5 answers
kritika
Student
Leicester, England, United Kingdom
1
Question
Asked
1372 views
I have almost completed bachelors in psychology from uk. I want purse masters degree in Australia in psychology related field. . I am confused what to choose and where to look for the information. how can I choose between the career options and find the best one for me?
additionally, I also would like to explore the options for mental health nurses
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5 answers
Praveen Sekar
10
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Praveen’s Answer
It’s great that you’re thinking about your next steps! If you're aiming for a psychology-related master’s in Australia, here’s a quick breakdown:
1. Master's in Psychology (Clinical or Organisational)
Focuses on becoming a registered psychologist.
Where to look: Universities like the University of Melbourne, UNSW, and the University of Sydney offer these programs.
Source: University of Melbourne
2. Master of Mental Health
Ideal for those wanting to focus on mental health care (not psychologist registration).
Where to look: Monash University and the University of Queensland have strong programs in mental health.
Source: Monash University
For Mental Health Nursing:
Consider becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) first, then specialize in Mental Health Nursing via postgraduate study.
Where to look: Australian universities like the University of Sydney offer postgraduate mental health nursing programs.
Source: University of Sydney
Tips for Choosing:
Career Focus: Do you want to work directly with patients (nursing) or in therapy/assessment (clinical psychology)?
Program Info: Visit each university’s website to check entry requirements, duration, and specializations.
1. Master's in Psychology (Clinical or Organisational)
Focuses on becoming a registered psychologist.
Where to look: Universities like the University of Melbourne, UNSW, and the University of Sydney offer these programs.
Source: University of Melbourne
2. Master of Mental Health
Ideal for those wanting to focus on mental health care (not psychologist registration).
Where to look: Monash University and the University of Queensland have strong programs in mental health.
Source: Monash University
For Mental Health Nursing:
Consider becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) first, then specialize in Mental Health Nursing via postgraduate study.
Where to look: Australian universities like the University of Sydney offer postgraduate mental health nursing programs.
Source: University of Sydney
Tips for Choosing:
Career Focus: Do you want to work directly with patients (nursing) or in therapy/assessment (clinical psychology)?
Program Info: Visit each university’s website to check entry requirements, duration, and specializations.
Rithika J
6
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Rithika’s Answer
I’m finishing my psychology degree in the UK and want to study in Australia. I’m deciding between two paths:
🧠 Psychology (Master’s)
Choose from Clinical, Counselling, or Professional Psychology.
You need a 4-year psychology degree (including Honours or equivalent).
Leads to becoming a registered psychologist (takes more time).
🩺 Mental Health Nursing
You can study nursing and specialize in mental health.
Some programs accept students from non-nursing backgrounds.
Faster path to working in mental health settings (e.g., hospitals, clinics).
🔍 Where to find info:
CRICOS website – Find courses for international students.
University websites – Like University of Melbourne, Monash, Sydney, etc.
APAC – For psychology course approval.
NMBA – For nursing registration.
✅ How to choose:
Do you enjoy therapy and diagnosis? → Psychology
Prefer hands-on patient care? → Mental Health Nursing
Want to work sooner? → Nursing may be quicker
Willing to study longer? → Psychology is more in-depth
🧠 Psychology (Master’s)
Choose from Clinical, Counselling, or Professional Psychology.
You need a 4-year psychology degree (including Honours or equivalent).
Leads to becoming a registered psychologist (takes more time).
🩺 Mental Health Nursing
You can study nursing and specialize in mental health.
Some programs accept students from non-nursing backgrounds.
Faster path to working in mental health settings (e.g., hospitals, clinics).
🔍 Where to find info:
CRICOS website – Find courses for international students.
University websites – Like University of Melbourne, Monash, Sydney, etc.
APAC – For psychology course approval.
NMBA – For nursing registration.
✅ How to choose:
Do you enjoy therapy and diagnosis? → Psychology
Prefer hands-on patient care? → Mental Health Nursing
Want to work sooner? → Nursing may be quicker
Willing to study longer? → Psychology is more in-depth
Martha Gohring Randolph
HR Leader, HR Technology
1
Answer
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Choosing a graduate program can feel overwhelming. Combining self-reflection and research can help better understand your goals, expectations and career fit.
