How To Get Work Experience for Psychology

Getting into psychology isn't just about good grades – it's about proving you understand what the field is really like. Work experience can really help, whether you're applying to university or looking at career options.

The good news? You don't need existing connections or formal qualifications to get started. If you’re in sixth form and wondering how to get work experience for psychology, this guide can help you find opportunities. It will also give tips on how to apply and what makes experience valuable.

 Key Takeaways

• Work experience shows admissions tutors and employers that you understand psychology in real-world contexts.

• Roles involving human interaction, research, or support work, including volunteering, mentoring, or part-time jobs, can all count as psychology experience.

• There are lots of ways to gain experience, from volunteering and school placements to virtual programs and online courses.

• Keep a journal, ask questions, and link your experiences to psychological principles and academic learning to boost applications and your CV.

Why Work Experience Matters in Psychology

Psychology is one of the UK’s most competitive fields, with oversubscribed university courses and graduate-level jobs with thousands of applicants. 

Work experience helps you stand out by showing you understand the field beyond the classroom. Even a short placement can boost your UCAS application. 

Psychology is about people. You will work with individuals facing mental health challenges, conducting research with participants, or supporting vulnerable groups. Real-world experience gives you insight that textbooks simply can't provide.

Placements also develop transferable skills like communication, empathy, patience, and resilience; qualities every psychology professional needs.

What Counts as Psychology Work Experience?

You don’t need to shadow a clinical psychologist straight away. When thinking about how to get work experience for psychology, any role involving human interaction, support work, or research can be relevant. 

The key is to show how these experiences have shaped your view of human behaviour and psychological principles.

Examples include:

• Shadowing psychologists, counsellors, or therapists

• Volunteering with mental health charities like Mind (opens in a new tab) or Samaritans (opens in a new tab)

• Working with children through schools, nurseries, or youth groups

• Supporting elderly people in care homes or day centres

• Assisting with university research projects or psychology experiments

• Volunteering on helplines or crisis support services

• Mentoring younger students or peers

• Working with people with disabilities or learning difficulties

Even smaller roles have value if you can reflect on what you've learned. A Saturday job in retail teaches communication skills. Helping at a local youth club develops your understanding of child development.

Where to Find Psychology Work Experience

Volunteering Roles

Volunteering is often the easiest way to start.

Mental health charities like Mind (opens in a new tab), Rethink Mental Illness (opens in a new tab), and local counselling services often need volunteers. They look for help with admin tasks, fundraising events, or peer support roles.

Care homes and day centres for elderly people offer hands-on experience with vulnerable groups. You'll learn about dementia, mental health in older adults, and the importance of social connection.

Youth organisations like Scouts (opens in a new tab), Guides (opens in a new tab), or local youth clubs let you work with children and teenagers. This experience is particularly valuable if you're interested in educational or child psychology.

You can find volunteering opportunities through:

• Do It (opens in a new tab) - the UK's largest volunteering database

• Reach Volunteering (opens in a new tab) - matches your skills with suitable roles

• NHS Volunteer Responders (opens in a new tab) - supports health and social care services

• Local charity shops and community centres

• Your school or college careers service

School or College Placements

Careers advisers and psychology teachers can connect you with local psychologists, counsellors, or research terms. Don't be afraid to ask them to make new connections; many are happy to support motivated students.

Some schools also run their own peer mentoring or tutoring schemes. These provide an excellent experience working with other students and developing support skills.

Online & Virtual Opportunities

Virtual work experience has become much more common and accessible. These opportunities are ideal if local placements are few or you’re juggling school and other responsibilities.

Springpod (opens in a new tab) offers virtual psychology work experience programmes with professional shadowing and project work.

FutureLearn (opens in a new tab) and Coursera (opens in a new tab) provide free psychology courses and MOOCs from top universities. Completing these shows initiative and deepens your subject knowledge.

Many NHS trusts and private organisations run virtual shadowing sessions. These give you insight into psychology roles from home.

Professional psychology organisations like the British Psychological Society (BPS) (opens in a new tab) hold webinars and virtual events that you can attend to learn about the field.

How to Apply For Psychology Work Experience

Getting work experience for psychology often means reaching out directly. This might feel daunting, but most professionals appreciate students showing genuine interest.

Here's a simple step-by-step approach to writing speculative emails:

1. Research who to contact. Look for volunteer coordinators, HR departments, or individual psychologists on organisation websites.

2. Write a clear subject line. Something like "Psychology student seeking work experience opportunity" works well.

3. Introduce yourself briefly. Mention your name, what you're studying, and why you're interested in psychology.

4. Explain what you're looking for. Be specific about the type of experience you want – shadowing, volunteering, or research assistance.

