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Psychology degree part-time around work

Hi, I’m a full-time teacher who is hoping to retrain in Educational Psychology. I’m planning to do a Psy undergrad part-time around work (I’ve decided not to take the master’s route, as I’ve already got an MA in Special Educational Needs so am not entitled to a master’s loan - I’ll be using the 2nd degree funding for STEM subjects).

My question is, which of these offers do people think would work best around my school commitments?

- I have an offer from the Open Unj to study the degree across three years. The classes would all be online so it would fit around everything.

- My first offer is from Birkbeck, to do the degree in person 6-9pm two evenings a week, across four years. It’s a longer route but I do learn better in person. I’m just worried about whether it’s too much around school.

Has anyone got any ideas of which route might be best? I just want to consider all factors before I make a decision!

Reply 1

YSJ_Kiera

Official Rep

Original post

by Teach&amp

Hi, I’m a full-time teacher who is hoping to retrain in Educational Psychology. I’m planning to do a Psy undergrad part-time around work (I’ve decided not to take the master’s route, as I’ve already got an MA in Special Educational Needs so am not entitled to a master’s loan - I’ll be using the 2nd degree funding for STEM subjects).
My question is, which of these offers do people think would work best around my school commitments?
- I have an offer from the Open Unj to study the degree across three years. The classes would all be online so it would fit around everything.
- My first offer is from Birkbeck, to do the degree in person 6-9pm two evenings a week, across four years. It’s a longer route but I do learn better in person. I’m just worried about whether it’s too much around school.
Has anyone got any ideas of which route might be best? I just want to consider all factors before I make a decision!

Hi there!

I'd recommend doing some extra research around Educational Psychology if you haven't already. Typically, you need a doctoral degree; an undergraduate degree will not make you a qualified Educational Psychologist. I'm a current third-year BSc psych student, and unfortunately, a lot of my coursemates have learnt this quite late into their degree! You might be able to apply to the EPFT scheme directly (link). You'll need a year of work experience with children (which you'll have as a teacher!), and either a bachelor's or master's (typically one year full-time, two years part-time) in psychology and have received GBC (link).

You might be better off looking at master's programmes if you don't already have GBC, as that would take one less year, from there you can go straight to the EPFT!

All the best,

Kiera
York St. John University

Reply 2

Teach + Study

Original post

by YSJ_Kiera

Hi there!
I'd recommend doing some extra research around Educational Psychology if you haven't already. Typically, you need a doctoral degree; an undergraduate degree will not make you a qualified Educational Psychologist. I'm a current third-year BSc psych student, and unfortunately, a lot of my coursemates have learnt this quite late into their degree! You might be able to apply to the EPFT scheme directly (link). You'll need a year of work experience with children (which you'll have as a teacher!), and either a bachelor's or master's (typically one year full-time, two years part-time) in psychology and have received GBC (link).
You might be better off looking at master's programmes if you don't already have GBC, as that would take one less year, from there you can go straight to the EPFT!
All the best,
Kiera
York St. John University

Thanks, I’ve done the research - I work with EPs a lot in my role as Deputy SENDCo - and am planning to do the degree with intention of gaining GBC. My question is about which course would fit best around work.

As mentioned I’ve had to discount doing another master’s due to cost - for the degree I’m able to use 2nd degree funding from the student loans company.

Reply 3

whitney2001

I know you have clearly done your research,
however the best option is really to do an Msc Psychology conversion course accredited by the BPS. (most of these are completely online anyways)
Funding is your main issue, have you maybe looked into grants provided by charities ?
Your biggest bet would be to have a chat with your school/employer and see if they could fund your Msc for you?

hope this helps in someway lol 🙂

Reply 4

YSJ_Kiera

Official Rep

Original post

by Teach&amp

Thanks, I’ve done the research - I work with EPs a lot in my role as Deputy SENDCo - and am planning to do the degree with intention of gaining GBC. My question is about which course would fit best around work.
As mentioned I’ve had to discount doing another master’s due to cost - for the degree I’m able to use 2nd degree funding from the student loans company.

No problem! Just wanted to flag in case you weren't aware!

I can't advise which option would be best, but here are a few extra factors I'd consider in your decision. You may have already thought of these!

Commute times. Make sure to factor this in, you might find it's a much larger commitment than 6-9, which might make the online option better.

Hours required outside of teaching. UG psychology courses are notorious for setting huge amounts of reading. Do the two courses go at the same pace? Is the 4-year option slower paced in terms of the modules/credits per year? If it were a lighter course load, you'd have more time!

Support. I'm not very familiar with the OU, but it might be worth making sure they have the appropriate support for any questions/queries. With the in-person option, a lecturer would be with you in classes to answer any questions, clarify information, etc. Would this be available via the OU? This is especially important if you learn best face-to-face/ from other people rather than from a textbook.

Chat to current students. Current students on the course are the best people to advise on what it's actually like to study the course, and whether that matches what's on paper! There might be reps here on TSR, or groups on other social media.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!🤗
Kiera

Reply 5

hippieglitter

I'm doing psychology with the OU. It's part time over 5 years and am enjoying it so far, on my 2nd level one module atm. Its great cos i can fit it around my life and take it at my own pace. You book tutorials but you are not committed to a regular thing. Another thing to consider is for level 1 they have a February intake which finishes in September, that may be better for you cos you can get the work in while your off school.