Psychology degree - which uni?

[gettinfedduppathis]

Please can anyone advise about which universities are well thought of for psychology. DC thinking about next year (change of direction and so probably too late now for this year).

Make sure it's BPS accredited, even if he ends up doing nothing Psychology related in his career it keeps routes open. Otherwise, what are his grades like? If in the AAA-AAB range look at Cardiff, York, Birmingham perhaps. It's a very popular subject and cohorts can be quite big.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Psychology

Sunderland has just opened a new psychology department. It's honestly fab and the lecturers are awesome.

DD2 is doing Psychology at Lincoln and absolutely loving it, that came in at 39 on the link above. (she has got firsts on her work so far) She originally wanted Bristol but thought that might have been a bit too much pressure on her to get the grades. They did offer her a slightly different course which wasn't accredited as another pp mentioned. But I believe there was another small course you could run alongside it to get accredited (if that makes sense).

Right... BPS accredited... thanks, I'll pass that on to DC. Already on a degree course, but needs to change direction (too complicated to go into here).

What sort of entry grades?

Bath? It has a good year in industry program.

Hi Op. my DD changed degree courses last year and only applied slightly earlier. Your DC needs to look what universities are still showing availability through Ucas Extra (e.g. Liverpool and Sheffield universities are showing) and then phone them up or email to see if they will still accept an application. They will need to say what they got at A level. Then they can apply through Ucas like last year stating up to 5 choices. DD's old school allowed her to apply through them but they can do it independently. 1 of DD's choices contacted her also wanting a reference from the university she was at (which wasn't a problem) but the rest accepted the school reference.

Have a look at the REF website for department research credentials and look at psychology,

DD is at York and loves it.

She needed AAB.

If liverpool is available, have friend's DD there doing pysch. - loving it.

Look for one with an optional year in industry. If planning a career in psychology doing a placement tear can be incredibly valuable in gaining that first bit of experience that helps with getting a job on graduation. But it's nice to have as optional in case your DC decides during the course not to go for a career in psychology

Or decides it's too much money/time doing a placement year. It's nice to have the option either way

As Psychology is a very popular degree now, it would be prudent to choose a 4-year undergrad degree with a work-placement year - hands-on work in the industry will set them apart from the rest a little when looking for a job afterwards.

BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited is a must - it allows undergraduate membership to the society. It is worth noting that to gain full Chartered Membership as a Psychologist, you will need to do a Masters programme to specialise in a particular field - Forensic Psych, Clinical, Social, Developmental, Child, Occupational etc.

University of Southampton has very good research going on. It's also Russell Group.

look at unistats.direct.gov.uk/ to cpmpare courses - uses official government data. It only gives a snapshot but is a student-focused view, as it looks at student satisfaction and future earnings.

Durham is brilliant, as is Bangor.

I think a reliable yardstick would be to find out how many graduates actually become Psychologists. I have heard it is very few so although courses might be wonderful, does anyone much go on to be a Psychologist and get further training with an employer? Bath has a year out and that is valuable. Go to the best university you can because if you cannot get a training position then the university will count. So Bristol, Durham etc.

I know four young people who have done Psychology degrees and none has secured further training!

Sleepy - check your info - you need more than a Masters!

Shook Up

Yes, my apologies! I will amend - to get any kind of well-paying career as a psychologist, you are going to need a Masters - check job advertisements on Indeed for psychologists and you will see that most require you to have specialised post-grad.

PHD (research) or 5 years in a professional assessed job to become Chartered. Lots of applicants do have a masters degree I understand.

A PhD will be useful for academic psychologists, those who do research and lecture. Not for professional ones...!

hellsbells99 my DC is already in 2nd year of a degree course - complicated situation with different non-standard entry-level requirements etc. DC doesn't have A-levels, but does have alternate ones. Having to change direction through no fault of their own, and no current access to careers adviser. Psychology was best subject at school which is why I'm asking for ideas about the different universities, as I have no idea and I'm trying to help by getting a bit of background info together.

I am studying psychology with the open uni and love it but I can imagine distance learning might not be what your son is looking for- if I was younger I would want the full uni experience!

I would echo what everyone else said though definitely BPS accredited and anything that offers hands on experience is a bonus. It's very difficult to get onto the clinical psychology doctorate and having work experience so early on would set him apart from others.

Op, as your DC is already in their 2nd year you will need to check out the finance implications too. Unless you can prove medical/mitigating circumstances type of issue, then you are only entitled to funding for one degree plus one 'mistake' year.