Improvements in brain imaging techniques have led to a higher demand for Neuropsychologists. To become a Neuropsychologist you have to go through either a Clinical or Educational route, which are both highly competitive areas. Therefore, it is essential to show postgraduate selectors your work experience skills as well as your degree qualifications. Work experience is also an excellent way to apply your knowledge of the course to the real world!
Shadowing a Clinical Psychologist or Neuropsychologist may be an effective way to pick up some of the skills and qualities needed. Psychologists can be found in your local area through the BPS website.
The following points include examples of relevant work experience; some include jobs in the local area.
- Voluntary or paid Research Assistant - The University of Southampton runs a programme for a Voluntary Research Assistant (VRA). This is unpaid and usually runs over the summer or a few hours a week during term time. It is a great opportunity to increase your chances of achieving a place on a postgraduate course. In addition, the researchers could write a letter of reference for you.
- Voluntary work with people with disabilities/ mental health issues/ learning difficulties.
- Voluntary work for UK charities for people with brain injuries at Headway Southampton. There are currently two opportunities available: one is supporting the individuals with activities and the other is working as a volunteer mentor.
- Working with the NHS.
- Local volunteering at hospitals in Southampton - eg: Royal South Hants Hospital.
- Solent Mind work all around the Southampton area, supporting people in their local communities or in hospital settings. They work with a range of different people with mental health issues.
- The Southampton University’s Students Union provides Community Volunteering opportunities including working with people with disabilities.
- Brain Injury Support offer paid support worker roles. They employ mostly postgraduates but do have some undergraduates working for them.
- Visitor for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
- Assistant Psychologist role – easier to obtain after graduation and relevant voluntary work experience has been undertaken. These roles can be found in the Psychologist Appointments which is part of The Psychologist (the BPS monthly magazine), in newspapers or in specialist publications.
CRB Check
You will need a Criminal Records Bureau Check in order to work with vulnerable people and sensitive information.