psychology department that feels strong and active (have you been on any open days?) and a city you'd enjoy studying in.
Being able to carry out and interpret research is a core skill for a clinical psychologist, so on any BPS-accredited course you'll be taught research methods. There will be quite a lot of statistics. Some students are unprepared for this, as they imagine that psychology is basically counselling and their degree will be spent learning to chat to people about their problems. This does not happen on an undergraduate psychology degree. If you want to be a clinical psychologist then you will need to get to grips with the research element. If that doesn't appeal to you, then you should look into a different helping profession that would allow you to pursue therapy qualifications without doing research (mental health nursing, occupational therapy, etc).
Reply 2
Netra R
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Original post by TheMedicOwl
The only course that qualifies you to practise as a clinical psychologist is the doctorate in clinical psychology (DClinPsy). I'm assuming you haven't applied for the doctorate as they don't offer alternative courses to candidates who have been rejected.
If you're talking about an undergraduate degree, the most important thing is that it's accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). You will need GBC to apply for the clinical doctorate later on. BPS-accredited degrees are all required to cover the same core content, so there isn't that much to choose between them. Choose a university with a psychology department that feels strong and active (have you been on any open days?) and a city you'd enjoy studying in.
Being able to carry out and interpret research is a core skill for a clinical psychologist, so on any BPS-accredited course you'll be taught research methods. There will be quite a lot of statistics. Some students are unprepared for this, as they imagine that psychology is basically counselling and their degree will be spent learning to chat to people about their problems. This does not happen on an undergraduate psychology degree. If you want to be a clinical psychologist then you will need to get to grips with the research element. If that doesn't appeal to you, then you should look into a different helping profession that would allow you to pursue therapy qualifications without doing research (mental health nursing, occupational therapy, etc).
If you're talking about an undergraduate degree, the most important thing is that it's accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). You will need GBC to apply for the clinical doctorate later on. BPS-accredited degrees are all required to cover the same core content, so there isn't that much to choose between them. Choose a university with a psychology department that feels strong and active (have you been on any open days?) and a city you'd enjoy studying in.
Being able to carry out and interpret research is a core skill for a clinical psychologist, so on any BPS-accredited course you'll be taught research methods. There will be quite a lot of statistics. Some students are unprepared for this, as they imagine that psychology is basically counselling and their degree will be spent learning to chat to people about their problems. This does not happen on an undergraduate psychology degree. If you want to be a clinical psychologist then you will need to get to grips with the research element. If that doesn't appeal to you, then you should look into a different helping profession that would allow you to pursue therapy qualifications without doing research (mental health nursing, occupational therapy, etc).
This is very helpful. Thank you! Just to clarify, I am applying at master's level. Once I finish masters, I will look at a PsyD. But, out of these 2 unis, do you have an idea which is better considering the courses offered.
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