A psychology degree opens up a world of opportunities beyond traditional therapy roles! Whether you want to work in mental health, business, education, or research, your psychology degree equips you with critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. But how can you truly maximize its potential? From pursuing specialized certifications to exploring unexpected career paths like human resources, marketing, or forensic psychology, the possibilities are endless. In this guide, we’ll explore the best strategies to leverage your degree, gain hands-on experience, and build a fulfilling career that aligns with your passion and strengths.
Is psychology a science?
Today, psychology is defined by the British Psychological Society as the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Subjects covered in educational psychology include human and nonhuman behaviour, conscious and unconscious events, and mental processes like motivations, emotions, and thoughts. The academic field of psychology is vast and transcends the divisions between the social and natural sciences. While social psychologists strive to understand how people behave in both groups and individually, biological psychologists link the field to neuroscience to understand the emergent features of the brain.
Research into psychology, meaning, perception, cognition, attention, emotion, intellect, subjective experiences, motivation, brain function, and personality is conducted by psychologists. Psychologists are interested in a variety of social psychology topics, including family resilience, psychological resilience, and interpersonal connections.
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Why study Psychology?
Understanding the fundamentals of what influences people’s thoughts and actions is made possible by a Psychology Degree. Depending on scientific methodologies, the numbers are difficult to comprehend but ultimately valuable. In addition, you will learn how to think critically and acquire a variety of other abilities that can help you in your future profession.
Career-specific skills:
- The knowledge and practical abilities to conduct experiments on human subjects to learn how the mind functions.
- A spectrum of research approaches, from qualitative to quantitative
Transferable skills:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Data handling and analysis
- IT literacy and numeracy
- Organization and project management
- Presentation and report writing
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Professional accreditation:
Degrees may be recognized by the British Psychological Society (BPS), which means that upon fulfilling the necessary coursework requirements and earning the necessary grades, graduates may be able to join the BPS as graduate members.
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Psychology Degree Courses
University of Cambridge
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Queens’
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
University of Oxford
Experimental Psychology MSci
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: Queen’s
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology and Linguistics MSci
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: St Catherine’s
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology and Philosophy MSci
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: Lady Margaret Hall
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Durham University
Education Studies – Psychology BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Durham City
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Philosophy and Psychology BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Durham City
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Behavioural Science & Psychological BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Location: Durham City
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Location: Durham City
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
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University of Bath
Education with Psychology BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts with Honours
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Education in Psychology with professional placement BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts with Honours
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Sandwich / Placement
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology with work placement BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Sandwich / Placement
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
UCL (University College London)
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology MSci (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology and Language Sciences BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology and Language Sciences MSci (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology with Education BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
University of Birmingham
Human Neuroscience BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology and Psychological Practice MSci (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology and Religion BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
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The University of Edinburgh
Cognitive Science (Humanities) MA (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Central area campus
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Cognitive Science BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Central area campus
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Philosophy and Psychology MA (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Central area campus
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Central area campus
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology and Business MA (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Central area campus
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
University of Bristol
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology and Neuroscience MSci
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology in Education BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology with Innovation MSci (Hons)
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
University of York
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology in Education BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology integrated Masters MSci
- Requirement: Master of Science
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Sociology with Social Psychology BA (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: October 25
- Duration: 3 Years
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University of Liverpool
Psychological Sciences MPsycholSc
- Requirement: Master of Psychological Science
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology (2+2 program with Foundation Element) BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 4 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
University of Manchester
Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Educational Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology BSc (Hons)
- Requirement: Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- Location: Main Site
- Study mode: Full-time
- Start date: September 25
- Duration: 3 Years
Psychology Degree Entry Requirements
A psychology degree and master’s degree often require between 104 and 156 UCAS points to be admitted to an institution. This could comprise the following qualifications and grade range:
- A Levels: A*A*A*–BCC
- BTECs: DDD–MMM
- Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA)
- International Baccalaureate: 42–30
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 32 | 96 | 136 | 120 |
| A-levels | EE | CCC | AAB | BBB |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | PP | MMM | DDM-DDD | DMM |
| International Baccalaureate | 20 | 27 | 37 | 32 |
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Other Worthwhile Topics to Study Include:
- Biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology
- Certain prerequisites may apply to combined subjects, such as A Level or Higher math if studying
- computing science with psychology
- General subjects may be excluded
Experience that would give your application a positive appearance:
- Experience working as an assistant psychologist or observing someone in a field that could be related to your future career, like a business, care industry, university department (for research), or school
- Reading independently about the topic or fields of study at the university of your choice
- Online resources like the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) website or pertinent MOOCs or courses
- If summer classes are offered, look into UNIQ or Sutton Trust.
Other requirements for this subject include:
- Some universities may need entrance exams and interviews.
