7 reasons to study psychology

Date

11th Apr 2023

1. Develop subject-specific knowledge

The most obvious reason to study psychology is the subject-specific knowledge you’ll gain and the insight you’ll develop into the mind, brain and human behaviour. On our BSc (Hons) Psychology course you’ll cover a diverse range of subjects including cognitive psychology, forensic and investigative psychology, education psychology, the psychology of sport and exercise, and critical social psychology.

This knowledge will help you to develop a detailed understanding of several specialised areas/or applications of psychology, discovering the scientific and theoretical underpinnings of the discipline, and will also help you recognise the variability and diversity of psychological functioning and its significance.

2. Understand yourself

As you progress in your career and perhaps move into a management or senior role, you’ll often be expected to make difficult decisions and work in high-pressure environments. The way that you react in these situations is key to the success of your career.

Having an understanding of your own personality and an insight into your own behaviour can give you a unique perspective on a workplace project or role. Using your knowledge of psychology and behaviour to recognise and acknowledge the underlying reasons and theories of these traits can allow you to work more successfully in these different environments.

3. Understand others

If you’re considering a career in people management and human resources, you’ll require skills in specific areas including conflict management, collaboration and leadership.

These skills are also very desirable to employers and managers, and an employee who is capable of managing a team effectively while also fostering better workplace relationships is often highly prized.

The knowledge and empathy gained on a psychology degree course can help you to build on these abilities and thrive in these kinds of careers.

4. Grow your communication skills

Communicating effectively with others is a key skill in almost every workplace. This ability is developed and improved by every psychology student, often without even realising it.

An important part of producing content at a higher education level is the ability to structure an argument, to discuss a topic clearly and objectively, and to reference relevant sources.

This method of communicating can then be transferred from the classroom straight to the office.

5. Develop the ability to research

The ability to research a topic or issue is often overlooked as a workplace skill, but it is a valuable tool for both managers and employees. Through assignments and projects, a psychology degree will help you to develop your ability to find sources, evaluate their effectiveness and present your findings clearly and accurately.

Whatever role or industry you choose to pursue after your psychology degree, this skill will allow you to review tenders, investigate potential projects and much more.

6. Refine your critical thinking

A good employee always evaluates every set of figures, concept and proposal that they receive to ensure that they are making the best possible decision.

Critical thinking is a key part of a psychology certificate or degree programme, as students must consider each source and theory that they reference or use.

By developing this skill with the help of a tutor and your classmates, you can help to avoid costly mistakes later on in the workplace.

7. Improve your employability

Having a degree on your CV or resume can improve your salary prospects and employability. In fact, the latest figures state that holding an undergraduate degree can increase your salary by £500,000 more than non-graduates over a lifetime.

A BSc (Hons) Psychology doesn’t limit you to a career in psychology either; a degree in this versatile subject can lead to many rewarding and exciting careers.

Feeling inspired to study psychology online? Download our prospectus today.