Study Masters in Psychology Abroad
How does a Masters in Psychology benefit you? By offering specialised research tracks and hands-on practice, these programmes prepare you to address the rising global need for clinical expertise and organisational mental health.
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What you'll learn in this article
Now is the best time to pursue an advanced degree in psychology. It is among the fastest-growing fields to study abroad, and the requirement for experts in mental health is higher than ever before. The degree allows you to gain specialised knowledge and skills in a specific area of mental health.
It usually requires two years of study to complete a masters programme in Psychology and earn the degree, but there are also shorter-term pathways to it. If you are passionate about helping people live a fulfilling life with a healthy mind and also seek career growth, here is everything you should know about a Masters in Psychology.
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Global Benefits of Pursuing Master in Psychology Abroad
Even if you want to pursue a mental health career, you may wonder whether it is worthwhile to take a step towards it with a masters programme in psychology abroad. Let us take a look at some valid reasons why you should consider joining a study-abroad programme for this degree.
Understanding the Cultural Impact on Psychology at an International Level
As a higher education field, psychology is all about studying the human mind as well as how society and cultures affect human behaviour. An overseas educational experience in psychology will allow you to analyse psychology and learn about it from a global and cultural perspective. For instance, analysing and understanding how your international peers deal with psychology will help you gain a more diverse perspective on the field.
More Course Options to Pick From
There are many psychology masters courses with non-psychology subjects offered in different top study destinations, which you may not have access to in your home country. Further, with the option of pursuing a one-year Masters in Psychology in a foreign country, you can graduate more quickly and start your professional career right away.
Solid Employment Outlook and Growth
The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects a 6% increase in the number of openings for psychologists until the end of 2034, which is faster than the average job growth related to other fields of study. That said, a masters degree in Psychology also allows you to pursue a non-clinical role, and the good thing is that there are some areas with faster growth rates in this regard.
For instance, the BLS forecasts a 13% increase in the number of jobs for family and marriage therapists until the end of 2034. The BLS forecast is also significant for a different area of mental health that deals with counselling, behavioural disorders, and substance abuse, projected at a 17% growth rate.
Competitive Starting Pay for Many Areas of Psychology
The advanced degree enables accessing jobs with medium-range pay for almost every area of psychology and higher compensation for certain areas. For example, average pay for a mental health counsellor in the USA is around US $59,190 a year, but the related role of a psychologist has a greater average salary of around US $94,310 per annum.
Top Masters in Psychology Universities & Tuition Fees Abroad
Are you ready to explore the different schools that are available to kickstart your career in mental health? If so, you may use the following list as a point of reference. Do your own research as well and never hesitate to seek our counsellor's help with making the best choice for your future career in psychology.
| University Name | Course | Course Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Sydney University | Master of Clinical Psychology | 2 years | AU $47,561 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | Master of Educational Psychology | Around 1.5 years | NZ $45,450 |
| Teesside University | MSc Psychology | 1 year (for September intakes) | £17,000 per year |
| University of Victoria | MSc Psychology | 2 years | CA $16,806 |
| Monash University | Master of Professional Psychology | 1 year | AU $45,400 |
Types of Masters Degrees in Psychology Abroad
Universities abroad offer programmes such as master of science and master of arts in psychology. A master of science in psychology usually focuses more on the sciences and research. On the other hand, a master of arts in psychology pays more attention to the humanities and arts elements of psychology. Whether you choose an MA or master of science in psychology, you will complete an array of modules that build your skills and knowledge in psychology before concluding the programme with a dissertation or research project.
There is a wide variety of specialisations for a masters degree in psychology, including ones that overlap with other topics, like sports, sociology, education, and business. If you are aware of what specialisation to choose, you can often find a specialised masters programme.
A more generic masters in psychology covers the core aspects of psychology, with options to pick from an array of specialised modules. However, it is a good idea to think about what career you want to pursue before choosing any graduate programme in psychology. There are clear specialisation areas in several psychology departments that offer dedicated support to people who pursue certain psychology careers.
Here are some well-known psychology specialisations you may want to consider:
- Counselling Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Criminology
- Experimental Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Business Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Child Psychology
Wondering which Masters in Psychology course is right for you? Register with AECC and get your profile evaluated to see for which course and international universities you qualify.
Academic & English Requirements for Masters in Psychology
A bachelors degree in a particular field is usually required for a masters degree in the same field, but this is not always the case in psychology. Even if you have a non-psychology bachelors, like one in engineering, some schools will accept you for an advanced degree in psychology based on your prior grades and work experience. Relevant experience also works in your favour, as far as your application is concerned. This means that if you meet the other university criteria, your bachelor's degree needs not be in psychology for a masters in the same field.
