Psychology

Psychology delves into the complexities of the human mind, examining behaviour, cognition, and emotions.

Studying psychology opens doors to many different career opportunities. From clinical psychologists providing therapeutic support, to industrial-organisational psychologists shaping workplace dynamics, this subject offers the chance for understanding and improving all kinds of aspects of human life.

Psychology is also transferable to other exciting careers such as marketing, human resources, and healthcare, making it a versatile foundation for personal and professional growth. Whether you choose to pursue counselling, research, or organisational development, a background in psychology gives you valuable insights into human behaviour and the skills to make a positive impact on both individuals and communities.

The impact you could make

Help tackle stigmas, such as mental health, by completing research that influences effective interventions.
Promote individual wellbeing and develop enhanced self-awareness.
Influence workplace dynamics or educational settings to promote healthier and more productive environments.

What you could study

Applied psychology
Child psychology
Clinical psychology
Educational psychology
Forensic psychology
Sport psychology
Experimental psychology

Study options

Options to study in this field include:

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Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?

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Faith

Bournemouth University

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Hello, my name's faith, I'm currently studying psychology at Bournemouth university which I would like to use to do a graduate entry into medicine and become a psychiatrist or I would like to do my master's and PhD and become a clinical psychologist

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Joshua

University of Suffolk

BSc (Hons) Psychology

For my future plans I hope to complete and receive my bachelors degree in psychology and counselling with the aim to open my own counselling office. In terms of past experience not a lot comes to mind except I have two siblings and I was really excited to start uni life.

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Dana

University of Sussex

Marketing and Consumer Psychology MSc

Hello! I'm Dana, I study Marketing and Consumer Psychology MSc at University of Sussex. I would be more than happy to answer all the questions you have about my course or student life. I will be responding to your messages during day or night time, and I would get back to you as soon as I am available. Speak to you soon!

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Liz

University of East Anglia UEA

Psychology

Hey! My names Liz and I'm currently in my first year studying Bsc psychology with a placement year at UEA. Before coming here, I studied psychology, sociology and biology at a level . My main interests in psychology are related to psychopathology and this is something I hope to explore in future jobs. Feel free to message me with any questions you have and I'll do my best to answer them!

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Fahiza

Coventry University

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Hi! I’m Fahiza. I’m in my second year, studying Psychology! I’ve studied it since GCSE’s so it’s been a good 7 years - I absolutely love it! I’m also currently living out for university which I know can be daunting! - so please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have and any advice you may require! ☺️

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Renaldas

University of Essex

MSc Psychology

Hey guys! My name is Renaldas, I'm 23 years old and I'm a postgraduate student of Psychology at the University of Essex. I've graduated with a 1st class degree in BA Business Management and Modern Languages from the University of Essex and, throughout the course of my studies here, I had a chance to go abroad and experience life in Italy. Ask me anything about life, studies and opportunities here at Essex ;)

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Aneesah

Leeds Trinity University

Psychology BSc (Hons)

An individual who strives to do well at everything and loves to try new activities! Love baking, watching movies and doing mehndi in my spare time :)

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Chloe

University of Lincoln

Psychology - BSc (Hons)

Hi Im Chloe, Im a second year Psychology student at Lincoln! At the moment I have just picked my electives for 3rd Year. I really enjoy life at Lincoln and I am happy to answer any questions you may have about Lincoln.

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Julia

Brunel University of London

Psychology

Hello everyone :) My name is Julia and I came to Brunel University from Poland. After mandatory studies I took 3-year break from academic education, while I was traveling and working abroad (among others as a windsurfing instructor). Currently I'm living on campus with a plan to live off campus next year. In the future I'd like to pursue my career in the field of Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology or Neuropsychology. I've always been interested in people's behaviour and how the human brain works, so these fields are a perfect combination for me.

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Allyesha

City, University of London

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Hi, I’m Allyesha, a third-year BSc Psychology student specialising in the BSc Child Development Pathway. I entered university through clearing and couldn’t be happier with my choice. My background includes A-levels in Psychology, History, and English Literature, and I’m passionate about continuing my studies to pursue a career in Child Development or Educational Psychology. I’m keen to answer questions about student life, the Psychology course, or anything about City, St George’s—feel free to reach out!

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Lucy

University of Plymouth

MSc Clinical Psychology

My dream is to become a clinical psychologist. I have spent lots of time in Sierra Leone and I would love to move out there for a while in the future. I have experience working with children and adults with disabilities. I would love to continue into the future.

