Last Updated on August 29, 2024
It is essential to understand what one can do with a psychology degree. A career in psychology may entail running one’s own clinics, working in hospitals, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and so on. Psychotherapists, social workers, educational psychologists, counselors, rehabilitation counselors, etc., are some popular choices among psychology professionals.
Psychology has been recognized as one of the oldest sciences by prestigious global institutions. While psychology is gaining popularity in India it still lacks behind in research and scope. Although many Indian universities are now catching up to the need for young Psychologists and opening up the field, students continue to seek study psychology abroad to supplement their degrees with a term abroad.
If you want to pursue a career in psychology outside of academia, look at international courses. Here’s a short glance at what sorts of Psychology courses are available overseas and which top colleges offer them.
Why Study Psychology Abroad?
One can gain fresh insights, a one-of-a-kind foreign academic experience that will look fantastic on your CV, and a worldwide network that might help you land a competitive psychology post. This is only the beginning of the many reasons why psychology students should study abroad.
You will be more competitive in the workforce if you have studied psychology abroad. The capacity to interact and operate cross-culturally, comprehend people’s differences, and speak various languages is becoming increasingly valuable in the workplace, particularly in specialist professions such as psychology. Knowing and comprehending these distinctions can help you connect with, understand, and diagnose your future patients.
Many study abroad programs for psychology majors include a volunteer requirement. You’ll be reaching your career objectives while also doing something meaningful. Your trip experiences will surely lead to personal development. Travel promotes independence, flexibility, self-awareness, open-mindedness, and hard skills such as problem-solving, language acquisition, goal-setting, and money management.
Because you will have time for contemplation, journaling is generally recommended during a study abroad program. When you return home, you will come to realize the lifetime of advantages that time spent abroad may provide.
Steps To Study Psychology Abroad
There are certain things one should keep in mind while considering going abroad to study:
- Search for reputed rankings of universities in the world and pick a few you like
- Decide a country based on important factors like weather, lifestyle, and living costÂ
- Make sure the curriculum aligns with your career plans
- Look for institutions offering scholarships or are has affordable fees to support your finances
- List down universities that offer internships, placements, and career guidance.
- Speak to your seniors/alumni for better and more trustworthy reviews on their experience in a specific career path and solve your doubtsÂ
- It’s always better to seek professional counseling from experts or overseas educational counselors of a particular field.
Eligibility For Study Psychology Abroad
The following are the average and general qualifying criteria for psychology courses overseas (however certain countries and courses may have different requirements):
- Completing secondary school in your own country with a minimal percentage (for undergraduate programs)
- A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a similar discipline is required (for postgraduate programs).
- A strong desire and interest in the field
- English language proficiency scores
- SOPs, LORS, and essays, if necessary
- Resume/CV
- Certificates of extracurricular activities
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- A Health insurance policy
- A copy of your passport
If you are looking for a bachelor’s degree in Psychology courses overseas, the knowledge requirements for undergraduate studies are roughly classified by the type of degree offered by the university. A BA or Bachelor of Arts, for example, would prefer a student with a background in Arts and Humanities, whereas a BSc or Bachelor of Science in Psychology would prefer Science disciplines such as Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Mathematics.
On the other hand, if you want to pursue a master’s degree in Psychology overseas, all you need is an appropriate bachelor’s degree and a compelling Statement of Purpose demonstrating your willingness to study Psychology, especially if you are going to shift your major.
While many colleges in India may simplify and need a preceding degree in Psychology for a master’s program, universities abroad may not be that selective. A bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences can well qualify you. This would, however, differ from curriculum to program and university to university.
For ease in such procedures, Admissify helps students shortlist the best universities according to their desired courses and offers career counseling as well.
Frequently, institutions will request a GRE Subject Test or specify whether a background in Science or Psychology is required. Regardless, the master’s course in Psychology is very competitive, and individuals with a diverse skill set in Social Sciences, as well as a good academic background in Science and Mathematics, have a greater chance.
An excellent GRE score combined with an IELTS or TOEFL score may place you in good abroad universities that also provide scholarships for a Ph.D. in Science in Psychology.
| Type of Degree | Length of Programme | Structure of Programme |
| Bachelor in Psychology (BSc Psychology) | 3-4 years | Strong Foundation |
| Masters in Psychology | 2-3 years | Specialization |
| Ph.D. in Psychology | 3 years | Research-based |
Scholarships For Study Psychology Abroad
- The University of Guelph Graduate Scholarship
It contains scholarships for Industrial Psychology as well as other types of psychology. These scholarships are provided by one of Canada’s leading institutions and assist a large number of postgraduate students in pursuing psychology combinations.
- King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
This institution offers scholarships to students wishing to pursue post-graduate studies at King’s College London, such as the Dr. Antony Kidman Scholarship in Health Psychology, which was founded in collaboration with actress Nicole Kidman.
