Psychology vs medicine
12
Hi everyone,
I’m currently a first year undergraduate psychology who did biology chemistry and psychology a levels. Originally I had applied for medicine last year but I missed my offer by 1 grade and decided to do a psychology degree instead.
If I were to do a medicine my original aim was to become a psychiatrist so I thought becoming a psychologist would be the next best option , however recently I’ve been stressing about whether I made the right decision as I feel like my psychology degree isn’t really playing to my strengths. It’s less science heavy than I expected and I feel like I’ve just wasted all my prior chemistry knowledge by doing this degree. I’m not sure if it’s worth transferring to a course such as Psychology with neuroscience or if I should just push through with the regular psychology undergraduate. I also feel like psychology is very essay and reading heavy whereas I have never been much of a reader but moreso a practical and exam person so I’m scared of doing badly in my psychology degree.
Another option of mine is to switch to a more prestigious university like Warwick to increase the depth of learning since I currently attend a low ranked Russell group uni.
I’m also having regrets about not resitting for medicine undergrad but I thought I shouldn’t since I’m not 100% sure.
I was hoping to see if anyone else had similar experience or if anyone has advice on career options for a student who is strong with scientific knowledge but also fascinated by psychology and neurology.
Also on a side note if anyone has advice for how to study for psychology exams and improve in coursework it would be much appreciated as I know nobody studying it in the years above.
I’m currently a first year undergraduate psychology who did biology chemistry and psychology a levels. Originally I had applied for medicine last year but I missed my offer by 1 grade and decided to do a psychology degree instead.
If I were to do a medicine my original aim was to become a psychiatrist so I thought becoming a psychologist would be the next best option , however recently I’ve been stressing about whether I made the right decision as I feel like my psychology degree isn’t really playing to my strengths. It’s less science heavy than I expected and I feel like I’ve just wasted all my prior chemistry knowledge by doing this degree. I’m not sure if it’s worth transferring to a course such as Psychology with neuroscience or if I should just push through with the regular psychology undergraduate. I also feel like psychology is very essay and reading heavy whereas I have never been much of a reader but moreso a practical and exam person so I’m scared of doing badly in my psychology degree.
Another option of mine is to switch to a more prestigious university like Warwick to increase the depth of learning since I currently attend a low ranked Russell group uni.
I’m also having regrets about not resitting for medicine undergrad but I thought I shouldn’t since I’m not 100% sure.
I was hoping to see if anyone else had similar experience or if anyone has advice on career options for a student who is strong with scientific knowledge but also fascinated by psychology and neurology.
Also on a side note if anyone has advice for how to study for psychology exams and improve in coursework it would be much appreciated as I know nobody studying it in the years above.
Reply 1
Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum.
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The Medicine forum gets a high volume of questions being posted, and some of these are already answered by the resources and Megathreads that members of the community and volunteers have created. This is an automatic post which is designed to highlight these resources. Below is a list of threads and articles that could answer your question (you should be looking in the original post of the megathreads). If one of the below threads is a more relevant place to ask your question, please post a reply in that thread to ask your question. If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked below, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
Megathreads (Please read the first post before posting any further questions you have within that thread.)
The "Which Medical School Should I Apply To?" Uberthread
The Ultimate 'Am I Good Enough For Medicine?' Angst Thread
Medicine A-Level subjects queries
Work Experience and Voluntary Work
GANFYD's "Which medical schools accept retake A-Levels" list
2026 Applicants :
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2026 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2026 Entry
Medicine 2026 entry for resit/retake/gap year applicants
International Students for Medicine 2026 Entry (overseas students applying to the UK)
UCAT 2026 Entry Discussions Megathread
GAMSAT Megathread 2026/2027 entry
GAMSAT Megathread 2025/2026 entry
2026 entry A100/ A101 Medicine fastest and slowest offer senders
Medical Schools Index 2026 entry
Medical Schools Index 2025 entry
UCAS Extra and Clearing:
Medicine UCAS Extra for 2025
Medicine UCAS Clearing for 2025
Other application years:
Official Thread: (Undergraduate) Medicine 2027 entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2027 Entry
Official Thread: Graduate Entry Medicine 2028 Entry
Current Medical Students and Doctors:
Guidance on posting in this subforum
So, you're going to medical school.... MKII
OSCE Tips and Advice
Increase in the NHS Bursary and expenses for placement
The postgraduate exams thread
Useful Articles:
Work Experience as a Graduate or Mature student
Medicine Personal Statement Advice
Medicine Personal Statement Advice (Graduate Entry)
Interview Frequently Asked Questions
MMI Medicine Interview Tips
What to do after an unsuccessful first application
Funding medicine as a second degree
Our Community:
Medicine Community Feedback and Suggestions
Medicine Gap Year Stories
Project: Minimum UCAT Score Trends
If your query is answered by one of the Megathreads or articles linked above, and you would like us to close this thread for you, please reply to this thread with just the words "thank you". A member of our team will then get it locked.
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