University Degree modules

[petermaysawthefuture]

Im currently a mature student moving onto my 2nd year and I have to make my module choices over the summer. I'm currently on a joint honours degree in law and psychology so I also have to decide whether to stay joint or major in one. I'm swaying towards staying joint so I can pick whichever modules I want. I'm really worried though that I'm going to end up with a degree that's a real mismatch of modules.
Do you think the modules you chose for your degree bear any weight when applying for jobs when you graduated? Are employers even interested in the actual modules or just the degree?

It really depends what you plan to do with it after.

Go with your interests 🙂

What do you want to do? If it's law based, drop the psychology. An LLB is far more impressive than a BA.

I did psychology and criminology. DP did law. There was a significant crossover with law and crim but only he can be a solicitor if he did an LPC. As it happens, he found a great career while waiting for the LPC.

You need to really think about what doors psychology offers you and if you're interested in those doors. Get a degree for a purpose not for the sake of having a degree.

Not 100% sure, either youth offending, mental health/mental health law, SEN and educational law.

Cross post, regulations will have changed by the time i graduate so I can still go to do LPC without doing llb.

Will you get BPS accreditation if you major in psychology?

Yes, as others have said, check accreditation with any professional bodies you might need

Look at careers guidance on prospects.ac.uk to see what you can do with each subject 👍🏻

Yes to BPS if I major in Psychology but if I major then it's prescribed modules so I can't choose.
You would by the grand old age of 42 I'd have my shit together but I just can't decide.

*think

Essentially, a psychology degree without BPS accreditation is pretty useless if you want to do anything more with it. I have taught various people who have had to pay to do a conversion course because they didn't have enough credit in their undergraduate.

I assume the set modules you will have to do will be the BPS core one. They are quite broad and depending on how you are taught you will probably find something to interest you - but then I would say that wouldn't I!!

I suspect that you need to be strategic as others have said. Also, be aware that I teach across two institutions and both are significantly dropping the number of optional modules to focus time and effort on core delivery - the cost of social distancing and the massive amount of work required to make the move online are meaning it is not feasible to offer the full range of optional modules.

I was also a mature student and I hated the choosing between strategy and enjoyment BUT if you do the additional reading, attend extra lectures and any research seminars offered it doesn't have to be an either or!

Is this OU OP? From what you said about potential jobs it sounds as if law will be the better option. I did law and then discovered that every job I wanted (probation, restorative justice, youth offending) required social work So although the degree might not be as enjoyable as you can't pick and choose, it is much better to go down one route rather than keep it joint.

I know you don't need llb to be a lawyer but if you can get it to be a qualifying law degree that would be easier.
And look better in law applications.
If it can't be llb then just do whatever course you think you will do best in.

Oh and law jobs will be very interested in what modules you took and want to see your scores in all of them.

Talk it through with your academic tutor.

The programme I lead is offered as a joint with one other subject. It's a small minority who don't tend to lean one way or the other. I feel the maj/min option is better for most in terms of career prospects.

Unless a masters is an option which you Could use to develop further specialism later.

Thanks everyone.
I have been looking at masters options for the future so that is an option to streamline later. I am however aware that I'll be nearly 45 by the time I graduate so I feel that I don't have much time before I start my career.
It's a brick uni.
@MassiveTit yes they will be the core modules and we have been told by the optional module leaders that we will be welcome to attend any lectures even though we're not taking that module. So I could still access them.
Psychology was always my ideal degree but I took law in my foundation year and really enjoyed it which is why I ended up choosing a joint honours.
I had thought about dropping law completely as I felt I'd really struggled this semester but I had great results and feedback on my assignments so then I've felt that if I drop it now I've wasted a year studying it.