H.Dip. Psychology TCD or UCD?

jackthelad321

Hi all

have been offered a place on the H.Dip.Psych in both TCD and UCD. Absoloutely delighted, obviously, but now I have to decide on which to go for.

TCD has plenty of pros, but as many cons. Fee's are very high, considerably higher than UCD. Apart from that one girl on the H.Dip course in TCD said it was very heavy on neuroscience as TCD is very highly regarded in Neuroscience. Anecdotal evidence, of course, but it does look like they offer a lot of Neurosciece-heavy modules as compulsory.

TCD = 47th for Psychology; UCD = 92th for Psychology

Clearly both departments are good, and I know TCD fairly well being into the library. Not so up to date on UCD but the department seem nice, in fairness, and they have some good lecturers out there.

Anyone have experience of the (1) H.Dip.Psych or (2) the Psychology department in TCD/UCD?

My main criteria is a good education, but not overpriced. On TCD's fees - I wonder if they are really worth it? They run a fairly antiquated system out there.

Really did want TCD as it appealed to me academically as well as being right beside me, but UCD has a lot going for it and Trinity is full of elitist brats which can be a little tiring after a while.

Really torn on this one
Jak

icicle2000

I'm a BA, not a HDip, just graduating from psychology in UCD this year.

The courses will not be too different: after all, they need to comply with the PSI & BPS criteria for being a psychology course, which, after you cram all the absolutely necessary courses into two years, doesn't leave very much room for variety. We have compulsory neuroscience modules as well, as do all psychology courses everywhere, pretty much. Basically, what I am saying, it's going to be quite a standard programme.

Have a look whether there is, and how much, room for variety: what kind of option modules, if any, are available.

The department is a pretty good one. Good staff, and equipment.

sunnies

Hi there,

I'm just finishing up my first year as a UCD Psychology HDip. I have no experience of Trinity, as I did my undergrad in UCD, but if you want any info or specifics about it feel free to send me a message.

In a nutshell, I am absolutely loving it. I have found the staff to be nothing short of wonderful, we have access to pg facilities (study area in the general block, not specifically the library which is perfect in my opinion, extended book loans etc) and in general it's a really nice atmosphere. Like I said, if you want more info just let me know...having been in your shoes last year I can understand the decision stress!

FaulknersFav

Hey Jak...

I too am undergoing some turmoil with regards to this decision!!! In the same boat as yourself...Trinity appeals to me also but the fees do seem a bit exorbitant when compared to similar courses. I'm going to take the plunge and accept Ucd tomorrow.

All the best with your decision anyways!!

James

sunnies

FaulknersFav wrote: »

Hey Jak...

I too am undergoing some turmoil with regards to this decision!!! In the same boat as yourself...Trinity appeals to me also but the fees do seem a bit exorbitant when compared to similar courses. I'm going to take the plunge and accept Ucd tomorrow.

All the best with your decision anyways!!

James

Yay! Congratulations. Naturally, as a current UCD HDip-er, I'm glad to see you're accepting that option I hope you enjoy it as much as I am! As I said to the OP, if you need any info or whatever don't hesitate to drop me a message

FaulknersFav

sunnies wrote: »

Yay! Congratulations. Naturally, as a current UCD HDip-er, I'm glad to see you're accepting that option I hope you enjoy it as much as I am! As I said to the OP, if you need any info or whatever don't hesitate to drop me a message

Hey thanks for the kind words!! Great to hear that you're enjoying the course:). Thanks for that I'll keep ya in mind if I've any queries!!

Musefan

This is not directly related to the Hdip issue, but I'm a current final year psych student in ucd. Went to meet a group of assistant psychologists that I am now part of, and found that all but one had done the masters in psychological science in ucd. Just an example of the good reputation ucd has for psychology.

jackthelad321

Hey all

I have decided on TCD after a week of ups and downs. Went out to UCD and really did like the department, but the offer was conditional on me finishing a course in June but the TCD one was unconditional and I can make up the difference in working abroad May-September which had a heavy influence on my decision and really made the decision fo me. A shame as UCD's depatment, especially Geradline Moane, seem lovely and I will always consider UCD in future should I look to go further into Psychology and by all accounts UCD's programme is great and it's a shame I won't be there next year.

