MA Consumer Psychology

Mr_Emmet

Hi everyone,
This is my first post here but I've been reading here for a while. I'm currently a second year Psychology student in NUIG and I'm looking into which branch of psychology I might like to go into (early I know but a long-term goal will keep me focused).
Recently I've been thinking a lot about consumer psychology, but couldn't find much on it in Ireland. I did find out that the University of Bangor in Wales offers an MA in it. What I couldn't find was anything to do with hte course anywhere other than the college website. Does anyone know anything about the course/what the college is like(respectability or standing)? Or is there anywhere else to study consumer psychology?
Thanks in advance!
Emmet

Humria

Consumer psychology isn't an area recognised by the BPS or the PSI. This is an important point because you can't become a chartered psychologist if you go down this route. If you are interested in advertising then it could be an impressive qualification to put on your C.V but there is few, if any, jobs that require a qualification in consumer psychology. It may be worth asking the University of Bangor about the areas their previous students have gone in to. This may give you a clearer idea as to what you might be able to do with the masters.This is just my opinion but if you can do it as an MSc rather than an MA it might be useful. Most psychology qualifications in the UK are deemed to be in the facility of science (e.g BSc or an MSc). The MSc basically means you have to do research and it gives you more options afterwards (e.g a PhD or doing research for a company). To answer your questions: Bangor is a good university from what I have heard and I don't know of other places that do the course.



Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Mr_Emmet

Humria wrote: »

Consumer psychology isn't an area recognised by the BPS or the PSI. This is an important point because you can't become a chartered psychologist if you go down this route. If you are interested in advertising then it could be an impressive qualification to put on your C.V but there is few, if any, jobs that require a qualification in consumer psychology. It may be worth asking the University of Bangor about the areas their previous students have gone in to. This may give you a clearer idea as to what you might be able to do with the masters.This is just my opinion but if you can do it as an MSc rather than an MA it might be useful. Most psychology qualifications in the UK are deemed to be in the facility of science (e.g BSc or an MSc). The MSc basically means you have to do research and it gives you more options afterwards (e.g a PhD or doing research for a company). To answer your questions: Bangor is a good university from what I have heard and I don't know of other places that do the course.



Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Thanks for your help that sounds like very sound advice to me!

LaDiDaaaa

Hi!
I'm a final year psychology student at the minute and was thinking of applying for that course too. Although I have noted that is lacks accreditation. Spending a year in Wales and spending all that money would worry me if there is no jobs available after that, so I'm not fully sure yet. I intended to get a job next year, make a bit of money, but lately I've been tending more towards trying to chose a masters for septembet, to stay in college as long as possible, although it does mean taking out a loan

I know I don't want to pursue a career in Psychology as such, but I don't want to get out of the topic altogether. I just want a bit of a deviation... Thats why this masters looks appealing to me. I did economics in first year as part of my degree and I've always been interested in Business.

Does anyone recommend any work experience I could get to help my chances? I've been looking into a few marketing internships in varying lengths (most unpaid). Yet, this would be a big change, Would it be possible to even be considered for employment in marketing without a directly related degree?

Would be great to get peoples opinion on this sector.. thanks

AwkwardEnough

I know this is a bit old but its worth a shot...

I found a masters course in Leiden in The Netherlands entitled economic and consumer psychology. Its considerably cheaper than the one in Bangor and its taught through English. Starts in February. I'm going to apply for it anyway just to see what happens.

Anyone know anyone who did a course like this or who studied in Leiden before?

hotspur

AwkwardEnough wrote: »

I know this is a bit old but its worth a shot...

I found a masters course in Leiden in The Netherlands entitled economic and consumer psychology. Its considerably cheaper than the one in Bangor and its taught through English. Starts in February. I'm going to apply for it anyway just to see what happens.

Anyone know anyone who did a course like this or who studied in Leiden before?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78147132

Mc_donald

Hey!! I am just finishing that masters..Im currently doing my internship in Amsterdam. I absolutely loved the course and Leiden is the most amazing city.. It's kind of like Galway in that it's a University city but quiet small and very fun!! Definitely come here, you will love it!

AwkwardEnough

Mc_donald wrote: »

Hey!! I am just finishing that masters..Im currently doing my internship in Amsterdam. I absolutely loved the course and Leiden is the most amazing city.. It's kind of like Galway in that it's a University city but quiet small and very fun!! Definitely come here, you will love it!

sweet! could you tell me more about your experience? Workload, and all that sort of stuff! Did you come from a psychology or economics background? What do you think you will do once you graduate!?

Im just after applying for the one in Bangor, but if I don't get accepted, Im going to apply to Leiden.

CiaranMT

AwkwardEnough wrote: »

sweet! could you tell me more about your experience? Workload, and all that sort of stuff! Did you come from a psychology or economics background? What do you think you will do once you graduate!?

Im just after applying for the one in Bangor, but if I don't get accepted, Im going to apply to Leiden.

I'd also like to hear more about this course!

Mc_donald

Ok well first of all, I had a Psychology background, I did my Bachelors in Psychology in NUIG.

I found the course extremely interesting.. and as regards work load- it really was very small. For the First semester, I had around 10 hours a week of lectures.. one of which was madatory. There were some short assignments to do and some group presentations. Some of the subjects are just tested by exams which are very very easy compared to Ireland. Most of the exams consitst of about 25 MCQ's and maybe some short answer ( 2-3 lines) questions. Coming from my Bachelors where I had to write 5 page essays, these exams were very manageable and didn't require much study. If you want to see the exact subjects you will be doing, check out the website : Leidenuniv.nl and find the course in the Masters section. It gives a lot of detail on the subjects.

I had six weeks of for Christmas and semester 2 consisted of just doing my thesis and one other module. So i had so much time off!! It was great, it's a really nice student city and it's close to everywhere so there is loads to do.

I am finished completely in two weeks and plan on becoming a planner in an advertising agency. So far, I have recieved a lot of interest from agenceies here and in Dublin. Hope this helps!:)

AwkwardEnough

Believe it or not I'm after getting an offer for the one in Bangor. Any chance you know anything about it??

My main problem is that its way more expensive than the one in Leiden. Also, Bangor is almost too close! Plus it wouldn't start till February so hopefully I'd be able to save some dollars!

Mc_donald

I also applied to that one but I don't know much about the course.. just that Bangor is a very good University but so is Leiden.. I decided to come here because I also thought Bangor was too close to home and the Netherlands seemed like the more exotic option.. Also, the fact that I am doign my internship with an agency in Amsterdam looks great on my C.V - dont know how many good internships would be in Bangor. The course is in London Metropolitan University aswell. The course here is a lot cheaper and it's pretty cheap to live here over all - food, drink, transport is all a lot cheaper than home. You can also get decent accomadation for 300-450 a month.

Your best bet is to read up about the actual modules in both Universities and see what suits you best.. But honestly, I couldnt recommend Leiden more.. The staff are so laid back and helpful, and like I said- it's easy to get very impressive grades with a minimal amount of effort. I don't want to leave ever so I'm currently job hunting in Amsterdam!!

AwkwardEnough

did you find it OK finding an internship through English?

Mc_donald

Yeah I did.. I'm with an advertising agency and there are loads of international ones here. But my friend decided to do hers in Dublin. You can do it anywhere in the world as long as it's relevant to the course!