Thinking of Including Psychology on Your CAO? Here’s What You Need to Know
24 January 2025
With the Central Applications Office (CAO) deadline approaching, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Between the sheer number of options, the flood of information, and the opinions and pressures from those around you, all on top of the demands of regular schoolwork, it can be a challenging time.
If psychology has crossed your mind as a potential choice, this blog aims to make the decision-making process a little easier and guide you in making an informed decision.
Why psychology?
Psychology appeals to a wide range of students for different reasons. Some have clear career goals, like becoming a clinical psychologist or mental health professional, while others have a less clear vision. Whether you know exactly where you are headed, or are a bit more unsure, a psychology degree offers broad applicability and opens doors to a variety of career opportunities.
With a strong foundation in research, communication, and understanding human behaviour, a psychology degree equips you with transferable skills that are valuable in nearly every sector. Your future career could branch out to a whole variety of psychology disciplines, or even take you in to fields such as marketing, management, tech, or HR.
Whether your interests lie in specialised psychology disciplines or outside traditional pathways, the versatility of a psychology degree ensures that you are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions, no matter where your career takes you.
Pathways to a first qualification in psychology
Many students think of psychology as a high points subject, but it is important to be aware of the different pathways to a first qualification in psychology.
Many places in level 8 honours undergraduate programmes are offered based on performance in the Leaving Certificate and other national exams. However, these courses also have designated places for students under:
- Mature student entry
- Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)
- Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland Further Education and Training (QQI-FET)
- Access to Learning programmes
These pathways recognise that students come to third-level education from different backgrounds.
Conversion programmes are also common in psychology. These are postgraduate programmes, open to students with an existing level 8 degree in another subject, that offer a first qualification in psychology (e.g., a higher diploma or MSc). These are considered to be the equivalent of a level 8 honours degree in psychology.
Watch: Pathways to Studying Psychology at Undergraduate Level in Ireland Webinar
Why choose a PSI-accredited course?
Choosing a course accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) ensures your psychology programme meets essential standards for training and practice in professional psychology. PSI accreditation involves an in-depth review of course content and an on-site visit to evaluate the experience of teaching staff and students. This guarantees that your degree is recognised and respected within the psychology profession, providing a strong foundation for further study or entering the workforce.
You can find the full list of PSI-accredited Undergraduate Courses here.
What do current psychology students and graduates have to say?
Deciding on a university course can feel daunting, but you’re not alone. To help, we’ve gathered insights from some of our student and early graduate members, offering firsthand experiences and advice for anyone considering a degree in psychology.
Listen: How To Become A Psychologist
If you’re thinking about including psychology in your CAO, take time to explore your options, consider what excites you about the subject, and remember to look for a PSI-accredited course to ensure your degree meets the essential standards for further training and practice.
Good luck with your CAO application - and remember, psychology opens doors to a wide variety of career paths, giving you the flexibility to shape your future.
What careers are there in psychology?
Clinical Psychology
As a clinical psychologist, you will use psychological knowledge and techniques to address psychological problems. You will help people cope with a wide range of problems, some of which are listed below, so that they can play a full and productive part in society.
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Relationship difficulties
- Learning difficulties
- Psychosis
Clinical psychologists work in a range of settings, including:
- The Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Disability services
- Social care
- Prison services
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Private practice
- Education
- Policy development
Counselling Psychology
As a counselling psychologist, you contribute to the personal wellbeing and interpersonal functioning of individuals across their life span. Working to promote wellbeing, alleviate distress and increase clients’ ability to live fully functioning, healthier lives. You will deal with a wide range of issues such as:
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Psychosis
- Personality disorder
- Bereavement
- Domestic violence
- Sexual, emotional and physical abuse
- Traumas
Counselling psychologists work in a variety of applied settings, including:
- The HSE
- Mental health services
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Prison and probation services
- Private corporate services
- Academia
- Research
Educational Psychology
As an educational psychologist, you can make a positive and life-changing difference to children and young people, as well as their families and schools. Using psychological principles and techniques, you will enhance their learning, independence, relationships, and educational success, and minimise exclusion and inequality. You will tackle challenges such as:
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioural issues
- Social and emotional problems
- Disability
- Developmental and mental health conditions
Educational psychologists work across a range of education, health, and social care providers, including:
- Schools and pre-schools
- Universities
- The HSE
- Primary care services
- Social care
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Private practice
- Academia
- Research
Forensic Psychology
As a forensic psychologist, you will apply psychological theory to criminal investigations, understand the psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour and treat people who have committed offences, working to reduce criminal impact and minimise reoffending. You can work in a range of areas such as:
- Sexual offending
- Young offenders
- Violence and aggression
- Drug and alcohol use
Forensic psychologists work in a variety of settings, including:
- Prison services
- Probation services
- The HSE
- Secure hospitals
- Youth treatment centres
- Social services
- An Garda Síochána
- Research
Work and Organisational Psychology
As a work and organisational psychologist, you will focus on the motivation, performance, health and wellbeing of people and groups at work and in organisational situations. Work and organisational psychologists aim to increase the effectiveness of organisations and improve the individual experience of work. You will deal with a range of work-related areas such as:
- Training and development
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Wellbeing
- Human resources
- Sales and marketing
- Organisational change and development
Work and organisational psychologists work in a wide range of settings, including:
- Private businesses
- Government agencies
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Private practice
- Consultancy
Health Psychology
As a health psychologist, you will apply psychological theory, methods and research to health, physical illness and health care. You will work across health promotion, health behaviour change, and psychological effects of physical ill-health, helping to improve population health and create a better health service. Health psychologists work with a range of health conditions such as:
- Chronic illness
- Pain management
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Physical activity
- Eating behaviour
- Substance abuse
- Sexual health
Health psychologists can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- The HSE
- Private clinics
- Community organisations
- Training
- Research
Clinical Neuropsychology
As a clinical neuropsychologist, you aim to understand how the structure and function of the brain relate to specific psychological processes and behaviours and how this information can be used to help people with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. Clinical neuropsychologists apply advancing knowledge to rehabilitate people with brain injuries and other neurological conditions, such as:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Dementia
- Functional neurological conditions
Clinical neuropsychologists work across a range of settings, including:
- The HSE
- Acute hospitals
- Post acute tertiary centres
- Community services
- Rehabilitation services
- Education
Sports and Performance Psychology
As a sports and performance psychologist, you will apply psychological knowledge in sport settings to help athletes, coaches or sports teams reach higher levels of performance. Sports and performance psychologists deal with a range of areas, such as:
- Performance enhancement
- Team cohesion and leadership
- Injury rehabilitation
- Athlete lifestyle
- Skill acquisition
- Coach/referee development
Sports and performance psychologists can work with:
- Elite athletes
- Sports teams
- Sports institutes
- National governing bodies
- Private and public healthcare providers
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Consultancy
- Research
- Academia
Research Psychologist
As a research psychologist, you will carry out investigations on a wide range of topics using a range of methodologies. You will gather data, test and analyse it, and communicate your results. You can conduct research in any area of psychology, including:
- Clinical
- Counselling
- Educational
- Forensic
- Work and Organisational
- Health
- Neuropsychology
- Sports and performance
Research psychologists work in a wide range of settings, such as:
- Colleges and universities
- Adult education centres
- Government departments
- Health boards
- Research bodies
- Private companies