Psychological Science graduate destinations

A Psychology degree provides graduates with numerous skills which many employers are looking for. These include a wide range of research skills, data collection and analysis, critical analysis of literature, independent learning, team working, oral and written communication skills, as well as IT, statistical and numerical skills.

Data obtained from

  • Single honours Psychology courses (BSc and MSci)
  • Graduates from the UK 

Responses were received from 53 graduates from 2019/20; this is a response rate of 47.7%.

Destinations

Most important activityPercentage of graduates
Paid work for an employer 54.7%
Self-employment/freelancing 3.8%
Running my own business 0%
Developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio 0%
Voluntary/unpaid work for an employer 1.9%
Engaged in a course of study, training or research 26.4%
Taking time out to travel 1.9%
Caring for someone 0%
Retired 0%
Unemployed and looking for work 5.7%
Doing something else 5.7%

Sector information

Graduates enter a wide range of different sectors, including finance and insurance, accounting and management consultancy.

Employment sectorNumber of graduates

Other human health activities

3

Primary education

2

Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating

2

Activities of insurance agents and brokers

1
Other sectors (17 sectors) 19

Employers and occupations

Examples of employers

  • British Telecom
  • Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
  • North Bristol NHS Trust
  • Summit Learning Trust
  • University College London

Examples of occupations

  • Support Worker
  • Assistant Psychologist
  • Mental Health Support Worker
  • Research Assistant 
  • Business Development Executive

As well as related jobs, Psychology graduates also enter careers that do not require a specific degree, as around 70% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. Areas which Psychology graduates have favoured in the past include law, accountancy, occupational psychology, animal behaviour, neuropsychology and teaching.

Further study

Qualification typePercentage of graduates

Higher degree, mainly by research (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes)

13.3%

Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA)

60%

Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE)

6.7%

Professional qualification

0%

Undergraduate degree (including integrated master’s degrees) (e.g. BA, BSc, MBChB, MEng)

13.3%
Other undergraduate diploma or certificate not specified above 0%
Other qualification 6.7%
Not aiming for a formal qualification 0%

I was able to use my degree to sell myself throughout the application process. IBM do not ask for a specific degree for the Consulting programme but they look for a set of competences which include creativity, problem solving, communication, team work, etc. I also believe the reputation of Bristol aided my application.

Hannah, Business Consultant, IBM (BSc Experimental Psychology, 2012)

Connect with alumni

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