- The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP)
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) offers postgraduate scholarships to allied health professionals studying in Australia.
- University of Auckland School of Psychology
The Winifred Gimblett Prize is one of many scholarships given to postgraduate psychology students at New Zealand’s University of Auckland.
- University of Minnesota Department of Psychology
These are scholarships for undergraduate psychology students at the University of Minnesota in the United States.
Top Colleges To Study Psychology Abroad & Fees
Let’s have a look at the top institutions offering psychology courses abroad based on the QS World Rankings. These rankings are one of the most well-known and reputable university rating systems. It evaluates over 1,000 institutions worldwide each year based on a variety of metrics such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, and citations per faculty member.
| University Name | Country | QS World University Ranking- Psychology 2023 | Course | Fees |
| Harvard University | USA | 1 | Undergraduate/Graduate Program in Psychology | $54,768 per year |
| University of Oxford | UK | 2 | BA/M.Sc in Experimental Psychology | £28,950- £44,240 |
| University of Cambridge | UK | 3 | Ba (Hons) in Psychological and Behavioral Sciences | £37,293 |
| Stanford University | USA | 4 | Undergraduate Psychology Major | $57,693 |
| UCL | UK | 5 | B.Sc in Psychology and M.Sc programs in areas like Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy | £31,200 |
| Yale University | USA | 6 | B.A./B.S. degree program in Psychology | $62,250 |
| Columbia University | USA | 7 | B.A Psychology, M.Phil Psychology | $31,285- 62,840 |
the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | USA | 8 | B.S Psychology | $59,212 |
| University of California Los Angeles | USA | 9 | Undergraduate/Graduate Program in Psychology | $68,474 |
| University of Amsterdam | Netherlands | 10 | Bachelor’s Psychology/Research Master’s Psychology | €8,300-11,000 |
| University of California Berkeley | USA | 11 | Undergraduate Program in Psychology | $24,204.50 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA | 12 | BA (Hons) Psychology | $79,850 |
Job Prospects And Further Education ScopeÂ
A degree in psychology provides several chances across the world. Bachelor’s degree holders may go on to undertake master’s and doctorate programs to boost their portfolios and professional prospects. In this subject, there is always room for new research and initiatives. Choosing to study psychology abroad may open up a plethora of prospects, and there are several excellent psychology degree programs accessible to foreign students all around the world. However, there are several alternatives and specialties available that provide a more focused curriculum in a certain subject. You might study one of the following psychology subdisciplines: Clinical, Counseling, Abnormal, Criminal, Child psychology, Developmental, Educational, Forensic, Social, Sport psychology, etc.
One of the most appealing aspects of a psychology courses degree is that it opens the door to a diversity of potential new occupations – and not only for practicing psychologists.
Counseling, marketing, probation officers, advisers, human resources, and other professions are available. One can also specialize in child/educational psychology, forensic psychology, clinical psychology, and so on, which means job chances in educational institutions, businesses, hospitals, healthcare centers, police forces, and law enforcement, among other places.
With increased knowledge and awareness of mental health, the global need for Psychologists has increased at an alarming rate. A psychologist could earn about 25 to 68 lakh per annum in most countries abroad like in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, etc.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest country to study psychology?
Germany is regarded as one of the most affordable countries for Indian students wishing to study abroad, with free education available at its public universities.
How much does it cost to study psychology abroad?
An annual tuition expense for a Bachelor of Psychology ranges from 19,000 USD to 50,000 USD (15,00,000 INR to 40,00,000 INR).
Can I study psychology after 12th abroad?
Yes, prominent institutions welcome students to enroll in Psychology courses, often without any rigid prerequisites. Universities such as Harvard University, Trinity College Dublin, and Stanford University offer these courses after the 12th grade.
Is there any scholarship for psychology students?
Yes, there are a lot of scholarships available for students pursuing psychology abroad. A few examples could be Education Future International Scholarship, Knight Hennessy Scholars Program, Sydney Scholars Award, etc. However, these scholarships might differ from university to university. Scholarships can also be achieved based on your English proficiency scores.
Is psychology a good career abroad?
Psychology is an excellent career option all around the world, especially with the growing demand for qualified experts in a range of disciplines. After finishing your program, you may expect to find employment in clinical, forensic, educational/child, and sports psychology, as well as guidance counseling and other sectors.
Kanishka Garg specializes in crafting informative content on study abroad education. Her passion lies in simplifying the journey for students through SEO-optimized articles and blogs. Kanishka’s commitment to clear communication and her deep understanding of international admissions processes make her blogs essential for students aiming to gain insights into top universities worldwide. With Kanishka’s blogs, students can confidently get solutions to the complexities of applying to their dream universities and achieve their academic aspirations abroad.
