Careers with a 2.2 in Psychology joint honours

[stressedandskint]

I've just finished my degree and will graduate with a 2.2 (I've used the university degree calculator to estimate my final result and the absolute highest I can get is a 2.2).

The degree is in Philosophy and Psychological Studies. Before the previous low assignment score sealed my fate, I had applied for an MSc Psychology conversion course. This course will accept me with a 2.2 but I'm wondering if it is worth doing now that I have no chance of becoming a psychologist.

My original plan was to do the MSc whilst building up my work experience, possibly do another masters/research degree and then apply for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate. I'd need a minimum of a 2.1 to do that, ideally a first so this route is no longer an option for me.

Should I still do the MSc Psychology course to get GBC? What can I do after it with a 2.2 degree?

If you get a good masters result you should be able to get a PhD, perhaps if you get work experience and apply then for a PhD within the field you like. Main thing is to get s really good masters now

flumpy really? Fully-funded PhDs are very hard to get, even for top candidates- the ones that I have been putting forward and getting funded usually have a first and a distinction at Masters, there are a few exceptions to that- those with a high 2:1 but lots and lots of work or research experience in the specific field (e.g. niche area) might also get funding, but I'm thinking ESRC/Wellcome funded type of thing.

I don't want to discourage the OP but realistically- why are you getting a 2:2? Is there any way you can get mitigation for illness/mh issues or whatever is putting a ceiling on your grades? Normally 2:2 candidates do not go on to a research career because their grade reflects their ability (which is not oriented to research jobs)- if that's not the case, then you may be able to argue this later on but there are no guarantees.

I don't know about Clinical Psychology, I think that's very dependent on the state of entrance at the time, are there lots of places, having the right experience etc.

There are of course other jobs you can do- but both of these (research and clinical doctorate) are highly competitive and so do use degree scores to cut down the already very large field.

What kind of work experience would be needed? As in job titles?

Read my post again please! I know a career in clinical psychology/research/academia is not possible with a 2.2, I was merely saying that was my ORIGINAL plan. Now it isn't as I've buggered up my degree and got a 2.2

I cared for a terminally ill parent during most of my degree and then she died so I've been a bit all over the place. This probably has impacted on my grades but I don't want special treatment for it. I made the decision to continue with my degree so now I'm dealing with the consequences.

Anyway, what I'm asking is:

Should I still do the MSc Psychology course to get GBC? What can I do after it with a 2.2 degree? Is the GBC just for those wanting to become psychologists? Are there other roles out there in psychology that I could do with a 2.2?

Thanks

I already know about the psychological well-being practitioner role and the high intensity therapist role and I'm interested in these.

Are there any other roles I could look into?

I was responding to flumpy really, not to dash your hopes but to be a bit realistic.

I'm not in the psychology world so can't help on that front.

You may be able to get into things only accessible for 2:1s if you have a sympathetic referee who will explain (they don't go into the whole thing) that your degree marks do not reflect your potential and point up other grades where you did well. I have written references like this so perhaps ask a couple of lecturers if they would do this for you before you leave.

I remember you posting about this before, the fact you are finishing with a degree is beyond incredible, I don't know how you've done it. I'm sorry for your loss as well.

OP, this is something that you should really be discussing with your personal tutor (or whatever they call it in your department).

I'm an academic in psychology and see a lot of students in your position. Caring for a terminally ill parent is ABSOLUTELY what we want to know about when considering your academic performance. It's not special treatment so much as making sure you're not being disadvantaged by circumstances beyond your control. Chances are your department has not had its exam board yet (they're usually in June) so there may still be time to lodge a mitigating circumstances form. Do it. Talk to your tutor / department about what is required.

Career advice for 2.2 students depends on a lot of things (interests, motivations, need for financial security) that we can't really advise you on over the internet - again, our tutor would be a good port of call. But in general, the only point getting GBR accreditation is for further professional training in psychology. It's good that you're realistic enough to rule out a clinical doctorate, but have you checked out the BPS careers guide careers.bps.org.uk ?

You could do a DPsych in Counselling Psychology. You could do an MSc in Occupational Psychology and work as a consultant for a business psychology firm. Lots of them do 1:1 work such as coaching or assessment. You could do psychotherapy training, I don't think this would require the conversion.

Also - I agree with psychone there is usually mitigation/special circumstances that can be applied, definitely worth asking through your tutor/administrator, though you would have to move quickly. Our exam board would take account of this- it is early June though, so you would need to go and see someone about that- for example, it may be your final assessment which was low after your mother passed away could be reconsidered.

I agree with @psychon. I was also going to say occupational psych, counselling etc BUT I wouldn't dismiss the chance of a 2:1 if your tutor knows about you circs. Other popular choices for psych grads with 2:2s are a PGCE or HR of some kind, or something not directly related like project management .

you may also want to post on the www.clinpsy.org.uk forum which is specifically for people interested in the Clinical Psychology Doctorate

I think yes but not so clinically focused. Also agree re mit circ, I would put something in asap.

Have you also talked to careers? I often find students don't make the most of the careers opportunities. Definitely worth making an appt.

Good luck!

One of my friends got a 2.2 in her sociology/psychology undergrad, then a distinction in her MSc conversion, so it can be done!... Also, I wanted to say that I was in the position of having a terminally ill parent three years ago, so I just wanted to extend my sympathies for that. It's such a hard, hard thing to go through.

I'm currently finishing off the MSc Psych conversion myself. What's the balance of your life at the moment? Young kids or anything? I ask because it is a very intense course. So if you are targeting a 'catch-up' grad, I'd consider whether you do it part or full time - because it is converting the whole syllabus of an undergrad degree - it really is full tilt. I think that in order to ascertain whether a doctorate is for you, it would be useful to do a conversion course under level circumstances.

I am umming and erring about which doctorate to do (I'd have probably targeted clinical if I wasn't ANCIENT), but with young kids in the equation, it'll very likely be the counselling psychology doctorate, though as a career changer from management, occ psy might be more pragmatic. There are a complex blend of considerations with the doctorates, and funding is not the least of them.

I've done a lot of research into applied psych careers for my own purposes, and am very happy to talk it through with you if you want to PM me, or to answer any questions here.