Where to start
Chartered Psychologists
Chartered Psychologist is a legally recognised title awarded by the British Psychological Society (BPS). There are nine specialist areas in which it’s possible to secure Chartered status: Academic research & teaching, Health, Clinical, Counselling, Sport and Exercise, Educational, Occupational, Forensic, and Neuropsychology. Find out more about these specialisms and the specific training on the British Psychological Society’s careers pages.
Psychology Related
There are a variety of psychology-related careers which do not require chartered status, but which involve working with chartered psychologists as part of the mental health services.
- Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners
- Education Mental Health Practitioner
- Assistant Psychologist
- High Intensity Therapist
- Nursing and Allied Health Professions (particularly Mental Health Nursing and Occupational Therapy)
- Clinical associate in psychology
For any role in psychology you need to be empathetic, able to build rapport and have well developed listening and communication skills. You will also need to be confident in exploring difficult aspects of a person’s life, and able to be non-judgemental regardless of a person’s actions or circumstances.
Exposure to the potential patients/client groups that you’d like to work with will help you to decide whether a career in Psychology or a related profession is for you.
Work experience is highly valued when applying for both entry level roles and postgraduate study. If you are considering training as a Chartered Psychologist, some courses will particularly look for experience gained as an Assistant Psychologist.
Alternative opportunities include paid or volunteer work in hospitals, care homes, and in the education sector. Look for opportunities that involve client contact and utilise your listening skills, such as Nightline, mentoring young offenders, and working on outreach events with young people.
Requirements for further study, and specific qualifications are dependent on the role you are interested in. To become a Chartered Psychologist, you will need to complete British Psychological Society accredited vocational training, usually encompassing a Professional Doctorate or BPS Stage 2 qualifications as set out on the BPS Careers pages. For other roles, you won’t necessarily need a degree in psychology, and training routes vary depending on the role you choose.
Relevant experience, in contact with clients (either paid or voluntary) will help you to demonstrate relevant skills and your suitability for a face-to-face helping role.
Your personal statement or application will need to clearly articulate your motivation for the role, reflecting on what you learned from your experiences and how they have informed your decision to pursue this career path.
Local organisations for volunteering opportunities:
- Cambridge Hub - supports students to tackle social challenges, learn about issues and connect with each other
- Cambridge Streetbite - a student-run project that helps the homeless community in Cambridge
- Cambridge University Hospitals - one of the largest and best known hospitals in the UK
- Citizens Advice - helps people with the problems they face, while campaigning to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives
- Jimmy's - for over 20 years, Jimmy's has been providing help for the homeless in Cambridge
- Nightline Association - a student listening service which is open at night and run by students for students
- Samaritans - help support anyone who needs someone to talk to
- Student Community Action - encourages the involvement of students in voluntary community work
- Student Minds - formerly known as the Mental Wealth Campaign
- JCR; Widening Participation/Access team in your college or at the university level
Competition for chartered psychology training, and Assistant Psychologist roles can be fierce. It is not uncommon for graduates to undertake a substantial period of full-time work experience after graduation beyond the requirements for professional training.
Now you have looked at this page, think about your next steps. Everyone's journey is different. There are many ways to move forward. Here are some actions you could take now:
- Look for roles using the resources above.
- Talk to alumni working in this field via Handshake or LinkedIn.
- Talk to a Careers Consultant - book a 1:1 appointment through Handshake.
- Attend events - watch for relevant events.
- Ready to apply? Use the CV and cover letter guide to draft a CV or an application. CareerSet is a tool you can use to review your CV and cover letter. Write a speculative application.