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Psychology Degree where to start

62 replies

NewStart101 · 15/10/2020 21:20

HI MN, I have decided at the age of 38 to completely change careers. Feeling a bit overwhelmed. I studied a Financial Degree and almost got up to charter level and decided that I hated it.
I then became a sahm for 8 years. I want to retrain in something that I find to be just what I should have done in the first place.

My dilemma is that I am not in the UK or British but will be moving over in the next year at some point. I know that many degrees are now online but I am unsure as to how to research this.
I have been on the BPS site as well but I am clueless as to which online universities are good in terms of Psychology as well as what type of psychology degree to do?

In my country, a Psych degree isnt very highly regarded and many people just branch off into other areas. Is this similar in the UK? I know that is a very broad question to answer?

I really regret not pursuing this right at the beginning.

OP posts:
Justnotfeelingit · 15/10/2020 21:24

I have a psychology degree. Anyone from my course I know of who still works in psychologist either had to train as a teacher, work a few years, then do an educational psychology masters, or had to do a few years internship then do a masters in clinical psychology. It’s a long tough route. My job is nothing to do with psychology.

NewStart101 · 15/10/2020 21:27

@Justnotfeelingit Thank you. Do you feel that it was a waste of time or very limited in scope of what you could do after?

OP posts:
Tobebythesea · 15/10/2020 21:28

What do you want to do with the degree? If it’s actually being a psychologist then further (very competitive) training is required after the three years along with a lot of voluntary/paid experience.

MrsVeryTired · 15/10/2020 21:28

Agree with above. Why do you want to do psychology? e.g. What kind of career are you thinking of because a psychology degree doesn't lead directly into anything and almost always needs further study.

NewStart101 · 15/10/2020 21:33

I was thinking of Educational psychology, working with children related.

Its very different here, so I am just trying to research if this is doable.

OP posts:
primrose2018 · 15/10/2020 21:39

I have a psychology degree. Personally the only uni course mates I know of who still work in the psy field did postgrad to doctor level then went on to do research or teach in universities.

MrsVeryTired · 15/10/2020 21:39

Educational Psychologists in the UK usually have a psychology degree, teacher training and experience plus Ed Psych postgraduate diploma/phd.

AlbaAlba · 15/10/2020 21:41

Psychology is ok but isn't the best regarded subject, and it's not a pure science. I think people often do it because they find it interesting and it will give them a degree that they can then use to get graduate level jobs. People with science, maths, engineering, medicine, vet, languages etc will generally have an advantage in the job market over someone with psychology.

Also it doesn't qualify you to be a counsellor. Or a psychiatrist (for that you have to train to be a doctor first then specialise). There are clinical psychologists working for NHS and in private practice, which is a career that obviously applies the knowledge, but I think that requires a 3 year undergraduate degree, then a 3 year PhD, and it's also very competitive to get onto those postgraduate courses.

You can become a 'counsellor' with no qualifications (please don't!) but any decent one would train. I've had a couple of friends change career a bit like you and retrain as a counsellor through BCPC and then set up private practice.

A lot of our nannies and babysitters are psychology students (e.g. tens of them, at a well-regarded uni), and most seem to be going into standard graduate jobs, rather than psychology. Marketing seems popular. Social work in a couple of cases though you can actually get a social work degree instead.

The cool sounding specialties such as forensic psychology are even harder to get into and usually require post-graduate training after a psychology degree. I think one of the London unis has a Masters course.

Could you do something that combines your financial experience and psychology? Whether that's supporting people in taking control of their finances, or working more strategically somewhere where finance and psychology meet?

As a start, to find out if you'd enjoy it, and also to show you're interested should you want to go on and apply for a uni course, have a look at Future Learn, which is the Open University's on-line MOOC site. They have all sorts of free courses inc. psychology-related often. I've done a few FL courses for my own professional development in a different field, and they're pretty good and maybe a good way for you to try things at present.

To check out the best universities for psychology look at things like the Times Educational rankings, for specific subjects at specific universities. To get into an actual psych job you would want to go to a high-ranking university that was also well respected for psychology specifically. Of course, with Covid, nothing is as usual. Most courses are still delivering tuition in person, but are likely to switch online. And some unis are handling the chaos and switch better than others.

