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Study Psychology, why & how to study

A Psychology degree will give you incredible insight into human behaviour. It could lead to a career in law, social work, teaching, business and much more.

Woman talking while a psychologist takes notes

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Psychology?

  2. What Psychology degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a Psychology degree?

  4. What topics does a Psychology degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Psychology?

  7. What do Psychology graduates earn?

  8. What jobs can you get as a Psychology graduate?

  9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  10. Similar subjects to Psychology

  11. Have any questions?

What’s Psychology?

Psychology is the study of the mind. It's an applied science that seeks to understand how people think and behave.

Psychologists attempt to understand how a person's cognitive functions impact their behaviour. You can study Psychology to become a clinical or chartered psychologist. Both roles require postgraduate training and certification.

Take a look at the university league table for Psychology.

What Psychology degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Psychology are usually single honours. With joint honours, you can study it alongside another subject. Degree examples include:

Psychology BSc

Most undergraduate Psychology courses result in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Courses often include practical work, such as research projects and clinical experiences.

Search for Psychology courses.

Business & Psychology BSc

Combine the two disciplines to understand psychological theory in practical business situations. Specialised modules teach you areas like leadership styles, consumer behaviour and employee attitudes.

Find Business & Psychology courses.

Cognitive Science BSc

Cognitive Science brings together different fields related to human thinking. This includes linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, artificial intelligence and human-computer relations.

Search for Cognitive Science courses

Other options

You’ll also find Psychology on offer with various other subjects, such as modern languages or other social sciences.

Course options may include an integrated foundation year or a master’s degree. Some universities offer accelerated programmes. Others provide professional placements or study abroad opportunities. January start dates are often available.

  1. GO TO 
  2. Find a Psychology undergraduate degree 
  3. Types of undergraduate degrees 

What do you need to get onto a Psychology degree?

Typical entry requirements for a Psychology degree at university are between 104–156 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications and range of grades as follows:

  • A Levels: A*A*A*–BCC
  • BTECs: DDD–MMM
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCCC (Advanced Highers: AAA)
  • International Baccalaureate: 42–30
  • Universities will usually ask that you’ve studied a science subject at Advanced or Higher level

Other good subjects to have studied include:

  • Biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or psychology
  • Combined subjects may have their own requirements, e.g. A Level/Higher maths if studying computing science with psychology
  • General subjects may be excluded

Experience that would look good on your application:

  • Work experience or shadowing an occupation that may be relevant to your future career, such as in a school, university department (for research), care sector or business
  • Independent reading into the subject, or areas of research at your chosen uni
  • Online content, such as relevant MOOCS or courses, or the BPS website (British Psychological Society)
  • Summer schools, if available – check out the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

Other requirements for this subject include:

  • Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities
  1. GO TO 
  2. Entry requirements 
  3. About UCAS points 
  4. Alternatives to A Levels

What topics does a Psychology degree cover?

Modules for courses in this subject may include:

  • Social psychology
  • Research methods in psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Cognitive processes in psychology
  • Issues in personality and individual differences
  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Behavioural psychology

See the top 10 universities for Psychology.

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following and will vary from module to module:

  • Case studies
  • Computational tests
  • Essays
  • Exams
  • Lab/research reports
  • Multiple choice
  • Poster presentations
  • Reflective accounts
  • A final-year dissertation or research proposal/project

Read about studying Psychology in London.

Why study Psychology?

Psychology allows you to understand the principles of what makes people think and behave in the way they do. Reliant on scientific methods, the statistics involved are tricky to understand but worth it in the long run. You’ll also be taught to think critically and gain a whole raft of skills useful for your future career.

Career-specific skills:

  • The knowledge and practical skills to study the workings of the mind, such as running experiments with human participants
  • A range of research methods, from qualitative to quantitative

Transferable skills:

  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Data handling and analysis
  • IT literacy and numeracy
  • Organisation and project management
  • Presentation and report writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Time management

Professional accreditation: 

Degrees may be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means graduates may be eligible to become a graduate member of the BPS on completion of the required elements of study and achieving the required grades.

When I reflect on what I have already learnt about psychology, and myself, I realise that the impact my studies has had is huge. There are endless opportunities to be involved in amazing things and this is one of the parts I love most about the university.

Emma, Wrexham Glyndwr University

  1. GO TO
  2. Read reasons to study Psychology

What do Psychology graduates earn?

Psychology graduates can expect an entry-level salary of £17,680–£23,000. 

A clinical psychologist working within the NHS may earn from £32,500 while training, up to £90,000 as an experienced consultant psychologist. Another route might be to work with offenders; a senior counselling psychologist can earn £42,500–£51,000 working for HM Prison Service.

  1. GO TO 
  2. See what students do and earn after graduation 

What jobs can you get as a Psychology graduate?

A Psychology degree could lead to a variety of careers from healthcare to business or marketing. 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
  1. READ MORE
  2. Careers with a Psychology degree

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate training is required if you want to become a practising psychologist. Other master’s or doctoral studies may examine the link between the mind and AI, business, health and more. Examples include:

  • Clinical Psychology DClinPsych
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert/MSc
  • Computation, Cognition and Language PhD
  • Management – Organisational Behaviour MRes/PhD
  • Social Psychology MSc
  1. GO TO
  2. Find postgraduate courses for Psychology
  3. Type of postgraduate degrees

Similar subjects to Psychology

If you’re interested in the workings of the mind and how people live, you could consider these subjects:

Search undergraduate Psychology courses now!

Have any questions?

Ask us! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Psychology – we’re keen to hear from you.

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