5. Show your commitment. Mention any relevant experience, even if it's limited. Highlight your reliability, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

6. Be flexible. Offer different time options and show you're happy to work around their schedule.

7. Keep it short. Busy professionals appreciate concise emails that get straight to the point.

8. Follow up politely. If you don't hear back within two weeks, send a brief follow-up email.

Want a ready-to-use template? Check out our guide on how to write the perfect cover letter for work experience. It includes examples you can adapt for psychology placements.

No Psychology Placement? Here's What You Can Do Instead

Don't panic if you can't secure a traditional placement. Many experiences still develop valuable skills.

• Tutoring, mentoring, or weekend volunteering builds communication and support skills.

• Part-time jobs in retail or hospitality develop people skills, patience, and resilience.

• Leadership roles in clubs, sports teams, or Scouts strengthen teamwork, motivation, and conflict resolution.
  Caring responsibilities provide insight into human behaviour and support strategies.

The key is reflecting on these experiences thoughtfully. Think about what you've learned about human behaviour, communication, or problem-solving. Consider how these skills transfer to psychology contexts.

When you write about these experiences in applications or interviews, link them to psychology topics clearly. For example, share how your retail job taught you about non-verbal communication. Or, explain how coaching younger players helped you grasp motivation theories. 

How To Make the Most of Your Psychology Work Experience

Once you've secured a placement, maximise your learning. Keep a journal and write down what you observe, what surprises you, and what challenges you encounter. Note specific examples of psychological principles you see in action.

Ask questions! Most professionals enjoy sharing their knowledge. Prepare questions about their role, the challenges they face, and their career journey.

Request a reference letter at the end of your placement. This formal recognition of your experience will be valuable for future applications.

Reflect on how the experience has influenced your career goals. Has it confirmed your interest in psychology? Have you discovered new areas you'd like to explore?

Connect your experience to academic learning. How does what you've observed relate to psychological theories you've studied? 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need psychology work experience to study it at university?

Work experience isn't always needed for psychology degrees, but it significantly boosts your application.

Top universities want proof that you grasp what psychology involves beyond classroom learning. Experience shows genuine commitment and helps you write more compelling personal statements.

Even if it's not required, psychology work experience helps you make informed decisions about your future career path.

What's the best type of psychology work experience for sixth formers?

The best experience is one that genuinely interests you and fits your circumstances. There's no single "perfect" placement.

Volunteering roles are often most accessible for sixth formers. They're flexible, don't require formal qualifications, and provide excellent learning opportunities.

Focus on quality over prestige. A meaningful volunteering role where you learn and contribute is more valuable than a prestigious placement where you just observe.

Consider your career interests when choosing placements. If you're interested in child psychology, seek experience with children. If clinical psychology appeals to you, look for mental health-related opportunities.

How old do you have to be to shadow a psychologist?

Age requirements vary by organisation and type of placement. Some require participants to be at least 16. However, a few accept younger students if they have proper supervision.

Child protection policies often influence age limits, particularly for roles involving vulnerable populations.

Contact organisations directly to ask about their age requirements. Many are flexible and willing to adapt placements for motivated younger students.

If you're under 16, try school opportunities, youth group volunteering, or online experiences. These can help you learn about the field.

Getting Started on Your Psychology Journey

Remember, everyone in psychology started somewhere. What matters most is showing initiative, genuine interest, and the ability to reflect on your experiences.

Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t work out; building experience is a gradual process. Even a few hours of relevant experience can provide valuable insights and strengthen your applications. 

Keep exploring different areas of psychology through your experiences. See which A Levels you need to be a psychologist for guidance on the best subjects to support your future applications. 

Bookmark interesting organisations and check back regularly for new opportunities. Many places offer seasonal placements or have changing volunteer needs throughout the year.

Take that first step today – research local opportunities, draft your first email, or sign up for a virtual psychology course. Your future psychology career starts with the initiative you show right now.

Wondering what it takes to get into psychology at university? Check the University Psychology Acceptance Rates to see what top programmes are looking for.

Good luck with your search!

References

Springpod Virtual Work Experience Search (opens in a new tab) 

Mind (opens in a new tab) 

Rethink Mental Illness (opens in a new tab) 

Scouts (opens in a new tab) 

Girlguiding (opens in a new tab) 

British Psychological Society (opens in a new tab) 

Coursera (opens in a new tab) 

FutureLearn (opens in a new tab) 

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders (opens in a new tab) 

Reach Volunteering (opens in a new tab) 

Doit Life! (opens in a new tab) 

Samaritans (opens in a new tab)