To Master’s, or not to Master’s? | Pros vs. cons, 3 questions to ask & recommendations
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- This is one of the most frequently asked questions I’ve had since starting TheOxfordPsych.
Note 1: Since October 2019, graduates of a UK degree can stay for 2 years after graduation to work in the UK. 2 years for Bachelors & Master's and 3 years for PhD degrees. You can only do this once (i.e. not do it for every graduate degree you take). This can probably help with the post-master's job search angst a little bit!
Note 2: Some doctorate programmes who have different academic requirements have a significantly lower proportion of trainees with Master's degrees - my points were based on my own experience applying to London universities and Oxford. Please check the alternative handbook for your specific universities.
☆ Timestamps ☆
0:00 Introduction, comment on the context / current climate of degree inflation
5:38 Pros of master's degrees
9:53 Cons of master's degrees
11:53 Watch this if you're an INTERNATIONAL student
15:35 Question 1 to ask yourself: Why?
20:17 Question 2 to ask yourself: Why now?
21:58 Question 3 to ask yourself: What are the prospects within and after the degree? Integrated placements, job prospects, etc.
24:00 The Bottom Line - 'quick and dirty' answer
☆ About Me ☆
My name's Aika, I'm 24, Hong Kong Chinese & I'm a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Oxford. I am starting my first year of the doctorate degree and hoping to document this 3 (+) year journey. I hope to de-mystify the clinical psychology route in the UK, increase the representation of diversity in the field and make Clinical Psychology and Oxbridge feel just a little bit more accessible and human if I can.
☆ Disclaimer ☆
Views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views of the University of Oxford or Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. My videos are for informational and educational purposes only.
☆ OTHER INFO ☆
• Instagram: / theoxfordpsych
• For enquiries, please DM me on Instagram or message me on theoxfordpsych@outlook.com
☆ MUSIC ☆
Forever Yours - Wayne Jones
New Beginning - Esther Abrami
Waiting - Andrew Langdon
Subscriber count: 6587
I’m so glad I found you. I’m also HK Chinese and my ultimate career goal is to become a clinical psychologist however, you don’t usually see a lot of diversity in clinical psych. It’s reassuring that there’s someone like me who is breaking barriers and gaining success one step at a time.
🥺🥺🥺
When I came to UK for my master degree, I didn't know i needed accreditation from BPS. My course didn't have accreditation. If I would know I would choose something else :( Because of this now I am doing Conversion psy -.- I did BSc psychology :( I feel very sad and lost! I like learning but everything I am learning in conversion course was the same as undergrad but zip version :(
Thank you so much for talking about international students! I've been looking for information about Master's and Doctorates and most of the time they don't mention international students
Glad you found it helpful!
thank you so much for the video. it was absolutely enlightening, love you Aika for bring you and the work you do!
I’ve been googling these questions for so long and have never got a straight answer, such a helpful video
Hey, you have a lot of really interesting videos up! You can tell, that you are a really nice, warm-hearted and smart person!! x
This was a greatly informative video! I've been thinking about these similar pros and cons in my head (especially since I'm graduating this May from undergrad!) and I just feel more confident in my decision of waiting and saving up money before I apply to a master's program. It's great to give yourself time to think about what exactly you want to do during your master's program and also educate yourself on what interests you within the field of psychology. I've always felt ambivalent in my decision of taking my own time before going back to school since it just feels like everyone just knows what they are doing and just goes straight to getting a master's program. It's just a relief that I'm not alone on this journey and there's something sensible in my decision of waiting lol. I really appreciate the advice you give. You are such a blessing.
I’m currently a psych student at uni! And I love your content!:)
Thank you so much for making such a detailed video on this topic as, this is definitely one of the most important question of whether to do master or can I use that time to gain more experience by working❤️❤️❤️❤️.
