BA in Applied Psychology vs H.Dip

Adolescenteen

I'm currently after my first year of Arts in UCC. One of the four subjects I took was Psychology - along with Maths, History and Philosophy - and I fell in love. I used to read, and still do occasionally during the summer, my textbooks for enjoyment. I also read plenty of popular Psychology books, online papers, and I'm setting up a Psychology blog for the near future.

So it's been obvious that I would keep in Psychology for the rest of my degree. However, it's only available as a minor, and after being initially confident about getting into the Higher Diploma course in UCC, now I'm less so.

I managed 430 in my Leaving Certificate in 2012. I put in a decent amount of effort, but knowing that Arts was my first choice and likely to drop in points, I didn't do too much work. Now with the experience of doing it behind me, and a high goal to aim for, I'm confident I could achieve the over 500 points needed for Applied Psychology in UCC. Plus I would be desperate to get back to UCC as well, I love the place.

However, the idea of picking up the new Maths course and learning a different set of plays and poets in English (despite those two being my favorite subjects in school) in under a year, is nauseating. Also the idea of returning to school life isn't appealing. I am much more suited to the College life and being in charge of myself.

If I am to continue with my BA in Arts, I would pick Philosophy as my Major. It's very interesting and I've found it brilliant for changing how I think. I remember before I started College I would balk whenever I heard the words 'Critical Thinking', wondering how could someone manage to attain it. Now I'm seeing my style of thinking improving dramatically. I've become more questioning and skeptical and I'm always trying to find errors when evaluating claims. I think I owe a lot of that to Philosophy and I definitely see how a major in it would help in any future studies I undertake.

So, to anyone who has done an BA in Applied Psychology, H.Dip, or has repeated their leaving, any advice on what should I do?

Also a few curious questions. In terms of applying for graduate schools, is there any advantage of having one over the other, even if one just looks better in name? How hard is it to get into the H.Dip course? I've read that the workload in the H.Dip is pretty tough, is that true?

I would love and appreciate any advice or comments.

psychoniamh

Hi! I'm just after finishing my final year of Applied Psychology in May and I have to say I really enjoyed the course! I was in a somewhat similar position to yourself. When I first entered UCC I was studying Arts with Music and took Psychology as one of my minor subjects, only to find that Psych was where my passion lay, so I was faced with a decision of either keeping going with the course and trying to do the H Dip when finished or to re-apply to CAO, as I had the points requirement. So I took the latter option and went back into first year the following year to do Ap Psych. I know you are faced with having to do the Leaving Cert again, but if you would be confident you could work hard enough, I'm sure it'd be a good decision! Where you are now, the route to getting a Psych degree is the same length. Repeat leaving cert and then Ap Psych for three years, or complete arts and do H Dip. Both four years in duration, so it'd be whatever you feel is most feasible.

I made friends on my course who were H Dip students, and there were roughly 10-12 of them. Most of them were older, roughly late 20s and we had some in their late 50s! A few were just after completing undergrads e.g. in Arts so would be the same as yourself. Their workload is practically the same as ours. I didn't find it too intense. We had 8 Summer exams in Second Year and 4 in Final year. We have a few essays throughout the year. In second year the focus is on Lab Reports, where you have a few weeks to carry out experiments, for example. In third year the main focus is the Final Year Project. But, if you choose a topic that really interests you, you won't find it hard or too much!

If applying for the H Dip, I hear it is vital you show an absolute passion for Psychology. I think it could be handy if you go onto the Psych homepage and have a read of the 3rd year proposed FYP topics, and get a jist of what kind of stuff we were doing. If you can come up with your own idea, perhaps research it a little and then bring your ideas with you to the interview to show you have gone a little further with your interests in Psych. Volunteering is an absolute plus. It will give you something to talk about in your interview! Perhaps get involved with some relevant societies e.g. Please Talk, NiteLine, Simon Society, SvDP. Try out the Home work clubs or Pair Reading. Looking up Cork Volunteering website and see what's on offer. To get onto the H Dip I feel you need to be positive and active in your pursuit.

I know I haven't been too helpful with telling you which route is best, as it is a difficult decision, but I hope there's something I said there that was of help. Please don't hesitate to ask questions - I'd be more than happy to help

trace51

Hi,

I was in a similar position a few years ago, I continued on with arts and did the H Dip, although I was able to transfer to the HDip route in my second year which meant my HDip was only one year, I don't think that option is available now.

I wanted to keep on philosophy as my major subject also but the amount of credits you could take in Philosophy in UCC was restricted. To do a HDip you need the maximum psychology credits, 20 I think, but you can't take 40 credits of philosophy. It would be a good idea to check this out before deciding to continue with arts,

Best of luck with whichever you decide!

Adolescenteen

Thanks to both of you for responding, I really appreciate it . Just to leave you know I'm after emailing the head of the H.Dip program and one of my lecturers in UCC and I'm waiting on a response.

To psychoniamh: Great to hear you're glad with your choice . Glad to know that the workload is not too intense. Thanks for the heads up on the H.Dip interview and the tips also . One question, if you don't mind me being noisy, what do you plan to do next?

To trace51: did you have to do an interview or anything to transfer? Also, I checked the handbook for Arts students and Philosophy is now available as a major of 40 credits. Thanks for bringing that to my attention though .

psychoniamh

Good question - I'm still trying to figure that out myself!! I want to become an Educational Psychologist, but of course wit any psych position, the way of getting there is long! I've been offered an MSc in University College London on Educational and Developmental Psychology. But, because London is so horrendously expensive, I may not be able to afford it for the coming year. Another option is to possibly doing the Grad Dip to Primary Teaching in Mary I.. and then building up experience teaching so as to get onto the Educational Psychology course in UCD in the future. I'm just so confused at the best route but I'm hoping it'll fall into place.. somehow! Glad to hear you've sent emails, all advice will be useful