🧠 Psychology
Any PUC stream · after SSLC (Class 10) · listed under PUC Arts
Duration
3 Years BA/B.Sc + 2 Years MA/M.Sc
Entrance Exam
CUET / college merit
Degree
BA / B.Sc Psychology
Job Roles
7 mapped
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 in any stream; some colleges prefer Science. Clinical practice later requires an RCI-recognised postgraduate qualification.
The journey, step by step
SSLC through to leadership.
Your route
- Class 10SSLC
- PUC — any stream2 years
- BA / B.Sc Psychology3 Years BA/B.Sc + 2 Years MA/M.Sc
- Counselling Psychologistfirst job
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years📚 PUC — any streamTwo years of pre-university study in any stream — Science, Commerce or Arts all qualify. This guide lists the course under Arts. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 CUET / college meritEntry to BA / B.Sc Psychology is through CUET / college merit. CUET UG is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to Central and participating universities for BA, B.Sc, B.Com and more. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
- 4Degree · 3 Years BA/B.Sc + 2 Years MA/M.Sc📘 BA / B.Sc PsychologyPsychology: 3 Years BA/B.Sc + 2 Years MA/M.Sc. You can specialise in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Organisational Behaviour, Child Psychology and more.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Counselling PsychologistCommon starting roles include Counselling Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Organisational Psychologist.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MA / M.Sc Psychology (2Y)You can continue with MA / M.Sc Psychology (2Y), M.Phil Clinical Psychology (2Y, RCI), PhD Psychology.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years for a PhD🔬 MA / M.Psy Clinical Psychology (RCI-recognised)MA / M.Psy Clinical Psychology (RCI-recognised) · PhD Clinical Psychology · ICMR mental-health research · Behavioural science research
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ NIMHANS and govt hospital psychologistNIMHANS and govt hospital psychologist · Prison and rehabilitation services · KPSC welfare posts · Armed forces selection boards · Correctional and juvenile services psychologist
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Private counselling practicePrivate counselling practice · Corporate wellness consultancy · Mental-health platform
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ Chief PsychologistChief Psychologist · Head of Counselling · Professor
Entrance exams & admission
CUET / college merit
Class 12 merit or CUET UG for the degree. To practise as a clinical psychologist you must complete an RCI-recognised programme — note this route changed, as M.Phil Clinical Psychology admissions closed after 2025-26 and the MA / M.Psy Clinical Psychology programme replaces it.
Check exam details and official portals →What it costs to get there
Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka
Government seat
₹20,000–60,000
about ₹13,333 a year
Private / management seat
₹1.5–6L
about ₹1.25L a year
Tuition for the bachelor degree. Practising as a psychologist needs a masters afterwards, which is a further cost.
Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
What you can do next
- MA / M.Sc Psychology (2Y)
- M.Phil Clinical Psychology (2Y, RCI)
- PhD Psychology
Any graduate can also go for: Defence Services via CDS · Chartered Accountancy · Banking & Finance · Cost & Management Accountancy (CMA) · Civil Services (IAS/IPS) · Law (LLB) · Teaching — B.Ed and D.El.Ed · Physical Education & Sports (BPES / B.P.Ed)
Research routes
- ›MA / M.Psy Clinical Psychology (RCI-recognised)
- ›PhD Clinical Psychology
- ›ICMR mental-health research
- ›Behavioural science research
Government jobs
- ›NIMHANS and govt hospital psychologist
- ›Prison and rehabilitation services
- ›KPSC welfare posts
- ›Armed forces selection boards
- ›Correctional and juvenile services psychologist
Start your own
- ›Private counselling practice
- ›Corporate wellness consultancy
- ›Mental-health platform
Senior roles later
- ›Chief Psychologist
- ›Head of Counselling
- ›Professor
Specialisations
- ›Clinical Psychology
- ›Counselling Psychology
- ›Organisational Behaviour
- ›Child Psychology
Where it is taught
- ›NIMHANS Bengaluru (PG later)
- ›Christ University Bengaluru
- ›TISS Mumbai (PG later)
- ›Delhi University
Where these facts come from
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) licences clinical practice. Note the route changed: UGC allowed M.Phil Clinical Psychology admissions only up to the 2025-26 session, and from 2026-27 the RCI-recognised path is the MA / M.Psy Clinical Psychology programme. UGC curriculum for UG.
Find a college for this course
Explore the directory, then confirm eligibility, fees and available seats with the college.
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