Options with a degree in
Psychology
and
Qualifying as a Chartered
Psychologist
Without a First Degree In
Psychology
CC 29
Careers Centre
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permission in writing from Edge Hill Careers Centre.
Options with a degree in
Psychology?
Introduction
This guide has been written for students studying Psychology and aims to
highlight some of the popular graduate employment routes. It has also been
designed to help you determine the important skills that you will have
developed during your course and what today’s employers are looking for.
Information is also provided for those who do not have a first degree in
Psychology but wish to become Chartered Psychologists.
As well as the BSc Psychology Edge Hill University offers two additional
specialist Psychology degrees:
 BSc Educational Psychology
 BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology
For this reason more information has been provided on the Educational
Psychology and Sport and Exercise Psychology options than the other
Chartered Psychologist options. However, more details on the other routes
are available at: www.bps.org.uk
In addition, there is information about Edge Hill Careers Centre and the useful
resources which are available to you, which are also detailed on our website
at www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers. There are some key website addresses listed
at the back which will provide you with further information to help your
research. You will also find some examples of recent vacancies and useful
websites to begin your job hunting strategy. We hope that you find this
booklet informative and a useful resource as you begin your career research
and planning.
Des Hope
Edge Hill Careers Centre
July 2013
Using the Careers Centre
Edge Hill Careers Centre Website: www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers
A good way to begin your career planning is to visit the Edge Hill Careers
website and familiarise yourself with all of the information that is available
there. Searching on the web can be very time consuming and it can be difficult
to locate what you are looking for. Therefore we have tried to provide you with
the key information that you need and to signpost you to the most useful
websites.
From our Home page you can access:
News & Events - which includes Careers Events and Information, and
updates on our Job Club and Volunteering opportunities.
Teaching Zone – A dedicated area for our prospective and current teaching
trainees. Includes a link to our Online Vacancy pages where we advertise
teaching vacancies received direct from schools.
Health Zone – A dedicated area for our students who are studying
programmes in the Faculty of Health
Graduate Jobs – Useful information on how to search and apply for graduate
jobs including tips on completing CVs and application forms.
Download Zone – Includes booklets that have been specifically written by the
Careers Centre staff for Edge Hill students on a variety of topics available to
download and print off yourself. This section also includes a list of all the
careers books that are available in the LRC for you to access, and Videos to
view online.
Volunteering - Find out more about how to volunteer and make new friends
and at the same time gain new skills to improve your CV and gain specific
work experience.
Job Club - Take a look here for part-time and vacation jobs and find out
latest news about employers visiting Edge Hill to recruit for part time staff.
There are also case studies from students who have worked abroad over the
summer vacations.
Email a Careers Adviser
If you are unable to call into the office and are happy to receive advice and
guidance via email then please use our ‘email a careers adviser’ service. We
endeavour to answer your query within 5 working days. Please note - this
service if only available to current students and graduates of Edge Hill within
three years of graduation.
Contact Us
You can contact us by either calling into the Careers Centre at the Ormskirk
Campus, or by telephone on 01695 584866
Prospects Website: www.prospects.ac.uk
Prospects is THE ESSENTIAL Careers website for all undergraduate and
postgraduate students. It includes a database of national job opportunities
and a comprehensive database of UK postgraduate opportunities.
For subject specific careers information locate Careers Advice on the home
page and from the drop down menu select Options with your subject. Click on
specific degree disciplines to find information related to options following
relevant degrees. You will find information about specific careers including
entry and training requirements and further information resources in the
section called Types of Job under Jobs. You may also be interested in the
information in the briefings that look at sectors related to particular fields of
employment. This includes a look at each sector and hot links to information
relating to key roles within it. Together, these sections will provide you with
information regarding the skills that you should be acquiring from your degree
and to information relating to specific relevant careers.
You can also find an analysis of career areas entered by graduates from
different degree disciplines on graduation. Updated annually the survey is
called “What Do Graduates Do?” and it is on-line at:
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/WDGD
The whole site is a vast careers library of information that includes a wide
range of career profiles, labour market information and a career guidance
programme called Prospects Planner.
You can access Prospects Planner via: www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Pplanner
This is a particularly useful tool for career changers or students who are not
sure what they want to do. To complete the programme you will need to
register with My Prospects so that they can store your details confidentially.
(If you have previously registered to view vacancies via our Job Club,
Volunteering or Graduate/Teaching Vacancies pages then you can use the
same login details). From the drop-down menu Jobs click on What job would
suit me? It is advisable to talk to a careers adviser before using Prospects
Planner
Psychology Degree – What Next?
Often graduates will be unsure as to whether to stay with psychology and aim
for work in an applied field, or to pursue other areas of graduate employment.
It can be a surprise to learn that a first degree is very much only a first step
towards work as a Psychologist.
If you look at the destination figures for Psychology Graduates collected by
graduate careers advisory services six months after graduation “What do
Graduates do?” available on website www.hecsu.ac.uk:
56.4%
1.1%
Will have found work
A small number will work as assistant psychologists in clinical and
forensic contexts, others work in social welfare, caring support jobs
(often employed by local authorities) or in the NHS eg as psychiatric
nursing assistants. These jobs often reflect a decision to gain
necessary experience and in order to progress into career such as
clinical or counselling psychology. Others work in areas such as
consultancy, recruitment, personnel management, or IT where a
degree in psychology is useful. Substantial numbers go into jobs
which attract graduates from “any discipline” such as accountancy,
clerical /administration, advertising, finance, market research and
retail.
In overseas employment
10.4%
Working and studying
7.6%
Studying in the UK for a higher degree.
2.1%
Studying in the UK for a teaching qualification
3.2%
Undertaking further study or training in the UK.
0.1%
Undertaking further study or training overseas
3.8%
Not available for employment, study or training
7.4%
Believed to be unemployed
4.2%
Other
(Source: Graduate Prospects 2011)
It is never too early to start thinking about what you want to do. Many further
degrees will require not only a good academic degree but also experience and
evidence of knowledge and understanding of the field you wish to get into.
This experience can be gained through previous or current paid employment
or voluntary work, work shadowing, talking to people who already work in the
area and researching information using the internet and books.
Don’t forget to use the Edge Hill Careers Centre web site for part time jobs
and volunteering opportunities – they may provide you with useful experience
that might make all the difference when it comes to applying for jobs.
Employment of Psychology Graduates
Graduates will usually find jobs in one of three categories