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kelsie

Bournemouth University

BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

I'm a third year forensic investigation student from Leicestershire. My hobbies include crocheting, reading, scrapbooking and listening to music! I'm also part of the BU kpop society!

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Jason

University of East Anglia UEA

Psychology

I study BSc Psychology, planning to pursue a masters in Cognitive Neuroscience and then a PhD. I’m the first in my family to go to uni, so I understand how overwhelming all the info can be and I’d love to be helpful.

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Debora

University of Surrey

Psychology BSc (Hons)

Hi! It's Debora, I am last year Psychology student at University of Surrey. Coming from Portugal, I plan on working around either Forensics or Occupational once I graduate! Feel free to drop in any question!

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Rory

Staffordshire University

Psychology and Counselling

Hey, I'm Rory, currently studying Psychology and counselling at the University of Staffordshire. As I am going into my final year I hope to progress onto the post graduate masters degree in psychotherapeutic counselling and once complete, hope to become an academic in my subject area and open a private practice. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

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Khiara Beryl

Coventry University

Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

Hey there! I'm currently a student combining criminology and psychology, and I'm really passionate about understanding why people behave the way they do. My ultimate goal is to work with young offenders, helping them get the support they need to make positive changes in their lives. University has been an amazing opportunity to explore these areas, not just through lectures but through discussions, research, and placements that give real-world experience. If you're curious about studying these subjects or have any questions about university life, feel free to reach out!

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Mudatheer

University of East Anglia UEA

Psychology

Hey there! My name is Mudatheer and I am a Psychology student here at UEA. I am on the placement year course and have just started my placement year. I studied psychology, maths and chemistry at A-Level and joined UEA through clearing. I am also an avid lover of badminton, full-time donut eater and have recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Please feel free to ask me any questions about the university or my course, and how the university supports disabled students!

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Jinal

Brunel University of London

Psychology

I am international student pursuing Masters in Sports and exercise psychology! Some of the things I have enjoyed as a student at Brunel are job fairs, celebrating festivals and meeting new people from all over the world! I am happy to help you out with any of your queries :)

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Jacqui

University of Northampton

Bsc Psychology

I am 50 years of age, originally from Glasgow in Scotland and left school in 1989, with 8 O' Grades (GCSE’s) and 5 Higher (A Levels). Desperate for a new adventure and to start working and earning, I applied for a job in Television Production in London. I successfully worked for an independent company in Soho, initially as a Production Runner, progressing finally to Production Manager. I returned to Glasgow for a year, to work for BBC Scotland as Production Manager, before taking time out to travel in 1999. I travelled throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and America for 2 years. On return, I moved to Brighton, East Sussex where I worked for American Express, a lifestyle magazine called Venus, and as a volunteer for the Brighton Unemployed Family project, between 2001 and 2012. Brighton is where I met my husband and went on to have two children, a girl, and a boy. Ava who is now 15 years old and Lochlan who is 13. 8 years ago, my Husbands job transferred to their other site near Leamington, bringing the family to the midlands. We now live in the village of Weedon, a half-hour drive, west of Northampton. Since living in Weedon I have completed 7 years working in primary education. I began working in Special Needs as a 1:1 and in my 5th year at Weedon Primary, I completed an HLTA course through Northampton University, qualifying me to teach years 1 to 6 in primary school. I have trained in Autism, Attachment Disorder, Dyslexia, Speech, and language among others. I ran nurture groups and introduced a kinaesthetic approach to a lot of my teaching, after researching its efficacy in primary schools. During my school career, I have been fascinated by how children learn. Some by doing, others by seeing. I have come to love the continual questions from children and the challenge and adventure of not always knowing the answers. Throughout my working life, I have loved interacting with people, obsessing over human behaviour and how the mind works and influences decisions. My favourite literature often tackles aspects of psychology and I find it an extremely exciting and alluring subject. Throughout the lockdown period, it became apparent that I was not fully satisfied with my career and felt I was ready to learn and take on a new challenge. My initial thought was to go into Educational Psychology but with more investigation, I decided it was time to move away from education and start something new. My next thought was counselling, which I am still very much keen on exploring and could see a possible future career. As a volunteer in Brighton Unemployed Centre Family Project, I assisted low-income families and homeless people, realising my ability to listen sensitively and offer solace. Completing a course for the British College of Journalism a few years ago, I gained skills in reporting and analysing as well as fuelling my curiosity in psychology. I wrote articles on social, biological, and cognitive psychology. From a piece on music and memory to another on psychology in pain management. Having completed a year of the single honours psychology course I now feel the career direction I want to go into is counselling psychology. I have recently secured a part-time job locally with the group of Northampton psychiatric hospitals (NHFT) and ideally, would love to complete my master's within the NHS but if not I will probably stay at the University of Northampton to complete my master's in counselling.

