Your Guide to Psychology Training Pathways in the UK
Feeling overwhelmed by the different psychology training routes? I'm breaking down doctorate programmes, research careers, and therapy pathways to help you work out which direction actually suits you.
Whether you're a recent psychology graduate, an assistant psychologist planning your next move, or someone considering a career change into psychology, understanding can help in making informed decisions about your future.
The Doctorate Routes
Clinical Psychology Doctorate (DClinPsy)
The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology remains one of the most competitive routes into professional psychology practice in the UK.
Training takes 3 years full-time and combines academic study, research, and clinical placements across multiple universities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
It's NHS-funded with a salary during training at Band 6 (£37,338+ per year as of 2024), though some universities also offer self-funded routes.
You'll generally need a BPS-accredited psychology degree (minimum 2:1), Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with BPS, and at least 1 year post-graduate experience working with people with mental health problems (depending on the university). Research experience helps but isn't always essential.
Upon completion, you'll be eligible for registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) and can apply for BPS chartered status as a clinical psychologist. This qualification allows you to work independently as a clinical psychologist within the NHS or private practice.
Career prospects include NHS clinical psychologist roles (Bands 7-8c, £46,000-£75,000+), private practice opportunities, leadership and specialist roles, and academic and research positions.
With acceptance rates typically around 10-15% (often lower for more competitive universities), competition remains intense. Most successful applicants have multiple years of relevant experience and may apply several times before gaining a place.
Counselling Psychology Doctorate (DCounsPsy)
Counselling psychology offers a humanistic alternative to the more medical-model approach of clinical psychology, whilst committing to evidence-based practice.
Training takes 3-4 years (can be part-time) and combines academic training, personal therapy, supervised practice, and clinical placements. It's usually self-funded (£9,000-£22,000+ per year depending on the university).
You'll need a BPS-accredited psychology degree, Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, usually 1-2 years relevant experience (though not always), and a certificate of counselling skills training.
You'll gain HCPC registration and eligibility for BPS chartered status as a counselling psychologist. The training emphasises the therapeutic relationship and reflexivity alongside clinical skills.
Career prospects are similar to clinical psychology; NHS counselling psychologist roles (Bands 7-8c, £46,000-£75,000+), private practice, leadership roles, and academic positions.
Counselling psychology places greater emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and phenomenological approaches, while clinical psychology traditionally focuses more on assessment and diagnosis.
Educational Psychology Doctorate (DEdPsy)
Educational psychology offers the opportunity to work with children, young people, and families within educational settings.
Training takes 3 years full-time and combines academic study, research, and placements in schools and educational settings. It's often sponsored by local authorities with salary.
You'll need a BPS-accredited psychology degree, a teaching qualification and classroom experience (usually essential), experience working with children and young people, and understanding of educational systems.
You'll gain HCPC registration and chartered status as an educational psychologist, and you'll be qualified to conduct statutory assessments and contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Career prospects include local authority educational psychology services (£37,000-£55,000+), private educational psychology consultancy, specialist roles in autism, learning difficulties, or trauma, and leadership positions.
This route specifically requires teaching experience, making it ideal for former teachers wanting to specialise in learning and development.
Forensic Psychology Doctorate (DForenPsy)
This route focuses on the application of psychology within criminal justice settings. Training takes 3 years full-time and combines academic training, research, and placements in forensic settings. It's usually sponsored by employers (prisons, secure hospitals, probation).
You'll need a BPS-accredited psychology degree, significant experience in forensic settings, understanding of criminal justice systems, and often security clearance.
You'll gain HCPC registration and chartered forensic psychologist status, with specialist skills in risk assessment, offender rehabilitation, and expert witness testimony. Career prospects include prison psychology services, secure hospitals and forensic units, probation services, private forensic consultancy, and court expert witness work.
Research Career Pathways
For those passionate about advancing psychological knowledge through research and teaching, the academic route typically involves a PhD in Psychology (3-4 years), which is a research-focused doctorate with original research contribution and teaching opportunities, funded through studentships or research councils.
This is followed by postdoctoral research (2-4 years) in research fellow positions where you develop independent research, build publications, and gain grant application experience.
Then you move into academic positions: Lecturer → Senior Lecturer → Reader → Professor, with research and teaching responsibilities, grant funding management, and PhD student supervision.
You'll need an excellent undergraduate degree (usually First Class or high 2:1), research experience and publications, strong analytical and writing skills, and specific research interests aligned with potential supervisors.
Career prospects include university academic positions (£33,000-£80,000+), research institute positions, government research roles, think tank and policy positions, and publishing and consultancy opportunities. Academic careers are highly competitive with limited permanent positions. Many researchers work on short-term contracts before securing permanent roles.