I hope the people in the H.Dip in TCD are sound. No matter which course I choose I'll always be a bit regretful, that's the paradox of choice.
Jak

Penguin24

Hey guys, I recently accepted a place on the Higher Diploma in Psychology in UCD. I am really excited about the course and I am delighted to see such positive feedback regarding it. I might meet some of ye this coming September!

sunnies

Congratulations Penguin24! I hope you have a fantastic experience in it.
I will try to organise a big get together for all of us going into second year, and those of you coming in new! I'm certain all of us would be up for it!

jackthelad321

FaulknersFav wrote: »

Hey Jak...

I too am undergoing some turmoil with regards to this decision!!! In the same boat as yourself...Trinity appeals to me also but the fees do seem a bit exorbitant when compared to similar courses. I'm going to take the plunge and accept Ucd tomorrow.

All the best with your decision anyways!!

James

Hey James, did you take UCD in the end?
Jak

jackthelad321

sunnies wrote: »

Congratulations Penguin24! I hope you have a fantastic experience in it.
I will try to organise a big get together for all of us going into second year, and those of you coming in new! I'm certain all of us would be up for it!

That's a great attitude to have and I think it reflects well on you and teh atmosphere out there in general

sunnies

Awh, well thank you! I really am in with a great bunch of people.

This year incoming hdips were given the opportunity to get a second year hdip mentor to help in whatever way, so hopefully they will have it again this year! You never know, I could be paired to show one of you around!

Penguin24

Thank you Sunnies! I have been shortlisted for an interview for the higher diploma in UCC too, I just found out today. UCD was my first preference though but I am wondering about the reputation of the UCC course? The area I would like to specialise in is clinical psychology and I know UCD have a better department in that respect.

Cottoneye

Hi guys, Im new to boards, so if this post shouldnt be here Im very sorry! However, I was just wondering if you could give any advice as to what sort of volunteering/ extra curricular activities you had under your belt going in for the interview? I'll be finishing my undergrad next year but I really want to do the h.dip and Im not so sure what I should be doing outside of getting at least a 2.1 to get in. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

jackthelad321

Cottoneye wrote: »

Hi guys, Im new to boards, so if this post shouldnt be here Im very sorry! However, I was just wondering if you could give any advice as to what sort of volunteering/ extra curricular activities you had under your belt going in for the interview? I'll be finishing my undergrad next year but I really want to do the h.dip and Im not so sure what I should be doing outside of getting at least a 2.1 to get in. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

This is what I did: I spent two years applying. First year did nothing outside of the application. Got nothing.

Second year I took two extramural courses in TCD. One in psychology, another in neuroscience. I also did a module with the Open University from October to June. One of my references was my OU tutor and I had a high 2:1 average in the course.

I also participated in several experiments in TCD in the neuroscience institute and the psychology school.

While I am sure you don't need to do all of this, demonstrating that you have the will to get in will get you in faster than a fantastic academic record but without any obvious or demonstrable interest in the course. I got accepted into 4 different courses, all because of my interest rather than a spectacular academic record. Food for thought.

Demonstrate that you understand what psychology is nowadays and have a few areas of interest to highlight. For me it was positive psychology and neuroscience/neuropsychology. Go to the library and look at a few 'careers in psycholgy' books. The good ones will show you what the discipline involves and why people mistakenly want to study it (I imagine the most common reason people don't get accepted is betraying their general ignorance/misunderstanding of what studying psychology is at university level)

A bit of preparation will go a long way. It is a popular course so you need to be a better candidate, simple as that.


Good luck

Edit: The reason I didn't get accepted first time around is almost certainly because I didn't really understand what the course (or even the discipline) involved, and my application would have reflected that.

Cottoneye

thanks so much that was a great help!

Rewind

jackthelad321 wrote: »

TCD has plenty of pros, but as many cons. Fee's are very high, considerably higher than UCD. Apart from that one girl on the H.Dip course in TCD said it was very heavy on neuroscience as TCD is very highly regarded in Neuroscience. Anecdotal evidence, of course, but it does look like they offer a lot of Neurosciece-heavy modules as compulsory.

Maybe I'm missing something but I can't see much difference in course content between UCD or TCD. I have accepted UCD but just got offered TCD yesterday. Tempted to go for TCD as neuroscience really interests me, but after a bit of searching I really can't see much evidence of a heavier emphasis on neuroscience. Anybody know for sure?