A conversation with Sasha

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The programme’s broad range of topics has given me a comprehensive understanding of psychology and neuroscience, which has boosted my confidence in pursuing a career in the field.

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I am studying my master’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health online at King’s College London. When I’m not studying, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, cooking, and baking. I’m currently focusing on gaining practical experience by volunteering for the crisis line of a mental health charity and at Bournemouth Hospital.

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When I completed my undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing, I was uncertain about what career path to take. I was first introduced to the field after seeking psychological help myself. Specifically, I found Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) to be a fascinating experience that significantly improved my life. It made me realise that there are various approaches to therapy, and it motivated me to help raise awareness about the different therapeutic options available. When I started the course, this further consolidated my decision to pursue a career in psychology and neuroscience.

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Firstly, the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health programme at King’s College London appealed to me because it offered an introduction to both psychology and neuroscience, which I found very interesting. The programme also has a focus on mental health, which was a crucial aspect for me.

King’s College London is known for having a strong psychology and neuroscience department, and I wanted to study a programme that was reputable and respected.

Another factor that drew me to the course was that it was entirely online. At the time, I wasn’t prepared to leave home yet and I had a job in my hometown, so the flexibility of studying online made the programme even more appealing.

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The programme’s broad range of topics has given me a comprehensive understanding of psychology and neuroscience, which has boosted my confidence in pursuing a career in the field. Furthermore, the course has also inspired me to gain clinical experience, and I have already started volunteering. Without this course, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge and confidence to seek out these opportunities.

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I particularly enjoyed the neuroscience modules; they were very interesting and informative. Another aspect that I appreciated about the course was the independence it gave me. Although there was a structure to follow, I could work on it at my own pace. This flexibility allowed me to manage my time better and gave me a sense of responsibility for my own learning.

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Overall, I found studying online to be a good experience. I didn’t participate in many discussion boards that weren’t mandatory, but I appreciated that they formed a small percentage of the grade for some of the modules. It was good to be encouraged to interact with peers in this way and hear different perspectives. However, I’m more independent and prefer to work on my own. The online format largely allowed me to choose whether to engage in discussions or not, which I appreciated.

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What I really like about King’s College London is the support they offer. The student advisor was particularly helpful, and I found that I received more support than I did during my undergraduate studies, which were also online. The ease of contact with the module leads was another positive aspect, as they always responded quickly to any queries I had.

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If you’re considering doing this course, my advice would be to do plenty of research beforehand and make sure the course is right for you and your career ambitions.

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My plans for the immediate future are to pursue another master’s degree and get my BPS accreditation. After that, I would like to find a job in entry-level clinical psychology and gain the experience needed to progress in my career. Ultimately, my goal is to open my own private practice.