Psychology

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in psychology.

 

What is psychology?

Psychology is the study of people and how they think. Psychologists use scientific methods, such as observing, measuring, testing and the use of statistics, to understand why people behave as they do, as well as the thoughts and feelings underlying their behaviour. They aim to help people to improve their everyday lives, overcome problems and make positive changes

The vast majority of psychologists working in the NHS are clinical psychologists. This means they’re applying the principles of psychology to healthcare issues – for example, working with people struggling to come to terms with mental health problems, those living with chronic illness or those who’ve experienced a severe trauma. 

You’ll also find psychologists working in counselling, education, forensics, occupational health and academia. Only a small proportion of psychology undergraduates progress to be chartered psychologists (taken from Prospects).

Prospects

Types of jobs
Detailed job profiles of various career options in the field

Sector Guides
The following sector guides may be of interest in relation to the job profiles above.

 

How do I get into it?

Only a small proportion of Psychology undergraduates progress to become Chartered Psychologists.

In order to become a Chartered Psychologist you can take a degree which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers the ‘Graduate Basis for Registration’ (GBR).  Having a GBR allows you to go on to do further accredited postgraduate training before you can call yourself a Chartered Psychologist.

If your course is not accredited, you can gain the GBR by either:

  • Taking an accredited conversion course, on a full- or part-time basis (MSc, MA, Med, Diploma) or;
  • Sitting the BPS Qualifying Examination.

See the BPS site for a list of accredited training and courses.

Psychology Students' Employability Guide (pdf 4.3mb)
Covers topics including where Psychology graduates work, inside and outside psychology, emerging areas of work and the current job market. Also includes activities to help you identify interests, skills, preferences and values, graduate case studies, sample CVs, interview and job search tips.

Look for courses at the university 
See the courses database for University of Brighton courses in this area

 

Finding a job or employer in this sector

 

Further Information and useful links

  • Association of Business Psychologists
    Aims to be the leading professional body representing business psychology by actively championing the benefits of the use of psychology in the workplace & by bringing together a community of practitioners and academics.
  • Association of Educational Psychologists
    The trade union and professional association for Educational Psychologists in the United Kingdom.
  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
    Aims to enable access to ethical and effective psychological therapy by setting and monitoring of standards
  • British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
    The BPC exists to promote excellence in psychoanalytic thinking; safeguard the public; promote training and research; and make psychoanalysis accessible to all in society.
  • British Psychological Society (BPS)
    The BPS is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. They are responsible for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.
  • European Federation of Psychologists Associations
    EFPA is the leading Federation of National Psychology Associations. It provides a forum for European cooperation in a wide range of fields of academic training, psychology practice and research.
  • Health Service Journal
    News from the NHS and the wider healthcare sector.
  • Psyclick
    This site is a resource for anyone seeking to train as a clinical psychologist, particularly in the UK. Due to a lack of updates some content should be treated with caution. Contains useful links.

Key points

  • Psychology is the study of people and how they think.
  • The vast majority of psychologists working in the NHS are clinical psychologists.
  • You’ll also find psychologists working in counselling, education, forensics, occupational health and academia.

Resources