Undergraduate studies: Careers
Our department was identified by the Daily Telegraph as the top Psychology Department for employability within the UK in 2011.
What will I be able to do when I graduate?
A Psychology degree provides a good basis for a wide range of careers including personnel management, market research, advertising, sales, social work, nursing and teaching. In addition to providing you the essential qualifications to go on to be a professional psychologist (e.g., a clinical, occupational or educational psychologist), a Psychology degree puts students in a uniquely good position for many jobs in both the private and the public sector.
What did our 2010 graduates do?
Within 6 months of graduating with us, 96.3% of those available for employment were either in employment or further study, with 67.1% going into graduate level roles. Here are some example initial career paths of last year’s graduates:
- Sales coordinator - Intercontinental Hotel Group
- Rehabilitation support worker - Neuro partners
- Clinical psychology assistant - Nottingham University Hospitals
- Trainee retail manager – Tesco
- Special needs teaching assistant - Derbyshire County Council
- Project manager: advertising and sales - Fresh Dental Marketing
Those going into further study went on to courses like the following:
- MSc Health psychology
- MA Law
- MSc Occupational Psychology
- PGCE Primary
Why come to Sheffield?
Careers development is supported in Sheffield through these unique features:
- 1 to 1 meetings with your personal tutor to discuss ways to develop your employability
- An award winning Students’ Union which supports Sheffield Volunteering. This organisation provides the opportunity to get valuable experience that is relevant to your studies in Psychology while making a difference to your community.
- An award winning Careers Service, offering support throughout your time at university and for up to 3 years after graduation.
- Careers Service inputs each year specifically designed to your stage of study, highlighting the range of resources and support available and suggesting appropriate steps to be taken, to further your future plans.
- A designated careers advisor (who has a degree in Psychology) plus an academic careers liaison officer.
- Dedicated website maintained for current students to provide easy links to work experience opportunities and career advice.
- Connections with alumni who are willing to discuss their career paths with you
Why do our students do so well?
The reason that our students are so well equipped for a wide range of jobs is that our Psychology degree develops a wide range of skills including:
- Communication skills
- Critical analysisData handling and statistical analysis
- IT skills
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Team work
How do I become a Chartered Psychologist?
To become a chartered Educational, Clinical or Occupational psychologist, you need to complete a postgraduate course such as the Masters in Occupational Psychology or the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology offered in this Department. To get onto these courses, you need a first degree in Psychology from an institution that is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration. This Department’s courses are accredited (see links on the right).
The British Psychological Society
The Single Honours degrees in Psychology at Sheffield are accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration as a Chartered Psychologist (GBC). Similarly, students awarded the Dual Honours degree involving Psychology are eligible for GBC if they have taken a prescribed set of modules.
Graduate membership constitutes the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Possession of the GBC is a necessary requirement for entry to courses in Clinical, Educational and Occupational Psychology. Most professional careers in Psychology require a period of postgraduate training after the first degree. Applicants who would like to know more about career prospects for psychologists are advised to contact the BPS, asking for further details of publications on careers in Psychology.
The BPS is the main professional and scientific society of Psychologists in the UK and membership is open to Psychology undergraduates at a reduced rate. For further information please contact: British Psychological Society, St Andrew's House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR, Tel. 0116 254 9568 www.bps.org.uk.