Psychology
There are a wide variety of roles available in psychology and psychologists work in a diverse range of settings.
Although a psychology degree is a prerequisite for working as a psychologist, the routes to becoming a specific type of psychologist varies. The British Psychological Society should be the first point of contact for anyone who is pursuing a career in psychology.
This section also includes the related roles of clinical associate and primary care mental health worker/IAPT low intensity worker.
Profiles
Follow the links below for profiles of common occupations in this sector:
Career contacts
We have links with professionals who have agreed to be consulted by students and recent graduates about working in psychology.
This is a unique opportunity to find out much more than you will from printed information, but please remember: these people have agreed to act as career contacts, not recruitment contacts.
The career contacts can only be viewed within the University of Edinburgh domain.
General information about psychology
British Psychological Society (BPS) - is the professional body for all practising UK psychologists. The site includes a comprehensive careers section, providing details on becoming a psychologist, the range of psychology specialisms available and entry and training course information for each. It provides information on the specialist divisions within the Society, including the Scottish Regional Group. There is also a searchable directory of chartered psychologists and for those interested in academia/studying at a higher level, research resources including projects and funding.
Health Professions Council - statutory regulator of practitioner psychologists. The website includes a database of Health Professions Council approved courses.
NHS Education for Psychology - is responsible for expanding training capacity and modernising training pathways for psychologists to meet the needs of the NHS in Scotland.
Intute: Psychology - provides access to evaluated and categorised psychology resources on the Internet. The main focus of coverage in Intute is on areas of psychology relevant to the social sciences.
Clinical psychology
Division of Clinical Psychology - professional organization for UK Clinical Psychologists. One of the divisions of the British Psychological Society.
Clearing House for Clinical Psychology - is the central point for applying for postgraduate courses in clinical psychology. Information about courses and application forms are available online.
Clinical associate in applied psychology
In Scotland there are two postgraduate courses which enable graduates to work in the role of clinical associate in applied psychology. Both courses are run jointly by NHS Scotland and are a mixture of work and study:
MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care (run jointly by University of Dundee and University of Stirling)
MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People (University of Edinburgh)
Primary care graduate mental health worker/IAPT low intensity worker
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) - this website explains about this new initiative in England, what the jobs involve and how to apply. The roles that graduates enter are low intensity worker trainee. This role is distinct from primary care graduate mental health worker.
NHS Primary Care Mental Health Worker - this information is provided by NHS Careers and includes details of entry requirements, training and where to find vacancies.
Educational psychology
Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) - the professional association and trade union for educational psychologists in the UK. The site includes a careers section outlining the role and routes to qualification (although it tends to focus on England, Wales and Northern Ireland) as well as news and membership information.
Children’s Development Workforce Council - central point for applying for funded educational psychology training places in England and Wales. Includes lots of information about careers, case studies, training and the application process.
Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) - professional organization for UK Educational Psychologists. One of the divisions of the British Psychological Society. Includes information about training to be an Educational Psychologist in England and Wales.
Scottish Division of Educational Psychology (SDEP) - professional organization for Scottish Psychologists. One of the divisions of the British Psychological Society. Includes information about training and working as an Educational Psychologist in Scotland.
Sport and exercise psychology
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) - includes information on a career as a sport psychologist.
Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology - professional organization for UK Sport and Exercise Psychologists. One of the divisions of the British Psychological Society. Includes information about training to be a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.
This article was published on Feb 23, 2012