Some universities seek specific personal attributes in psychology candidates for certain specialisations like counselling, sensitivity, and maturity. Now, what are the other requirements for a Masters in Psychology? Basic entry criteria for the degree may be comparable across institutions, but each course may have its own specific requirements for admission. Almost every programme requires undergraduate transcripts, a good GPA, LORs (recommendation letters), and a personal statement or SOP.
The GRE may be widely accepted for almost every graduate programme, but many institutions are doing away with it as standardised tests are being reconsidered as a measure of academic success for the upcoming future.
Careers After Masters in Psychology Abroad
An advanced degree in psychology does not automatically result in a career as a mental health service provider. While you can get roles that involve helping people with mental disorders, a postgraduate degree in psychology also paves the way too many nonclinical positions. For example, with the degree, you can become a human mind researcher who deals with scientific experiments or someone who designs and administers personality assessments and IQ tests.
Jobs for Psychology Masters Degree Holders
| Job Profile | Annual Salary (in USA) | Projected Growth (Through 2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counsellor | US $59,190 | +17% |
| Clinical Psychologist | US $96,100 | +11% |
| Forensic Science Technician | US $67,440 | +13% |
| FBI Agent | US $99,461 | Not specified |
| Forensic Psychologist | US $109,894 | +11% |
Reach out to our expert counsellors for more in-depth information about the Masters in Psychology requirements, the best universities for the qualification, admission deadlines, and so forth. Connect with AECC experts right away.
Study Masters in Psychology Abroad FAQs
The duration of a masters degree in Psychology abroad, takes 1 to 3 years of full-time study to complete, depending on the type of programme, location you choose for it, and specialisation you choose to pursue. Most UK or European programmes last 1–2 years, while programmes in the USA or Canada can range from 2–3 years.
A masters programme in Psychology abroad is somewhat challenging, even for a person with a bachelors degree in this field. While considered demanding, requiring strong dedication to manage intense coursework, complex statistical analysis, and practical clinical training or research, it is an exciting and rewarding career option. While academically challenging due to the heavy reading load, many students find it deeply rewarding and manageable with strong time-management skills and a genuine interest in the field.
Yes, it is worth getting a masters in Psychology abroad. You can give back to your community with a masters degree in Psychology. Even if you want a non-clinical role, there are high-paying Psychology-related jobs that fit the bill, including some of the positions like clinical psychologist, sports psychologist, and forensic psychologist. The qualification allows access to a variety of career paths that are appealing to people who enjoy this field but are uncertain regarding the specific role they want at the start of their careers.
Neuropsychologist, sports psychologist, clinical psychologist, engineering psychologist, and forensic psychologist are some of the positions in this field that offer competitive pay abroad. Your specific income in any Psychology role depends on various factors, such as your geographic location and employment sector, to name two.
You may be able to do so with a bachelors in Psychology abroad, depending on the school where you apply. Some universities also accept non-psychology bachelors degree holders to pursue masters in psychology courses. Therefore, it is a good idea to know what the requirements for a masters in Psychology are. Even if a relevant qualification is optional, a psychology undergraduate degree holder will find it less challenging to complete the masters coursework as compared to their non-psychology counterpart.
Trusted Expertise
About the Author
Published and reviewed by AECC counsellors who guide students through every step of their study-abroad journey.
Published by Bindu Mary Idicula
Test Prep, Courses & Application Expert | 20 Years in International Education
Bindu Mary Idicula has spent over 20 years in international education, writing on three areas that students navigate across every study abroad destination: standardised tests, course selection and application documents. She covers TOEFL, SAT, ACT, OET, GRE and GMAT, writes on standalone course guides across disciplines, and covers the application documents students need including Letters of Recommendation, Statements of Purpose, academic essays and CVs.
What connects these three areas is the same practical angle. She does not write about tests, courses or application documents in the abstract. She writes about what students need to know when they are actively deciding: which test is required for a specific course and destination, what a particular discipline looks like across different countries, and what makes an SOP or LOR work for a student with a specific academic background. That specificity comes from two decades of student consultations.
Her articles across the AECC platform have been read over 650,000 times. The breadth of topics she covers reflects the range of questions students bring to consultations, from which exam to take first to how to write a CV that works for an international university application. She holds an MBA in Marketing and is based at AECC's Tamil Nadu offices.