Those for which a psychology degree is essential
Those for which it is directly useful but for which graduates of other
subjects are able to apply
 Careers that are open to graduates of any discipline.
Only 15-20% of psychology graduates eventually become professional
psychologists and work experience to gain entry to this field is vital (on
average is takes about 7 years to qualify as a professional Psychologist).
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).
Studying a psychology degree is appropriate for work in both the sciences and
arts/humanities fields and forms a flexible basis for a wide number of careers
such as:
 Health and social care
 Marketing and PR
 Management and human resources
 Education
 Public sector work
Choosing a career involves thinking about yourself, your values, interests,
abilities and skills in order to identify suitable career options.
(www.prospects.ac.uk and ‘Options with your subject)
On completing a Psychology degree a graduate should be able to:






Retrieve, organise and handle information critically from differing sources
Be sensitive to contextual and interpersonal factors including behaviour
and social interaction
Communicate both face to face or in writing
Able to analyse and solve problems scientifically and to consider
alternative approaches and solutions
Be computer literate
Engage in effective teamwork


Make critical judgements and evaluations to gain different perspectives on
a question
Be able to plan and project manage
A psychology graduate can become a member of the British Psychological
Society (BPS). However, to work as a Chartered Psychologist it is also
necessary to achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)
and then undertake further society-accredited training before being entered
onto the Register of Chartered Psychologists. Please refer to the BPS web
site www.bps.org.uk for up to date information.
Careers for which a Psychology Degree (or
equivalent) is necessary.
These are jobs for which Chartered Psychologist status is a requirement.
Generally, if you have a degree in psychology from a university in the UK you
will have GBC. If your degree is only part psychology it is possible to do a one
year conversion course (Graduate Diploma in Psychology or Masters degree)
in order to gain the credits necessary for GBC. Further information on local
Graduate Diploma / Masters in Psychology courses is provided towards the
end of this booklet.
In addition to GBC it will be necessary to study for a further degree
specialising in your chosen area of psychology and in some cases this may
have to be followed by a period of supervised practice / work experience. A
period of employment in a relevant area of work is likely to be a requirement
for entry to the appropriate post graduate course. For most areas of
psychology the total postgraduate training (full time study plus supervised
practice) is 3 years. A summary of the qualifications and training requirements
is provided in the following table.
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)
GBC is gained by completing a Society accredited undergraduate degree or conversion course. www.bps.org.uk
ACCREDITED POSTGRADUATE TRAINING
CLINICAL
PSYCHOLOGY
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
COUNSELLING
PSYCHOLOGY
EDUCATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY
FORENSIC
PSYCHOLOGY
HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGY
OCCUPATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY
SPORT
&
EXERCISE
PSYCHOLOGY
TEACHING
RESEARCH
Doctorate in
Clinical
Psychology
Doctorate in either
Clinical or
Educational
Psychology
Doctorate in
Counselling
Psychology
For England,
Wales and
Northern Ireland:
MSc in Forensic
Psychology
MSc in Health
Psychology
MSc in Occupational
Psychology
MSc in Sport &
Exercise
Psychology
&
&
&
OR
Doctorate in
Educational
Psychology
Appropriate
Postgraduate
qualification and
competency based
teaching route
Society’s
Qualification in
Forensic
Psychology
(Stage 2)
Society’s
qualification in
Health Psychology
( Stage 2)
2 years supervised
work experience
&
Society’s
Qualification in
Clinical NeuroPsychology (QiCN)
Society’s
Qualification in
Counselling
Psychology
For Scotland:
MSc In
Educational
Psychology
&
Society’s
Qualification in
Educational
Psychology
(Scotland)
(Stage 2)
&
OR
OR
Doctorate in
Forensic
Psychology
Doctorate in
Health Psychology
Society’s
Qualification
Occupational in
Psychology
(Stage 2)
Society’s
Qualification in
Sport & Exercise
Psychology
(Stage2)
&
OR
PhD in Psychology
or Appropriate
Postgraduate
qualification and
equivalent research
experience
CHARTERED STATUS
In order to work as a Practitioner Psychologist in the UK, you would need to have completed programme that is approved by the Health & Care
Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC may approve programmes other than those accredited by the Society; these would enable you to practice
but would not provide a route to Chartered Membership. Contact the HCPC for more information (www.hcpc-uk.org)
Education Psychologist
Educational psychologists are interested in the process of learning and are
usually involved in:



the development of early skills
helping a child/young person to fit in socially/behaviourally
transitions - especially from primary to secondary school
They apply psychological theory, research and techniques to help children or
young people who may have learning, behavioural, social or emotional
problems or difficulties. The work is usually conducted within an educational
context.
Some of the work is directly with individual children, which involves an
assessment of the child's presenting problem using different techniques,
observation and discussion. A number of tests are often used to measure:
memory, verbal reasoning, and hand-eye co-ordination.
Educational psychologists also provide in-service training for teachers and
other professionals on issues such as:




behaviour management;
truancy;
stress management;
assessment.
The work can also involve advising on educational provisions and policies and
carrying out research.
Most are employed by Local Education Authorities, but some are selfemployed and work as consultants for Social Services departments, voluntary
bodies, parents and others.
Further information including a job description, typical work activities, work
conditions, entry requirements, training and career development can be
located via the Prospects website at:
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations
Click on Jobs and Work Experience on the tool bar at the top of the screen,
click on Explore Types of jobs in the drop down menu, click on E in the A-Z
and then Educational Psychology from the alphabetical listing of profiles.
Or directly at:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/edupsych
What Skills/Qualities Do Educational Psychologists Need?

Diplomacy – you need to be able to deliver sensitive findings and their
implications to families and schools.

Need to be robust as there is often tension between what provision a
child needs to address their difficulties, and the funding that is
available.

Skilled in building and maintaining good relationships with schools
under difficult circumstances.

Ability to be assertive in a sensitive manner.

Ability to develop and maintain a good rapport with children. This is
particularly important whilst testing which can involve 12 tests and take
45 minutes or so.

Ability to advocate on behalf of the child and family in meeting the
child’s needs.

Ability to work on your own a lot of the time but to act as part of a team
of other psychologists.

Ability with numbers (particularly statistics – you will be testing children
regularly so you need to be comfortable with maths and interpreting
results.

Creativity - the ability to use different media/techniques and methods.

A genuine interest and pleasure in working with children.

Details of all DSEP postgraduate training courses are available at
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=P
G&Search_Type=NC


Details of all SAES postgraduate training courses are available at
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=P
G&Search_Type=NC


A capacity and interest in dealing with messy problems with no set
answers.
Experience, further study and training required:

It is no longer the case that Educational Psychologists need to have 2
years of Teaching experience. However, applicants for the doctorate
must be able to demonstrate relevant experience of working with
children in educational, childcare or community settings. For example,
as a teacher, a graduate assistant in an Educational Psychology
Service, a Learning Support assistant, an Educational Social Worker, a
Learning Mentor, a Speech and Language Therapist, a Care Worker,
or as a worker in early years settings. Voluntary experience of various
kinds may assist applicants in demonstrating a breadth of relevant
experience.

Whatever kind of work has been done, courses will be primarily
interested in what applicants have learnt from their experience that is
relevant to work as an educational psychologist, and how they have
been able to apply their knowledge of psychology.

