psychology at uni

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Reply 1

It's definitely a saturated field, with a lot of the same demographic. However, like all subjects, if you are passionate and try very hard you WILL be successful and find a stable career. It is either about finding your niche (science + research, therapy, education) or being a top, top student.

Reply 2

Edge Hill University

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Hi @Dilara.Urul,

Psychology opens up a range of career paths, so there is no typical next step for graduates. Many work in healthcare, but our graduates work across a range of sectors, including education and sport. Their job titles include everything from psychiatric support worker to wellbeing worker.

However, you might decide to kickstart your career as soon you graduate. Many psychology graduates apply their skills to rewarding roles in:

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the NHS

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private healthcare providers

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public health providers

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local authorities

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HM Prison and Probation Services

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civil service

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schools, universities and colleges

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social care providers

You may find it useful to look at the British Psychological Society accredited courses page, to see what courses can give you the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership- this is the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.

I hope this helps!

Hannah
Course Enquiries Assistant

Reply 3

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Hi there 😊

There are lots of different factors which could go into answering this question, psychology is a very popular course and lends itself very well to setting students up to work in a wide range of fields. This is great! But can also be a little confusing to navigate as there are so many options out there...

Having a think about what careers you would like to eventually reach can be a great first step, then working backwards from there to see what you need to achieve. Particularly when considering going onto postgraduate study or further training routes. I find the Prospects website to be really useful for this, as well as the British Psychological Society website having some great links to careers info, as I see has been mentioned already.

I also find it helpful to think about the actual environments I would be working in and if it is something I can see myself doing - this, for example, has helped me to recognise my interests in research and academic teaching and given me an idea of how to focus my time/efforts so I am best set up to pursue the career I want 🎓️

Having a look around to see what jobs graduates have gone into could also be helpful and give you some inspiration yourself. University course pages can be a great place to start with this, here at the University of Salford we discuss this under the 'Employment' section of our BSc Psychology course page.

Finding a career after university can be influenced by lots of things, but I'd say an important thing to focus on for psychology is finding your particular areas of interest and developing your unique skillset - ready to move on to a career that best fits you. Embrace as many opportunities as you can to gain work experience, and take the time to explore the options out there. If it is something that you really enjoy then it makes it much easier to put the work into getting there 😊

Good luck! 😁

Becky
University of Salford Student Rep

Reply 4

gigitwenty

As above, it's really what you make it. I'd say Psychology is such a versatile subject and can link to a range of careers. I did my BSc in Psychology followed by an MSc in Clinical Psychology and I'm just about to have a career change but I've worked in a range of settings!

Reply 5

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Hey there 😃

I’d say the first thing to consider is what career you want to pursue. If you’re unsure, choosing Psychology (as long as you enjoy it) can be a great option because it keeps many doors open, giving you more time to figure out your path.

Regardless of whether you already know your dream job or not, making the most of your time at university is key. It not only helps you narrow down your interests but also makes you stand out when you graduate.

When choosing a university, I highly recommend exploring their career services and employability opportunities. At DMU, I had access to a wide range of options, including internships, training, courses, workshops, international trips, volunteering, a placement year, and a student exchange. I tried to engage in as many as possible, first to figure out what I truly enjoy, and second, to gain real-world experience that would boost my chances of landing a fulfilling job after graduation.

So, I’d say Psychology offers great flexibility and a strong job outlook, but it’s important to put in the effort to build your experience and make the most of your opportunities! 😊

I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Reply 6

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

@Dilara.Urul

I did my MSc Psychology (conversion) not long ago. There is some excellent advice here already, just to add to that, a lot of companies in the private sector really like psychology graduates for their Management Trainee programs - they pay a decent salary of £28k+ usually and are designed to fast track someone up the ladder.

I loved doing my MSc at Arden University, in my case, it has really stabilised my job working in F.E which has a high turnover of staff, and has opened up a lot of potential progression opportunities

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Reply 7

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Hi @Dilara.Urul!

it really depends what career you are looking for. If you are thinking about becoming a psychologist, first thing is to obtain an accreditation from British Psychological Society (BPS). This can be done by completing an accredited BSc or MSc Conversion course; however, not all courses are accredited therefore I suggest making sure whether the course you are studying / planning on studying is. Afterwards, you usually need some work experience before starting your PhD in a relevant field. As you can see this takes quite some time to complete but the experience is very rewarding.

If you are thinking about a career in a different area, a degree in psychology is very adaptable and may open many doors. With a degree in psychology you can work as an HR specialist, careers advisor, counsellor, market researcher, mediator, social worker, and many more. The knowledge and skills obtained could also help for a career in marketing, sales, recruitment, and even education.

Overall, starting a career IN psychology takes more time than the one WITH a degree in psychology. However, if you are determined to work hard and have a passion for psychology, everything should go smoothly.

Let me know if you have any more questions - I'd be happy to help you!😊

Best,
Essex Student Rep - Renaldas✌️

Reply 8

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Dilara.Urul

Would you say it is very difficult after studying psychology at uni to pursue a career?

Hello,

This is a great question. I'm a PhD student at Lancaster, and currently supervising the development of an Alumni network to showcase where our students work now. I started at Lancaster in 2020, and have seen my course mates go on to achieve various jobs and further education. I know of students who work in accounting, sports management, teaching, SEN specialists, clinical psychologists, musicians, forensic linguists and data analysts (and more!).

Psychology is a busy field, with lots of people gaining a Psychology degree each year - the key thing is to make yourself stand out by seeking extra opportunities as you complete your degree which put you ahead of other job applicants when you graduate. This is partly why we have our Psychology Employability Programme, to ensure students are equipped with the skills to enter the working world.

I would highly recommend a Psychology degree to anyone who wants to learn more about people and gain transferable skills which can apply across several key industries. If you have any further questions please let me know.

Holly

Psychology Lancaster Student Ambassador