Foundation year for psychology at Durham university

Has anyone who applied to the foundation year for psychology received any updates with their application yet? I haven’t and I’m starting to stress🥲🥲

Hi there,
I know it can be unsettling waiting to hear back; Durham offers can take a while to come out from the admissions team, so try not to stress about anything yet.
As a previous Psychology applicant, I didn't get my offer until the end of March, so I understand the worry. 😊 Just keep working towards your predicted grades, and I'm sure you'll be hearing back in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about studying Bsc Psychology at Durham, just let me know!
I hope this helps,
Rosie (student representative)

I wanted to ask about the modules and placement year opportunities! Do you think as an aspiring clinical psychologist the modules would fit ? And also how are the placement opportunities over at durham!

Hello!
In first year, you’ll do 4 core modules:
- Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology
- Introduction to Psychological Research
- Academic Skill Development for Psychology
- One optional module
In second year, all modules are compulsory, as this ensures the course meets BPS accreditation. Fortunately, one of these modules is Clinical and Differential Psychology - you can read about what this entails, and the other core modules for year 2 here (https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/psychology-c800/ ). I’m also an aspiring Clinical Psychologist, and found this module incredibly interesting. 😊
In third year, you’ll do the 7000 word dissertation and then 4 optional modules: topics might include mental health, forensic psychology, and evolutionary psychology. Students are also provided with guidance about modules that fit well together thematically and how these map onto potential future careers or interests, which will ensure you can tailor your course to Clinical Psychology. There is also a dedicated Careers and Enterprise Hub, if you wish to access any further advice and support.
As for placement opportunities, placements will take place between year 2 and year 3, and can be in a variety of sectors. Students in all nearly all departments are able to do a placement year. At Durham, you have the opportunity to do an international placement, which are generally less common but possible. Otherwise, there is a lot of support for those seeking a placement year: you’re given lots of information early on, so you can start thinking about if it’s the right route for you. As previously mentioned, the Careers and Enterprise Hub can also support these applications, as well as having the chance to do things like mock interviews, assessment centres and reviews of your CV ahead of the process! You can read about experiences of previous students here (https://durham-student.org/what-is-a-placement-year/ ) or here (https://durham-student.org/my-placement-year-at-archaeological-services-durham/)
I hope this helps!
-Rosie (DU representative)

That’s great! Thank you for this information! Do you know any placement opportunities that will be good for clinical experience

Hello!
There are a range of placement opportunities that could support clinical experience, as Durham University would be able to support you with.
An example might be undertaking a work experience placement in the NHS - they offer placements across different psychological areas, including clinical or health psychology. Additionally, CAMHS offer placements from 6-12 months, specialising in child mental health care.
A good place to start could be to start gaining experience and finding out what you’re interested in. I began to volunteer for a local mental health charity at the end of my first year at uni, which led to an offer to work alongside a counsellor and managing patient care. This was an amazing opportunity, and developed my ability to support mental health challenges and suggest relevant interventions. Experiences like these (even when voluntary) can really support your placement year applications: if you’re interested, lots of students volunteer for companies like Shout, Mind or Samaritans. 😊
-Rosie (DU representative)

Was it hard to find volunteer work?

Not at all! I just did a quick google search of mental health charities near me, and emailed a few of them to ask if they’d be interested in letting me volunteer. 😄
It can be quite scary to email out of the blue, but every charity that I contacted responded and said they had availability: from that, I chose the charity I felt most aligned with and have been volunteering with them ever since!
I would recommend if you do contact anybody, to let them know you’re aiming to be a clinical psychologist & explain how you think volunteering for them could give you skills relevant to that. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to support you in that goal. 😊

Okay that’s great! Thank you, I’m feeling quite confident into firming Durham now, just hoping to get an email soon 🥲