Skip to main content
Get careers information and advice

Beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Psychiatrist

Psychiatrist

Alternative titles for this job include

Psychiatrists are doctors who diagnose and treat patients with emotional, behavioural and mental health conditions.

Average salary (a year)

£40,000 Starter

to

£151,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 43

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

To become a psychiatrist you'll need to complete:

  • a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council
  • a foundation course of general training that lasts 2 years
  • 3 years of core training in psychiatry
  • specialist training which can take up to 3 years

You might be able to do a foundation year before starting a medical degree. This will depend on your circumstances and what qualifications you hold.

If you already have a science-based degree, you could take a 4-year graduate entry route into medicine.

Entry tests

When you apply for a course in medicine, you may be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).

It tests for skills you'll need on the course, such as:

  • critical thinking
  • problem solving
  • data analysis
  • decision making

Work experience

Medical schools will also expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association provides information on how to find a placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a place on a Doctor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship, if you're working in a healthcare setting.

This takes 5 years and you'll need the support of your employer to apply.

On successful completion, you would move on to the 2-year foundation training programme, followed by core and specialist training.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

More Information

Registration

Career tips

The General Medical Council has a guide on what it means to be a good doctor. You might find this useful when preparing for medical school interviews.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Medical Association for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a psychiatrist from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • knowledge of medicine
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a psychiatrist, you could:

  • speak to patients to learn about their situation and what they’re going through
  • test and observe patients, and review their medical history
  • gather information from other sources like GPs, social workers or relatives
  • discuss diagnoses and treatment options with team colleagues
  • prescribe treatments, such as talking therapies or medication
  • closely monitor patient progress to measure the effectiveness of treatments
  • support trainees and colleagues in the department

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in the community, in a prison or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • specialise in a particular branch of psychiatry, such as child and adolescence, general adult or forensic
  • apply for senior and consultant roles
  • lead a psychiatric team or manage a department
  • move into teaching or clinical research

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a psychiatrist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE (Science)

  • Provider: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2027
  • Location: Cambridge

Access to HE - Science

  • Provider: HRUC (Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges)
  • Start date: 13 September 2027
  • Location: Harrow
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Related careers

GP

Hospital doctor

Psychologist

Psychotherapist

Mental health nurse

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.