(I'm not a psychologist but I know a few, beyond my student nannies, and I also mentor students via a charity and have had a psychology student in the past.)

fruitpastille · 15/10/2020 21:42

I agree, I enjoyed doing it but it's not very helpful in terms of career choices. I think it's not regarded that highly and in all honesty I think it's easier than other science degrees. You need to do a lot of research about post grad stuff if you really want to pursue it.

AlbaAlba · 15/10/2020 21:43

Cross post!

DespairingHomeowner · 15/10/2020 21:50

Check this site : www.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist

Be aware the difficulty is not the degree (it will be v v easy if you already have one, some people find the stats hard but should be a doddle for you), there is postgrad training and unpaid work experience in several fields

Mid range earnings (eg 60K) - I did partial conversion then realised I prefer my original career for various reasons: not to put you off, just to make you aware

Happy to answer any questions x

TiddyTid · 15/10/2020 21:52

Did you really hate the finance thing. Being a chartered adviser is the U.K. you will he sought after.

TiddyTid · 15/10/2020 21:55

In and be! Haven't got my reading glasses on 😂

MsAnnFrope · 15/10/2020 21:56

If you have a degree already you could look at a conversion course as some of these are already set up to be online/distance learning so may be less affected by Covid chaos

NewStart101 · 15/10/2020 21:56

@AlbaAlba Thank you for the detailed reply. I will have a look at these sites.

I am getting the overall feeling here that it isnt worth pursuing. That is gives you a very good foundation level but does not lead to anything definite with just that degree. Considering I would be in my 40s, I dont want to waste my time again.

OP posts:
Waveysnail · 15/10/2020 21:58

Currently have 4 medical lab assistants in our lab with psych degrees whoncouldnt get jobs. They are all retraining to do other things

TheDaydreamBelievers · 15/10/2020 21:58

If you are interested in being a clinical psychologist it is an accredited undergrad, a masters, approx 4 years experience, and a doctorate. Masters not officially required but almost everyone has one.

Educational psychology would be undergrad then a few years experience then 2 year masters (masters courses are funded by the student).

Lots of people in my psychology undergraduate went into HR, marketing and more general corporate graduate schemes. Those that become psychologists are the minority.

Another possible avenue may be counselling. The qualification (postgraduate cert then diploma) needs you to pay. I think it can also be hard to become hired afterwards

NewStart101 · 15/10/2020 21:59

@TiddyTid unfortunately yes I did. I went into investment banking and It was stressful and I didnt enjoy it at all.

OP posts:
AlbaAlba · 15/10/2020 22:00

How about something like behavioural economics?

EdPsy · 15/10/2020 22:03

In order to train as an educational psychologist, you will first need to do a conversion masters in psychology that has been accredited by the BPS. There are quite a few online only ones which are highly rated, if this is easier for you.

You will then need at least one year’s relevant experience.

You then need to do a three year professional doctorate. (Not a PhD, a diploma or a masters!). You must have been ordinarily resident in England for the three years before starting the doctorate.

It is an enjoyable and incredibly rewarding job.

The number of training places has recently increased so the chances of getting a place are better than they have ever been. For further information about the training route, look at the Association of Ed Psychs website. Smile

EdPsy · 15/10/2020 22:04

Also, the three year professional doctorate for educational psychology is fully funded and you get a tax free bursary each year.

EdPsy · 15/10/2020 22:06

Finally, you do not need to be a qualified teacher in order to train as an educational psychologist these days. Sorry for all the posts but there is some outdated info up thread Smile

TiddyTid · 15/10/2020 22:06

@TiddyTid unfortunately yes I did. I went into investment banking and It was stressful and I didnt enjoy it at all.

Oh god no! You had the worst start. I'm a DIpPFS IFA, you need to find the right home to excel. I work for a small, local directly authorised company (I've previously worked in bigger institution and HATED it, wondered wtf I'd done) but now it's fantastic and I'm actually enjoying my job.

To get to near chartered status you have done incredibly well. Maybe you just need to find the right home for you because highly qualified advisers in the U.K. you will have a job for life.

Chartered is next on my agenda but I HATE exams 😂

Karwomannghia · 15/10/2020 22:08

Ed psych training is now a 3 year doctorate (following undergrad Psych degree and experience). You used to have to have done 2 years as a teacher then do a masters but that’s no longer the case.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 15/10/2020 22:13

What about:

Mental health nursing
Occupational therapy
Speech and language therapy

All have the option of working with children.

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