Thank you very much for addressing international student aspects! No one has ever told us about the job prospect of this degree as an international student and it truly is misleading and confusing at times! Watching your video truly gives me the answer I want for myself! Wish you the best xxx
Thank you so much for this video x I'm currently in my 3rd year of my psychology degree and I found it so helpful xxx
I’m so happy I’ve found your channel as I’m currently studying psychology (doing a masters degree) and I’ve been looking for some more psychology channels on here 💝💝💝
Your videos are always super informative and well reasoned, thank you! I was just wondering whether the Masters statistics you showed, of how many people on the ClinDPsy have a masters, included those that have just done a Psychology conversion? Thanks :)
This was such an informative and important video. I really appreciated that you highlighted that international students can get fucked over by universities in the UK.
I am from Norway, so I paid international fees (Norway is not a member of EU). After finishing my Msc in Neuroscience, I thought I would have opportunities to work in research as a research assistant or do a PhD. I was not aware that there were only a few job opportunities in neuroscience especially with "just" a MSc and I wasn't aware that I had to fund my own PhD when I first applied for my BSc in the UK. This was not ideal for me because I did not want to take on more student loan. After looking for jobs in the UK and Norway for almost 2 years and working as a support assistant for a kid, I was not even considered for a job interview. I was additionally working on publishing my dissertation from my MSc. It came to a point when I understood that this will not change and I had to look for something else in Psychology. Then I started doing research for job opportunities in the field of clinical psychology, and it turns out that there are more promising job opportunities for clinical psychologists than PhD.
I couldn't take a MSc/doctorate in Norway as this is not possible, you need to get on a 6 year-long course. So I was considering the UK for the doctorate in clin.psych. and then I was smacked in the face by all the different entry requirements, but I still decided to move to London to work as a mental health assistant at a hospital. I got the job, but on the same day, I got into a free MSc/candidate programme in clin.psych (2 and a half years) in another European country which will allow me to practice as a clinical psychologist in Scandinavia. SO OF COURSE, I accepted the university offer. Although this course will be a fast-track to a job, I still want to work and live in the UK as my boyfriend and friends are there.... SO let's see if I'm able to apply for equivalency .. the long and tiring journey in psychology continues.
hahah sorry for the rant... but I really felt fucked over by the UK educational system and the lack of job opportunities.
It sounds like you've really been so hardworking and proactive to find ways to work around the difficulties!!! I'm glad you have found a way and best of luck in your journey x
finally sth for intls! can you also talk abt employability for internationals AFTER DClinPsy? thank youu💕
Thank you for this video! I have been wondering about the masters question. I worked as a HCA during undergrad and was extremely fortunate to start a paid AP job straight after graduating. Doing a masters would be cool, but the idea of terminating my permanent contract during a global recession isn't something I could imagine doing! Something that I don't think gets said enough is that it is entirely possible to publish undergrad dissertations, and here is no harm in asking former supervisors for advice about this :)
Yes! Definitely - if you can publish your bachelors dissertation that is obviously great. Re: master's, it seems like you are really considering it well! At your own pace remember:)
Really grateful for your videos. I wish we have an equivalent channel in HK sharing information of the HK psychology field.
Mate that intro and music pairing actually got me feeling a bit emosh. The DRAMA.
Never going to beat your iconic intros though xD
Very interesting video! I’m graduating this year from my BSc with either a 1st or a 2.1 but I’m gonna delay my application to a master’s for a year, especially since I’m an EU student and the government hasn’t clarified what will happen tuition fees wise to those of us with “pre-settled” status. Oh well, I’ll gain some clinical experience in the meantime, life doesn’t stop after uni🙂
Yes!! Sounds like a good approach :D
Thank you so much for this video. I'm a psychology graduate but I live in a country that's...well let's just say it's very problematic living here. I thought by doing the Master's in Clinical psych I would be able to work in the UK but thank you for enlightening me on what really happens. Sigh
I didn't even realise some masters degree gave clinical experience?! This was a vvvv insightful video!!
concise, elegant and enjoyable! Thought Debussy was open in another tab lol - 100 *
Hello❤You are just so sweet and i love the way you explain. I wanted to ask one question... I am studying in India and currently in my last year of Masters and I don't have any job experiences yet so is it possible to apply for the doctorate course or I should have atleast 2 years of job experience?
