So, you've decided that you want to go into psychology, but you're afraid the ship has sailed and you're too late to board? Never fear. Bridging courses have been designed for this specific reason—helping students earn the necessary qualifications and foundational knowledge to pursue further career opportunities in the psychology field.
A bridging course in psychology is particularly helpful if you have studied for another undergraduate degree that's not psychology-related but don't want to go through the entire process again for another degree. Likewise, it's also a great opportunity for people to gain the necessary prerequisites they need to apply for advanced degrees in the field of psychology.
But what does this all mean? Let's take a look into bridging courses to see if it's the right fit for you.
What's the Purpose of a Bridging Course?
Bridging courses are being hailed as great opportunities for students who want to get into the world of psychology, and they're even considered stepping stones into the world of higher education. But what's the actual purpose of a bridging course? There are a few reasons why you might choose to complete one:
1. Transitioning to Psychology From Another Field
One of the most common reasons for taking a bridging course is to transition from your current field of study to psychology. For example, if you've previously studied business, healthcare, or education, you might want to shift your focus to psychology without having to complete your Bachelor's degree all over again. A bridging course lets you do just that, giving you the foundational knowledge required to understand the field's theories and practices so you can use this knowledge in further education, such as a Master's degree.
2. Meeting the Prerequisites for Advanced Degrees
If you're hoping to apply and thrive in an advanced degree in psychology, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree, you'll often need to meet specific prerequisites before you can be accepted onto the course. These may include specific undergraduate courses in psychology, which, if you've previously studied a different topic, you may not have. A bridging course can help fill the gaps of missing knowledge, letting you meet the prerequisites without having to do an entire three-year Bachelor's degree in Psychology before moving on to your chosen advanced degree.
3. Improving Career Prospects
Psychology has plenty of related fields, including social work, human resources, or healthcare, and you might find that a deeper understanding of psychology can improve your career prospects in the long run. For example, a social worker might benefit from understanding psychological principles to address the mental health needs of their clients better. A bridging course in psychology can give you everything you need to apply psychological concepts to the work in your current field, helping to broaden your expertise and open up new, exciting career opportunities! Who doesn't want new doors opened for them?
4. Personal Interest and Development
You might simply choose to sign onto a bridging course in psychology because you want a way of working on your personal development or have a gripping interest in the subject matter. Psychology is a field that gives you plenty of insights into human behaviour, emotions, and cognition, which can be interesting for anyone who wants to understand themselves and others better. You don't even need to have a desire to use your qualification to go into the field—you might just want to learn more about yourself and the world of human psychology!
Benefits of Undertaking a Bridging Course in Psychology
There are plenty of reasons why you might choose to enrol in a bridging course, including:
- Preparing for higher education: A bridging course gives you the foundational knowledge you need to apply and succeed in higher education psychology courses without the need to waste another three years on earning your second undergraduate degree.
- Flexible learning options: One reason why bridging courses are so popular is because they're often offered in plenty of different ways to suit everyone's needs, including online and in-person, part-time and full-time.
- Advancing your career: Being able to add a bridging course onto your CV can be a great way to advance your career and make you look like a more promising candidate to potential employers.
- Personal growth: Many people love how much they can gain from studying psychology, such as improved self-awareness, better communication skills, and a deeper understanding of human behaviour of themselves and others around them.
Final Thoughts
A bridging course can be a great way of getting you into the field of psychology, even after completing another degree in a different subject. Many people think that they'll need to undergo another complete undergrad course before breaking into a new field, but this isn't always the case! A bridging course is an exciting opportunity to help you transition into a new career in a much shorter time frame, coming with plenty of benefits and new opportunities. Good luck!
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