Career advice

Become a Psychologist

Psychologists study human behaviour in order to explain thoughts, feelings and emotions. Once they understand where behaviour is coming from, they can improve lives by offering support in the form of counselling or therapy.

  • Average salary in UK £34,192 (PayScale)
  • Average salary in US $77,761 (PayScale)
  • Average salary in Canada CA$76,398 (PayScale)
  • Average salary in Australia AU$90,000 (Seek)
Source: PayScale

What skills do you need to become a psychologist?

  • Scientific mind

    Psychologists use scientific methodologies in their work, such as clinical assessments and psychometric tests. Therefore, it’s important to understand the human brain and behaviour from a scientific perspective.

  • Empathetic nature

    Since the purpose of a psychologist is to improve the emotional wellbeing of others, you need to have an empathetic and non-judgemental nature in order to thrive in this role. Psychologists deal with very sensitive and personal issues, so you must be understanding of this.

  • Research skills

    A large proportion of the work psychologists do will involve research, so you need to enjoy research work. This might include conducting tests, interviews, assessments, observations or case studies.

  • Great communication

    You’ll be working with lots of different people as a psychologist, often with varying personalities and issues. Therefore, you’ll need to be great at communicating, particularly when it comes to listening and explaining things to others.

Develop these skills. Start a short psychology course.

Courses
10 Courses

Learn new skills, pursue your interests or advance your career with our short online courses.

Coventry University

Consumer Behaviour and Psychology

4.5 (87 reviews)

Learn about the origins of consumer psychology and examine how consumer behaviour can be influenced by a range of factors.

2 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

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The Open University

Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation

4.8 (254 reviews)

How important are eyewitness testimonies in police investigations? Discover how forensic psychology prevents criminal injustice.

8 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: Biological Psychology

4.7 (251 reviews)

Understand the link between behaviour and human biology, and learn how genes and the environment influence our behaviour.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: Developmental Psychology

4.8 (184 reviews)

Examine the physical, cognitive and social development we undergo throughout our lives.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: Sensation and Perception

4.7 (111 reviews)

Learn how our sensory systems work together to help us to perceive and respond to the world around us.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: The History and Science of Psychology

4.7 (311 reviews)

Investigate the history and science of psychology while mastering the basic principles of the scientific method.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Learning

4.7 (341 reviews)

Explore how new behaviours are learnt by examining different types of psychological conditioning.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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Monash University

Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Personality

4.8 (206 reviews)

Explore the complex factors and influences that help shape our personality and examine what makes us different, and why.

2 weeks

6 hrs per week

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University of York

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science

4.5 (113 reviews)

Learn how to use cognitive psychology experiments to explore the internal workings of the mind with this online psychology course.

3 weeks

4 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

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University of Padova

Understanding Epilepsy and its Neuropsychology

4.7 (29 reviews)

Find out what epilepsy is and what its cognitive and psychosocial consequences are.

3 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

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Browse more courses in Psychology & Mental Health

The benefits of taking psychology courses online with FutureLearn

Learn flexibly online, for free, around the world

Develop valuable skills with a short, online psychology course wherever you are. Start learning for free, on desktop, tablet or mobile.

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Meet psychology experts

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