Completion of a 3 year Professional Doctorate in Educational
Psychology giving eligibility for Chartered Educational Psychology
status and approved by the Health Professionals Council (HPC)
www.hpc-uk.org
This route replaces the old post-graduate route in operation until Nov 2005
that required Qualified Teacher Status and at least 2 years qualified teaching
experience
Training Courses Educational Psychologists
Admissions Tutors for Educational Psychology Doctoral programmes will not
normally accept graduates with a 2:2 unless they have achieved a higher
qualification such as a Masters. However, candidates with a 2:2 and
exceptional work experience may be successful. Details of all Educational
Psychology postgraduate training courses are available at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
In England, from April 2012, responsibility for managing applications for
courses and funding passed from the Children’s Workforce Development
Council (CWDC) to the Teaching Agency, a new government executive
agency supporting staff in schools, including educational psychologists.
Further details of the application process, accredited courses and closing
dates can be found on the Department for Education - Educational psychology
website. Funding is only available to applicants who are UK residents and
intend to seek a permanent position as an educational psychologist with a
local authority in England after successful completion of the programme.
Funding is likely to cover fees for all three years and a bursary for the first
year. Trainees will be required to seek employment in a trainee post with a
local authority for their second and third years. Failure to undertake this may
result in the recovery of all or part of the grant.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland applications are made directly to
institutions.
Competition for course places and funding is fierce. Candidates need to show
evidence of the following:

Excellent communication skills;

Sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;

Ability to be assertive, persuasive and an effective facilitator;

Strong negotiating, administration and time management skills.
Sport and Exercise Psychologist
Sport and exercise psychologists are concerned with the behaviours, mental
processes and wellbeing of individuals, teams and organisations involved in
sport and exercise. It is fairly rare for practitioners to work across both fields
and they tend to specialise in either sport or exercise.
Sport psychologists work with athletes and teams involved in sport from
amateur to elite professional level, with the aim of helping them deal
psychologically with the demands of the sport and to improve their personal
development and performance.
Exercise psychologists work with the general public to increase motivation
and participation in exercise, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and advising on
the psychosocial benefits that exercise can offer.
It is usual to work in Sport Psychology or Exercise Psychology rather than
both. Sport Psychologists are concerned with mental preparation, coping with
the mental stress of performance, developing team cohesion and raising
performance through helping athletes develop the right mind set.
Exercise Psychologists are concerned with encouraging participation in sport
and motivating the public to take part in exercise activities and promoting the
therapeutic benefits of exercise. They may work in a clinical setting, take
referrals from GPs or work in prisons / psychiatric settings.
Both Sport and Exercise Psychologists often combine consultancy work with
teaching. Some may work full time with sport teams or national governing
bodies.
To become a chartered psychologist with the BPS you will need to complete
the following:

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) - achieved by
completing a BPS-accredited degree or conversion course;

A BPS-accredited Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology or Stage
1 of the BPS Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP);

Stage 2 of the BPS-accredited QSEP (two years of supervised
practice).
The one year postgraduate MSc in Sport Psychology is currently available
locally at Liverpool John Moores University and the MSc in Sport and Exercise
Psychology at the University of Lancashire, Leeds Metropolitan University and
Bangor University. Details of all SAES postgraduate training courses are
available at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Typical work activities
Activities vary between the branches of sport and exercise psychology.
Generic activities are likely to include:
 Assessing clients' needs and abilities, sporting performance and
behaviour.




Implementing strategies to help the client overcome difficulties, improve
performance or realise potential.
Working with a multidisciplinary team including other psychologists,
nutritionists, GPs, coaches and physiologists.
Delivering counselling and/or workshops covering issues such as goal
setting, visualisation and relaxation.
Conducting and applying research in sport or exercise psychology.
Activities more closely associated with sport psychology include:





Working with a broad range of clients including individual athletes,
teams, coaches and referees, from amateur to elite professional level
across a wide range of sporting disciplines.
Developing tailored interventions to assist athletes in preparation for
competition and to deal with the psychological demands of the sport.
Equipping athletes with mental strategies to cope with and overcome
setbacks or injuries.
Advising coaches how to improve squad cohesion or communication.
Delivering a variety of group workshops, which may include selfanalysis of performance or techniques to develop mental skills within
the sport.
Activities more closely associated with exercise psychology include:
 Counselling clients who are ill, in poor physical or mental health and
who may benefit from participation in more regular exercise.
 Advising individuals about the benefits, both physical and
psychological, that can be derived from exercise.
 Working with individuals and groups in a wide variety of settings
including GP surgeries, employers' premises, the client's home, clinical
settings and local fitness centres.
 Devising, implementing and evaluating exercise programmes based on

