Occupational psychologist
Occupational psychologists apply psychological knowledge, theory and practice to the world of work. They aim to help an organisation get the best performance from their employees and also to improve employees’ own job satisfaction.
Occupational psychologists apply expert knowledge to all levels of working and may work on organisational issues, such as culture and change, as well as issues at an individual or team level. They may work in a consultancy role or in-house as an employee of an organisation, in collaboration with management, human resources and training specialists, trade union representatives, and staff in teams and individually.
Both organisation and consultancy-based occupational psychologists carry out a range of work according to the needs of their clients or employing organisation. The British Psychological Society (BPS) divides this work into eight key knowledge areas:
Typical activities for occupational psychologists working in the area of organisational development include:
Activities for those working in the areas of assessment and training include:
Activities for those working in the area of ergonomics and health and safety include:
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the main body that represents psychologists in the UK and accredits training leading to designation as a chartered psychologist. From 1 July 2009, it became a legal requirement for anyone employed as an occupational psychologist (or using the title occupational psychologist) and other types of practitioner psychologist to register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) .
It is not obligatory for HPC-registered occupational psychologists to be BPS members or chartered psychologists but they are normally required to have completed the equivalent of the qualifications, training and supervised practical experience that would make them eligible for chartered membership. For further information see the BPS and HPC websites.
There are three stages involved in becoming fully qualified to register as a chartered psychologist with the BPS and with the HPC as an occupational psychologist:
For Stage 1, you need the minimum of a 2.2 honours degree in psychology from an accredited course for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS, which is essential for postgraduate training and employment in this field. Non-psychology graduates may take a conversion course that the BPS accepts as equivalent to a degree in psychology for GBC. See the list of British Psychological Society (BPS) Accredited Psychology Courses for further details of accredited degree and conversion courses.
For Stage 2, you need to complete a BPS-accredited Master’s degree course, either full time in one year or part time over two or three years (by attendance or distance learning). There are currently 17 universities offering a BPS-accredited course - see the list of BPS Accredited Psychology Courses. A small number of candidates qualify independently of a university course by completing a BPS-awarded postgraduate certificate by examination. Competition for the courses is moderate to high, depending upon the course. Many courses expect at least a 2.1 class of degree, plus relevant work experience. Most students study part time, often while working in a related field and may either receive some funding or support from their employer or pay their own fees.
Relevant experience in personnel/human resources and business/management is a strong advantage for both postgraduate study and employment.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
You may also need to demonstrate a high level of competence in psychometrics or statistical analysis for particular posts.
Competition is keen for posts in both business and the civil service. Some universities may offer short courses in subjects such as counselling, human resource management, careers guidance, consultancy, disability issues and running your own business, which may give you the edge over competitors.
Working for a psychometric test publisher is a route into careers in occupational psychology for some graduates, and a good way of gaining some of the relevant commercial experience necessary for a more varied portfolio
Given the usual requirement for relevant experience as well as a postgraduate qualification, most entrants to occupational psychology are over 25. Mature graduates with relevant experience, especially in business/management, may have an advantage. Late entry or return after a career break is both possible and common.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
After completing an accredited Master’s degree, the third stage of training to become fully qualified to register as a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as an occupational psychologist involves two years of relevant work experience under the supervision of a chartered occupational psychologist. You need to complete a log book of practical experience for assessment by the BPS, demonstrating that you have achieved the competences required.
Experience must provide breadth of practical application skills in five of the eight areas of occupational psychology (see typical work activities) and in-depth work with clients in one of the four fields of:
There are currently around 900 people registered as in training with the Division of Occupational Psychology at the BPS . A BPS report on the training of occupational psychologists estimated that one in four registered trainees subsequently achieve chartered membership.
A small minority of those completing Master’s courses may gain practical experience whilst working in a post as a trainee occupational psychologist, but most tend to gain it whilst working in a related field, such as human resource management. It may be necessary to carry out additional duties and take short training courses to ensure that all occupational psychologist competences are achieved. Trainees will often spend longer than two years in employment to acquire sufficient relevant experience for chartered status.
In general, occupational psychology does not have a clear-cut career path and it is often down to the individual to determine how their career progresses.
Since most occupational psychologists are employed in small units, opportunities for advancement are limited. Progression is usually in to self-employed roles or other organisations. There may be opportunities to progress to senior posts, leading a team or project. There are also possibilities to set up your own business.
Occupational psychologists work alongside other professionals and can carry out similar work to:
Business psychology is another possible area of career development. Members of the Association of Business Psychologists (ABP) have normally completed a postgraduate qualification in psychology and provide psychological services to business or the public sector. Many members may also be eligible for membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registration as chartered psychologists. Business psychologists are not required to register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) .
While occupational psychology provides a breadth of experience in several areas, many related professions, such as occupational health and safety and human resources, have their own qualification structures and training programmes. Taking further related qualifications, such as professional diplomas and short courses, may open more doors. The Division of Occupational Psychology at the BPS also offers continuing professional development (CPD) events. Some universities offer a professional doctorate in occupational psychology involving a major research project.
Some occupational psychologists pursue academic careers either after a period as a practitioner or by doing research for a doctoral degree after a Master’s degree and gaining a post as a university lecturer or researcher.
The growth in occupational psychology in Britain over recent decades has been driven by the rapid changes in work, which has arisen from technological innovation and global competition. There are currently 3,500 members of the Division of Occupational Psychology at the BPS , of whom 1,500 are chartered.
Typical employers tend to be large organisations in the private and public sectors, including government departments and management training centres.
Most occupational psychologists are employed in the business sector, mainly in private consultancies. Most of these consultancies are small, employing no more than a handful of psychologists - the largest UK consultancies employ over 50.
The second largest sector of employment for occupational psychologists is the Civil Service, with over 1,000 psychologists currently employed (October 2009). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) are the largest employing departments, with some psychologists also employed in the Home Office and Cabinet Office .
More than 120 occupational psychologists work in universities in teaching or research roles.
Many occupational psychologists are self-employed. Some have portfolio careers combining several aspects of teaching, research and consultancy.
The increasing use of psychometric instruments in selection, management development and many different human resource management processes means that more people are currently employed by psychometric test publishers than in any other single business area of occupational psychology.
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