Options with psychology
Psychology graduates develop a range of skills transferable to graduate careers. These include:
Studying a psychology degree fosters a valuable aptitude for work in both the science and arts fields, and forms a flexible basis for a wide number of careers. The scientific aspects of the course, including the application of a reasoned approach, problem-solving and manipulation of data, provide useful tools for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research. While the understanding about human behaviour and motivation, ability to critically analyse a problem, formulate a considered response, create an argument and generate new ideas, lend themselves well to careers in the creative industries, the legal sector, government administration and education.
Only a small percentage of psychology graduates go on to become professional psychologists although many go on to work in related fields. Work experience is vital for those who wish to do so. Placements in all areas of psychology can be difficult to access, but any relevant paid or voluntary work can be beneficial (e.g. working with children or adults with learning difficulties; mentoring; befriending; working in care homes or with those who are mentally distressed).
Consider the skills, developed on your course as well as through other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. These can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Reflect on the parts of your course that you most enjoyed and excelled at and try to use this information to see which jobs would suit you best.
It is common for psychology graduates to enter a range of ‘stepping stone’ jobs following graduation. Aspirant clinical psychologists will look for posts as assistant psychologists in NHS trusts along with lower-level jobs such as care worker. Those who wish to enter forensic psychology traditionally look for work in forensic settings such as the probation service. Due to competition in psychology, work experience and voluntary work prior to graduation are increasingly vital and increase your chances of success in this career field. Depending on your career aims, it may also be helpful to join the British Psychological Society (BPS) , since membership with the society offers useful networking opportunities and information about continued professional development.
Psychology graduates are often eligible to apply for management training schemes, pursuing a diverse choice of career. Again, work or volunteering experience will be helpful, if not essential. Depending on your preferred path it may be worthwhile undertaking some further vocational study in order to increase your chances of being appointed.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
Psychology is one of the most popular degree subjects at university, yet only a small percentage of psychology graduates pursue options in professional psychology.
A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after graduation 60% were in employment in the UK or overseas and another 10% were combining work and study. Psychology graduates entered into a wide range of jobs in a variety of sectors. Initially, around 30% of those employed went into non-graduate roles, such as clerical/secretarial positions, retail, catering or bar work.
Of those who entered graduate-level jobs, social and welfare occupations were the most popular with almost 15% of graduates entering this type of work. 7% went into management roles in various sectors. Almost 6% pursued work in business and finance professions. Other psychology graduates pursued options in marketing, sales and advertising, the health professions and education.
The National Health Service (see NHS Careers ), local councils, and multinational organisations are all major employers of psychology graduates. Recruitment agencies such as Psychologist Appointments can be a good source of jobs. Most health-related professionals work in multidisciplinary teams throughout the country. Non health-related jobs can be found throughout the UK.
Psychology graduates enter a diverse range of careers in almost all sectors but major employment areas include:
See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after graduation almost a quarter of psychology graduates were in further study. Postgraduate training and study is a requirement to become a chartered psychologist (there are alternative routes to chartership but only a handful of well-experienced people use these routes each year). Many psychology graduates spend a year or more gaining work experience before embarking on postgraduate study due to course entry requirements.
Popular courses for psychology graduates include one-year MSc programmes in forensic, occupational, health or sport and exercise psychology. Other graduates take a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Scottish Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) to qualify as teachers as a route into educational psychology. Whilst a teaching qualification is no longer a requirement for this profession, it is still recommended as the most popular route. For those entering clinical psychology, a three-year Doctorate is required, though few graduates are able to enter this immediately after their undergraduate degree.
Many psychology graduates pursue postgraduate study options outside of psychology. Popular choices include human resource management, marketing and public relations.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgrad study and search courses and research to identify your options.
Look at funding my further study for details relating to finance and the application process.
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