the needs of the client.
Providing counselling and consultations to a cross-section of the public
including people who are depressed, GP referrals, people in prison or
groups of employees as part of a workplace exercise programme.
Clinical Psychologist
Work in various hospital and community settings with people with health
problems or severe learning difficulties. They are very active in the mental
health field, practising a variety of techniques. They work with people who
have eating disorders, phobias, head injuries, HIV/AIDS.
Most clinical psychologists work within the NHS in teams with social workers,
medical practitioners and other health professionals. Some work in private
practice, some in research and some may teach.
To become a Chartered Clinical Psychologist you need a society-accredited
first degree. The clinical psychology training takes an additional three years
and must be taken through a society-accredited training course. Competition
is fierce with around twenty applicants for one place and a 1st or 2.1 degree is
often required. Relevant experience either before or after graduation is looked
for. Mature applicants are welcome, but funding for all age groups is difficult.
Students should try and undertake voluntary work, such as getting involved in
charities which work with mental health client groups.
Details of all Clinical Psychologist postgraduate training courses are available
at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists will usually follow either the educational or clinical
psychology routes followed by a practitioner’s clinical neuropsychology
qualification into the profession.
The clinical side of neuropsychology overlaps with academic
neuropsychology, which provides a scientific understanding of the relationship
between brain and neuropsychological function. This in turn helps form the
basis for assessment and rehabilitation of people with brain injury, or other
neurological disease. Neuropsychologists work with people of all ages with
neurological problems, which might include traumatic brain injury, stroke, toxic
and metabolic disorders, tumours and neuro-degenerative diseases.
Neuropsychologists require not only general clinical skills and knowledge of
the broad range of mental health problems, but also a substantial degree of
specialist knowledge in the neurosciences. Specialist skills are required in the
assessment of neurological patients, and rehabilitation encompasses a broad
range of specialist behavioural and cognitive interventions not only for the
client, but also for the client's family and carers. Neuropsychologists are also
to be commonly found in the management of rehabilitation facilities, and in
individual case management. Leadership of multidisciplinary rehabilitation
teams is frequently part of their clinical role.
Neuropsychologists most commonly work in:
Acute settings: working alongside neurosurgeons and neurologists and the
allied disciplines, usually in a regional neurosciences centre. They are
concerned with the early effects of trauma, neurosurgery and neurological
disease
Rehabilitation centres: providing post-acute assessment, training and support
for people who have sustained brain injury, or who have other neurological
problems. The neuropsychologist will play a central role in the multidisciplinary
team which aim to maximise recovery, minimise disability, and prepare the
client for return to the community or to a residential placement.
Community services: performing a similar role as above but support those
who have returned to community living
Experienced neuropsychologists also commonly act as expert witnesses for
the Courts, and research is an important aspect of neuropsychological
practice.
The Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) do not regulate
Neuropsychologists in this country however the BPS offers the qualification in
Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN) which confers eligibility for entry onto the
Society's Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.
Details of all Neuropsychologist postgraduate training courses are available
at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Counselling Psychologist
Aim to help people improve their sense of well-being, alleviate their distress
and increase their ability to solve problems and make decisions for
themselves. Counselling psychologists work with individuals, couples,
families and groups. They work in a variety of areas, NHS, Prisons, Probation
Services, voluntary organisations, student services, occupational health.
According to current information from the BPS there is a reasonable level of
demand.
There are two routes into this profession. You could follow a societyaccredited degree and doctorate in Counselling Psychology . At the time of
writing, with the exception of Teeside and Wolverhampton all postgraduate
courses are in London and the south east. Details of all Counselling
Psychologist postgraduate training courses are available at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
An alternative postgraduate training route is to complete the Society’s
qualification in Counselling Psychology and this involves organising your own
personal training programme with a suitably qualified and accredited trainer –
this will involve study, research and professional practice.
Forensic Psychologist
Or Criminological and Legal psychologists deal with the application of
psychology within the judicial and penal systems. Many work in penal
establishments or the NHS and are concerned with the training and treatment
of prisoners, carrying out clinical interviews and behavioural and psychometric
tests. Prison psychologists are employed through the Prison Service,
including Youth Custody Centres, Remand Centres and Adult Prisons.
The MSc in Forensic Psychology is a 1 year full time course (2 years part
time). This is followed by 2 years practical supervised experience in order to
achieve stage 2 of the BPS Diploma in Forensic Psychology.
Universities in the North West offering the relevant MSc are currently
Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan and UCLAN.
Some universities offer a doctorate programme in Forensic Psychology, which
is the equivalent of both an accredited Masters qualification and stage 2 of the
Society Qualification (accredited courses presently offered at the Universities
of Nottingham and Birmingham). Details of all Forensic Psychology
postgraduate training courses are available at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Health Psychologist
Work in a relatively new field of applied psychology. They are represented in
a number of settings such as hospitals, academic, health research units,
health authorities and university departments. Psychological principles are
used to promote changes in people’s attitudes, behaviour and thinking about
health. They may be involved in work that tackles damage to health such as
diet, smoking, substance abuse. Other areas might be health promotion and
the impact of illness on families.
As with most other areas of psychology the postgraduate training period is 3
years – one year full time MSC in Health Psychology followed by 2 years
supervised experience. There are many Universities in the North West
offering the MSc.
Some universities offer a doctorate in Health Psychology which is also a route
towards eligibility of the Society. (At time of writing, the University of Stafford
is nearest to offer this).
Details of all Health Psychology postgraduate training courses are available
at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Occupational Psychology
Is concerned with the world of work and training. It can be labelled
ergonomics, applied psychology, industrial psychology, personnel
management, time management or management consultancy. They deal with
the behaviour of people in the work place and with such issues as selection
and training of staff. Major changes in the workplace brought about by
technology, privatisation and recession have led to an increasing demand for
their services.
Occupational psychologists can be found in large companies, government and
public employment, management training centres and private consultancies.
The postgraduate training involves a one year MSc in Occupational
Psychology followed by two years practice under the supervision of a
Chartered Psychologist. The MSc in Occupational Psychology is available in
the North West at Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool John Moores Universities.
