Progress to Postgrad: Amber
Posted on: 7 November 2025 by Richard Finch in Class of 2024
Amber is a Class of 2024 BSc Psychology graduate who has gone on to study for a MSc Psychology of Fashion at the University of the Arts London.
How did you hear about your course?
I spent some time exploring more creative career paths related to my psychology degree. Although combining psychology with a creative field initially seemed like a rare opportunity, I discovered the MSc Psychology of Fashion at UAL. I was immediately drawn to the course; the idea of applying psychological principles within a creative industry felt perfect. The application process was pretty rigorous, consisting of three stages: a research proposal, a personal statement, and a three-minute video submission. I am now honing my research on psychological strategies to promote sustainable fashion production and consumption.
How did you get to where you are now?
After graduating I worked for 10 months as a teaching assistant in a primary school in Liverpool. Although enjoying this at the time, I soon realised a teaching career was not for me! I was motivated to pursue a career as a research assistant, for example, at a university psychology department. Despite working on what felt like hundreds of applications, most of these roles required postgraduate qualifications, or further research experience in some form or another. While working in a school I specialised mostly in working one-to-one with a boy with ASD, and delivering small group interventions to children with various learning difficulties. Before moving to London I also worked at a summer camp called Barracudas in Cambridgeshire, where I worked one-to-one with a non-verbal boy with hearing loss and ASD. These experiences working with SEN children enhanced my real-life application and understanding of psychology. However, I still desired to utilise the more creative side of me in my future career. This drove me to pursue Psychology of Fashion, as opposed to, for example, Child Psychology.
Your favourite experience?
I am particularly enjoying the tasks that challenge me in ways I haven’t yet encountered in my psychology background. For instance, I am currently developing a policy strategy for a fashion brand, exploring potential issues the brand may face over the next 5–10 years. This project requires me to explain these challenges through a psychological lens and propose recommendations grounded in established psychological theories. Applying psychology to the creative sector highlights how modern, forward-thinking approaches can be used to tackle real-world challenges in the fashion industry, making it an inspiring and exciting area to further my education. The university itself is an incredibly rewarding place to study. I am part of a wonderfully diverse cohort and have had the chance to connect with people from all over the world. UAL offers a wealth of opportunities, from internships and research placements to part-time roles and mentorship programmes. These are opportunities I didn’t fully take advantage of during my time at Liverpool, so I am thoroughly enjoying embracing every aspect of my postgraduate experience, both within and beyond my course.
The most challenging part of your journey?
I assumed that after graduating with a first-class degree from a Russell group university, I would be hired for my dream job almost immediately. Turns out, employers are looking for a lot more than just qualifications. I spent hours upon hours perfecting cover letters and tailoring my CV for certain jobs to hear nothing back. This was extremely discouraging.
What's your #1 piece of advice for future grads?
Make the most of the opportunities your university provides outside of your lectures! Go to career meetings, talks, network, and ask your lecturers about further opportunities and projects you can take part in. These are hugely valuable experiences that employers are looking for aside from academic qualifications. I was told this over and over but didn't think I had the time - make time !!
If you know where you want to go and what you want to do, try to do as much volunteering/work experience as possible- Grow your CV, it will really help you in the future after you finish your degree.
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Graduate+
Graduate+ is just for University of Liverpool finalists and graduates. It's a new way to stay connected, get career support, build the right skills and experiences, and hear about exclusive career opportunities in Liverpool, the UK, and beyond. Let us help you get the job that you deserve!
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Keywords: Graduate, Class of 2024, progress to postgraduate, Case Studies.