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UCL or KCL Child and Adolescents Mental Health (CAMH) MSc?

Hi there! Just a quick question that I'm struggling with... I currently have both offers in UCL and KCL's Child and Adolescent Mental Health MSc (both 1-year) but am very struggling to weigh the pros and cons for each course. I want to head towards working with schools, families and children and goal is to qualify as educational psychologist. Would love all of your input!

- UCL Pros
a) lots of people tell me UCL definitely ranks higher than KCL in terms of simply impression, reputation, resources etc.
b) it is slightly cheaper but just bc no placement included in this course
c) In the renowned Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health department/faculty
d) modules are so much more concrete and less vague...?
(UCL modules: neuro developmental disorders, psych and pharm therapies, school mental health etc.)
KCL modules: Presentation Skills, Research Skills, Child Development, Systematic Literature Review, Service Development and Service Evaluations etc. seem so vague!)
e) doesn't have written exams unlike KCL's :frown:

- KCL Pros
a) having a clinical placement is apparently a huge plus
b) um I just realised clinical placement is its only pro for KCL for me haha...

but i feel like the placement is weighted so much heavier and should be prioritised? that's why im struggling? since both are 1 year, basically same degree name, so at the end of the day talking about employability and connections, isn't KCL starting to outweigh the pros of UCL...? i dont knowww thank you guys hopefully someone along this line of work can help out!

Reply 1

UCL

Reply 2

Original post by tiffanywai930
Hi there! Just a quick question that I'm struggling with... I currently have both offers in UCL and KCL's Child and Adolescent Mental Health MSc (both 1-year) but am very struggling to weigh the pros and cons for each course. I want to head towards working with schools, families and children and goal is to qualify as educational psychologist. Would love all of your input!
- UCL Pros
a) lots of people tell me UCL definitely ranks higher than KCL in terms of simply impression, reputation, resources etc.
b) it is slightly cheaper but just bc no placement included in this course
c) In the renowned Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health department/faculty
d) modules are so much more concrete and less vague...?
(UCL modules: neuro developmental disorders, psych and pharm therapies, school mental health etc.)
KCL modules: Presentation Skills, Research Skills, Child Development, Systematic Literature Review, Service Development and Service Evaluations etc. seem so vague!)
e) doesn't have written exams unlike KCL's :frown:
- KCL Pros
a) having a clinical placement is apparently a huge plus
b) um I just realised clinical placement is its only pro for KCL for me haha...
but i feel like the placement is weighted so much heavier and should be prioritised? that's why im struggling? since both are 1 year, basically same degree name, so at the end of the day talking about employability and connections, isn't KCL starting to outweigh the pros of UCL...? i dont knowww thank you guys hopefully someone along this line of work can help out!


From what you have said here it is clear you believe UCL has more benefits and I think the best way to go about this is to think which schools programme and course structure will suit you best, you also mention KCL has written assessments. If you aren't a fan of that, maybe it's not the course for you. I think in terms of the placement year, it would be hugely beneficial for you to learn the day to day proceedings. It's best to go with your gut on this one, ask some experts on their opinions or people who have taken the same course in the past

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