Is a Psychology degree right for you?
I frequently get asked by students whether a psychology degree is right for them. In this video, I cover what I think are the main considerations that anyone thinking of studying for a BSc psychology should be aware of based on my 15 years of experience teaching psychology.
Introduction - 0:00
Psychology is fascinating but you need to be prepared to cover a lot of ground and think analytically - 00:26
Psychology incorporates numeracy literacy and science but you need to be aware of the emphasis on the science component and be prepared to learn about statistics - 00:53
Psychology is a great springboard into a wide range of graduate careers, but it is not a vocational degree; becoming a practicing psychologist requires several more years of post graduate level study - 01:34
Psychology will give you some fascinating insights into mental health, but this is only one part of the curriculum. Also, a qualification in psychology is not interchangeable with qualifications in allied disciplines e.g. counselling - 02:12
Psychology gives you countless opportunities to consider the implications of what you learn for your own life and society, but it is not a forum for the discussion of personal problems and experiences. - 02:45
Psychology degrees tend to use a wide range of assessments (not just essays) but that does mean you'll have to be diligent and adapt your work to the demands of a wide range of assessment types. - 03:13
Closing remarks - 03:49