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.

@fortyfifty we did open days at Loughborough and Lancaster at the weekend (for a humanities course) and Loughborough seemed so much more focused on employability than Lancaster. Maybe it was just the focus of that particular course/department though.

@fortyfifty I also think doing more is in the dna of some students. They will have friends and probably parents who are career focussed. They go to relevant careers fairs. They try very hard to get employment or volunteer in the holidays. They build a cv. They surround themselves with like minded people and explore all avenues. They are often organised and driven when the odds are stacked against them.

DD1 did this successfully for her career which is very hard to get. DD1 less so but has now successfully changed career. I just think parents greatly overlook this aspect of the 3 plus years at university. For psychology it’s not going to matter where if you aren’t top uni (Oxford, Bath etc) but you really can do well if you get a first and get your act together over research and work. Surrounding yourself with people who just have fun limits options. In my view!

I always push my children to choose the best university possible (and they have) but I feel more and more in recent years that it doesn't really matter if you go to Cambridge Vs Nottingham. It doesn't matter if you have a 1st because apparently even if you get a 2.2 it's fine.

Having a master's degree doesn't really add an value. So what's the point?

Was that for Psychology?

No, it was just a general comment.

@FizerorTizz That isn’t what the IFS found. However it’s very subject dependent.

Great user name!

I see you all around and I just had to!

But what I read on MN is "oh it doesn't matter where you go. It's all university blind these days."

I've read threads where people say employers prefer people with 2:1s over 1sts because it shows that they were more sociable.

I've also seen a thread where a lad (due to a lot of issues in his personal life) unfortunately got a 3rd. But the responses were that all employers will look at is that fact he has a degree and that the classification doesn't matter.

@FizerorTizz Hi! I looked at the third classification thread and I thought posters were trying to be kind in a difficult situation. Employers do look at grades and a lot of employers do want a 2:1. Eg. DD is a barrister. You can do the course with a 2:2. Does anyone get pupilage with a 2:2? No - only much older people. A 3rd and you are not admitted to the course because it’s hopeless. So yes, jobs are around but not competitive ones. A third puts you in the something might turn up category!
To train as a psychologist a holder of a third would have no chance
.
University blind? Yes, some employers and psychology grads could be ok but it’s offered at 117 universities. I would suggest Bucks New or Wrexham grads (bottom 2) cannot compete with Oxford grads. This idea that all are equal is nonsense but universities that are not RG are very good. Students need to be discerning and match uni to A levels.

Not sure any employer would not look at someone with a first but not all firsts are same are they? My neighbours lovely DD has a first. My DD has a 2:1. It fairly obvious who is brighter and it’s not the neighbours dc! DD isn’t a genius but she’s just got more to offer. In general employers look at best fit for them and personality may well come into it as well as attainments and other skills such as those gained at work. A first at some universities/courses doesn’t guarantee much at all. Employers have to sort out applicants.
In general: aim high for uni, get work/volunteering experience, be a rounded person, brush up interviewing skills and keep applying for what you want.

Thank you for answering my question. Given that your DD is a barrister, what unis dominate pupillages?

@FizerorTizz Ha! Oxbridge. However utterly depends on area of law. Some chambers are 100% Oxbridge. Others: Durham, Bristol, Nottingham, Warwick - but the London Bar is not the same as the regional bar.

If DD might want to go on to become a practitioner psychologist (so that would educational psychologist, occupational psychologist, forensic, clinical or counselling psychologist) then the undergrad is just the start. Getting work experience and into further training is competitive. As a recruiter in the NHS we are not blind to the undergrad uni but the academics are something of a given, it's a whole bunch of other things that make the difference. Maybe Tesco or Deloitte's are blind to uni name (if she wanted an occupational psychology route)? But I'm usually recruiting qualified psychologists, so the doctorate is the trickier thing to get on to. Getting onto the doctorate is yes about the required academics but far far more about soft skills/life experience and a range of values/attitudes etc. Anyone of those unis over any of the others really would make no difference.....

I think Deloitte is. When DS interviewed there, the interviewer didn't know they both went to the same uni until DS did his "intro" and said where he was doing his master's.

@hettiethat’s certainly what DS has heard - good news as he’s applying for the doctorate this year ( for next).

I am late to this thread snd no expert in careers in Psychology. However I am RG and yes I do think it is over egged. For the most part quality is very good, but so is quality in many other programmes.

Mainly I think employers and PG programmes know what the solid UG programmes are. Those are the ones to aim for, regardless of so callex pedigree. Many of them will be RG, but that isn’t the point.

Re counselling psychology, I had a short course of therapy a little while back. My excellent therapist recommended by word of mouth had a six week waiting list. Her degree is from a post 1992 university snd she does not have a PhD. (I think she is about 40 yo) I just checked her website and she still has a similar wait list, so many share my opinion of her. In my conurbation of naice villages in the middle of nowhere she is commanding over £100/hr

An example where the university is not the defining feature or limiting factor

What does she want to do afterwards? If for example she wants to do sports psychology, i would look at a different uni than for user research, or for a neuro focus!
I went to a generally pretty awful uni, but the research department in my dream specialty was awesome, and made a great career out of it.
When hiring people, i don’t care about the university, i care about experience and exposure to relevant stuff.
It all depends on what she wants to do afterwards

She’s not super sporty herself but she is actually very interested in sports psychology. One of the reasons Loughborough appealed was the option of a module in this I think.

@LottieLovesLemonAlthough Loughborough isn’t RG it’s considered RG plus! Like Bath, St Andrews and Lancaster, it might as well be.

My niece is in final year at Bath. She had all As at a level and didn't get in so deferred a year and got in. She's talking about PhD at Oxford next so I imagine the bsc at Bath is very highly regarded. She's had lots of opportunities alongside the course, including doing research, and loves living there.