In recent years, psychology has become one of the most popular subjects for degree study, internationally as well as in the UK. Specialist psychologists work in a number of fields, ranging from clinical and educational psychology to the sports and leisure industries. People in many other occupations have also found that a first degree in psychology is a useful basis for working with people.

A student who wants to study psychology in the UK is faced with a bewildering range of choices. You can find psychology degrees at large, world-famous Universities, medium-sized Universities, and smaller Colleges of Higher Education.

Choosing an Undergraduate Course

Effectively, there are three things you need to consider when you are thinking about taking a first degree in psychology:

• Whether you believe you would feel at home in a large, impersonal institution, a medium-sized one, or a small one

• Your personal interests

• What you want to study psychology for

 

Your personal interests matter, because psychology courses vary according to the interests of the staff. A department with staff who have research interests in animal behaviour, for example, is likely to run modules in comparative psychology as part of its undergraduate degrees. If there is nobody with an interest in animal behaviour in that department, that type of module isn't like to be part of the course.

If one of your reasons for studying psychology is to become a professional psychologist, then you will need to find an undergraduate psychology course which is accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing GBR - the Graduate Basis for Registration. There is a list of undergraduate accredited courses at www.bps.org.uk

Having GBR means that the course covers the essentials of psychology to a suitable level for someone wanting to train as a professional psychologist. It will include modules on social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, biological aspects of psychology, and research methods. It will also include other specialised modules, depending on the interests and research strengths of the departmental staff. You don't have to want to be a professional psychologist to do this type of degree, though - the point is that they give a sound general education in psychology. Some courses do not have GBR, and are only recognised as suitable for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society; some are not recognised at all.

These courses do give an education in some areas of psychology, but if you decide later that you want to be a professional psychologist, you will have to do a special conversion course. Hence the question: what do you want to study psychology for?
If it is only for personal interest, then go for whichever course appeals to you. But if there's even a faint chance that you might want to go further in psychology, then make sure the degree you choose has obtained GBR recognition.

Choosing a Graduate Course

You can take graduate psychology courses at almost any University that offers an undergraduate psychology degree. Since they reflect the interests of the departmental staff, you can find courses as diverse as MSc courses in Decision Processes, Environmental Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or Research Methods. If you have a specialised interest that you want to research in depth, the British Psychological Society provides advice about undertaking a PhD in psychology at its web pages: www.bps.org.uk. Professional psychology training involves a specialised graduate course and at least two years supervised practice. Professional psychologists work in the following areas:

• Clinical Psychologists work with people who have become psychiatrically disturbed

• Child Psychologists work with children and their families

• Occupational Psychologists work in job selection and organisations

• Educational Psychologists work with children and schools

• Forensic Psychologists are trained in criminology and prison psychology

• Counselling Psychologists work with people who are recovering from trauma or have problems in living

• Health Psychologists work with health professionals to develop and promote good health in the population

• Sports Psychologists work with sports-people to enhance their performance

• Psychotherapists help people to overcome maladaptive habits and anxieties

 

Whether you choose to study psychology for a career or just for personal interest, you'll find it a stimulating and rewarding study. Psychology is much more broad-ranging than many people imagine, and there is something in it for almost all interests, ranging from the 'hard science' of neuropsychology to the complex interpersonal skills of the counselling psychologist.

 

Author:
Dr. Nicky Hayes
British Psychological Society
www.bps.org.uk