Is it worth doing a conversion course/MSC in Psychology at the age of forty?

[AristotlesTrousers]

Background:

I went away to uni to study psychology when I was nineteen (in the mid-nineties). Left due to personal reasons after three years before completing the second year (which I was retaking anyway). I regretted it for a long while, but wasn't in the right 'place' mentally to go back to studying at that point.

Anyway, I went out to work for a few years, and in my late twenties, I went back to complete my degree through the OU. However, during my studies, I met DP, we moved in together and started planning a family. Because of the timings of the courses with the OU and the fact that my biological clock was ticking (in my thirties by this point), I decided to switch and do two sociology modules instead of the full BPS accredited Psychology pathway, thinking that I'd either go back to it after having a family, or do something else with the degree. Was thinking about social research or counselling.

I did get a 2:1 in the end, though the only named subject it is linked to is sociology. We have also completed our family now (DS2 is now nearly 2).

So, I'm currently doing a postgraduate certificate in person-centred counselling and had hoped to do the diploma to qualify and then the masters. However, unusually this year, the diploma course has had huge numbers of applicants (apparently unprecedented) and I haven't made the cut, which I'm more than a little miffed about.

Now, the dilemma I have is whether to reapply next year, though there's no guarantee I'll get on the course, however many more volunteer hours I can squeeze in or what I can do in terms of personal development. And I'm questioning now whether I should have just stuck to the psychology I enjoyed all along.

I'm looking at conversion/MSC courses, but wondering whether I've left it too late to become a psychologist, given that I'd still need to find work experience and then three years more study for the doctorate (assuming I get on a place, which is no mean feat).

So my questions are:

1. Has anybody left it until later in life to study psychology? Is it worth it, given that I wouldn't qualify for a number of years?

2. If you have done a conversion course/MSC, have you done this via distance learning (e.g, Derby), or gone to an actual brick uni to do this? Which route would you recommend?

Thanks for reading (if you get this far!).

I'm a year away from getting my psychology degree with the ou and next year I'll be looking at MSc in forensic psychology.

The ou has just started offering MSc in psychology as from September. I haven't had time to look into it properly (tmas and exams to get through first) but it might be worth a look. There's also the new student loan funding for post-grad students starting for next year too.

Think this is my first post, although been lurking for a long time! Couldn't read this and not reply.

I'm currently studying the MSc online with Derby. I'll be 40 next summer when I finish. Thoroughly enjoying it and it fits in perfectly with getting my kids to school and picking them up.

I may apply for the educational psychology doctorate afterwards or may go back to teaching. I went to an open day a couple of years ago about becoming an EP and they said there's no age limit and welcome applications from everyone. I'm also interested in clinical but don't fancy the idea of starting a completely new career. At least with EP I can build on my experience as a teacher.

Definitely don't think you're too old! The way I see it, we won't be of retirement age for a long while yet...

Ooh, definitely getting excited about studying psychology again! Great to hear some positive stories. Still undecided about whether or not to do it online, but Derby is looking like a good option (though the nearest uni to me is Essex, which also looks pretty good). Have contacted them both, also the OU, as I really enjoyed it last time around.

Oh my goodness... so many people who know on the one thread! Sorry to hijack OP but would you mind if I asked folks to take a look at my old thread that didn't get any responses to see if anyone can help? It is here
Sorry for hijacking! Good luck OP!

I'm 42 and after having done a history degree and PGCE and then taught for a number of years I'm now in the middle of the PGDip in psychology with Derby. I had to go for an online course to fit it in with teaching (part-time) and my two primary age DCs. But I have to say I'm loving it. Particularly the flexibility to study when I can peel myself away from the children want. Being physically part of a uni would be great - I don't get anywhere near as much interaction from other students or the tutors as I'm sure I would if I were actually there - but it was really my only choice and I think it's going really well.

My plan is to go for the ed psych doctorate and hope my advanced years enhanced wisdom will give me an advantage...! Either way, pushing myself academically again so long after studying initially is exhilarating (and exhausting!).

But I know exactly what my route is if the studying goes to plan and it should work even at my age. My only suggestion would be (as others have said) to check how long any extra studying / training / assisting might be and what the financial impact of that could be before you make a decision.

Hey thomisa - I wonder if we're on the same modules with Derby... How much of the MSc have you done? I'm two modules in - Investigation and Analysis / Cognition, Behaviour and Performance. Moving on to Biological Bases of Behaviour in a couple of weeks.

YANBU! Get on it! I've got two degrees, only one of which is useful, and I plan to do a masters in about 5-10 years and possibly a PhD after that... I'm currently 34. I love study, but right now I'm a mama and a midwife and that's enough enough time anyway

No problem, baffled. Hopefully somebody will be able to advise you on what to do.

