Languages to Psychology?

Hi. I am 22, and just looking into what the best course of action is for pursuing a career in psychology (potentially forensic psychology) and wanted to ask what the job market looks like overall.

Here are the qualifications I have:
GCSEs - English language grade 7, English lit grade 7, maths grade 4, double science grades 65, French grade 9, Spanish grade 8, religious studies grade 9, history grade 6.
A levels in French, Spanish and religious studies at grades A.
Plus an EPQ at grade A.

I am just finishing up an undergraduate degree from Durham in modern languages. I had some health issues so I have my dissertation left to write over this coming academic year.

However, I have just realised that psychology is what I want to do.

My mother who works in the NHS seems to think that I should do a Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship and then specialise in psychology, as I'll have more scope, and likely get paid more, and that if I just do a psychology degree, I'll simply end up as a psychology assistant on band 4 pay. Though I'm not sure this is true as she's a physio.

So I just wanted to ask what the best course of action would be. I know that the psychology field is oversubscribed, but I am very passionate about it due to my own experiences and need to have a job that allows me to actually help others and make a difference. I'm always watching and reading things related to psychology.

So should I take on the Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship, then specialise, or is it best just to start from the bottom and get A-Levels to get onto a psychology undergrad course, and then do a masters, PhD, etc. ?

Reply 1

CardiffUni Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by medusa1

Hi. I am 22, and just looking into what the best course of action is for pursuing a career in psychology (potentially forensic psychology) and wanted to ask what the job market looks like overall.
Here are the qualifications I have:
GCSEs - English language grade 7, English lit grade 7, maths grade 4, double science grades 65, French grade 9, Spanish grade 8, religious studies grade 9, history grade 6.
A levels in French, Spanish and religious studies at grades A.
Plus an EPQ at grade A.
I am just finishing up an undergraduate degree from Durham in modern languages. I had some health issues so I have my dissertation left to write over this coming academic year.
However, I have just realised that psychology is what I want to do.
My mother who works in the NHS seems to think that I should do a Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship and then specialise in psychology, as I'll have more scope, and likely get paid more, and that if I just do a psychology degree, I'll simply end up as a psychology assistant on band 4 pay. Though I'm not sure this is true as she's a physio.
So I just wanted to ask what the best course of action would be. I know that the psychology field is oversubscribed, but I am very passionate about it due to my own experiences and need to have a job that allows me to actually help others and make a difference. I'm always watching and reading things related to psychology.
So should I take on the Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship, then specialise, or is it best just to start from the bottom and get A-Levels to get onto a psychology undergrad course, and then do a masters, PhD, etc. ?

Hi, I'm not too knowledgeable on MDDA, as it seems like a very new route into medicine, but as with any route through medicine, you'll be looking into psychiatry, rather than psychology.

Whilst psychiatrists and psychologists often work alongside together, they are different professions and thus require different accreditations. To undertake most psychology roles for example, you need a BPS accreditation, which is not offered by any form of medicinal education. I recommend looking at websites such as Prospects to learn what routes you feel like you're best suited for.

I'd also say there are a range of jobs on offer in the industry nowadays, and not just a band 4 psychology assistant role :smile:

There are psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) jobs that start at Band 5, and there are apprenticeships such as CAAP/CAP (clinical associate in applied psychology), that start at a band 6 or 7 after graduation, depending whether you're from England/Scotland/Wales. Cardiff University does this and I've linked the course to it just above.

If you wanted to do the psychology route as opposed to psychiatry, many universities such as Cardiff offers the MSc Psychology course. This is a one year masters course that is basically an accelerated version of the psychology undergraduate, and basically gets you the BPS accreditation. Different universities may offer different things, but a benefit to Cardiff's course is that you get to take part in a 12-week placement, so you are able to gain some experience and understanding of what you'd like to specialise in :smile:

I hope that is any way helpful, best of luck with whatever you end up choosing to do!

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep

Reply 2

greg tony

Original post by medusa1

Hi. I am 22, and just looking into what the best course of action is for pursuing a career in psychology (potentially forensic psychology) and wanted to ask what the job market looks like overall.
Here are the qualifications I have:
GCSEs - English language grade 7, English lit grade 7, maths grade 4, double science grades 65, French grade 9, Spanish grade 8, religious studies grade 9, history grade 6.
A levels in French, Spanish and religious studies at grades A.
Plus an EPQ at grade A.
I am just finishing up an undergraduate degree from Durham in modern languages. I had some health issues so I have my dissertation left to write over this coming academic year.
However, I have just realised that psychology is what I want to do.
My mother who works in the NHS seems to think that I should do a Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship and then specialise in psychology, as I'll have more scope, and likely get paid more, and that if I just do a psychology degree, I'll simply end up as a psychology assistant on band 4 pay. Though I'm not sure this is true as she's a physio.
So I just wanted to ask what the best course of action would be. I know that the psychology field is oversubscribed, but I am very passionate about it due to my own experiences and need to have a job that allows me to actually help others and make a difference. I'm always watching and reading things related to psychology.
So should I take on the Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship, then specialise, or is it best just to start from the bottom and get A-Levels to get onto a psychology undergrad course, and then do a masters, PhD, etc. ?

No i am sorry your mother is clueless. A medical degree wont help in any way if you want to pursue Forensic Psychology. Pathway below;

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/forensic-psychologist

Greg

Reply 3

medusa1

Original post by greg tony

No i am sorry your mother is clueless. A medical degree wont help in any way if you want to pursue Forensic Psychology. Pathway below;
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/forensic-psychologist
Greg

And am I right in thinking that if I wish to just do clinical psychology, it's the same scenario, as forensic psychology is just a subset of clinical? Thanks.

Reply 4

greg tony

Original post by medusa1

And am I right in thinking that if I wish to just do clinical psychology, it's the same scenario, as forensic psychology is just a subset of clinical? Thanks.

No Clinical is a very different career and way of working to Forensic, and as such differs in pathway also. Both require a BPS accredited undergrad or conversion but then differ in wjat follows.

Greg