Applied research roles bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. Career areas include government research (civil service research roles, policy development), healthcare research (NHS research roles, clinical trials, health services research), commercial research (market research, user experience research, product development), and charitable sector research (mental health charities, social research organisations).
You'll need strong research methodology knowledge, data analysis skills (SPSS, R, or similar), report writing and presentation abilities, and understanding of research ethics and governance. Salary range is typically £25,000-£60,000+ depending on sector and experience.
Therapy and Counselling Routes
Not all therapeutic work requires a doctorate, and many therapists train through professional counselling qualifications. Training options include: a Diploma in Counselling (Level 4-5) which takes 1-2 years part-time, costs £3,000-£8,000, doesn't require a specific degree, and focuses on basic counselling skills and one therapeutic approach.
There's also a Degree in Counselling (Level 6) which takes 3 years full-time or 4-6 years part-time, costs standard university fees, has standard university entry requirements, and offers comprehensive counselling training with multiple approaches.
Finally, a Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Counselling takes 1-2 years full-time or 2-3 years part-time, costs £8,000-£15,000, requires an undergraduate degree (any subject), and provides advanced therapeutic training with supervised practice.
Professional accreditation is available through BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy), BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council), and NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society).
Career prospects include private practice (£40-£100+ per session), employee assistance programmes, NHS psychological services (some roles), voluntary sector counselling services, and specialist areas (addiction, trauma, relationships).
High-intensity CBT therapist training involves a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT (1 year full-time). NHS-funded training programmes are available, though you'll need a psychology degree or equivalent clinical experience. Supervised practice is included. Career prospects include NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, private CBT practice, specialist CBT roles (OCD, PTSD, eating disorders), and training and supervision roles. Salary is typically NHS Band 7-8a (£40,000-£50,000).
Alternative Psychology Career Paths
Psychological Well-Being Practitioner (PWP)
PWP roles offer a route into mental health services without requiring a psychology degree. Training involves a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Wellbeing Practice (1 year), usually NHS-funded, with varying entry requirements (degree preferred but not essential), focusing on low-intensity interventions and brief therapy.
Career prospects include NHS IAPT services, primary care mental health teams, progression to high-intensity CBT training, and management and training roles. Salary is NHS Band 5 (£25,000-£31,000).
Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP)
The Clinical Associate in Psychology route offers a Master's-level qualification that provides a faster route into supervised psychological practice within the NHS. This is a relatively newer pathway that was introduced to help address workforce shortages in mental health services.
Training takes 2 years full-time and combines academic study with clinical placements in NHS settings. It's NHS-funded with a salary during training (approximately Band 5-6, £28,000-£37,000).
You'll need a BPS-accredited psychology degree (minimum 2:1), Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, and relevant experience working in mental health or psychological services (requirements vary by programme).
Upon completion, you'll be eligible for registration with the HCPC as a Clinical Associate in Psychology. However, this is not the same as being a qualified clinical psychologist - CAPs work under the supervision of clinical psychologists and have a more defined scope of practice.
Career prospects include NHS psychological services working as part of multidisciplinary teams (Band 6-7, £37,000-£46,000), delivering evidence-based psychological interventions under supervision, specialist roles in specific clinical areas, and potential progression to clinical psychology doctorate (with additional experience and application). Some CAPs use this route as a stepping stone toward DClinPsy training, gaining valuable NHS experience and supervised practice hours.
The CAP route is ideal if you want to work in applied clinical settings more quickly than the doctorate route allows, are interested in delivering psychological interventions rather than independent practice, want NHS-funded training with a salary, or are considering whether clinical psychology is the right long-term career before committing to a 3-year doctorate.
Planning Your Journey
For recent graduates, gain relevant experience by applying for support worker, mental health worker, and assistant psychologist roles, volunteering with mental health charities, and engaging in research projects within your university. Develop core skills in research methods and statistics, report writing and communication, and understanding of psychological theories.
Explore different settings by shadowing professionals in various specialties, attending professional conferences and events, joining BPS as a student or graduate member, and networking within your areas of interest.
For career changers, assess your transferable skills by identifying relevant previous experience, considering how your background adds value, and planning for any additional qualifications needed.
Start with entry-level positions like PWP roles (which don't always require psychology degrees), mental health support worker positions, or research assistant roles.
Final Thoughts
Key success factors across all routes include relevant experience in your chosen area, strong academic record and continuous learning, professional networking and mentorship, resilience and commitment to ongoing development, and clear understanding of ethical and professional responsibilities.
Career paths in psychology are rarely linear. Many professionals change directions, combine roles, or develop portfolio careers that span multiple areas. The skills you develop in any psychology training will transfer across specialties and provide a strong foundation for future opportunities.
Feeling overwhelmed by psychology career choices? Specialist career coaching for psychology professionals can help you navigate training pathways, identify the right route for your goals, and develop a strategic career plan. Get in touch to learn more about personalised guidance for your psychology career journey.
