My journey towards the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (so far) | Experiences? Mistakes? Decisions?

In this video, I speak about my personal journey through Clinical Psychology, reminiscing through all my experiences before getting onto the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford. I go back all the way from school in Hong Kong, to moving to Cambridge for university, to finding work in London around mental health - and all the struggles and dilemmas in between!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Highschool
2:20 Choosing undergraduate degree and universities
4:03 Applying to Cambridge, Interview + Offer
5:40 Psychology Undergrad @ Cambridge
6:30 Deciding on careers - Clinical Psychology
8:00 Graduating from Cambridge + master's @ UCL
10:42 Struggling with jobs
11:50 1st job - Assistant Psychologist
13:14 2nd job - PWP
13:46 Applying to the Doctorate
16:13 Accepting Oxford's offer
16:44 Where I am now
Acronyms:
*DClinPsy - Doctorate of Clinical Psychology; 3 year course that qualifies a person in the UK to become a Clinical Psychologist
*AP - Assistant Psychologist
*PWP - Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Please comment, share and subscribe if you've enjoyed the video - and let me know if there are any videos you would like to see! Also, join me on instagram if you haven't already / theoxfordpsych - I post there regularly about my insights, reflections and lessons in psychology and mental health.

[@clareskaife4047]

aika! i've literally just finished my psychology undergrad, so i've spent the past couple of weeks scouring the internet for some help with getting into clinical psych as a career - after reading pages and pages of super opinionated and contradictory advice, finding your channel was a total breath of fresh air (!!) you make the whole thing seem manageable, which i really appreciate - i think the road to the DClinPsy can often feel like a bit of a monolith, but it really is about breaking things down and realising that gaining experience isn't something that happens overnight (i think i need to remind myself that the only deadline i'm working under is the one i've set myself). anyway, you're a total gem and i'm so excited to see where this channel goes - and thank you so much for the help! x

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Thank you so much for such a kind comment!! Really made my day and motivates me to make more videos. Let me know if you have any video requests or questions you’d like addressed x

[@natashabosman8334]

You are the most engaging KZbinr I have ever watched. Your voice and demeanour make me feel so calm about everything related to psychology!

[@kmari414]

Currently binge watching all of your videos. So helpful and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@xon4yk258]

I'm glad I found your KZbin channel!! I can see a sparke in my future..really! ❤️

[@HaqimHimself]

I love the aura of calmness i received in watching your videos. Thank you

[@KelseyLol65]

Omg thank you so much for this video, this has been so helpful! I’m about to study my Masters at Swansea University, and hoping to become a clinical psychologist. It’s so nice to see such an honest journey of the process, and so reassuring! ❤️

[@closedforallseasons]

You're so eloquent and intelligent, yet so humble, it's refreshing to watch your videos - esp since I myself studied (neuroscience and medicine, not psychology) at UCL & Cambridge and am now going on to become a psychiatrist (in Germany). So it's quite interesting to hear your path and how it differs from mine but also to see a lot of similarities in our experiences. Good luck to you!

[@rachelpeck5874]

Just watched the video, super helpful, thankyou so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. I'm in my final year of undergraduate :) realised you will have started your clinical psych course yesterday! I hope it's going well for you and you enjoy it :) Congratulations as well on getting in!

[@reshmavenugopal438]

As someone who is just completing my masters in clinical psychology, I can confirm how daunting this whole experience is! I am over the moon to have found your page as it is so motivating and inspiring. Over the last few months, I have been feeling very low in terms of how my professional journey is going forward (and it is not great). But this has truly motivated me... I think the key is to gather as much experience as possible before diving into a DclinPsych. Thank you so much, Aika!

[@user-ob7uz4rr9v]

I love your videos! I'm a graduate student in linguistics in a Japanese university but I'm so interested in psychology. Your video is so inspiring ☺️

[@GabrielBiebe]

That’s the best video I’ve ever found on someone’s journey towards becoming a clinical psychologist! Thank you so much for all the details ❤️

[@TheOxfordPsych]

My pleasure!!! :)

[@animor7731]

Thank you for sharing! I'm looking forward to more videos. Keep it up!

