At Melio, Psychology is one of the most popular subjects students choose to study. In the UK, it is also one of the most frequently studied undergraduate subjects, and in turn there are a number of exciting career opportunities for Psychology graduates. 

If you are considering doing a degree in Psychology, our team has come up with the top 5 most interesting careers in Psychology you can pursue post-grad, a typical job description of what you can expect with the role, standard pay and what progression opportunities there are in that industry. If you are not thinking about your undergraduate degree yet, but have an interest in Psychology, don’t forget to bookmark this page to come back to when your university time comes! 

5 Interesting Careers in Psychology for Graduates

There are countless careers you can go into with a degree in Psychology, with many different branches and fields to specialise in as your career progresses. 

Clinical Psychologist 

Clinical Psychologists in the UK are mental health professionals who diagnose and provide treatment for mental, behavioural and emotional illnesses. The duties for this role include looking at the patient’s needs and behaviour, deciding upon and administrating the right treatment. 

Clinical Psychologists will typically assess their patients on a regular basis to ensure they are progressing to a better state of mental health. They will be able to work with patients to determine their goals and, from this, decide upon appropriate treatment. The patients that a Clinical Psychologist may have vary from adults to children with mental or physical needs. 

To become a Clinical Psychologist in the UK, you will need to have an undergraduate degree in psychology, at least 3 years of postgraduate study (this could be a PhD, for example). If you are supported by the NHS in your training to become a Clinical Psychologist, you will receive extra training which includes clinical placements and research.

The average salary for this role in the UK is £47,395 per year and there is a lot of room for job progression, as you would start at a more junior level and then, with experience, and training, move to a more senior role.  

Behaviour Analyst

The primary role of a behavioural analyst is to diagnose and treat individuals who are exhibiting clear social and behavioural difficulties. Most behavioural analysts work with humans, but interestingly some work with animals! A large responsibility included as part of the role - which may be obvious - is analysing their patients’ behaviours. So, to be a successful behaviour analyst you would need to have effective note taking ability and be able to multitask on writing notes as well as actively listening to your patients. 

Becoming a behaviour analyst in the UK would involve you completing an undergraduate degree in either Psychology, Social Work, Education (or something equally relevant to the topic) to the minimum level of a 2:1. You could then go on to complete a Masters degree in Behaviour Analysis where you will specialise in the subject and obtain the required qualifications. 

A standard rate of pay for Behaviour Analysts in the UK can range from £29,000 to £86,000 depending on your experience level and how senior you are. This means that there is a lot of room for progression in this role!

Military Psychologist 

Military Psychologist is not a job I would generally consider when thinking about a career in psychology, but is a role that is very sought after and valued in the UK. It wasn’t until 2012 that the British Army opened its doors to military psychologists but since then the role has developed and become a secure career option for psychology students to pursue. 

If you are a Military Psychologist, you are expected to use your research competence to evaluate and carry out applied research. You will also need to use clinical skills and experience to support your mental health colleagues through clinical supervision and training. Military Psychologists have often said a difficult aspect to the job is keeping patients in therapy; due to the constantly changing nature of the army, there is a challenge in keeping people engaged in their mental wellbeing alongside their jobs. 

Due to the high demand of experience, not only in research areas but also in the clinical field, this may not be the best job to pursue straight after you graduate but would be a great one to bookmark for when you have some more experience. 

Typical salaries for this role in the UK range between £30,000 and £52,000. This higher than average rate of pay further demonstrates this role comes with a need of years of experience in the field. 

Teacher

Becoming a teacher in a college or school is a path that many graduates choose to pursue, not just in Psychology. To fulfil this career goal in the UK you will need to have an undergraduate degree in Psychology and have a QTS (qualified teaching status). Some degrees will allow you to obtain a QTS during your undergraduate, however for most students the postgraduate route is often the easiest way to become a qualified teacher.

After your undergraduate degree, you can complete a year full time studying to gain a PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education) which means that you could become a qualified Psychology teacher in just 4 years of a 3 year undergraduate degree and 1 year PGCE. While studying for your PGCE you can specialise in a specific subject you want to teach, as well as specific age groups. Alongside doing your typical university-style work where you attend lectures and submit assignments, it is expected that during your PGCE you will be put on various school placements to get some practical experience in the field. 

The average salary for secondary school teachers in the UK is £37,000 per year, however this can vary depending on how qualified and experienced you are in the role. 

If you are looking to become a professor at university level, this takes a bit more work. You are usually required to have completed a PhD, and it is rare that a professor in a UK university will not have a doctorate in the relevant field. Some may also have additional Masters qualifications, but if your aim is to become a Psychology Professor, a good place to start is to aim for your PhD after your undergraduate degree. 

The average salary for lecturers and professors at university level in the UK varies between roughly £40,000 to £90,000 per year. This, again, depends on the level you are, for example, lecturers earn less than professors or department heads, but this progression comes with time and experience in the job. 

Forensic Psychologist 

Forensic Psychologist is probably one of the most exciting sounding jobs you can do after your Psychology degree. But surely it can’t all be like what we see on the TV and in films, right? While it might not be as dramatic as Hollywood makes it out to be, it does sound as interesting. As a forensic psychologist you will apply psychological theory to criminal investigations to help understand the psychological aspects associated with criminal behaviour. 

Forensic Psychologists will also work with all aspects of the legal system, from helping police officers come up with a ‘profile’ of who they think has committed a crime, to testifying as an expert witness in court. You will also be expected to work with a range of people involved and around crime including, family members and victims of crime, offenders who have broken the law, people who are at risk of breaking the law. 

To become a Forensic Psychologist in the UK you will need to complete an undergraduate degree in Psychology, then apply for a GBC, which is a graduate basis for chartered membership of BPS (which is the British Psychology Society) - there are a lot of acronyms, I know. Most students then complete a Masters in Forensic Psychology and undertake some level of relevant work experience before they start applying for jobs. 

The average salary for Forensic Psychologists in the UK starts at roughly £27,000 and progresses to £50,000+ per year. 

Study Psychology with Melio

If you are looking at studying Psychology at university, the best way to prepare for this and ensure you are interested in the subject is to do a course beforehand. At Melio, we offer a unique online learning experience to students aged 13-24 who are looking to broaden their knowledge and understanding in particular subjects, like Psychology. 

Academic Online Courses last for two weeks and will give you an opportunity to learn from one of our expert tutors, many of whom have studied at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. You will be matched with like-minded students in groups of no more than 8, so you have close contact with your lecturer but can also work with students to help each other and network. 

As this course lasts for just two weeks, it’s ideal for you to complete during your school holidays or half term. The courses start running from June to August so sign up now to avoid disappointment as there is limited availability!

If you have any questions about the courses we offer or the subjects available, get in touch with our admissions team or visit our website.