What is Psychology?: Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Psychology is a broad term. It is the study of the mind and behavior. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior. There are different types of psychology such as cognitive, forensic, social & developmental psychology. 

Psychology courses are vast course and they can be divided into several specialisations. Both Arts and Science streams are offered in this domain. Psychology is rarely offered as a five-year integrated course in colleges. The duration of the Psychology course varies according to the programme level (undergraduate or postgraduate) and type (full-time, part-time, certificate, etc.).
For a full-time programme, the UG level programmes are of three years duration, whereas the PG programmes are of two years duration. The pedagogy of Psychology courses involves both theories as well as practical lessons.

The definition of Psychology is that it is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, exploring how people think, feel and act both individually and within groups. It aims to understand and explain emotions, thoughts, perceptions and actions.
Hope you got it now.

Students who enjoy learning about Psychology can read various books that have been written about PG Diploma in Psychology. Some of the most popular books that are commonly read by avid readers and people who enjoy Psychology are:

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

• Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

• Games People Play by  Eric Berne

• Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

• Influence: Science and Practice by Robert B. Cialdini

Psychology studies include the scientific understanding of mind and behavior, including an individual's thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The key aspects of Psychology studies are biological influences, social & environmental factors, research techniques, etc.

You can study Psychology in various specialized areas like Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Industrial Psychology.

The 7 types of Psychology are:

1. Clinical Psychology
2. Cognitive Psychology
3. Developmental Psychology
4. Social Psychology
5. Forensic Psychology
6. Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology
7. Health Psychology

It depends on what you mean by a Doctor. If you're asking about a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, then yes, you can pursue a PhD in Psychology and get the doctorate degree. You can also become a licensed Clinical Psychologist in India with a Dr. title, but not through MBBS. 
And if you mean a Psychiatrist (Medical Doctor), then the answer is "No". without an MBBS + MD/DNB in Psychiatry, you cannot be a Medical doctor.

Yes, a student from any stream can apply for a BA in Psychology. All that is required of the candidate is that they must have graduated from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% in their boards. However, the requirements for admission to various universities and institutes offering psychology courses may differ.

Yes, a student from any stream can apply for a BA in Psychology. The candidate just needs to have passed their Class 12 from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 50 per cent in their boards. However, different colleges/Institutes for psychology courses may have their own set of eligibility criteria.

Psychology courses are a list of disciplines and topics that a candidate must study in order to pursue a profession in this field. The study of the human mind and behaviour patterns is known as psychology. It is a broad field encompassing human development, mental health, social behaviour, and cognitive processes. 

Generally, universities require the student to have studied a subject in a related field. However, IGNOU offers students MA in Psychology and the eligibility criteria are such that the aspirants need to have a Bachelor’s degree (in any stream) from a recognised university. Apart from IGNOU, other top universities offering Psychology courses include the University of Calcutta, the University of Pune, Central University, and Karnataka, among others. So you can pursue MA Psychology from IGNOU after completing BSc in Biology.

Yes, you can pursue MA Psychology after completing BTech or a graduation in any field. Though there are some colleges that may give preference to candidates who have completed BA Psychology or BSc Psychology. Since MA Psychology is an advanced degree you would be expected to be familiar with the basic terminology and fundamental concepts related to Psychology

Psychology courses are open to students from many disciplines. Applicants who have finished 10+2 from a recognised board of education are eligible with the requirement of scoring at least 55%. A few colleges may also state additional eligibility criteria during admission. 

Candidates for master's level Psychology courses must have a bachelor's degree in courses such as BA Psychology or equivalent from a recognised educational institution, as well as the minimum required aggregate as specified by the college. Know more about Psychology Admissions.

You'll find questions around topics like Principles of Psychology, Human Behavior, Personality, Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods & Statistics, etc. Psychology entrance exams are generally conducted in the MCQ format, where you'll get to choose the right option among the 4. All the best!

No, having Science in your Class 12 is not mandatory to sit in a Psychology entrance exam. Though it also depends on the course you're choosing. For example, if you want to opt for a Clinical Psychology course like a BSc in Clinical Psychology, the eligibility would change, and you would need to have Biology in Class 12.

Of course, Psychology is a subject for which courses are offered in various types. If you have passed Class 12 with the Arts or Commerce stream, you can opt for a BA, BA (Hons.), BVoc, or even a BBA in Psychology. If you really want to study Psychology, it is not mandatory to be a Science student. Psychology is a vast domain, and it does not apply only to Clinical Psychology.

Current Affairs and GK part is equally important in Psychology entrance exams. With these types of questions, one can determine the candidate's awareness, personality, critical thinking, overall IQ, etc.

