How to become a psychologist
Find out how to become a psychologist in the UK, including careers in clinical psychology, forensic psychology and educational psychology.
Information is correct as at January 2025. Before deciding whether to pursue a career, you are advised to contact your careers service for the most up-to-date guidance.
How do you become a psychologist?
There are different types of specialisations for psychologists such as clinical psychologists, forensic psychologist, neuropsychologist, research psychologist and counselling psychologists. Psychologists use different methods to study human behaviour and therapies to help people deal with their thoughts and feelings.
To learn more about different areas of psychology, see our specialist areas.
Already a Sussex student? See our psychology sector guide.
Qualifications required
You may need:
- a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychology degree which leads to Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS. If you haven't studied a degree yet, and you're considering one, see our full list of undergraduate Psychology degrees
- a BPS-accredited Masters degree in Psychology. If you haven't studied a Masters and you're considering one, take a look at our Psychology (Conversion) MSc.
- work experience in your chosen field
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance
- to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
For most psychology routes, you will need to complete a doctorate to work in that area. This may be a clinical doctorate, a PhD/DPhil or educational doctorate. Which doctorate you complete depends on the area you want to specialise in.
How to get on to a psychology degree
You may be accepted on to a psychology degree if you have five or more GCSEs (A* to C grades), which must include Mathematics.
You may also need three A-levels with A and B grades in relevant subjects.
How to become a psychologist without a psychology degree
If your undergraduate degree is not in psychology, you may be able to take a BPS-accredited conversion course and follow the steps above to become a psychologist.
If you haven't studied a degree yet, and you're considering one, take a look at our related subjects at Sussex (you must check any course you apply for is accredited by the correct body if you wish to pursue a career in psychology):
Skills required
If you decide to go into psychology as a career, you may need the following skills:
- communication (especially listening skills)
- research
- empathy
- problem solving and decision making
- attention to detail
- accurate, logical and methodical.
The British Psychological Society have some good advice about becoming a psychologist.
Earning potential of a psychologist
£26kstarting salary for assistant psychologist in the NHS (but this depends on your employer and the field of psychology you go into)
£46kaverage salary (but this depends on your employer and the field of psychology you go into)
40hours a week (but hours are variable with some+ evening and weekend work)
7 years is how long it takes to become a practising psychologist, although this does depend on the role you want to go into, as you can work in some fields of psychology after an undergraduate and masters degree
How to get experience in psychology
You may want to get work experience in the area of psychology you're interested in.
Sometimes work experience or a placement is integrated into your degree, so you can gain experience while you study.
You could also work shadow a psychologist, or even meet them and ask them to describe their role to you.
You may be able to get work experience at:
- NHS health trusts
- police departments
- charities
- schools.
Specialist psychology roles
You can see some of the popular specialist psychology roles below.
- How to become a clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologists treat people who are suffering from stress, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
To become a clinical psychologist you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate and/or Masters psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You also need a BPS-accredited doctorate in clinical psychology and a year of work experience in a clinical setting.
To use the title clinical psychologist you may need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means you will need to make sure your doctorate is approved by the council.
- How to become a forensic or criminal psychologist
Forensic psychologists help to assess and modify behaviour in prisoners through a variety of activities.
To become a forensic psychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You may also need a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology accredited by the BPS and stage 2 of the BPS qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP), which is two years supervised practice.
You may be able to take a Doctorate in forensic psychology which is the equivalent of the Masters in Forensic Pyschology and the BPS QFP (stage 2).
- How to become a counselling psychologist
Counselling psychologists support people experiencing mental health issues in their lives.
To become a counselling psychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate or Masters psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You may also need a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.
To use the title counselling psychologist you may need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. This means you may need to make sure your doctorate is approved by the council.
- How to become a neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists treat people with brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases such as Dementia.
To become a neuropsychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate or Masters psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You may also need to take a Doctorate in Clinicial Psychology or Educational Psychology, which gives eligibility for membership as a chartered psychologist. You may also need to take the BPS Practitioner Full Membership Qualification in Neuropsychology.
- How to become an educational or child psychologist
Education or child psychologists work with children experiencing a range of learning, social, emotional and developmental issues.
To become a child psychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate or Masters psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You may then need to take a BPS-accredited Doctorate in Educational Psychology.
To use the title educational psychologist you may need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. This means you will need to make sure your doctorate is approved by the council.
Find out more about becoming an educational psychologist from the BPS.
- How to become an occupational psychologist
Occupational psychologists work with organisations to improve effectiveness and job satisfaction for employees.
To become an occupational psychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate psychology degree, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You may then have to study a BPS-accredited Masters in Occupational Psychology and then Stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Occupational Psychology (two years supervised practice).
To use the title occupational psychologist you may need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. This means you will need to make sure stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Occupation Psychology is approved by the council.
Find out more about becoming an occupational psychologist from the BPS.
- How to become a sports psychologist
Sports psychologists work with athletes, coaches and referees on a range of issues.
To become a sports psychologist, you may need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which you can get by completing an undergraduate psychology degree. You may then have to study a BPS-accredited Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Stage 2 of the BPS Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (two years supervised practice) or an accredited doctorate in sport and exercise psychology.
To use the title sport psychologist you may need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. This means you will need to make sure your doctorate-level course is approved by the council.
Find out more about becoming a sports psychologist from the BPS.
Studying at Sussex
If you choose to study your degree at Sussex, you'll benefit from:
- careers support for up to three years after you graduate
- the chance to join our alumni network Sussex Connect
- mentoring schemes so you get real-world advice, support and experience while you study.