Psychology

Opportunities for psychology graduates are so wide ranging that there is potential to find employment across all sectors, including health-related professions.

Skills you can develop

As well as the specific subject knowledge gained from studying an OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers and which will increase your employability.

Your psychology studies will develop your ability to:

• learn about the fundamental conceptual issues in psychology
• understand the different ways in which psychological knowledge can be constructed
• develop a range of research skills
• interpret, use, evaluate and present evidence and data
• appreciate how psychologists use evidence derived from research to contribute to debates on matters such as ageing, crime, education, employment, forensic science, mental health and relationships
• combine your study of psychology with other disciplines, such as philosophy, law, computer science, biology, business, education and health science.

See the full range of learning outcomes for Psychology.

To check which work-related skills can be developed from studying a particular subject, look at the Student Employability Profiles (PDF 3MB) on the Higher Education Academy website. Although these are designed for higher education practitioners, the subject profiles can help you identify the transferable skills you will gain from studying this subject area.

Also see the Higher Education Academy Psychology Network Psychology Student Employability Guide (PDF 4MB), which looks at where psychology graduates work within and outside psychology, emerging areas of work and the job market, and includes activities to help you explore your interests, skills, preferences and values.

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Career opportunities

In the UK over 60% of graduates enter employment where a degree in any subject would be acceptable. In this instance what they offer the employer is evidence of the range of competencies which have been developed through their academic study, rather than the specific subject content of their degree. This page will focus on careers directly related to Psychology, however, if you want to explore all of the choices open to you, also refer to the Further Resources section.

Given the current economic climate and the increased competition for graduate positions, it is important to consider a range of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

The knowledge and skills developed as an OU psychology student or graduate provide advantages when seeking challenging job opportunities in very diverse areas, such as education, research, counselling, the health professions, police and social services as well as professional psychology.

The Psychology Professions

Professional psychology is a highly competitive field. We recommend that you consider all the options before making your career choice.

Becoming a professional psychologist

The OU BSc (Hons) Psychology degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is the first step towards achieving the professional qualifications required to become a Chartered Psychologist. Look at the information on Study at the OU to find out which modules you should do for this degree.

You should be aware that an undergraduate degree does not qualify you to practise as a psychologist, and you will also need to undertake postgraduate education and supervised practice for this. You should consult the British Psychological Society website for up to date information about regulations regarding this.

For would-be clinical psychologists there is useful information and advice on the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology website. Another useful site for those interested in clinical psychology is ClinPsy.

Please note that careers in professional psychology are highly competitive and that relevant work experience is a prerequisite for postgraduate study. OU students can access the Psychology Work Experience Guide.

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychologists and psychology in the UK. Its main aims are to:

• encourage the development of psychology as a scientific discipline and an applied profession
• raise standards of training and practice in the application of psychology
• raise public awareness of psychology and increase the influence of psychological practice in society.

While studying BPS-approved OU psychology qualifications you can become a BPS student member which can be invaluable for keeping up to date on changes within the profession and for making useful contacts through branch events.

The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) is a professional body similar to the BPS. Its main aim is to advance psychology as a pure and applied science in Ireland and elsewhere. Many OU students and graduates are among the society’s 2000 active members. The BPS and the PSI cooperate on the mutual recognition of undergraduate degrees.

Other careers as a psychology graduate

The BPS estimates that only 15-20% of the over 40,000 psychology graduates per year go on to practise as professional psychologists.

Other career options with a psychology degree include:

• human resources
• advertising and marketing
• management
• IT
• finance

Use the Prospects website to explore career options related to Psychology. There are examples of job roles and also sources of information for further research. You can also look at the careers section of the British Psychological Society website. OU students can visit the Careers Advice pages on the Psychology subject website.

If you live in Ireland look at the information on career sectors and jobs with your degree on the Gradireland website.

We advise you to thoroughly research your career choices as early as possible, particularly in relation to experience required, differences relating to where you live, or where the study choices you make may affect future opportunities. In many areas getting experience through volunteering or work experience is essential and can help you decide which career suits you best.

To find out about ways of gaining experience through volunteering see our voluntary work pages.  You can also use the searchable databases on the following web sites:

• Do it!
• Volunteer Scotland
• Volunteer Ireland
• Volunteering Wales

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Your employers

Rigorous academic standards ensure that OU qualifications are recognised and valued by professional organisations and employers

As an OU student, you can access the Employer Showcase to find out about some of the employers who are keen to recruit OU graduates.

The Graduate Recruitment Manager for Unilever said

Combining work and study shows that OU students are ambitious and have a strong work ethic. They are evidently keen to develop themselves and are managing to do this while juggling a busy work or home life, which is no mean feat. The competencies which OU students therefore develop during their degree become invaluable to us.

If you are a student you might want to see further advice from major employers on applications, the skills they require and the value of OU study. Go to our What employers say pages.

As an OU student you can also register on the online vacancy service if you want to be notified about job opportunities.

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Further resources

If you are an OU student you can visit the OU Psychology Programme student website for careers advice; case studies; information on work experience and professional recognition; and links to further information.

Use the other sections of this website to

• plan your career
• explore your career options
• get advice on job seeking  
• identify your achievements, skills and strengths.

Don’t forget to check the careers home page regularly for news of events, forums, careers fairs and short courses (modules). If you are an OU student you can participate in and read entries on our online forums.

If you are a current OU student (or finished your studies within the last three years) you are entitled to a careers consultation with a careers adviser in your region or nation. This is designed to help you through the planning process and identify an action plan for your future. (Non-OU students should go to the Contact page of this website for other sources of careers advice.)

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