history vs psychology at university
12
Basically the title. I'm on a gap year, planned to study law this coming September 2025 at Newcastle but changed my mind as I realised I definitely wouldn't enjoy being a lawyer so I see no point in doing a degree I won't enjoy.
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Reply 1
Original post
by FrxstyxBasically the title. I'm on a gap year, planned to study law this coming September 2025 at Newcastle but changed my mind as I realised I definitely wouldn't enjoy being a lawyer so I see no point in doing a degree I won't enjoy.
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Hi there,
Most important thing is - please try not to worry because its normal to feel confused at this stage and many students like you are facing similar dilemmas. Its good to hear you've already decided on a university!
I would start by asking yourself...
•
Which of these courses at Birmingham have modules that I would enjoy more?
•
What might I want to do afterwards? What options could either degree open up for me?
I would also say in answer to your questions that when I did Psychology at Bath, there was not a requirement for GCSE or A-Level Psychology and I believe this is the same for Birmingham. The first year was designed to get everyone up to the same level of knowledge and understanding - for example, learning about stats, research methods, basic psychology concepts and how to relate to and use journals. And yes, these things do get easier with time and practice 🙂 so whilst you will need to work a little more at your learning in the first year without A Level psychology, you are taught everything you need for the degree on the degree and so you should not be disadvantaged.
I would say that one major difference between history and psychology is the science content. Psychology, whilst there is of course an essay/debate/reporting element, is generally considered a scientific degree and there will be content on stats for research. I personally found this gave the degree some variety which I really enjoyed. History, however, is more heavily essay-based and analytical without much content on the scientific method. Its up to you to decide which you would most enjoy!
I hope this helps! Best of luck with your decisions 🙂
Holly
University of Bath
Reply 2
make sure you do research on what a psychology degree entails! the degrees are bps accreditited, so 30-40% of your coursework - no matter what uni - will most likely be maths and statistics. in the uk its also very biologically focused and many unis require 2 sciences for entry requirements
Reply 3
Original post
by FrxstyxBasically the title. I'm on a gap year, planned to study law this coming September 2025 at Newcastle but changed my mind as I realised I definitely wouldn't enjoy being a lawyer so I see no point in doing a degree I won't enjoy.
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Anyway, on to the issue. I've always been interested in psychology but at GCSE and A-level my school didn't offer it due to a lack of teachers or something, lack of demand, no idea? I studied criminology at A-level, really enjoyed that and the unit 2 that gives some psychology aspects towards it. I have researched into studying psychology at university and it does interest me. The one thing I'm worried about is not understanding the terms at first and the research journals when assigned to read those: will that get easier with time?
But also, I'm a massive history nerd. The choice of university for both subjects is the same (university of Birmingham). I've done history at both GCSE (8) and A-level (B). I'm put off studying history due to the grade that I got in it. I was expected to have gotten a grade A*/A and even despite how my teachers praised me I still don't believe it due to the actual result. So that gives me the worry that when I study history at university level, I'm not going to be able to keep up.
Both subjects really interest me. I know people online can't make the choice for me, but I'm so stuck on what to choose and I need some sort of advice that might guide me towards the right choice since the UCAS deadline is literally two weeks away. I'm so stuck
Hi, this is a really interesting post to me because I chose to study psychology and my sister chose history!
Understanding the terminology definitely gets better with time and my course taught us how to go over those academic journals, so don't worry about that! I also think university is kind of a different ball game compared to A Levels so I wouldn't worry about not being able to keep up. For me, it was just a whole different way of studying, but I also had so many more resources to help me get better if that makes sense? For example, when I struggled with research or writing I would go to our Learning Enhancement Team and they would help tutor and advise me. Also, getting an 8 and a B is amazing, so don't doubt yourself!
Do you have any idea of what you want to do when you graduate? My sister did history like I said but is now doing a masters in project management because there wasn't any history jobs she could find. I think psychology is a lot more generalised because you can go into many different roles, from clinical to HR... anything to do with people really. However, a history degree is still going ot teach you how to research and write well, manage your time... all important things, and people with history degrees also go on to amazing careers.
It's such a hard decision, but I think you have to find the balance between doing something you genuinely enjoy (and know you can stick with for 3 years) while also doing something that has career prospects at the end of it 🙂
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