Hey. Firstly thankyou so so much for such informative video. It was really insightful. If you don't mind,i just had one doubt. So I am from India and we have Undergraduate Bachelor's which is only 3yrs. So do you think I'll have to do a conversion course to do Masters in Clinical Psychology in UK? Also as long as my master's course is BPS credited i am good to go right??? Would really help me alot if you could tell me 😊
So what kind of visa do international students need to stay in UK? in my country there are not many opportunities offered for clinical psychology and even there are most of them are theory-based. ahh i really struggle to find some place where i can really learn practical skills. and thank you for making these videos it really helps me with my decision making 💛
Very informative video as per usual. Question: considering I graduate undergraduate psychology with a 2:1 or first and considering that most applicants usually work few years before getting onto a clinical doctorate programme, would it be a wise idea to work full time (healthcare assistant etc) whilst doing part-time postgraduate work over the span of 2 years so I don't have to get more in-debt as well as gain both work experience as well as better qualifications? Thank you for your work
Up to you! There's no straightforward / singular answer to this :)
Hey, there's a TH-camr called Ese Kanayo who has just graduated and is working full time as a support worker and doing a masters part time 2 years. Check out some of her videos, she may be able to answer some questions. :)
I love your videos! I'm a second year undergrad studying Psychology and am really considering applying for PWP work after graduating, and would love to work with MH patients. Bit of a weird question but it's really bugging me: what accent do you have if you don't mind me asking? I just can't work it out but it's a lovely accent! X
Hahaha! A funny mix of international americanisms and British probably - who knows anymore
Thanks for this video😇
I want to know the procedure to be a psychology professor in UK...
I've a bit of a lengthy comment with a confession and elaboration as to why I thank you for this vid. I stumbled upon your channel yest and have been consuming a lot of your content which is super relateable, from the varying approaches focused on in an undergrad psych degree, to strategically writing essays and the intricacies of each subfield, besides ofc the practicalities and insight you've provided on what clinical psych could offer.
I've completed my undergrad with psych in late 2019 and haven't had any proper internship opportunities mostly due to the pandemic;
Honest Confession- Although I'm unsure as to what career to pursue atm, I was considering doing a Masters in UK/Canada as an int student mainly due to achieving some career stability (financial) and I'd adopt a passive approach toward clarity on my career plans hoping that I'd learn to like it or figure it out somehow. But I was unsure and you've helped me take a step back to reevaluate, so I'm going to consider receiving career counselling shortly.
(If you've actually read) What do you think?
PS you probably often get this but I love the way you speak, your demeanor, also so informative and considerate :)
Aika what were your thoughts on the UCL MSc Clinical Mental Health Sciences? any good? and what was the course structure like in terms of assessments? lots of exams or mainly coursework? also thanks for your honesty with regards to international students. it's really quite odd here. not sure how long UK can sustain rinsing off internationals like this, eventually they will just stop coming. am a UK citizen myself but because I am returning from Singapore I have to pay international fees. love it
Was good! Expected level of coursework and exams. Has a careers day too, and good connections to research assistant and phd posts, less job support so on the clinical side though.
This may have been said in the video and I’ve missed it, but courses that do not look at qualifications / credentials as much, may not care as much as oxford / UCL / Kings.
32% of respondents had an msc at Leeds in 2021
37% of respondents at Cardiff in 2021
33% of respondents at Plymouth in 2021.
Depends on the course you want to apply for!
Thank you! Have put it as a note in my description box - I am aware my judgement is very London / Oxford - centric!!
Hey! Watched your 'Journey to Clinical Psychology' video, but I was really interested in your early years. I have a few questions:
- What A-levels did you take/do you advise to take?
