Psychology is the scientific study of thoughts, emotions and behaviour towards a better understanding of the human experience. Psychologists apply their understanding of behaviour to solve certain problems in a number of professional settings.

Clinical psychologists provide a range of assessments and therapies, often working within the health services. "Clinical psychologists could work in an adult mental health setting or with children, diagnosing and helping with psychological difficulties, dealing with issues of social interaction, emotional development or problems with abuse," Professor Des Swan, president of the Psychological Society of Ireland, says.

Due to the nature of their work and the areas they deal with, clinical psychologists are often confused with psychiatrists; however, they are completely separate disciplines. "Psychiatry is a branch of medicine, psychology isn't. Psychiatrists are usually working in the area of mental illness, clinical psychologists aren't necessarily," says Swan. However, he says clinical psychologists often use similar techniques to psychiatrists and both professions often work together.

Education psychologists deal with the psychological and education development of children and adults. "Educational psychologists help children to cope with both learning difficulties and exceptional ability." They ideally work in schools or close by and also have a role to play in advising on education policy, teacher training, or at school level in devising a bullying or special needs policy.

Counselling psychologist work with people in managing the common problems of day-to-day living, such as coping with relationships, stress and bereavement.

Organisational psychology is a modern term for occupational and industrial psychology. It involves job selection and career guidance within an organisation, matching the right person to the right job, identifying problems within an organisation and helping people gain job satisfaction. Such psychologists are employed by industries, trade unions, government agencies or in private practice.

There are also a number of smaller groups which are emerging. Health psychologists advise on adjustment to health problems such as, trauma or serious illness. Sports psychologists advise on training policy and athlete performance. Military psychologists are involved in selection and promotion in the Defence Forces and deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. A small number of forensic psychologists work with the Department of Justice.

There is a huge shortage of clinical and education psychologists, Swan says. The National Educational Psychological Service is planning to recruit up to 200 people over the next few years and currently up to 75 per cent of clinical psychology positions in the health service are vacant. However, although there are sufficient undergraduates to meet the needs, the number of postgraduates places is too low. "The amount of training places is woefully short of the number required. There's an enormous imbalance," says Swan.

There is also a demand for these places from students. "Psychology is one of the fastest-growing and most popular university subjects," says professor Aidan Moran, head of the department of psychology in UCD.

UCD takes 35 students each year into its denominated undergraduate psychology programme, DN045. These students choose two other arts subjects, but only for their first year. Students in the arts programme DN012 can also study psychology in first year. However, only 35 of these may continue on to second year, on the basis of their psychology exam results. Some 15 places are reserved for third-year science students to join the second year of psychology. Again competition is based on exam results and 12 to 15 places are also available for graduates of other disciplines to join the second-year group and attain a two-year HDip in psychology.

Graduates of the undergraduate psychology degrees will usually require further qualifications to work as psychologists. In reality, Moran says it takes six to seven years to become a psychologist. "A master's is the minimum you need, but the profession is becoming more doctoral," he says.