Psychology Courses

About Psychology

A career in psychology can be highly varied, with lots of routes to go down. Psychologists, counsellors, and mental health workers are responsible for a range of duties, including the care and treatment of patients with mental illnesses and mood disorders, working with children in schools and elsewhere, with forensics teams, and aiding police in criminal investigations. 

Although the basics of Psychology and other social sciences may be shared across all professions, learners may find that what they learn in applied Psychology or clinical Psychology may have some helpful crossover with other non-Psychology related fields.

When choosing to study Psychology, learners may find that a Psychology degree can open them up to many different career fields they might not have initially expected. Principles of Social Psychology and behavioural analysis can be useful in roles in Marketing, HR, or customer service roles that are highly focused on understanding the behaviour of others. 

For those who are looking to take their knowledge one step further, a qualification in Psychology can work well as a foundation to study Neuroscience, Neuropsychology, biological Psychology, or other medically-related roles.

Career Outcomes For Those With A Qualification In Psychology

A career in psychology can open up a wide variety of career options, even outside of traditionally medical fields. If you’re keen to become qualified in an area that gives you plenty of options, Psychology is for you. Taking part in a postgraduate programme that gives you a chance to get some hands-on work experience can be a good way to boost your chances of employment. Studying Psychology can open you up to job roles in different cities and countries, from Dublin to London to New York. Here are just a few of the roles Irish learners could take on after becoming qualified in Psychology:

• Mental Health Advisor
• School Psychologist
• Family Worker
• Positive Behaviour Practitioner
• Learning disabilities support worker
• Forensic Psychologist
• Mental Health Volunteer

Studying Psychology in Ireland

Becoming qualified in Psychology can be achieved in lots of different ways, depending on the roles you’re keen to pursue. A course in psychology, mental health, or counselling can be a stepping stone to further study or a stand-alone course to help you understand or specialise in a specific area. 

Some Psychology courses or postgraduate courses may have entry requirements or need to have studied relevant subjects at Leaving Certificate level or later, although, for those looking to enter into the field of psychology, there are full-time courses available that do not require previous knowledge.

Some courses can give you a basic insight into the principles of Psychology, whilst others will give you specialist knowledge that can be practised in a medical setting. For those who want to learn on their own time, self-paced, part-time courses can be an ideal option, as this allows you to fit in learning in a way that suits your needs. Flexible learning like this can be helpful for those with other commitments or mature students who aren’t able to commit to the same hours as younger learners.

Fields Within Psychology

Psychology courses in Ireland cover many different areas. It can be a good idea to examine the different fields of Psychology and think about which areas appeal to you before committing to study. No matter which course, however, all courses will give you a deep understanding of how the human mind works and how it can have a positive or negative effect on human behaviour. Here are some of the key areas of Psychology you can study:

• Forensic psychology,
• Counselling psychology,
• Health psychology,
• Cognitive psychology
• Organisational Psychology
• Sports Psychology
• Development Psychology

Is a Career in Psychology Right for You?

Psychologists, counsellors, and mental health workers benefit from these skills to complement their training. These include:

• Patience
• Compassion
• Strong sense of ethics
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Adapt due to individual differences