- When taking an undergraduate degree in Psychology, do you suggest a placement year (so 4 years instead of 3?) Or do you think a placement year isn't necessary, and it is fine to gain experience during your 3 years?
I'm in year 11, and I'm very interested in Clinical Psychology. Hoping to take the DClinPsy as it is a quicker route already, and much easier in my opinion if an individual is certain to become a CP. Also, if you do, is there any advice you could offer? Thank you :)
Hey! I'll make a video for highschool students thinking of Clin Psy at some point hopefully, and I will address these questions
Thank you for video, so I have a background in psychology, applying for a masters in Global mental health......can this route still get me into Dclin. For me to be a clinical psychology in The Uk.
Ps. I'm a prospective International student
Would MSc Neuroscience be appropriate to be accepted onto DClinPsy?
Hello! Can you tell me how to be an ecopsychologist-nature therapists?
Thank you so much.
I personally think if you have a 1st or a 2.1 in your BSc, you dont really need a masters. People that I've spoken to have mentioned that a masters never benefited them in what they did after.
Think the sentiment about master's varies from person to person!
I’m graduating with a psych with clinical psych bsc this year (on track for a high 2:1/ low 1st) and I would like to get on the clinical psych doctorate in the future.
I’ve been considering doing a mental health social work masters, although it’s an MA and not a MSc, I think it would be useful knowledge wise, but do you think it would be an advantage for the clinical psych doctorate or do you think it’s a bit off track?
Edit: I would do the masters and practice as a mental health social worker to gain some experience before considering applying to the clinpsyd.
Two different career routes so it wouldn't be the most straightforward way, but it can be an option! I'm not too familiar with masters in social work to be honest; best to ask someone who has done it!
I'm a first year social work student and I'd really recommend applying to Think Ahead or Frontline - to do an MA in Social work is a commitment
@@cassie4705 thank you for your response, I’m currently considering Think Ahead but just wanted to think through the decision a bit more
but do international students doing DclinPsy have jobs guaranteed? are they taken in after the doctorate
I’m curious about this as well!
Hey mate! Do you think dmit is genuine?
I am European and graduated in psychology with a first. I have applied for two programmes in developmental psychology and developmental +clinical practice at Edinburgh and UCL university. I have pre-settled status so hopefully my tuition fees will be home... It seems that to get into a PHD programme it is very beneficial that you have some publications and hours of clinical practice. I know the master's will help me in the future either to get a job or to apply for doctorates. I am very interested in the clinical aspect of psychology (diagnosing, assessing, treating) patients rather than research work. Could you talk about PhDs vs PsyDs?
Many thanks and great video
Made a video on this!
how did it go?
I'm currently in my 2nd year of BA psychology (honour) and I'm confused what to think about the future. I study in India and am thinking to go to one of these countries for my masters uk, Australia, USA, Canada but the more videoes and research I do .... It just makes me worried and confused
I'm about to do the same thing so did you learn what you were looking for?
heyy! same thing , i was thinking to pursue CAP
@@ghostofpast550 not yet
Is clinical psychology the only route that requires s bps accredited undergraduate degree ?
Don't think so! Other psychology doctorates probably require it as well. But you would need to check specifically
For those who are wondering how to get jobs as international students(non-EU or EU from now onwards): normally you need to hold a skilled worker visa for about five years to get your indefinite leave in the UK (you would need this in order to be accepted by a nhs funded clinical doctorate course-unless you are self-funded, there are very few unis offer self-funded places and they are normally 30k+ per year). Nhs is usually the only place that provides skilled worker visa, but that also varies depending on the trust, some doesn’t. Also the job they would be able to offer a skilled worker visa is usually an AP role at least so it’s not quite possible to get a visa for healthcare assistant unfortunately… which means in order to stay, either you need to be competitive enough already upon graduation to get an AP role, or you have to work using some different kinda visa ( graduate visa for example) to get some work experience first before applying for AP roles. Don’t even think about applying for DClinPsy when you don’t have the indefinite leave cos you won’t even be considered lol. Thats as far as I know, might not be completely accurate cos i’m still a third year psychology undergraduate myself so don’t quote on me, but hopefully it will at least give you some sense of how difficult it is to get into doctorate as an international student.
hey! so the ideal route for an int student would be when they’re pursuing a masters to gain some internship/work experience in their home country beforehand and work part time as a support worker for their masters year and upon graduation apply for an AP post and continue working for 4 more years and then apply for a workers visa and THEN apply to the DClinPsy?