[@lammmmmintoo4217]

omg i am so glad i saw your video!! it helps so much! i am also from hong kong, majoring fine arts and clinical psychology

[@jessicaalexandra412]

Love your videos! So informative. I’m doing my B.S in psychology with concentration in clinical, graduating in the spring! I’m still debating whether I should do my masters in clinical mental health counseling or do a Psy.D. You’re an inspiration!

[@lucyhannah3618]

Congratulations on your place at Oxford! I finish my masters in health psychology at KCL in august, and I'm starting a trainee PWP role in September - super excited! :D Can't wait to follow your journey! My dream is to one day get onto the clinical doctorate at Oxford

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Oh wow, best of luck and really hope you enjoy it! Thanks for supporting me :3

[@bethanyvelarde956]

I so appreciate your video! I chose management consulting first despite the gut feeling.. and moving away from it now and back to psychology!

[@taralokafoundation5521]

Thank you so much for this video. Next year I will be graduating from school and . I want to become a clinical psychologist , I watched this video to motivate myself and it did motivated me. You are so confident and I will also be a good clinical psychologist.

[@lukeoreilly8752]

This was really inspiring!! It’s calmed me listening to your journey and it’s reassuring that this isn’t an impossible career to aim for. Thank you!!

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@andreeacristinatudor3509]

Woooooo you go Aika, show Oxford who's boss! (last comment I swear, I'm just excited for you :D)

[@AryaKher]

I kid you not it is so nice and refreshing to hear about your journey! I bet telling your 17 year old self about getting into a doctorate programme at oxford wld sooooooo shock your teen self ^-^!

[@bridgetogunsola815]

This so informative and you have a really nice voice. I'm still a 2nd year student, so i have a very long way to go lol but this made me excited and I will be subscribing.

[@husseinbharmal980]

Amazing to hear your journey in becoming Clinical psychologist. Thank you. It would be nice if you can do another video as mentioned about some top tips about publication. I have been offered that for my dissertation to be published so would be nice to hear your experiences on that. Thank you. Love your videos!

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Congrats! Yes, it's on my list of videos to make!

[@chaoticgood3016]

Wow I think I've just found my new role model! I am currently studying PBS at Cambridge with the hope of being a clinical psychologist in the future and, funnily enough, the masters you did at UCL is the exact same one I want to enrol for! Congrats on all you have achieved so far and keep being amazing, I can only aspire to be as successful as you one day

[@TheOxfordPsych]

No way! Best of luck with PBS, I miss Cambridge a lot and I hope you’re enjoying it, and best of luck with your dreams! ❤️

[@lucia9112]

yes pls do a video on your process publishing a paper!!

[@julielukina8598]

Congrats!!! It is kinda my dream to study clinical psychology in Oxford. Right now I am finishing my Master's degree and I am thinking about applying to Oxford. Could you make a video about the whole process (application, interviews, tips etc)? Thank you ❤️

[@lailacisse2788]

Hey Aika, congratulations!! I'm currently planning on starting my masters this September, and I've been wanting to get some psychology related job alongside as I dont have much experience but it's been so difficult so far to even get support work roles because I only have some volunteering experience with a charity and some research assistant experience which was only for two weeks.

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Try to get some placement from your masters / volunteer whilst you do!

[@zara-amaniadam3693]

this video was incredibly useful to me! i was wondering if you could do a video linked to salaries in the different position and managing finances as a student. the financial side of growing up is very overwhelming! :)

[@lenkapeet8225]

Congratulations Aika!

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Lenka!! Hey! Thank you

[@terrestaharper]

Good luck and GOD BLESS on your journey

[@nearijahlumsden2042]

Please keep doing these videos ✅

[@anjalyjacob1570]

Great Video! So informative and love your insight! Can you make a video about how to get a psych research paper published?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Yes! Planning on that for sure / or writing an Instagram post about it

[@phaaanty]

This is so strange to come across your video... I just clicked on it when it came up as recommended, but the moment you said your name, I recognised you from doing a placement at the exactly same place (EIP) the next year after you (placed from the same MSc at UCL). And then I similarly followed with a PWP training that I started in 2019. I’ll be applying for DClinPsy this year, and I am hoping the coincidences will work their magic again, and I get in 😄 but thank you for the inspirational video! It is amazing to be so young and yet on such an amazing course! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Omg no way...that’s crazy!!!!! Hope you enjoyed working there - I did. Yes, let me know if you need any help!

