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Question:  I'm tossing up between doing a degree in social work and a degree in psychology.  Can someone clarify what the main differences are between these two courses of study? I've been led to believe that the former is a tad easier and more practical than the latter.

Answer:  Though I am from neither discipline myself, I have worked closely with both during my career. My understanding is that a degree in psychology is largely an academic pursuit which forms the basis for further post graduate specialisations. eg: actual clinical work of various types, research, neuro-physiological psychology etc. Modern psychology has become increasingly less humanistic and more bio-scientific in nature, allying itself, for better or for worse, ever more closely with medical model psychiatry. Whilst social work on the other hand, from the very beginning, seems to be more based in actual client service, mentoring and facilitation and whose policies and procedures are designed around various contemporary socio-political theories and philosophies.

Answer provided by David White