@@divyaadiani1793 graduate visa is normally two years and it doesn’t count towards indefinite residence so don’t think u can stay for four years long without a skilled worker visa. U also need to hold a skilled worker visa for five years in order to get indefinite leave (and be eligible to apply for clinical psychology!)
@@Hdusbxuak right! what i mean is get on a job after graduation which would also sponsor your visa and get u a skilled workers visa - continue working for 4 more years and then apply to the program
@@divyaadiani1793 ohhh i see yehhh thats right!
I need help! There are 2 Masters that i’m looking into, one is BPS accredited one isn’t, which one shall i do? Please help
Bps accredited
Bps always
What’s the difference between a doctorate in clinical psychology and becoming an assistant psychologist?x
For an assistant psychology job you mainly just need undergrad and masters degree, whereas the doctorate in clinical psychology is a university course that you apply to which makes you a qualified clinical psychologist :)
To clarify what you said at 1:40 - should people who've done conversion courses definitely do a master's afterwards to get onto a doctorate course?
Apologies if that wasn't clear! What I meant was if you don't have a BPS accredited degree, an MSc conversion is definitely required for further advancement in most psychology career routes (but not all; e.g. cbt therapists can come from a social work or nursing background)
@@TheOxfordPsych Hi, I'm a first year social work student and I really hope you reply! I was wondering if you by any chance could put me in touch with a social worker who's gained a place on the clinical psychology doctorate? Because of my life experiences and lack of financial support in my life I've been forced to take a more vocational route, one that actually gives you a job when you graduate. I'm very much looking forward to being a social worker and I know I'll enjoy it for quite a few years, but don't see myself staying long term (7+ years) and this is very much confirmed by the fact that most social workers leave about 8 years in. I really, really love Psychology having read certain books growing up like Supernormal by Meg Jay, and then going onto reading about adverse childhood experiences quite extensively and writing my EE on it (specifically on mediating biological and cognitive processes that lead to disorder). Now that I'm at uni I find myself reading paper after paper on Psychology and getting through psychology books quite quickly, and I'm also training to be a listener for Samaritans and really really loving it. I sometimes feel so disheartened about my degree and have until recently been considering switching to Psychology, but realise this is the right degree for me at this point in my life. I do however really would love the opportunity to ask someone who has been in my shoes - it's a shot in the dark but i hope you reply xx
To Masters or not to Masters? Well, I’m 5 months into my MSc course and I’m still not sure if I made the right decision 🥲🤷🏽♂️
Haha XD
What are you studying for your masters?
@@charlotte8659 MSc Psychological Therapies at QM
@@casillas12431 so it doesn’t matter which MSc you study for DClinPsy?
What was your Masters called?
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I need some advice. So I've done my undergrad in Biomed sciences with a minor in Psych and I like human behaviour. So right now I'm trying to decide between Neuroscience and Psych. anddddddddddddddddddd I'm confused. What advise you fellow people who follow this awesome woman would like to offer to me!?
Hey, I'm not sure if this would help but could you try find work experience in neuroscience or psych or try speak to people who are currently working in theses areas, get their opinions... try do some of your own research as possible job opportunities, after deciding which area you want to go (neuro or psych) you will then need a job- so I would look at jobs that both paths offer and work backwards. Hope this helps and good luck finding what you love!
@@belle4202 thank u Belle^-^. I would def look that up. It's so strange that when u start undergrad noone really talks abt job opportunities and employability!! Lk that should be a bigger deal than it is made!
You are my perfect woman.
🐋