Should you pick RG over others? Where to apply for Psychology…

[LottieLovesLemon]

DD looking to study psychology. She wants to apply to 5 from this list of 6

Bath
Loughborough
Manchester
Nottingham
Southampton
Warwick

Having just completed the open days she’s now deciding which one to knock off her list.

Should she prioritise applying to RG?

Entry requirements range from A*AA to ABB

It seems a very popular subject to choose so she’s keen to get her degree from the University that would help her job prospects the most.

Id look at Lancaster id she likes the idea of a campus university. They come out high in research markers and last I looked, had a focus on employability for their psychology degree adding in volunteer placements as part of the regular course. Also Exeter seems to be big on their careers side.wirh lots to get involved with in the field outside of the taught course modules (for the keen and willing)

What A levels is she doing OP? Sometimes makes difference with Bath in particular. Is she doing an EPQ?

She’s doing Psychology, Economics and Politics plus an EPQ

What do you mean by “recruiting universities” please @TizerorFizz ?

Look at Birmingham as well.

RG isn’t a big deal specifically. She /we just think that with such a popular degree, getting it from the most respected Uni possible (from the ones whose courses appeal and campus she likes) seems prudent. My thread was partly to ask how much RG matters from our list.

I can tell from the replies we’ve had that Bath and Loughborough hold their own against the RG Uni’s so (other that possibly ditching Southampton) I think they all seem good. I think she may rule out Bath because A*AA is really a push and I don’t think she could stand the disappointment of not getting into her first choice (assuming they even offered her a place!). She’s keen to plan her accommodation etc and if you don’t get your “firm” she tells me that you have less certainty/choice of accommodation.

We don’t have strong views from the list yet. She liked Bath and Southampton least I think. Bath talks impressed her but she didn’t see herself there. That maybe because she doesn’t want to love it as the grades are so high - I’m not sure. She really liked Warwick and really liked Loughborough.

Too close to home for her. And not a city she loves.

@LottieLovesLemon There are selecting and recruiting universities and courses. For example, universities like Oxford won’t have a single course in clearing. They are a selecting university with high demand. Others will have hugely popular courses and will select who they want with no spare places at the end of the process. Highly desirable Universities such as LSE and Imperial won’t have much available, if anything. These are, of course, elite universities. Others will have some courses in clearing but not the popular ones. So these popular courses are selective but others at these universities will be recruiting. They want to fill the places and are flexible on grades. Then there are recruiting universities and courses. Some universities and courses just don’t fill up without reducing the grades required or offering a lot of unconditional offers. The lower you go in the league tables, the more likely recruiting the university will be. So you can start looking at who is recruiting by checking clearing. I suspect Bath would be full and some of the others on your list. So your dd would need to compete to get a place. Recruiting courses are easier to get into and there might not be much competition.

If she wants to do anything directly in psychology she will need a post grad, likely PhD. I don't know if this is a factor (thinking undergraduate costs, changing unis etc)

@TizerorFizz This thread is a wonderful resource. I am learning so much. Thank you for taking the trouble to explain so clearly. Makes perfect sense now you say it.

@Handownduggies That’s standard for everyone though. It’s a case of doing what you need to do. Mostly those who study further will have a first and very much be dedicated to this career. Most psychology grads don’t do this and get other jobs.

My dd went to Southampton but not psychology, she loved it and everyone went onto grad schemes from her course. Look at the employment prospects of these courses also consider there are far more psychology grads than jobs. A friend’s dd went to Loughborough but she went into a corporate job unrelated.

in reality there isn’t a huge amount between them so think about where they want to live and cost of living, Bath is very very expensive (I live near there) also crazy busy with tourists

Bath will be keen on a second science- usually Biology. Won’t mean she won’t get an offer but may be a bit trickier if very oversubscribed.
My DC got reduced offers from most choices with an EPQ so maybe worth looking those who offer that as well.

