Why Study Psychology at University?
Psychology is an incredibly rewarding, fascinating and diverse subject that can lead to endless possible forms of employment whilst greatly enhancing your understaning of yourself and others.
To gain a good overview of both the options available and current developments visit the British Psychologoical Societies website
How do I apply?
This website provides excellent advice on how to apply
http://juni.osfc.ac.uk/Innovation/psychology/
REMEMBER - always ensure university courses are BPS accredited
Which are the best Universities?
This website provides information on the top twenty universities for Psychology
Personally I would highly recommend University of Surrey (Roehampton)
What skills will you develop?
Psychology will give you what few other degree courses will, obvious transferable skills for your future professional and personal life.
Specifically it will give you immense insight and appreciation into how humans behave, what shapes and motivates them and a greater capacity for critical thought, empathy and awarenss of the 'bigger picture' with regards to everyday life.
What other Psychology related degrees are there?
Psychology can be studied on its own, as part of a joint honours degree (alongside any other subject, depending on what the university offers) or as part of a combined approach.
Typically Psychology can be linked with criminology, counselling, education, sport or health at degree level as a combined course (although not all universities offer these courses).
What does it lead on to and what are the chances?
Psychology is a popular choice for a degree course but that should NOT deter you from applying as it is widely available and the career options are vast.
Also, despite the competition, several students from Kingdown have gone on to study Psychology at some of the UK's best Universities.
In addition several former students of the present Head of Psychology, having studied Psychology at University, are now working full time as psychologists within health and criminology.
However, to give you a better idea of some of the most common jobs use the information below.
- Educational psychologist;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_psychology
- Forensic psychologist;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_psychology
- Occupational psychologist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_Psychology
- Counselling psychologist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counseling_psychology
- Clincal psychologist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_psychology
- Teacher/Lecturer (see your psychology teacher for details)
How much am I likely to earn?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on which area you go into. However, in terms of potential earnings the possibilities are endless (especially if you enter management consultancy via occuaptional psychology).
Psychologists are professional people though and as such earn professional wages so you can expect to have a decent lifestyle.
What are the current developments?
(this section is vital in writing a Personal statement)
Check the BPS website
How can you gain vital Experience?
This will depend upon what area of Psychology you are most interested in.
Again you should check the BPS and discuss this with your teacher.
If its Education your interested in then getting experience is easier to arrange, but there are possibilites elsewhere too if you investigate them.