“The human mind is not a terribly logical or consistent place.”
Jim Butcher
Does the human brain fascinate you? Do you want to learn and understand why we do things as humans? If you answered yes to both questions, you should study psychology.
Practically every university or further education centre in the UK offers short-term or long-term psychology courses that train individuals to work in the sector of psychology. Most psychology jobs require persons to complete a three-year BSc undergraduate degree. Also, if you want to specialise your training and work in complex sectors of psychology, acquiring an MSc in psychology is highly recommended.
Without further delay, in today's article, we'll analyse the type of psychology based jobs that are available, the best books and online resources for psych students, and how secondary school pupils can begin prepping for psychology degrees during the A-Levels.
You can find out about the best psychology tutor here.
Psychology Jobs
In the last year or two of a degree program, university students begin to search for distinct types of jobs that are available to them. The vast majority of employment positions search for trained professionals in a specific sector; however, there are certain university diplomas that are desirable across many sectors. Such as? Psychology.
For starters, most BSc or MSc psychology students work at the following jobs that are relevant to their degree:
- Social worker,
- Psychotherapist,
- Private or public psychologist,
- Life coach,
- Guidance counsellor,
- Teacher of psychology,
- Researcher of psychology.
It's worth mentioning, that there are employment opportunities across other work sectors such as business or education where psychology degree holders are sought after to work in positions such as Human Resource Manager or Business Manager.
Nevertheless, if you're dead set on working in psychology, there are unique positions available for individuals who have studied undergraduate degrees in specialised departments of psychology. Check out the list below:
- Clinical psychologist,
- Educational psychologist,
- Forensic psychologist,
- Health psychologist,
- Occupational psychologist,
- Sport and exercise psychologist.
Since psychology is a diverse field of study, there are many sports psychology jobs, criminal psychology jobs, forensic psychology jobs, clinical psychology jobs, and general psychology jobs.
Also, even though there are various job positions, the grand majority of psychology graduates complete similar work tasks. Such as? Take a look at the list below:
- Maintaining records, reports, and data,
- Conducting and reviewing the assessment results of clients,
- Guaranteeing that all forms of documentation are accurate and complete,
- Assessing and screening persons to make appropriate referral and treatment recommendations,
- Staying up-to-date with any changes or developments in the mental health sector.
Truthfully, any work that is related to psychology is extremely varied and will keep you on your toes! But, how much do psych grads in the UK earn annually? The average annual income of psychologists depends on a person's location, past work experience and qualifications, and whether they will work in the private or public sector. Nonetheless, based on statistics, the average annual salary of psychology graduates who possess a BSc degree is anywhere between £21,000 to £34,000.
The highest income in the field of psychology is a psychiatrist since they earn more than £100,000 per year.
Psychology graduates are usually employed by public and private organisations in the UK. The list below highlights a few examples:
- Human resources departments,
- The local and national governments,
- The NHS,
- Enforcement agencies,
- Schools at different levels such as primary, secondary, or university,
- Social services.
If you are still searching for the ideal psychology job in the UK, we greatly suggest visiting trusted job-hunting websites such as Indeed or LinkedIn.
Psychology Tools and Books
Whether you're studying psychology at a university level or you simply love learning new academic disciplines, you'll need to rely on books and online resources to supplement your knowledge. However, because there are so many available tools available to study psychology, it can sometimes become overwhelming to pick the best ones.
So, without further ado, the following are five of the all-time best psychology books:
- Influence: Science and Practice: regarded by some experts in psychology as the best psychology book ever written, Influence: Science and Practice by Robert B. Cialdini discusses persuasion psychology and how humans are influenced by extrinsic or intrinsic factors.
- Thinking Fast and Slow: written by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman, the book Thinking Fast and Slow has quickly become one of the most iconic books on psychology. The primary concept discussed in Kahneman's book is behavioural psychology.
- The Social Animal: Elliot Aronson's book, The Social Animal, is the perfect book to better understand social psychology and why humans behave the way they do in social groups.
- Dark Dreams: having worked many years in law enforcement with the FBI, Roy Hazelwood is an expert in criminal psychology. His book, Dark Dreams, allows readers to better comprehend forensic psychology and the unique profiles of vile individuals who have committed sex crimes.
- The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive: one of the essential sports psychology books, The Champion's Mind was written by Jim Afremow to provide athletes with helpful tips and tricks on how to get and stay in the game, work as a team, and consistently stay disciplined.
All of the previously mentioned books can easily be found at your neighbourhood book shop if you want to support local businesses. However, if you prefer the convenience of getting things shipped to your door, order these psychology books on Amazon.
But, what if you prefer reading short blog articles when learning about psychology? Well, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of fantastic websites online that discuss the core concepts of psychology. Such as? The list below features two outstanding websites:
- Psychology Today: recognised by many as the primary online resource for psychology students and curious readers, Psychology Today has well-written articles on topics such as mental health, personality, relationships, family life, and personal growth.
- PsyBlog: available to follow on sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Psyblog regularly posts short yet informative articles that touch on psychology concepts such as anxiety, relationships, and personality.
Regularly consult the previously mentioned websites and books and you'll be golden!
How to Become A Psychologist
There are many different paths to becoming a psychologist in the UK. Becoming a psychologist in the UK involves a combination of education, work experience, and qualifications. Here's a breakdown of the steps involved:
Education
Firstly, prioritise your education by selecting the right A-Level courses that are required to study psychology at university. You may opt for an A level in psychology, as well as Maths- or Science-related subjects which are recommended by most psychology university courses. Subsequently, you may choose to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology, ensuring that the courses align with the standards set by the British Psychological Society (BPS). During your undergraduate studies, explore different specialisations within psychology to determine your area of interest.
Work Experience
Gaining relevant work experience is crucial. Seek opportunities for volunteering or paid positions in psychology-related settings such as healthcare centres, research labs, or community organizations. This hands-on experience will not only deepen your understanding of the field but also provide valuable insights into your chosen career path. Additionally, consider joining the British Psychological Society (BPS) to access resources, networking opportunities, and potential mentorship.
Qualifications
Lastly, be mindful of the qualifications required for your desired career path. Depending on your specialisation, you may need to obtain additional certifications or qualifications. Stay informed about licensing requirements in your chosen field to ensure compliance. By diligently combining education, work experience, and qualifications, you can work towards fulfilling your goal of becoming a psychologist in the UK.
But, what can A-Level Psychology students do after they've finished secondary school? Sign up for an undergraduate degree program at a university! Once a BSc in psychology has been completed, pupils can accept jobs as guidance counsellors, psychologists, and life coaches.
To ensure that you get fantastic A-Level test results, we greatly suggest hiring a private tutor on a reputable site such as Superprof.
In conclusion, we sincerely hope that all the information in today's article has been enough to instruct you about what it takes to study for a psychology degree in the United Kingdom.
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