I was going to suggest Birmingham and Cardiff based on anecdotal experience of some incredibly bright kids I know who very purposefully selected those unis for psychology (all managed to get a year of work placement too afaik.) but it looks as if they’ve been suggested already.

That’s not true - my son had a lot of help from Newcastle when applying for placements. He had to get an average of 65% or over in his second year to access the university organised placement scheme.

Was this for Psychology? Thank you for the update. Newcastle was not on my radar for Psych at all.

@Flyswatsyes. DS fell in love with the uni and city when he visited on open day and was fixed on going, even though his grades meant he could have applied to a higher ranking university. He had a wonderful time, a great placement, graduated with a First, gained an Assistant Psychology post straight after graduating and has just started his second. He is planning to apply for the Clinical Psychology doctorate this year ( for Sept 2026) on the advice of his supervisor. The good thing about Newcastle is that there are a number of well regarded hospitals and mental health facilities in a relatively small area, so it’s easier to ‘get known’ in a highly competitive area. DS got his current job on the back of some research he got involved with as a student with one of the psychologists who works there. In contrast, another member of our extended family who graduated in London with a First is finding it very hard to get her first post, as it’s so much bigger and she hasn’t had the same networking opportunities.

I would also say that Newcastle is a great city in which to be a student - good range of accommodation, amazing food, friendly people, beautiful countryside. We love it when we visit and I think DS will stay for life if he can. The only disadvantage is that it’s a long way from us!

It is interesting that in the end you make your own luck. Doing a bit of research with the right person. Sometimes this would lead nowhere. There are of course opportunities in London but vast numbers of dc wanting them! All with firsts!

Yeah I love Newcastle as a city, thank you for the other details too - incredibly helpful, I will pass onto my DD who is starting an integrated Msci (4yr) in Psychology in Sept.

@LottieLovesLemon what is the EPQ subject she is taking? When my DD applied there was strong emphasis on sciences and maths (including Psychology as a science subject). But the BA versions of Psychology may well have less STEM focus?

I think this is very true. The work experience and part time jobs that DS had both before and during university have gone a long way towards him getting the AP posts - in fact they've been mentioned at interview as being as important as his degree. You definitely have to do the legwork in such a competitive field.

@LaBelleSauvage123 I totally agree! I’m on another thread trying to say this.

Of course others will say their DC did nothing but, overall, employers like Dc who have done some work or relevant volunteering. So many parents still think the degree and the skills it confers are enough but never consider the world and his wife have exactly the same skills. In a shrinking grad job market, it’s very blinkered. I think some academics don’t get it either. They just look at content of courses and star professors! Employers really won’t care who taught you the wars of the roses. Off topic - but I think attention to what’s required for work is often overlooked.

Also consider how the course is assessed. Dd is going into 4th year of the MSci Psychology at Nottingham. She didn’t really think about assessment methods as she did well in A Levels (humanities) so thought she was ok with exams. It’s lots of exams in the first two years at Notts and most of them are multiple choice - which, as it turns out, she doesn’t really get on with! It’s also very sciencey in the first two years, which does vary a bit between unis. Thankfully years 3 and 4 offer some module choice and have been better.

Dd has really enjoyed Nottingham but she hasn’t really been impressed with the Psych dept (with the exception of her brilliant project supervisor) - disorganised and not supportive.

If clinical psych is a possible future option, York and Hull have a fast track option. But also, we’ve noticed from extensive LinkedIn stalking that uni doesn’t matter if you want to do Clin Psych - better to get a 1st from an ex poly in this case than a 2:1 from an RG.

I think some/many universities have caught up with this. I mentioned Exeter and Lancaster before as they certainly put a lot of emphasis on employability and creating opportunities for their keen undergrads to get involved in CV-enhancing activities, even if they are not able to get a paid summer or year long internship. I am sure there are many others. It's trying to work out those who talk the talk and walk the walk. Following Universities on social media can be eye opening. Otherwise, at the very least, check out the careers pages of their websites and ask current students these kind of questions on open days.