UCAS Psychology - How can I strengthen my chances?

The keys to strengthening your chances of landing that Psychology place lie in further reading and experience!

FURTHER READING

You need to show how you are fascinated by the subject. Take your learning beyond you’re a level course. This summer take the opportunity to read beyond what you need to know for the exams. Make sure you look at the BPS website. Here is a list of potential texts, recommended to be easy and interesting to read. They can also be mentioned on a personal statement.

Classic Case Studies in Psychology (Geoff Rolls)

This book covers some of the more famous case studies in more detail. It is fascinating and provides detail together with some theory. Each chapter is a different case study so is easy to dip in and out of. Case studies include HM, Genie and Phineas Gage amongst others. Highly recommended!

50 Psychology ideas you really need to know (Adrian Furnham)

This book has many short chapters covering a very wide range of ideas and theories on many differing topics within Psychology. It is a great way of finding out what you find particularly interesting and can be used to help select what you might read next! Does what it says on the tin!

Opening Skinner’s Box (Lauren Slater)

If you thought you knew about Milgram’s studies, think again! This is a brilliant read on some of the most important experiments in Psychology. Great for extending your critical thinking skills.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (Oliver Sacks)

If you are interested in the brain and neuroscience this is a must read. It outlines a series of case studies of people who have experienced brain injuries or damage and have found that they are affected in different ways. A well known classic.

Palgrave Insights in Psychology series

This series of books covers certain aspects of Psychology in more detail but are very readable for A level students. If you think you may be interested in Forensic Psychology for example then the Forensic Psychology book will explain the field in more detail than the A level (if you covered it!)

EXPERIENCE

Gaining experience with people in different settings and of different ages looks great on a personal statement. It is unlikely you will be able to access the clinical population (those with mental health problems) for experience but showing an ability to be able to mix and deal with a variety of people demonstrates important social skills. Perhaps you could volunteer a couple of hours a week in a children’s club or old people’s home?

Straight from the horses’ mouths… what the admissions tutors say

Make sure your personal statement is accurate. Please don’t lie

Show commitment to Psychology as a choice…read around the subject, watch relevant films, follow psychologists on Twitter

Don’t tell me about your, or a family member’s mental health issues. Too much information! Don’t be too personal

Don’t overuse a thesaurus or Psychology terms that you don’t understand. We will know if you are unclear!