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Emma

University of Lincoln

Psychology with Forensic Psychology - BSc (Hons)

Hi my name is Emma and I am currently in my second year here at the University of Lincoln with the aspiration of eventually working in the psychological field. I am very involved with University life, being part of a society, doing extra-curricular activities, working and attending social events. When I'm not taking part in University life I enjoy reading, travelling and exploring and spending time with friends and family. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the University so please feel free to message me via Unibuddy

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USW Psychology sponsored subject video - subs

Studying psychology at the University of South Wales

Sponsored content

Wondering what studying psychology is like? Academics and students at the University of South Wales describe their experiences.

Find out more

Example module

"Developmental psychology is fascinating to me – it’s very interesting to see how human behaviour and development changes from in utero right up until death."

Second year psychology student, Goldsmiths, University of London

Example project

"I investigated the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image, analysing survey data and conducting interviews. This project challenged me to think critically and apply research methods to a real-world issue."

First year psychology student, University of Sussex

Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Some psychology courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.

At least one from chemistry, physics, biology or maths

Sociology

Geography

Anthropology

Economics

Politics

Philosophy

History

Literature

Hard skills you'll develop

Enhanced research skills
Data and statistical analysis
Application of therapeutic techniques
Evaluation of cognitive functions

Soft skills you'll develop

Attentive and active listening
Empathising with others
Ability to adapt to new information
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Careers: Where it can take you

Find out more about your career prospects from studying psychology. The following information is based on a typical clinical psychologist role.

Average salary

£37,860

Up to £55,779

Available jobs

14,393 vacancies in the past year

6.65% growth over next eight years

Career options

Medicine, dentistry, and nursing

Clinical psychologists

Other psychologists

Health professionals

Occupational therapists

Therapy professionals

Marketing and sales

Market research Interviewers

Business management

Human resources and industrial relations officers

Human resource managers and directors

psychology-subject-guide.jpg

What is a… behavioural design consultant?

Imagine stepping into the world of behavioural design where you’d collaborate with businesses and organisations to create user-friendly products, services, and environments. Using psychological principles, you enhance user experiences, improve customer satisfaction, and contribute to the design of spaces that positively influence behaviour. From designing intuitive mobile apps to crafting employee engagement programs, understanding psychology is a key asset in creating solutions that seamlessly align with the way people think and interact.

Find your ideal career

Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.

Getting in: Entry requirements

Find out more about what you'll need to study psychology at university or as an apprenticeship.

Average requirements for undergraduate degrees

Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from psychology applicants.

A levels

BBB

Scottish Highers

AABB

Vocational

BTEC DDM

Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative

Care services apprenticeships

Check out our industry guide to help you decide if a care services apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.

The expert view

Professor Ann Colley, CPsychol Chief Executive, The British Psychological Society

A degree in psychology offers not only a pathway to becoming a psychologist, but also the knowledge and skills that you can apply in a wide range of careers.

Other subjects you may be interested in

Considering an apprenticeship?

Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:

Deadline

Apprenticeships don't follow the same deadlines as applying to uni, the deadline is down to the employer.
Where to apply

You apply directly through the employer.
No limits

You're not restricted to one apprenticeship application; you can do as many as you like.
Apply to university and apprenticeships

There's nothing stopping you applying to university through UCAS, while also applying for apprenticeship vacancies.
Find out more

Read our guide to health and science apprenticeships.

Explore further

Go deeper into topics around psychology with the following:

The Psychology Podcast

Listen to inspiring scientists, thinkers, and other self-actualised individuals who will give you a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world we live in.
TED talks – The psychology of your future self

Hear research on a phenomenon where we somehow imagine that the person we are right now is the person we'll be for the rest of time. Hint: that's not the case.
Keep up-to-date

You'll find all the latest news and research on the UK’s voice and home of psychology, the British Psychological Society website.

Application advice

Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your psychology journey.

Skills, experiences and interests to mention

Have you got a curious mind?
Are you fascinated by the way people think and behave?
Have you studied psychology before or maybe a subject that’s closely linked?

Do you consider yourself self-motivated? Demonstrating your ability to study independently is a great skill for psychology students.
How are your communication skills and are you good at collaborating with different stakeholders?
How passionate are you? Find a way to talk about why you love psychology and the route you’d like explore from a career perspective.

Personal statement guidance

We asked admissions tutors to share their dos and don’ts for writing a strong and engaging psychology personal statement. Here's what they told us.

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