Here are some ways to dig into exploring your path and next steps more.
1. Complete a Self-reflection on your interests, values and strengths:
- Why am I drawn to psychology, especially mental health?
- What environment fits me— schools, hospitals, private practice, community?
Do I prefer working with individuals (therapy), groups, or organizations or focus on research, policy, or systems?
Am I comfortable handling sensitive, emotional situations?
Can I stay objective and manage my own emotions in challenging cases?
What are my long-term career goals, and which degree best supports them?
2. Research the disciples more and consider your self reflection as you do this.
Mental health-focused fields like Clinical and Counseling Psychology center on diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals with emotional and psychological challenges. In contrast, other fields like Industrial-Organizational, Forensic, or Social Psychology apply psychological principles to workplaces, legal systems, or social dynamics, offering opportunities to impact organizations, policy, or research.
3. Explore job boards to see what roles exist, which sound exciting, and which align with your strengths and motivations.
4. Reach out to professionals in your fields of interest—on LinkedIn, through networking groups, or locally—and ask for 30 minutes to learn what they love and dislike about their work. Many are happy to share insights and advice.
5. Look for opportunities to volunteer or work in the field to gain a better understanding of the field and fit to you. (Help with events, Hotlines, local services organizations)
Here are some international resources:
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP): https://iaapsy.org
British Psychological Society (BPS): https://www.bps.org.uk
Australian Psychological Society (APS): https://psychology.org.au
American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org
Reflect on your interests, values, and strengths: Ask yourself what excites you, what skills you enjoy using, and what motivates you.
Research fields and roles: Read University program information and industry websites to learn what different roles involve.
Explore job boards: Browse open positions to see what’s in demand, what qualifications are needed, and what sparks your interest.
Talk to professionals: Reach out on LinkedIn, alumni networks, or local organizations to set up informational interviews. Ask them what they do, what they enjoy, and what challenges they face.
Gain experience: Try internships, volunteering, part-time work, or shadowing opportunities to test different paths.
Here are some ways to dig into exploring your path and next steps more.
1. Complete a Self-reflection on your interests, values and strengths:
- Why am I drawn to psychology, especially mental health?
- What environment fits me— schools, hospitals, private practice, community?
Do I prefer working with individuals (therapy), groups, or organizations or focus on research, policy, or systems?
Am I comfortable handling sensitive, emotional situations?
Can I stay objective and manage my own emotions in challenging cases?
What are my long-term career goals, and which degree best supports them?
2. Research the disciples more and consider your self reflection as you do this.
Mental health-focused fields like Clinical and Counseling Psychology center on diagnosing, treating, and supporting individuals with emotional and psychological challenges. In contrast, other fields like Industrial-Organizational, Forensic, or Social Psychology apply psychological principles to workplaces, legal systems, or social dynamics, offering opportunities to impact organizations, policy, or research.
3. Explore job boards to see what roles exist, which sound exciting, and which align with your strengths and motivations.
4. Reach out to professionals in your fields of interest—on LinkedIn, through networking groups, or locally—and ask for 30 minutes to learn what they love and dislike about their work. Many are happy to share insights and advice.
5. Look for opportunities to volunteer or work in the field to gain a better understanding of the field and fit to you. (Help with events, Hotlines, local services organizations)
Here are some international resources:
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP): https://iaapsy.org
British Psychological Society (BPS): https://www.bps.org.uk
Australian Psychological Society (APS): https://psychology.org.au
American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
221
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Kritika, This is a great question; I do not have all the answers. One thing to think about is licensing potential. Some licenses have limitations. For instance, in the US we are licensed by state, and it is possible to get licensed in multiple states (but this is a process). Some professionals can work internationally with a degree and license from the US; some cannot. It will be useful for you to know how this might work for you- especially if you plan to return to the UK upon graduation. In the US, having a master's in social work is more eligible for international work than one in counseling or psychology. This is a systemic issue. If you choose to get a doctorate, you will be less bound by limitations regarding practice in different countries. The UK and Australia are both very interesting places to study psychology as they are (in my opinion) much more advanced in some ways. Taking the leap to study in a new country sounds exciting and character building! Travel is the best way to learn about another culture; this is very important to the work of a therapist. If you choose to provide direct clinical support, you will work with people from all different backgrounds. Having curiosity, empathy, and understanding for different beliefs and lifestyles is critical. I suggest you look at the organizations that represent the degree you hope to get- whether counseling, social work, or psychology (doctorate level). Look at the licensing information for the UK and Australia to see how your education may transfer. The school you choose may also help you with this, but you can get a head start on your own. It might save some stress later when you are a post-graduate gaining hours and experience towards your credential. Best of luck! Cheers on all your journeys!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kritika,
Good question! Finishing your degree and choosing your next course of action is a major step, especially if you're considering studying abroad, so it's quite normal to feel a little overwhelmed at this point. The good news is that you have many of options because mental health nursing and psychology are both excellent and in-demand professions in Australia.