Some of the best online courses in Psychology are stated in the table below:

Yes, Integrated M.Sc. A PhD in Psychology course is offered in India. Out of all the colleges best colleges are listed below. The list of colleges offering this course is as follows. University of Hyderabad, Telangana Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kerala Palamuru University, Telangana Ahmedabad University Seacom Skills University, Kolkata Auro University of Hospitality and Management Hope it helps.

You can pursue Psychology courses at various course levels. In India Psychology is available as a specialisation in Arts and Science courses. Given below are the various Psychology courses:

The minimum duration for PhD in Psychology course is three years. In some universities, it is completed in four years. Those who have had an interest in psychology since a young age should take the course to fulfill their desire. It is advantageous for a candidate obtaining a PhD in Psychology to have someone in their family who is an expert in a particular subject.

A doctorate degree requires a lot of hard work and patience. One must be very curious to learn new things and come up with new findings to successfully complete the PhD program.

Click to learn:  Psychology courses

On pursuing a course in Psychology, students get to learn about human behaviour and society. Students are taught on a statistical, fundamental and analytical level to understand the human mind deeper. Subjects taught in a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology are as follows:

The books followed in the BA Philosophy course may vary depending on the colleges offering the course. Moreover, the syllabus and the university the college is affiliated with also determine the books followed for the course. Given below are some of the important books in a BA Philosophy course:

 Psychology is a great field to embark upon, Jobs directly related to your degree include

• Clinical psychologist
• Counselling psychologist
• Educational psychologist
• Forensic psychologist
• Further education teacher 
• Health psychologist
• Occupational psychologist
• Primary care graduate mental health worker
• Psychological well-being practitioner
• Sport and exercise psychologist

In order to pursue a particular psychology course, candidates need to have the required skill set to be successful in the field. Some of these required skills are as follows:

• Analytical ability
• Verbal and written communication
• Patience
• Passionate
• Compassionate
• Pragmatic
• Problem-solving ability

Colleges that provide Criminal psychology course in India are :-

1. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar.

2. University of Lucknow, Lucknow. 

3. CMS College of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore.

4. Patna University, Patna. 

5. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.

6. Allahabad University.

7. Bangalore University.

8. Dwarka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Chennai.

9. Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar.

10. Government Institute of Forensic Science, Aurangabad.

Yes, DU does offer Psychology courses, you can refer to the table below for the best Psychology colleges under DU:

I hope this answer will help you.

 There are several colleges and universities in Patiala that offer a clinical psychology programme. Here are some of them: Punjabi University - This university offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology programme. The duration of the programme is two years. Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital - This college offers a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology programme. The duration of the programme is two years. Khalsa College - This college offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme, which can be a good foundation for pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology. Multani Mal Modi College - This college offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme, which can also serve as a good foundation for pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology. DAV College - This college offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme. Please note that these are just some of the colleges and universities in Patiala that offer clinical psychology programs. It is always best to gather as much information as possible before making a decision. Good luck with your studies!

 These are the top colleges who offers psychology:

Lady Shri Ram College for Women- Jesus and Mary College- Mata Sundari College for Women- Indraprastha College for Women- Kamla Nehru College- Gargi College Zakir Husain College Keshav mahavidyalaya.

Hope this helps.

Hi, you can refer to the table below for the best Psychology colleges in India and for more information you can visit this page: Best Psychology Colleges in India.

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Psychology is considered to be one of the respectable professions as it involves helping a person’s bad state of mind. A career in psychology offers different pathways from being a psychiatrist to a child counsellor. Psychology is a field that is expected to expand at a rate of 14% per year because it assists in understanding the root causes of issues in individuals as well as their solutions.

A psychologist's "good" career depends on a number of variables, such as your hobbies, abilities, and preferences. Psychology may be a fulfilling career choice for you if you have a sincere desire to comprehend why others think, feel, and act in certain ways. Check Psychology Career.

Both psychologists and psychiatrists deal with mental health issues, but their approaches are different. The difference is:

• The psychiatrist studies for a medical degree to become a doctor of medicine (M. D. in Psychiatry). They have to appear in the NEET UG exam to attain MBBS and are called doctors. On the other hand, a psychologist studies for an M.Sc or MA in clinical psychology. He or she may also study further to attain a PhD. They will also be required to take the RCI exam to gain the RCI license to practice.
• Psychiatrists have the authority to diagnose and treat patients with medication. whereas psychologists usually have to enlist the help of therapy. 
• Psychiatrists are mostly employed at hospitals as doctors. Whereas psychologists work as counsellors. 
• Psychiatrists are usually consulted when a person is experiencing severe mental issues. However, a psychologist can be consulted whenever the need arises for counselling. For example, in the case of phobia, you can go to a psychologist.

