Are Cambridge/UCL realistic for AAA/AA*A?

Hi all! I’ve applied to Cambridge, UCL, Bath, KCL and Birmingham for Psychology, predicted A*A*A. Does anyone with similar grades get offers at Cambridge or UCL, and what would you say are the real pros and cons of each? 😊

Reply 1

Beauty_31

Honestly with camrbidge, it is a different ball game. The interview matters a lot, and if you can prove them that you stand out then that is it. As for the pros, well it is CAMBRIDGE!! as for the cons I think you have to be prepared to be able to cope with the study pressure that cambridge provides their students with.

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hi there!

I’m a current psychology student studying at University of Bath, and I’m doing my final year. Here are some pros and cons from my perspective:

Pros:
· Excellent graduate prospects – Bath has one of the best reputations in the UK for employability. The Psychology course offers a placement year, which most students take up, and it gives you a huge advantage when applying for jobs or further study. The Careers Team and placement officers are also really supportive in helping you find roles that suit your interests. I came back from my own placement year a few months ago, and I really loved it – it gave me the opportunity to put theory into practice in an area that I have been passionate about for a long time. Further, read https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/placements-and-strong-community-ensure-bath-graduates-enjoy-some-of-the-best-employability-in-uk for some insight into our graduate prospects and opportunities. Additionally, https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/improve-your-employability-with-a-bath-placement has more info about placements.

· The course for psychology here is quite broad, covering areas like clinical, neuroscience, social, health psychology, and more. There are compulsory core modules within the course, and as you progress your study you have more opportunities to branch out into modules of your own choice.

· Bath has a lovely campus and city – the campus is beautiful and compact, so it’s easy to get around and meet people you know. The city itself is safe, clean, with lots of cafes, shops, and green spaces. You can also get to Bristol in about 15 minutes if you enjoy a bigger city.

· There is a strong sense of community within the psychology department – there is a good mix of independent work, seminars, group work – I found that this really helped me meet new people of similar interests, and it has been a pleasure working together with them.

Cons:
· Assessment type – the course is assessed in multiple ways but the most common method is essay work. There are also assessments like lab reports, statistics, and group presentations. Some people did not expect the amount of essay writing in their assessments when coming to Bath, as some other courses for psychology put more emphasis on other methods.

· Cost of living – Bath is an expensive city to live in, especially for rent after first year. Most students live in Oldfield Park, which is convenient but can be a bit costly compared to some other university cities.

· Smaller city– Bath is lovely but small. If you prefer a a bigger city with loads of nightlife and events, it might feel quiet at times (though Bristol is super close so it is easy to get out into a bigger city that way). There is still a good amount of night life in Bath, I personally have had great experiences with events from the SU (student’s union) as well as in the city.

Overall, I’ve really enjoyed my time studying Psychology at Bath. The course is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and the opportunities for professional growth really stood out to me when choosing my university. Bath offers a great balance between academic success, career preparation, and a friendly environment. I hope this information is helpful for you. I’d definitely recommend Bath to anyone looking for a well-rounded and supportive place to study Psychology!

Best wishes
Current Psychology Student at the University of Bath

(edited 1 month ago)