Alternatively it is possible to gain chartered status via 3 years supervised
experience plus the Society’s Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational
Psychology. Details of all Occupational Psychology postgraduate training
courses are available at
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac?frmAction=results&CourseType=PG&Sea
rch_Type=NC
Research Psychologist
Work in universities, government agencies or private companies. Many
psychologists are entered onto the Register of Chartered Psychologists by
virtue of holding a postgraduate research degree in psychology.
If You Don’t have a First Degree in Psychology
Although the majority of people who wish to become Chartered Psychologists
study for a first degree in Psychology there are a number of students whose
first degree is in another subject discipline who decide at a later stage that
they want to become Chartered Psychologists. These include those studying
other social science subjects (Sociology / Childhood and Youth Studies) and
courses in the Faculty of Health – particularly Mental Health Nursing, Learning
Disability Nursing, Women’s Health Studies and Health and Social Wellbeing.
The MSc in Psychology, sometimes referred to as a Psychology Conversion
course, (now offered at Edge Hill University) provides a route into professional
psychology careers for those who do not have a first degree in psychology or
a degree that does not have sufficient psychology content to be eligible for the
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British
Psychological Society (BPS). GBC status is a requirement for those
intending to become Chartered Psychologists in the following areas:
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Clinical Psychology
Educational Psychology
Counselling Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Health Psychology
Occupational Psychology
Sport and Exercise Psychology
It is important to realise that once you have been awarded GBC status there is
still a considerable amount of studying ahead of you. This usually involves a
masters degree or a doctorate in whichever area of psychology you choose to
specialise in. For details on the MSc Psychology go to
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/psychology-msc#details
Where else can I study for these qualifications?
The Postgraduate Diploma /MSc is available at universities throughout the
UK. For a complete list of accredited courses go to the British Psychological
Society web site: www.bps.org.uk . This site provides a database of post
graduate courses for those who wish to gain GBC status and have a minimum
of 60 psychology credits. The web site is also full of information and advice for
those wishing to become Chartered Psychologists.
Other universities in the North West that offer similar conversion courses are:
 University of Central Lancashire
 Liverpool Hope University
 University of Bolton
 University of Chester
 Leeds Metropolitan University
 University of Huddersfield
The Open University offers distance learning courses.
A complete list of BPS accredited MSc / Conversion courses is available at:
http://www.bps.org.uk/bpslegacy/ac
Important Note:
Sometimes you may hear someone referred to as another type of
psychologist not mentioned above such as child psychologist, business
psychologist, consumer psychologist or animal psychologist. These
terms are not specifically recognised by the Health Professions Council.
There are also several fields and professions related to psychology such as
psychotherapy, psychiatry and counselling that people sometimes confuse
with psychology. Although these have many similarities to psychology they
are mostly separate professions with different qualifications.
New and Emerging Specialist Areas of Psychology
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Environmental Psychology
Coaching Psychology
Parapsychology
Human computer Interaction (HCI)
Teaching and Research in Psychology
Aesthetic Psychology – deals with issues such as the development and
use of the imagination, creativity, how children learn to appreciate the
arts.
Marketing and Consumer Psychology – particularly relevant to
marketing and advertising – more information at
www.theprospectory.com .
Community Psychology – very topical, at this stage much more
developed in the States and Australia. More information at
www.compsy.org.uk
Animal and Pet Psychology – see www.psychology.org
Please see www.heacademy.ac.uk further information on all these areas.
Teaching Psychology
You do not need to be a chartered psychologist in order to teach in schools
and FE colleges
It may be difficult for students of psychology to obtain places on a PGCE
Primary course as psychology is not a national curriculum subject. Care
needs to be taken in selecting modules on undergraduate level courses as
these choices can help or hinder graduates with their study later. Please see
www.education.gov.uk for further information
Jobs for which Psychology degree is relevant but not
necessarily a requirement.
Public Sector Administration – Local Government, Civil Service, NHS
Social Research
Social Worker
Personnel Adviser
Recruitment
Community Work
Probation Work
Youth Work
Connexions Adviser / Personal Adviser
Learning Mentor
Youth Offending Team worker
Prison Work
Working for Charity
Police
Work with Offenders
Market Research Officer
Psychotherapist
Speech and Language Therapist
Occupational Therapist.
Graduate Mental Health Worker
CARAT Worker (Prison based drug and addiction work)
Music Therapist
Art Therapist
Dance and Movement Therapist
Hypnotherapist
Jobs open to any graduates
The majority of graduates will enter careers where a specific degree subject is
not needed. Employers will be looking at the skills, abilities and interests that
you have when they are selecting rather than the content of your degree. It
will also be useful for you to have spoken to people who work in this area and
if possible, for you to have arranged to carry out some work shadowing or
work experience. The careers centre can help you with this and see also the
section.
Getting the Right Experience First
As with many other graduate careers a degree in psychology is likely to be
only part of what you will require for entry to the training and job that you want.
This is where previous employment, work experience, voluntary work and
relevant interest activities become so crucial. Some students will already have
useful experience – perhaps a previous career, part time work, voluntary
activities. Others may find that they need to build up a portfolio of relevant
experience after graduation before they can move on to the next stage of
training. When applying for postgraduate courses the BPS web site
recommends that prospective students approach individual institutions and
ask them to describe the ideal work experience profile that they would like for
entry to their particular course. Details of part time employment and
volunteering opportunities are available from the Edge Hill Careers Centre.
Work experience with a psychologist may be difficult to arrange. You could try
and organise work shadowing, observing professionals at work and
discussing the job. This may not be too easy either as there may be a
problem with client confidentiality. But with perseverance you should be able
to organise something.
Asking people about their jobs
This can be one of the best ways of finding out exactly what a job involves.
Many students are keen to read about different types of careers but fail to take
this next step often blaming lack of time or lack of assertiveness. This is a pity
as there is much to be gained by this activity.
Why speak to a person?
 It will help you to clarify the types of aptitudes, values, skills, academic
qualifications and personality that will be needed for this type of work.
 It may allow you to view the working environment whilst you are on your
visit
 It can allow you to speak to people undertaking the same job but working
in different environments ie. A personnel officer in the civil service, a large
multinational company and a small company.
 It will help you build up a network of contacts. They may be able to arrange
work experience for you or work shadowing.
How to arrange
 Contact a named person in a company by writing and asking if you can
have 20 or 30 minutes of their valuable time to explain to you a little about
their job. Always enclose a CV and letter.

