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Your PAth to Psychology

This page offers an overview of paths to psychology.

To work in Ireland you need to be eligible for Registered Membership with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) whereby you can practise as a psychologist without supervision.

Before becoming a Registered Member you must first become a Graduate Member which is based on gaining at least a Second Class Honours in an accredited undergraduate degree or conversion course (e.g., BA Psychology from NUIG).

Conversion courses

Certain courses run by Irish universities / institutions are also recognised as bringing your existing degree up to the same standards as an accredited Degree in Psychology. Check with individual Admissions Offices to confirm closing dates for 2009 and applications are online in each case.

Further study and registered membership of PSI is needed before you can call yourself a psychologist. The conversion course allows you to apply for Graduate Membership of either PSI or BPS, which in turn is the requirement for professional training courses.

National University of Ireland, Galway:

Higher Diploma in Psychology for BA Psychological Studies graduates only (1 year)
2-year HDip for graduates with other degrees. 8 places.

University College Cork: Higher Diploma in Psychology full-time - 2 years.

University College Dublin: Higher Diploma in Psychology 2 years full-time.

Trinity College Dublin: Higher Diploma in Psychology. 2-years full-time

Dublin Business School: Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. 2 years full time or part time.

Once you have completed the accredited conversion course, you can then become a graduate member of the PSI.

If you wish to take a conversion course in the UK, ensure that it is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You will have to get your qualification validated by PSI (see overleaf) if applying for Graduate Membership afterwards.
There are approximately 50 accredited conversion courses. Entry requirements vary with many courses expecting a certain level of psychology study prior to entry to the course.

Further Study

According to the PSI, graduate members can become registered psychologists ’if they are judged to have completed four years of study/training/experience or any combination thereof such that they can practise as a psychologist without supervision’. The PSI’s list of accredited courses is updated online, as accreditation is awarded.

Application for courses is directly to the university in question and full details can be found on their websites and/or postgraduate prospectus.

Applicants with non-national qualifications should apply to the Department of Health and Children for validation of the qualification at 01-635 4580 or validation_unithealth.irlgov.ie Applications for Graduate Membership from those educated outside Ireland will be considered by the PSI on an individual basis.

If applying to the UK, ensure that the course is accredited by the British Psychological Society - there are 148 such courses listed on their website by specialism, as well as the Health Professionals Council.

SPECIALISMS:

Clinical Psychology
NOTE: Clinical Psychology in the UK has its own online application system - apply by 1st December.

Counselling Psychology

Educational Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Health Psychology

Organisational / Occupational Psychology

Neuropsychology

Sport Psychology

Research Psychology / Lecturer

Child Psychologist - There is no direct qualification leading to “child psychologist”. You either need to train as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist then specialise in children, or train in educational psychology to work with children in education.