So, it seems as if the Derby online course sounds good, then. I've just sent an email off to them, so hopefully should find out more soon. Is there much chance to chat to other students much in the forum, then, or is it fairly quiet? I remember the busyness of the OU forums used to depend on the module. I'm not adverse to getting stuck in myself.

Have also contacted Essex, to find out what the timetable looks like, as that will influence childcare etc. Can't help but feel the online course would fit in so much better with a young family, although it would be nice to do the course in person. I'll see what the timetable demands are before ruling it out.

Looking forward to dusting off my old psychology books and filling another shelf with new ones.

Currently at Derby too. It does certainly work around family life. Just difficult sometimes in not having the social side with people on the course. Thomisa and Julietbat, good to met you on here. Again bit of a lurker, but couldn't not reply. Julietbat I'm at the same stage as you, waiting for the next module to start.

I know someone who started her undergrad Psy degree at the age of 50. However, I also work with two people who have Masters in Psychology and they are doing the same work in an open office as the 18-year-old apprentices who only have A-levels. I was also accepted twice onto a Health Psy Msc but I withdraw both times. Check on the BPS site - there are no jobs in psychology (apart from consultancy jobs in OrgPsy, and a lot of them turn out to be the self-employed kind). To become a Chartered Psychologist you need a doctorate; and unless you manage to get a place as a Clinical Psychologist, imo it is generally not worth the money.

Hi Julietbat and Poppylouie☺I'm about to start my 6th module (Autism), so the last before the dissertation. Good to see others here!

Aristotles, there are chat forums but they're pretty quiet to be honest. People chat a little in the module forums, more as a kind of support than general chat. Studying online was the only way I could do it. Although it can feel a bit isolating, I am very motivated and like not being tied to lecture times. I do really enjoy studying on my own!

Baffled, sorry, I'm not able to advise, but there's a site called clinpsy.org.uk (think it was mentioned earlier?). They're mainly clinical but someone might be able to help.

Studying online was the only way I could do it. Although it can feel a bit isolating, I am very motivated and like not being tied to lecture times. I do really enjoy studying on my own!

Yes, this is a big plus for me. I loved doing the OU, and doing it online would mean I still get to do the school run/parents evenings/Christmas plays/sports day etc too for a couple more years. I think I'm leaning towards applying for the Derby course, but I'll wait to hear back from Essex about the timetable demands etc first.

Thomisa or anybody else doing the Derby course, what do you hope to do afterwards (both short term and long term)? My only concern with doing it this way is missing out on potential opportunities to find assistant positions at the end.

Hi Aristotles, well, I'll attempt to find an assistant EP job, but I know these are few and far between. Then after that I'd apply for a doctorate. Again, extremely difficult to get on to! If it doesn't work out then I'll go back to teaching, but maybe not class-based, something where I can use the Masters a bit.

The thing is, this has given me something useful to do while my kids are young. Going back to teaching would mean I'd miss all the plays and sports days.

Hopefully your background in schools will put you in a strong position, Thomisa. I'm not 100% sure whether I'd like to specialise in clinical psychology or research yet, but I guess I've got plenty of time to make those decisions.

OP go for it! One of my close friends while at uni was in her fifties, the age difference didn't matter. She was great craic.

I did my undergraduate in counselling/psychology and I'd say half the class were 40+, now I'm doing my postgraduate course and 3/4 of the class are mid 40's plus and it's definitely seen as the norm. So you are very far from too old to do the course

Right, I'm definitely going to do it, no excuses! Can't wait! thanks for all the advice.

Aristotles good luck!

A very late thought about this after speaking to some clinical psychologists recently. More than a few of them suggested occupational therapy as an alternative option. It uses a lot of psychology, has a funded course, and once qualified become part of the team working with psychologists, social workers etc. Just a thought in case you hadn't considered it before!

I started an MSc in Pyschodynamic Pyschotherapy at 50 (I know it's not the same but it isn't a hundred miles off) and have recently completed it.

It was totally worth doing from a life enhancing, challenging, self-improvement POV, but I doubt very much I could support myself with it. It is a competitive area and there are people out there with 20 more years of experience than me. I get a few hours of paid work a week so I will eventually offset the costs of my training and the hundreds of hours of personal therapy, but I don't hope for much more than that.

@AristotlesTrousers hoping this might reach you. I came across your post as I was researching conversion courses of which (!) I only became aware of recently. Unlike you I never started my Pscychology degree, for personal reasons and then ended up with computer related degree.

Now I am rethinking this as personal interest and life experience have led me back to many areas in psychology.

Did you start your course? How did it go?

I’m looking at online options of course,
Given the current situation and also as I am stuck outside UK