Use any contacts you have via family and friends, but remember you are
not asking for a job.
 Be flexible and fit in as far as possible with whatever time they have
available.
How to prepare
 Prepare like you would for an interview, except that you need to make sure
the person knows why you have come.
 Know as much as you can about the organisation and the type of work the
entrance qualifications and selection procedure. You are here to add more
information to that you have already gained, not start from scratch. The
person will be impressed if you know these types of things already and
they can add the personal touch to your questions.
 Dress as if you were going for a job interview and arrive early. Be
enthusiastic and display confidence in yourself. More information can be
found on our information leaflets on CVs and Interviews.
 Write a list of questions that you can refer to during the discussion. You
do not want to dry up!
Possible questions
 Can you tell me a little about your academic background?
 How did you secure this job?
 Can you talk me through a typical day?
 What particular qualities are important for this type of career?
 Can you give me some idea as to what I might do to improve my prospects
of achieving a job in this area?
 What might a typical career path be?
 What type of salary scale might I be on? Any other perks?
 What sides of the job do you dislike?
 What is the future for this type of work? Are jobs contracting?
 Is there any possibility that I might work shadow or gain some work
experience with this company.
After the visit
 Always remember to write and thank the person explaining what you have
gained from the visit.
 Keep a record of the contact and any other contacts or companies that the
person has mentioned. You may want to follow these up.
Final point
Remember from an information visit you are trying to find out a number of
things about a particular job, if you will like the job, be able to do it and how to
get into it. If you find that it is not really the type of work for you do not
despair, it was better to find that out now than 3 years down the line!
Useful Voluntary Web Sites
www.do-it.org.uk
www.direct.gov.uk
www.volunteering.org.uk
www.timebank.org.uk
www.lancashiremind.org.uk
www.v-inspired.com
www.volresource.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-your-time/childlinevolunteering/schools-service/schools-service_wda91863.html
Further information

