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Psychology & Social Sciences

Understand minds, behavior and society.

Job Roles in this field

Typical Career Progression

  1. 1Trainee
  2. 2Associate
  3. 3Practitioner
  4. 4Senior Specialist
  5. 5Director / Professor

Entrance Exams

CUETTISSNETGRE (abroad)

Typical Tuition Fees

₹1–8L (India) · ₹40–80L (Abroad)

Indicative ranges across reputed institutions. Scholarships available at most colleges.

Top Colleges in India

  • TISS Mumbai
  • Christ Bangalore
  • Ashoka University
  • Fergusson College

Top Colleges Abroad

  • UCL
  • U of Edinburgh
  • UC Berkeley
Deep dive

Jobs in Psychology & Social Sciences

Salary, career path, pros & cons, the personality it suits — and the personality it doesn't.

Disclaimer: Salaries vary by city, company, skills and economic conditions.

Clinical Psychologist

Diagnoses and treats mental health conditions through therapy and assessment.

Beginner salary (per month)
₹30,000 – ₹70,000

Career Progression

  1. 1MPhil Trainee
  2. 2Clinical Psychologist
  3. 3Senior Clinician
  4. 4Clinic Director

Personal attributes needed

  • Deeply empathetic
  • Strong listener
  • Self-aware

Pros

  • Growing demand for mental health
  • Private practice option
  • Direct human impact

Cons

  • Emotionally heavy
  • Long licensure path (RCI)
  • Vicarious trauma risk

This job is NOT for…

  • People who avoid emotional conversations
  • Those uncomfortable holding others' pain

How to keep learning & stay motivated

  • Regular supervision
  • Continuous training in modalities (CBT, DBT)

Popular recruiters / employers

  • NIMHANS
  • AIIMS
  • Fortis Mental Health
  • Manipal Hospitals
  • Manas Foundation
  • Vandrevala Foundation
  • iCall
  • MindPeers
  • YourDOST
  • Private practice

Indicative list — includes private companies, government bodies and institutions. Hiring varies by role, location and year.

School / Career Counsellor

Guides students on academics, careers, college choices and emotional wellbeing.

Beginner salary (per month)
₹25,000 – ₹60,000

Career Progression

  1. 1Counsellor
  2. 2Sr Counsellor
  3. 3Head of Counselling
  4. 4Independent Practice

Personal attributes needed

  • Patient
  • Knowledgeable about careers
  • Trustworthy

Pros

  • Visible impact on young lives
  • Steady demand in schools
  • Independent practice option

Cons

  • Salaries plateau in schools
  • Parent expectations
  • Continuous CPD needed

This job is NOT for…

  • People uncomfortable with teens
  • Those who dislike one-on-one work

How to keep learning & stay motivated

  • Get certified (Mindler/Univariety/UCLA Ext/Edumilestones)
  • Attend counselling conferences

Popular recruiters / employers

  • DPS
  • International schools
  • Pathways
  • Oakridge
  • Mindler
  • Univariety
  • Edumilestones
  • iDreamCareer
  • CareerGuide
  • School counselling departments

Indicative list — includes private companies, government bodies and institutions. Hiring varies by role, location and year.

Industrial / Organisational Psychologist (HR)

Applies psychology to workplaces — hiring, culture, learning, employee wellbeing.

Beginner salary (per month)
₹35,000 – ₹70,000

Career Progression

  1. 1HR Executive
  2. 2HRBP
  3. 3Sr HRBP
  4. 4HR Director
  5. 5CHRO

Personal attributes needed

  • Empathetic
  • Process-oriented
  • Confidential

Pros

  • Corporate stability
  • People impact at scale
  • Good WLB

Cons

  • Caught between mgmt & employees
  • Subjective metrics
  • Layoff exposure

This job is NOT for…

  • People who avoid difficult conversations
  • Those who dislike paperwork

How to keep learning & stay motivated

  • Pursue SHRM/CIPD
  • Read HBR people analytics articles

Popular recruiters / employers

  • Mercer
  • Aon Hewitt
  • Deloitte HR Consulting
  • EY People Advisory
  • PwC HR
  • Korn Ferry
  • TCS
  • Infosys
  • Reliance
  • HUL

Indicative list — includes private companies, government bodies and institutions. Hiring varies by role, location and year.

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