Your options with a psychology degree & how to make it work for you
A psychology degree is attractive to employers because it combines a scientific approach (analytical thinking, objectivity, research skills) and humanities (understanding human behaviour, relationship building) giving you a broad choice about where you go on to work. Although the majority of psychology graduates do not become professional psychologists, many go on to work in related fields such as health, education and in the community or commercial roles and continue to apply their psychology degree in various ways every day. It is common to see psychology graduates go on to graduate schemes/graduate roles across the private, charity and public sectors too, depending on their interests.
The skills you gain from a psychology degree
These are the main areas that your degree is likely to develop, you may be able to think of more.
- The scientific aspects of your degree will develop critical reasoning skills and the application of an objective, reasoned approach. It will also develop problem solving, analytical skills, data manipulation and report writing skills.
- Your understanding of human behaviour and motivation will help you with relationship building, effective communication, and can help with creating an argument and generating alternative approaches/creativity.
- The practical or research aspects of your studies could also provide opportunities for team working, presentation skills, problem solving and use of initiative.
- It is likely that you will be developing digital skills such as using digital information and tools, creating online content, and communicating effectively online.
Popular job websites
All / Psychology related jobs
- CareerConnect (for UoM students and recent graduates)
- British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Career Jet
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
Mental Health and Healthcare related
- NHS
- Healthjobs UK
- Creative Support
- Turning Point
- The Big Life Group
- The Priory Group
- Halliwell supporting children and young people through trauma
- BMJ, pyschologist jobs
Education and young people
Government, Social Care, Community & Charity
- Civil Service Jobs
- Look Ahead – Housing and Social Care roles
- CharityJobs
- Jobsgopublic
- Community care
Commercial – HR, Marketing & related
Research & related
University & Academic related jobs (inc research assistant roles)
Graduate schemes particularly relevant for psychology graduates
Examples of schemes that may be of particular interest if you wish to use your psychology or research skills (some do not run every year).
Social Work & related
- Think Ahead Trainee mental health Social work
- Frontline Trainee child protection Social work
- The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) Graduate Scheme
Charity Sector
- Charity Works Graduate Scheme for the charity sector
- Gradunique Combined graduate programme for Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation
- Cancer Research UK Graduate Scheme
Education & Teaching
- Teach First
- Ambitious Futures Graduate Programme for University Leadership
Criminal Justice
- Unlocked Prison Officer Leadership Programme
- Police Graduate Leadership Programme
Health, Government & Social Care
Tips for postgraduate study
Postgraduate study and training is required to become a chartered psychologist. Find courses accredited by the British Psychological Society for each specialism. On average, it takes seven years to gain chartered status as experience will also be needed. A chartered psychologist must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Some students take postgraduate courses to build research skills and experience, increase their specialist knowledge or as a route to working in research. Psychology study options at Manchester(including PhD projects).
You may want to apply your psychology knowledge to professional training in areas such as social work, speech and language therapy, nursing or law.
Psychology degrees are often accepted if you want to change direction and study a postgraduate degree in a completely new academic area, check the entry requirements for courses you are considering and contact the admissions staff for clarification if you are unsure.
Make the most of your psychology degree
Explore your options early
- Consider your strengths and skills. Are there aspects of your course that you particularly enjoy (eg data analysis, research, understanding behaviour)? Have you developed skills during your working experiences (eg strong planner, diplomatic, calm under pressure)?
- Is there a particular group of people you are keen to work with (eg young people, vulnerable groups, offenders)? Try out different types of work through internships or volunteering to test your ideas.
- What is important to you? What do you choose to read about in the news, how do you spend your free time, what causes do you care about? This could tell you about the type of work that might interest you.
- Find out about the potential value of your degree and its application to different roles and job sectors.
- Think about how you normally make decisions. If you prefer to digest and weigh up lots of information about your options or plan ahead, then it is likely to work for you here. Or take a pragmatic approach – see what jobs and opportunities are advertised, give things a go and try different roles out. See also our advice on making decisions.
- Hearing about what jobs involve, what others enjoy and what options can come next can have a big impact on our decisions. Find out about opportunities to connect with others below.
Work experience and voluntary work
Gaining experience during study makes a big difference. Experience enables you to explore your options, understand your skills and interests and demonstrate to employers that you have the qualities they seek. Larger organisations use their internship schemes as a way to spot and hire graduates early, some also offer insight weeks just for first years.
If you are considering as a professional psychologist, you will need to build up significant experience so start early. Volunteer with relevant client groups and build contacts for further opportunities. Experience will often be transferable across areas of psychology. If you want to to build your research skills approach your tutors/lecturers about volunteering to support postgraduates’ research projects.
- Volunteering ideas and places to look
- The University of Manchester Volunteer Hub (for students)
- Do it
- Manchester Community Central
- Timebank
- Vinspired
Connections and professional memberships
Talking to people doing the different jobs you are interested in is a great way to find out about opportunities and gain experience.
- Graduate panels and speed networking events - meet and hear from our psychology graduates about what they are doing now. Look out for email invitations, or follow the Psychology Careers Facebook group.
- Career fairs and employer events Chat to different employers about what their jobs involve and ask questions.
- LinkedIn See what other psychology graduates from UoM have gone to do. Filter for “Psychology” graduates on the second page of the alumni tab.
- Psychology Graduate Network on LinkedIn for Manchester students & graduates.
If you are considering becoming a chartered psychologist, look into membership of the BPS. They advertise conferences, events and workshops to student members at reduced rates. These are great opportunities to connect with psychologists in your area of interest and to keep up to date with research and the latest insights.