Psychology is the study of human minds and behaviour, and as a degree subject can open doorways to many different career pathways. 

The main topics you will focus on in a psychology degree are clinical, health, occupational, research, counselling, forensic, sport, and several others.  

WHY A PSYCHOLOGIST?  

Being a psychologist is a very rewarding career pathway to take. Psychology is a subject that is growing in popularity every year, in fact it is one of the most common degrees to take in the UK and the US. It is a career that is relevant in science and arts; psychologists can be found in many sectors that you might not think of immediately, like business, education and sports.  

Educational Psychologist  

Educational psychologists unlike the other types mentioned in this list, mainly work with children and young people. So, if you’re looking for a career that combines regular contact with children and psychology but not a teaching position, then this may be the role for you. 

Working with children and young adults aged 25 and under, you will apply psychological therapies and theories to treat and improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Daily tasks you will perform as an educational psychologist include carrying out assessments, interviews, questionnaires and observations to determine the relevant strategies or interventions as treatment.  

As you’ll be working with children, this may include developing therapeutic and/or behavioural management plans alongside parents, social workers and teachers to provide the best possible care and treatment for the child. 

Trainee educational psychologists in the UK usually earn from £23,884 upwards, and after you are fully qualified, your salary can rise to £55,040. Becoming more experienced is key in how much you earn, so don’t be discouraged if you start out earning less than you expected. In this field, you’ll have an ultimate earning potential of £68,954 annually. 

Ultimate Earning Potential  

Top 10 Employers  

1. ASEND Ltd  
2. YPS Psychology Ltd 
3. Non Stop Consulting 
4. Academics Ltd 
5. Cognus Ltd 
6. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) 
7. Educational Psychology Service (EPS) 
8. Shire Healthcare 
9. HCA Healthcare UK 
10. Ambitious about Autism 

Top Employers and What They Want  

Now that you’ve read about some of the different types of psychologists and how much they earn in comparison to others, you might want to know about where exactly they’re employed. In the UK, the top employer for many psychologists and those working in the mental health sector are employed by the NHS, and can usually progress upwards in their career starting out as trainees here.  

Other employers may offer similar positions that could help you on your way to becoming a qualified psychologist, so don’t worry if you don’t get hired immediately as a trainee psychologist. In fact, graduates with more work experience have higher chances of being successful in their application to jobs, as employers can see that you are truly interested and passionate about your work. A way to gain work experience is to reach out for voluntary work – sometimes this is easier than finding places that offer paid work experience. With voluntary work you’ll have the benefit of getting an edge over other candidates, as you will develop skills and a deeper understanding of the work you’ll be doing. So, try and consider getting some previous experience in the sector you want to join onto your CV before applying to employers, and you’ll be someone top employers will be vying to hire.