The things you need to become a clinical psychologist can be different in different countries and colleges, but mostly people follow some steps.

Here are the normal steps:

Bachelor Degree: First you do BSc Psychology, BSc Clinical Psychology, or something similar.

Master Degree: After bachelor, people usually do master in Clinical Psychology or something close.

Doctor Degree: Most clinical psychologists do doctor degree for full qualification.

Psychologists are not doctors but psychiatrists are. Psychologists are not allowed to administer drugs whereas psychiatrists can. A psychiatrist diagnoses and oversees therapy for patients with complex and significant mental illnesses.Patients receive psychotherapy or talk treatment from psychologists.

Psychology is a vast field and there are various exciting specialisations one can opt for and make a career in. From Clinical Psychologists to Counsellors to Child Psychology there are various specialisations one can opt for in Psychology courses and excel in.

A required internship is a component of certain psychology courses. However, it might not be relevant to every academic programme. Nevertheless, doing an internship would be a benefit for applicants looking to launch their careers in this industry, regardless of the mandate. The applicant needs to finish a two-year internship. Due to the fact that they will obtain on-the-job training, many students will gain from this experience.

Additionally, a student will know if the specialisation is a good fit for them. The candidate will benefit from the fulfilment of helping others throughout this period. Since professions in mental health institutions may require an approved internship, internships in clinical and counselling psychology may need approval from some respectable bodies.

Psychology is a highly rewarding and lucrative field of study. A psychologist's salary depends on many factors including his/her qualifications, area of specialisation and experience in the profession. Professional psychologists with M.Phil and PhD degrees earn quite handsomely. Those engaged in private practice have more scope for earnings.

The requirements to become a licensed psychologist are: pass the 10+2 exam preferably with Psychology as one of the subjects complete a Bachelor (BA or BS) in Psychology degree (the curriculum of which focuses on personality development, psychotherapy, stress management and neuro-psychology) specialization at the postgraduate level, where one can get an MA or M.Sc in either Psychology, Social Work, or Counselling.

Further specialisation at the doctoral level is available as well via PhD or M.Phil The postgraduate and doctoral programs focus their studies more on research, which is great for pursuing either a research or teaching job, whereas the graduate degrees (Bachelors) emphasise practice, such as counselling.

To practice Counselling Psychology, you only need to have a BA/ BS in Psychology, or a related field (like Education or Social Work). Graduate (Bachelor) degree programs are 3 years, Postgraduate (Masters) degree programs are 2 years, and Doctoral (MPhil or PhD) programs are 2 years long.

If you believe you have any of the valuable required characteristics and skills, you can relate to the theoretical and practical parts well. In general, the student needs to understand the concepts and basics of human behaviour to have a genuine interest.

The field of psychology is vast, with numerous branches to explore. When a candidate completes their study and becomes a psychologist, their real job obligations will vary depending on their specialisation and other factors. Click to know Scope of Psychology.

Desirous students can know the importance of studying Psychology by reading the below-mentioned points:

• Studying psychology can be important for many reasons, including Understanding human behaviour, Mental health, Research skills, Career prospects, Developing social and Communication skills etc.
• Psychology courses provide a wide range of career opportunities in medicine, education and business.
• It gives you Adaptability in Workplaces including private practices, business settings, hospitals, and schools.
• Students can go for higher education after completing a bachelor's degree in Psychology. A Psychology degree can be valuable to candidates who aspire to work in Human Resource Management, Education, Social Work, Advertising, Communication, Forensics, Sales, Politics and many other fields.
• More professionals who comprehend the human mind are needed around the globe due to increasing mental health issues.
• It is a golden opportunity for candidates from Arts backgrounds who want to pursue a career in medical and related fields.

To make a career in the field of psychology, students need to first have the intrinsic characteristics mentioned above. The higher the degree a person has, the better their career options are. In the field of Psychology, theory and practicals go hand in hand and with the demand growing for practitioners, a career in Psychology is highly rewarding. Psychologists can work as counsellors at universities, hospitals, schools, clinics, government agencies etc.

The steps involved in admission to Developmental Psychology are:

B.A. Psychology eligibility demands the students to have pursued a 10+2 examination with 50% or higher from any recognised boards. The students are supposed to pass the entrance exam for eligibility. The major exams are CUET or merit based etc. for course eligibility. B.A. Psychology has an immense career scope as students can explore a wide range of careers across several employment areas from Clinical Medicine, Counseling to Health and Education. Licenses Clinical Psychologists who hold doctoral degrees will likely find the best career opportunities, entering well paying positions in health care or mental health organizations, schools, government and non-profit agencies etc. The average B.A. Psychology salary ranges from INR 1.2 to INR 3 LPA on average.