Retraining while working WWYD?

[Fressia123]

I've been accepted to study my MSc I Psychology (it's part of my long term plan to retrain as a clinical psychologist). I'm working FT and need the income but could definitely drop some hours but unsure of how many.

I'm also unsure about where to study said MSc. There's an online option (at Brunel), Exeter (which is great) or Plymouth (which is where I'd study the doctorate). WWYD? As I'm really torn.

Do you mean you've already been accepted onto a course? Why then would you need to know where to do it? How many hours to drop would depend entirely on the number of contact hours. Is it a taught masters?

I've been accepted in all three. It is a taught masters.

I would be looking at contact time for all three. Even in the case of the distance learning option there may still be some physical aspect. I assume that you live in the SW given the other two options so if you are looking at something that isn't distance learning, the physical location of the campus would still need to be considered.

Could you take a look at the Student Room and ask the same question there?

Exeter is by far the most prestigious.

I don’t know about specific reputation for psychology. Have you checked the league tables? (Not The Guardian.)

In addition to the above, I'd be asking about size of cohort, attrition rates, destinations of previous students. Given that your eventual career path is very competitive and will require lots of relavant work experience and probably time served as an assistant psychologist, I'd be interested in how well connected and regarded the respective departments are.

I didn't think of the TSE will ask there too.

Exeter is definitely by far the most prestigious. Plymouth wouldn't be my first choice but I'd be able to connect with people from the local trust, which would help with any applications/recommendations for assistant psychologist roles.

I'm only considering Brunel because I believe a fully online option will let me work closer to FT.