The Higher Education Academy Psychology Network produces some
interesting reports alongside resources for Psychology graduates.
(www.heacademy.ac.uk)

The Psychology Employability Guide:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/subjects/psychology/Empl
oyability_Guide.pdf
Report on the Future Undergraduate Psychology in the UK
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/subjects/psychology/future
-undergrad-psych-uk.pdf
PSYCHOLOGY LINKS – USEFUL WEB SITES
www.apa.org
American Psychological Association
www.aep.org.uk
Association
of
Education
Psychologists
British Association for Counselling
& Psychotherapy (BACP)
British Psychological Society (BPS).
The “essential” psychology web site
with masses of career information.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development (CIPD)
Clinical Psychology Postgraduate
Courses Clearing House
Information for prospective clinical
psychologists
www.bacp.co.uk
www.bps.org.uk
www.cipd.co.uk
www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp
www.psyclick.org.uk
www.esrc.ac.uk
www.opsltd.com
www.prospects.ac.uk
http://psychwire.wordpress.com/
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
Economic
&
Social
Research
Council (ESRC) – Postgraduate
Funding
OPS: a consultancy of Chartered
Business Psychologists
Online Directory of postgraduate
courses in the UK
Aimed at students interested in
psychology
Royal College of Psychiatrists
www.shl.com
Savile & Holdworths
Psychometric Tests
http://www.education.gov.uk/getinto-teaching
Teacher Training Agency
www.psychotherapy.org.uk
UK Council for Psychotherapy
www.psychology.org
Really
useful
web
site
information
on
general
specialist information.
Psychology job site
www.psychapp.co.uk
www.mentalhealthjobs.co.uk
(SHL)
–
with
and
Good source of vacancies and links
to numerous specialist sites.
Examples of vacancies
HCPC Registered Counselling/Clinical Psychologist (Children’s
Practitioner)
Location: Hammersmith, London
Employer: Domestic Violence Intervention Project
Description: Required to deliver individual and group therapeutic services to
young people between the ages of 3-17 yrs who have been affected by
domestic abuse. The role will also involve the provision of clinical supervision
to part of the team of trainee psychologists within a psychodynamic/childcentred framework. Will also participate in outreach activities, potential
research and contribute to the development of new projects within this
innovative service
Salary: £36,000-38,000 p.a (01/13)
Interested in Special education? Teaching staff at special needs school
Location: Surrey
Employer: JIGSAW CABAS School- independent school for pupils 4 -19 with
Autism spectrum disorders
Description: Open to Psychology Graduates, non-qualified teachers, qualified
teachers, teaching assistants and HLTA’s with an interest in educating
children with communication difficulties and behavioural patterns associated
with autism. The role provides a multitude of professional development
opportunities including support to complete a Masters degree.
Salary: £15,349 p.a (01/13)
Rehabilitation Support Workers - Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit
Rehabilitation workers are required to work with people who have acquired
brain injuries. It is an excellent opportunity to gain experience of work with
people with disabilities. The hours are flexible from Bank to part-time or full
time. Ongoing vacancies all year round.
Psychology Managers
Location: Varied Scottish locations
Employer: Scottish Prison Service
Description: Post holders will contribute to a range of functions performed by
a local psychology departments with an emphasis on the implementation of
offending behaviour programmes and risk assessment and management, all
of which contributes to the SPS aims of reducing re-offending and creating a
safer Scotland.
All candidates much hold a degree in Psychology conferring GBR and be
qualified to postgraduate level in forensic psychology or another relevant field.
Experience of implementing offending behaviour programmes is essential as
is having extensive experience of working as a psychologist in a forensic
setting.
Salary: £26,000 – 40,000 pro rata depending on experience (01/13)
Learning Mentor
Location: Merseyside
To work in a primary school. Will be expected to raise levels of attendance
and punctuality throughout the school, support the school council, liaise with
primary support base, play an active part in breakfast club and act for school
on child protection issues.
Essential: Enhanced CRB Check, ICT literate, car driver, excellent
interpersonal skills, experience (paid or voluntary) of working in school, youth
or similar
Desirable: Graduate, willingness to undertake extra curricular activities,
experience of communicating with people for whom English is not first
language.
.
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to all our users. If you need us to present our information in a
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Centre and we will do our best to accommodate your
requirements.
Edge Hill Careers Centre
Contact Details: Tel: 01695 584866
Website; www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers
Opening hours:
Term-time: Monday – Friday
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