[@phaaanty]

@@TheOxfordPsych so, coincidences have worked again, indeed! I’ve been accepted onto the doctorate course at Oxford. This is too funny 😂

[@oliviaamg]

Hi! I am so happy that I have found your channel - there is nothing else out there like this and I really think the Clinical Psychology career route needs to be given a platform like KZbin to help other aspiring students... I am about to start the MSc at UCL that you studied! Any tips??

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Thanks Liv! I totally agree - I watch so much KZbin and I just don’t see us on here at all! A tip is to make the most out of your placement and make connections with your research project - it can be very helpful to land your first job after the msc !

[@mook1481]

Hey thanks for posting this video! How long were you a PWP for? From your video I thought just a year as a trainee?x

[@saranyavinay6252]

Your videos are awesome.. Can you please make a video for international applicants , so that we could know the requirements for NHS salary courses better . Thankyou

[@neurodivergentdawn]

So helpful! I am thinking of doing PWP training (a masters degree in this) after my undergraduate, instead of doing a psychology masters. Do you think this is a good idea? x

[@OJO529]

Could you do a video on publishing a paper and talk about the paper you published in your Masters?

[@beckyharrison4976]

hey! how would you compare your experience of psychology at UCL and Cambridge? I’m aware that there are significant differences between studying Psychology at undergraduate and masters level but I’m interested more generally in comparing the department, teaching and university at oxbridge/London

[@laurennicl94]

What was the application process like? Did you have a statistical test? What were the interview questions like? Were they more personal or situational type questions?

[@leahepton3761]

How did you find your masters experience at UCL? would you personally recommend the university and the course? I am look to do apply for a masters but \ I am overwhelmed for what masters programme to choose!x

[@miracudrag]

Congratulations, you have such a great personality! Could I ask you, because you seem to have worked in quite a few places, would being a foreigner and having a strong accent be a problem for getting into talking therapies jobs? All I've seen so far in these roles are people that are well spoken. I have studied in the UK and feel strongly for counselling psychology but fear I will fail the interviews because of my accent / my non native English level. Would appreciate your honest thoughts. Have you actually seen foreigners employed by the NHS for talking therapies?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Yes - so many - as long as you can use English to a professional level, they should not discriminate you on the grounds of having an accent. I know a lot of very professional clinicians who have a strong accent!

[@kwanbo2920]

A Hong Kong Chinese here. Thank you for your sincere sharing. I am considering to take my MA in Psychology in Hong Kong or elsewhere. Kind of confused now coz I was majoring in Language and Communication and minoring in Psychology in my bachelor and I have got a master in marketing so kind of like how to better sell the oil in the market😂. I am now 34 and thinking about changing my career into the field of psychology. So kind of worrying that I am starting too late.

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Never too late!

[@meenapervez6718]

Thanks for the video, I found you whilst searching for PWP videos. You have a very promising career ahead of you, no matter what you do. Even if you one day end up pursuing visual arts!!! My question is whether you continue the PWP role whilst pursuing the clinical doctorate or is that something you will leave? Best wishes, Meena x

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Meena Pervez Hi, yes, I’m trying to combine the two now! Yes I’ll be leaving it in two weeks. :) x

[@svnl5935]

Hi! Curious what your advice is on what to wear for the interview process for Clinical Psych programs?

[@Anon-ct5fb]

May I ask, if you don’t mind. What was your visa situation like? Cause I feel like that is kind of getting in the way for me personally too. With applications only accepting local students, esp CAAP (clinical associate of applied psychology)

[@fionnmcglacken35]

Hey, thanks so much for this video! Your channel is great. I'm going into second year of my degree, BA Psychological Studies with Data Science at the National University of Ireland Galway. Do you have any advice for a second year who is determined to get into a high ranking university for a Psychology masters/PhD? I'd really appreciate any guidance. Thanks 😊

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Contact professors, get as much experience as possible voluntarily or even paid part time if possible! Best to concentrate on getting the best grade you can as well.