You should start by researching the types of postgraduate psychology programs that are offered and how your credentials will be evaluated in Australia, while you are completing your psychology degree in the UK. Clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and educational psychology are some important fields to think about.
If you haven't previously, you usually need to finish an honors year in psychology and then a Master's degree that satisfies the accreditation requirements defined by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) in order to become a registered psychologist in Australia.
Courses like a Master of Counseling or Mental Health Practice, which do not require full psychologist registration but still include therapeutic duties, may also be of interest to you if you are open to more expansive positions in the field of mental health. If you have a strong desire to help others but would like a somewhat different path, they can be excellent substitutes.
You can begin to understand your alternatives by:
- Visiting university websites in Australia (like University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, or Monash) to check program requirements.
- Reaching out to international admissions offices for guidance on how your UK degree transfers.
- Looking up APAC-accredited courses if you’re planning to pursue psychology registration in Australia.
In Australia, mental health nursing is a wonderful and in-demand career option. In order to register as a nurse, you would normally need to finish a nursing qualification, such as a Bachelor of Nursing or a Graduate Entry Master's program if you already have a degree, if you're thinking about making this transfer. After that, postgraduate education or professional experience can help you specialize in mental health.
The simplest way to decide between these options is to look at your areas of interest. For example, are you more interested in holistic care and the practical parts of nursing, or are you more interested in psychological theory and therapy as a psychologist? During your transition, you might also think about volunteering in mental health facilities, talking to experts in both professions, or job shadowing.
Assess what best fits your values, strengths, and long-term lifestyle objectives. The most important first stages are exploration and thoughtfulness, which you are now doing.
Best wishes!
Good question! Finishing your degree and choosing your next course of action is a major step, especially if you're considering studying abroad, so it's quite normal to feel a little overwhelmed at this point. The good news is that you have many of options because mental health nursing and psychology are both excellent and in-demand professions in Australia.
You should start by researching the types of postgraduate psychology programs that are offered and how your credentials will be evaluated in Australia, while you are completing your psychology degree in the UK. Clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and educational psychology are some important fields to think about.
If you haven't previously, you usually need to finish an honors year in psychology and then a Master's degree that satisfies the accreditation requirements defined by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) in order to become a registered psychologist in Australia.
Courses like a Master of Counseling or Mental Health Practice, which do not require full psychologist registration but still include therapeutic duties, may also be of interest to you if you are open to more expansive positions in the field of mental health. If you have a strong desire to help others but would like a somewhat different path, they can be excellent substitutes.
You can begin to understand your alternatives by:
- Visiting university websites in Australia (like University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, or Monash) to check program requirements.
- Reaching out to international admissions offices for guidance on how your UK degree transfers.
- Looking up APAC-accredited courses if you’re planning to pursue psychology registration in Australia.
In Australia, mental health nursing is a wonderful and in-demand career option. In order to register as a nurse, you would normally need to finish a nursing qualification, such as a Bachelor of Nursing or a Graduate Entry Master's program if you already have a degree, if you're thinking about making this transfer. After that, postgraduate education or professional experience can help you specialize in mental health.
The simplest way to decide between these options is to look at your areas of interest. For example, are you more interested in holistic care and the practical parts of nursing, or are you more interested in psychological theory and therapy as a psychologist? During your transition, you might also think about volunteering in mental health facilities, talking to experts in both professions, or job shadowing.
Assess what best fits your values, strengths, and long-term lifestyle objectives. The most important first stages are exploration and thoughtfulness, which you are now doing.
Best wishes!