Psychological Science Msc Queen's University

LauraaWhelann

Hi all,

I'm considering applying for this Msc: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Course-Finder/PCF1718/PTCF1718/Course/PsychologicalScienceConversionMSc.html

I'm a final year human genetics student at TCD and have always had an interest in psychology.

Does anyone know much about this course? I emailed and asked them would it give you accreditation in Ireland and they said yes. What i'm wondering is would I be at a disadvantage with applying to be a clinical psychologist in the years following this degree compared to those who did a psychology undergrad and then a psychology masters?

Also, how difficult is it to get into a clinical psychology doctorate programme directly following completion of a masters? I understand they look for volunteer work etc. I feel I have a lot of this extra experience and only plan to do more in the coming year or so. I have heard that lots of people take years to do work in the field though.

Lastly, does anyone have any tips on applying to a masters like the one above? People are encouraged to apply from all disciplines but would having a science background give me any advantage? I'm also really interested in the genetics underlying mental health and have some good experience in studying/writing about this during my undergrad.

Thank you!

jigglypuffstuff

LauraaWhelann wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm considering applying for this Msc: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Course-Finder/PCF1718/PTCF1718/Course/PsychologicalScienceConversionMSc.html

I'm a final year human genetics student at TCD and have always had an interest in psychology.

Does anyone know much about this course? I emailed and asked them would it give you accreditation in Ireland and they said yes. What i'm wondering is would I be at a disadvantage with applying to be a clinical psychologist in the years following this degree compared to those who did a psychology undergrad and then a psychology masters?

Also, how difficult is it to get into a clinical psychology doctorate programme directly following completion of a masters? I understand they look for volunteer work etc. I feel I have a lot of this extra experience and only plan to do more in the coming year or so. I have heard that lots of people take years to do work in the field though.

Lastly, does anyone have any tips on applying to a masters like the one above? People are encouraged to apply from all disciplines but would having a science background give me any advantage? I'm also really interested in the genetics underlying mental health and have some good experience in studying/writing about this during my undergrad.

Thank you!

Clinical psychology is incredibly competitive and your chances of ever getting into that with only a 1 year conversion course are slim to none

A typical applicant for clinical psychology would usually have an undergraduate degree in psychology, an advanced masters degree usually with a clinical specialism ( not a conversion course like the one you've linked to) plus experience in the field ( usually as an assistant psychologist.... generally you can't get one of those positions without PSI/BPS accreditation.. and again the people who apply for those positions usually have advanced masters degrees.... volunteer work means little by comparison to paid experience

In other words... unless you're willing to take on another advanced masters after this one, plus then get 2 or more years in an assistant psychologist role after it, you've no chance...and if you do all of the above... your chances are still very slim and you'll always be at a disadvantage as a lot of the competition ( and there's a lot believe me) have a better background due to their undergraduate

If I was you personally, I'd drop the clinical psychology ambitions..it's too damn competitive in Ireland... With your background I'd be looking at doing a MSc in Neuroscience and then maybe following up with a PhD in neuropsychology or the likes...I'd imagine you'd be in a position to do some pretty interesting research surrounding mental health, and would easily attract funding given the need for research in the field

Hope that helps.... sorry to put you off clinical .. but in Ireland it's just a ridiculously hard, almost impossible path to get on... And from what I've heard, to those who do, it's like winning the lottery