[@Saintncl]

Hello, Does someone know what journey should someone take in order to become a clinical psych in the UK as a foreigner. I am currently in my 3rd year and I would really find it useful if someone knows any of this matter

[@aps-pictures9335]

Tbfair PWP after AP is a very odd route, so I see why you went on so quickly. And UCL is hardcore compared to Cambridge for medical.

[@mehakahmed6629]

Hi. Did you get funding for your PhD?? How can an international student get funding for a dclinpsych in the UK

[@janielleorisa-nwoke9594]

Thanks for the video! Do you have to do a masters? Can’t you just go onto the doctorate after 1-3 years of clinical psychology experience?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Yes! But I chose to because I didn’t really know what else to do at the time haha

[@Charlotte-ji3vl]

also I've heard that having a masters increases your employability for those 1-3 years before DClin

[@zara-amaniadam3693]

what is the difference between BA and BSc? does it make a difference to job prospects? Does the BA contain maths too? I personally am quite good at maths and science so would it make sense to do a BSc in psychology as opposed to Ba?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Doesn’t matter too much in my opinion - all Cambridge degrees were “BA”. As long as it’s accredited by the BPS it should be alright!

[@isabellalapenna8118]

is it possible to go from a PWP to an a assistant psychologist?

[@VladyslavKL]

☀️

[@4478nick]

You said you worked as an assistant psychologist in a private hospital. That's not the NHS, right? Where did you find the job posting?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Hey, I found it on indeed.com !

[@jellyqianli4092]

Can you explain more about the international route? I know only certain unis offer self funded places. And oxford isn’t one of them. So are you a UK national or did you have a different type of visa? :)

[@TheOxfordPsych]

I have British citizenship. I’m trying to find someone who’s done the international route so I can interview them!

[@shaheertarek4585]

@@TheOxfordPsych Pleeease do haha!

[@miyukurosawa1338]

@@TheOxfordPsych yes pelase!

[@princessindy2791]

Were you an international student? How did you get around the work visa stuff?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

I’m a british citizen !

[@ronnierascal12]

If you did the PHD, what work would come after that?

[@rarshapso]

I'm about to finish my psych undergrad and want to go toward neuropsych for masters but there are no such courses that are bps accredited, I'm so confused because some places say that my first masters course needs to be accredited but others say that the course that gives me my doctors has to be accredited. I don't know what to do about this, does accreditation even matter?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Is your psych degree already accredited by the BPS ? If so you don’t need conversion/further accreditation for undergraduate level psychology accreditation. Neuropsychology from what I understand is a specialism AFTER you get your doctorate degree - what you do for masters would just be for your understanding and interest. Accreditation matters in the UK both for bachelors and doctorate level☺️

[@rarshapso]

@@TheOxfordPsych yes, my undergrad is bps accredited but I'm confused if my masters needs to be accredited too

[@kit153]

what did u take for IB??

[@Itzchantellee]

After your psychology undergraduate degree can you get in straight into the clinical doctorate with one year relevant work experience or do you have to do a masters

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Masters is not necessary, but a lot of people have it !

[@PardeepSingh-nf9ez]

Hello, I got my Masters in Psychology in INDIA and I want to become a Clinical Psychologist. Can YOU please make a video on how to become a Clinical Psychologist in UK ?

[@BaltzerBoy]

The house you live in looks super cool lol

[@TheOxfordPsych]

🤣 thank you

[@taengoooh2944]

Do clinical psychologist have a white coat??

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Nope 🤣

[@kgeorg]

hey! I live in Australia and my dream is to work and live in England as a clinical psychologist and i noticed you said it was your first time in England after applying to attend Cambridge University. I was wondering if you have any tips on how to afford living in a new country for the first time while attending uni? 😊🤍