Top Universities for Psychology UK
These are a few of the top psychology universities where you can apply for master’s and undergraduate degrees. You can get master’s degrees in psychology and careers related to psychology from these psychology institutions.
| Universities | Satisfaction | Reflections | Outcomes | Research Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Roehampton | 3.88 / 5 | 82 / 100 | 82 / 100 | 10.28 |
| University of Bath | 4.12 / 5 | 86 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 4.93 |
| University of Reading | 4.17 / 5 | 87 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 7.39 |
| University of Brighton | 3.92 / 5 | 86 / 100 | 90 / 100 | — |
| UCL, University of London | 4.12 / 5 | 87 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 0.94 |
| Sheffield Hallam University | 4.19 / 5 | 87 / 100 | 83 / 100 | 15 |
| Coventry University | 3.90 / 5 | 83 / 100 | 82 / 100 | 30.59 |
| Bristol, University of the West of England (UWE) | 4.04 / 5 | 83 / 100 | 88 / 100 | — |
| Bangor University | 3.99 / 5 | 84 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 11.02 |
| University of Portsmouth | 4.13 / 5 | 84 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 6.53 |
| University of Greenwich | 4.01 / 5 | 84 / 100 | 81 / 100 | — |
| Anglia Ruskin University ARU | 4.20 / 5 | 86 / 100 | 82 / 100 | 9.31 |
| University of Sheffield | 4.32 / 5 | 86 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 10.45 |
| University of Southampton | 4.07 / 5 | 85 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 7.34 |
| Aston University | 4.19 / 5 | 87 / 100 | 89 / 100 | — |
| Newcastle University | 4.17 / 5 | 85 / 100 | 78 / 100 | 5.16 |
| University of Gloucestershire | 3.90 / 5 | 84 / 100 | 92 / 100 | 12.92 |
| Swansea University | 4.26 / 5 | 85 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 10.94 |
| University of South Wales | 3.69 / 5 | 86 / 100 | 85 / 100 | — |
| The University of Cumbria | 3.78 / 5 | 88 / 100 | 100 / 100 | — |
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Psychology Graduate Jobs
What can you do with a Psychology Degree? Numerous career options in psychology, including those in business, marketing, and healthcare, may become available to those with a psychology degree. Roles could include:
- Counselling psychologist
- Digital analyst
- Drug and alcohol recovery practitioner
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- High-intensity therapist
- Mental health support worker
- Occupational psychologist
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner
- Sports psychologist
Psychology Degree Graduates Earning
The starting wage range for psychology graduates is between £17,680 and £23,000. Clinical psychologists in the NHS might earn anything from £32,500 throughout their training to up to £90,000 as a seasoned consultant psychologist. Working with prisoners could be an additional option; a senior counselling psychologist employed by HM Prison Service can make between £42,500 and £51,000.
Psychology Degree Clearing 2025
To fill vacancies in their Psychology Degree programs, colleges use Psychology Degree Clearing 2025. The majority of the time, this is accomplished by identifying students who have chosen to enrol in college after the application deadline has passed or who are searching for different psychology degree programs or universities after failing to receive the grades required to transfer into their first choice.
For all students, regardless of whether they are considering a change of course, are anxious about getting the grades they wanted, or are just exploring new choices, Psychology Degree Clearing is an excellent chance. To be ready for the 2025 Psychology Degree Clearing, follow these guidelines.
- Do some research: Start looking for colleges and courses before you get your results to reduce the stress associated with clearing your psychology degree.
- Prepare your information: Before contacting, please ensure that you have your UCAS ID (if you have one) and your exam results, including your level two and three GCSE and A-Levels/BTEC.
- Be persistent: Additionally, the psychology degree clearing line can be extremely busy, so don’t get discouraged if you are unable to connect the first time or if the line is congested.
- Have an open mind: You most certainly have a specific psychology course in mind, but if you are adaptable and look at courses that are similar to the one you initially applied for, you have a better chance of getting accepted into Psychology degree clearing.
How to compare Psychology Degree courses? The following factors should be considered while comparing psychology courses.
- Module selections: Courses for psychology degrees are not all made equal. Module selections for psychology degree programs might differ greatly, so be sure to see which modules interest you and align with your desired job path.
- Course accreditation: Whether a psychology degree program is approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and grants you a Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) upon completion is a crucial consideration when evaluating programs.
- Opportunities for a placement year: A professional placement year is a component of certain psychology degree programs that allows you to obtain experience working in a real-world clinical setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology Degree
1. How can someone with a psychology degree become a psychologist?
To become a psychologist, you’ll need to:
- Take a psychology conversion course or pursue a psychology degree approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Obtain a graduate degree to become a chartered member.
To work as a psychologist, you must finish an approved postgraduate degree in your field of expertise.
2. Where do most psychologists work today?
Some psychologists operate alone, and their clients and patients visit their offices. Others work at medical schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, pain clinics, rehabilitation centres, and community health and mental health centres. They are also part of healthcare teams.
3. What is the hardest course in a Psychology Degree?
The Top 5 Most Difficult Psychology Courses:
- Developmental Psychology: Spanning the Human Lifespan.
- Psychopathology: The Study of Mental Disorders.
- Cognitive Psychology: Delving into Mental Processes.
- Advanced Statistical Methods: The Mathematical Backbone of Psychology.
- Neuropsychology: The Brain’s Intricacies Unveiled.
4. What distinguishes a psychologist from a psychotherapist?
While psychotherapists primarily offer talk therapy to clients, psychologists can do academic research and operate in labs. Talk therapy is more frequently performed by psychotherapists than by clinical psychologists. Clinical psychologists are capable of conducting evaluations and rendering intricate diagnoses.
5. What is the employment rates for a Psychology Degree in the UK?
15 months after graduation, 77% of psychology first-degree graduates with UK domiciles were employed full-time (63%) or part-time (14%), with an additional 18% stating that they were working in addition to their studies, according to the most recent Graduate Outcomes data from HESA.
In conclusion, A Psychology Degree is an exciting journey into comprehending and deciphering the human mind that provides important insights into behaviour, emotions, and the science underlying why we behave in certain ways. Learning psychology can lead to a wide range of employment options. A wide range of areas of human existence can be better understood and improved through this field, from industrial-organizational psychologists influencing workplace dynamics to clinical psychologists offering therapeutic help.