Do these universities have a good reputation?

[SausageCrush]

Dd is looking to do psychology in 2021.

We've looked at the ratings and factored in all sorts of things such as her predicted grades, T.EF. rating, graduate prospects, distance from home, campus, etc.

What we would really appreciate is some insider information about whether the following have good reputations, because that isn't something you can find out online. You need to know someone who works in academia or recruits graduates.

We might be over thinking this, but would appreciate any input on the following:-

Portsmouth
Leicester
Hull
Lincoln
Aberystwyth

We plan to visit them over half term. Just to add that these will be whittled down to become choices 3, 4 and 5. Her first choices are Cardiff & Sussex. We've already visited both of these.

Thank you!

You’ve got a mix of older universities and very new ex poly type places on the list, if going to a uni that people have heard of is important to you that might be worth checking.

Check all the courses are BPS accredited. Have you looked at the league tables?
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/psychology

No.
The only one I would consider is Leicester.

At least a couple of those may not even be solvent come the next academic year.

Check here where they rank academically relative to each other.

@Bingobango69

At least a couple of those may not even be solvent come the next academic year.

Care to elaborate whoch ones?

It would have to be an absolutely amazing course/uni to make me want to move to Portsmouth.
I know there are nice bits but it's generally not very nice.

Yet of those universities Portsmouth is the most highly rated in the CUG for psychology.

What are your daughter's predicted grades @SausageCrush?

Am watching with interest. Dd wants to do psychology, predicted good grades but struggling a bit with one of her a-levels and lacking confidence that she'll get in anywhere! Need to choose an insurance university but was disappointed when she visited Portsmouth, likes the look of the course though...

Hull, Aber and Leicester are established decent universities (pre 1992).

Portsmouth was known as a very good poly in its day and if it is ranked highly for psychology is worth a look.

The only one I'd be particularly wary of is Lincoln, as it's very new and I don't know how it is regarded by employers. It's probably worth checking the employability scores in something like the Times' Good Uni guide.

Aber is a very long way from everywhere, so bear that in mind. Students seem to like it, though.

At least a couple of those may not even be solvent come the next academic year Agreed.

@Bingobango69 bit dramatic without elaborating. Are you an academic?

I’m a lecturer, high ranking universities will almost certainly survive (though not all of the ones on your list are high ranking), we’ve seen record numbers of new students starting this year.

Hi Waternokk - I am, yes. I'd be a bit fearful for Aber, Hull, and Lincoln. We're already seeing big cuts coming at Roehampton and elsewhere. No doubt the high-ranking ones will be fine, but tough times are ahead for regional unis.

Leicester sticks out from those. How about Swansea, UEA and Reading?

@Bingobango69 sorry for being insensitive, I agree there are tough times ahead for some unis

Not at all, Waternokk! Sorry if I appeared snippy - I'm just deeply pessimistic about the sector and its 'leadership'.

Lincoln is a lovely very new, smart campus in a great spot by the river and old town. Very small but that suits some people.

@Bingobango69 yeah it’s pretty dreadful! Not a fun time to be an academic. All the things I love about academia (the social side, having coffees together, nipping into a colleagues office for a quick brainstorm, CONFERENCES!!!) are gone for now😬

[quote WaterNokk]@Bingobango69 yeah it’s pretty dreadful! Not a fun time to be an academic. All the things I love about academia (the social side, having coffees together, nipping into a colleagues office for a quick brainstorm, CONFERENCES!!!) are gone for now😬[/quote]
Nice work if you can get it 🙄

Nice work if you can get it

I know right. I mean what other workplaces have colleagues that talk to each other about work and socialise together outside of work. Outrageous.

@W3dontdoduvets I’m not sure I know what you mean, do you mean it’s hard to get a job in academia? Or it’s hard to get a job that involves socialising etc? Anyway, don’t want to derail the thread!

Nice work if you can get it

I take it you don't ever speak to colleagues, ask for advice or have a chat over a cuppa? 🙄

For anyone choosing this course, having it accredited is important. Having said that, thousands of Psychology students never work in this field because it difficult to access the further training required. Therefore if you actually want to be a Psychologist, check the career destinations of grads.

If DC wants a psychology degree because they like the subject, the choice is enormous. The universities listed are all ok but there are better if the grad is going to compete for jobs in the wider world.

A friends DS went to Leeds and did psychology but is now a journalist. Another DD I know is now an Occupational Therapist. So Psychology can lead anywhere.

I would choose based on overall reputation of the university because this gives the best of both worlds for future employment. So check out he top 20 for the subject and see what the entry requirements are.

Personally I think Looking in forensic detail of each course won’t help if the reputation of the university isn’t that great. Also Leicester is very different to Aberystwyth. So look at feel and location too. Portsmouth is popular even if it’s not a great looking city.

I would look at Surrey and Sussex as possibles if RG isn’t realistic.

Really depends on her career goals and plans, tbh. Most people will see that list and think "Leicester" (I did ) but as a pp has already pointed out, Portsmouth is more highly rated for Psychology by at least one guide.

What are her projected grades? I often think people undershoot. They think they need straight A’s to get into a top RG university, and you don’t for many subjects. Also would she be eligible for a contextual offer which allows lower grades than the usual?

@Xenia

No. The only one I would consider is Leicester.

Agreed.