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

Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist (prison and probation services), occupational psychologist

In addition Prospects have produced a series of sector guides that give insight into a number of industries. The ' Health Sector Briefing' includes job titles, how to get into the sector, the big companies and other information sources.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/HealthSB

Targetjobs

Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
Psychology

Also see our pages on Counselling and Psychotherapy

How do I get into it?

Only a small proportion of psychology undergraduates progress to be 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:

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

See www.bps.org.uk for a list of accredited training and courses.

Psychology Students' Employability Guide

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.
Psychology Students' Employability Guide

Look for courses at the university

See the courses database for University of Brighton courses in this area
http://courses.brighton.ac.uk

Finding a job or employer in this sector

Community Care

This is a magazine for the social care sector. Its website contains a wide range of information about current issues, as well as a jobs page.
www.community-care.co.uk

HM Prison Service
Provides an insight into the many different types of work available in the service and details of current vacancies.

The Guardian

jobs.guardian.co.uk

NHS Careers

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

NHS Jobs

NHS Jobs website is currently listing the first vacancies for Trainee Low Intensity Therapists. This is part of the government's plan to improve access to psychological therapies. (Information correct at 15/07/2008)

www.jobs.nhs.uk

Opportunities

A public sector recruitment and career development website.
www.opportunities.co.uk

Public jobs direct

Temporary and permanent public sector jobs and career advice.
www.publicjobsdirect.com

Psychologist Appointments

www.psychapp.co.uk

See our webpages on 'looking for work'

Further Information and useful links

Association of Business Psychologists

www.theabp.org

Association of Educational Psychologists

www.aep.org.uk

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

www.bacp.co.uk

British Psychoanalytic Council

www.psychoanalytic-council.org

British Psychological Society (BPS)

www.bps.org.uk

European Federation of Psychologist’s Associations

www.efpa.eu

Health Service Journal

www.hsj.co.uk

Psyclick

This site is a resource for anyone seeking to train as a clinical psychologist, particularly in the UK
www.psyclick.org.uk

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