Psychology vs psychiatry: what’s the difference?
By Samira KambojPublished on
Trying to work out whether psychology or psychiatry is the right path for you? Student advisor Samira Kamboj breaks down what each profession actually involves, how the training differs, and how to figure out which one fits the future you're picturing.
Trying to decide between psychology and psychiatry?
This is a decision that comes up a lot, and it makes total sense. Psychology and psychiatry both show up when people are searching for careers that help others with mental health, and on the surface, the two can look pretty similar. But if you dig a little deeper, they’re actually quite different career paths.
The first difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is the training required. The day to day of each career looks different, and the relationship you’ll have with the people you help won’t look the same either.
Psychology
If you’re someone who’s drawn to understanding why people think and act the way they do, and you like the idea of helping through conversation and behavioural strategies, psychology is probably your lane.
Psychiatry
If you’re more interested in the medical side of mental health, including prescribing medication, psychiatry could be a better fit.
A quick glance at psychology vs psychiatry
Psychology | Psychiatry | |
Field of study | Behavioural science | Medicine |
Can prescribe medication | No | Yes |
Typical study length | Around 6 years | 11+ years |
Entry point | Psychology degree | Medical degree |
Core approach | Psychological assessment, diagnosis, talk therapy, behavioural strategies | Medical assessment, diagnosis, medication, medical treatment |
Common settings | Private practice, schools, community health, workplaces | Hospitals, mental health units, private practice |
Understanding psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour, and psychologists use that knowledge to help people work through everything from everyday stress to more complex mental health conditions. A lot of the work happens through talk therapy, behavioural strategies and psychological assessment.
To register as a psychologist in Australia, you’re looking at around six years of combined study and supervised training. The pathway starts with an accredited four-year undergraduate sequence. From there, you can choose either a two-year masters degree or a one-year masters followed by a year of supervised practice.
Once you’re registered, the career options open right up and can include private practice, schools, hospitals, community organisations, workplaces and more.
Sound like your kind of path? Read our guide on how to become a psychologist to find out more.
Understanding psychiatry
Psychiatry is a medical specialty, and that one fact changes everything else about the job. Because psychiatrists are medical doctors, they can prescribe medication, order tests and treat mental health conditions, including those with physical or biological causes.
It’s also a longer road. You begin with a medical degree, move into hospital-based training, then spend several more years in specialist psychiatry training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Altogether, it’s over a decade-long path before you can practise independently.
If psychiatry sounds like a career you’d like to explore further, check out our guide on how to become a psychiatrist.
The key differences
If you’re still on the fence, here’s where I’d focus your attention.
Training and entry point
Psychology starts with an APAC-accredited psychology degree while psychiatry starts with a medical degree, which means a longer, more competitive road in from the very beginning.
Scope of treatment
Psychologists lean on talk therapy and behavioural approaches. Psychiatrists can do this too, but they’ve also got medication and medical treatment in their toolkit.
Client interaction
Psychologists tend to see clients regularly, often weekly, for ongoing therapy. Psychiatrists might see patients less often once a treatment plan is in place, especially if medication is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Career settings
Psychologists are embedded in all areas of society: private practice, schools, workplaces, community health organisations and more. Psychiatrists are more likely to be found in hospitals, clinics and specialist mental health services.
Earning potential
There’s good earning potential in both fields, with pay shifting depending on experience, specialisation, sector and location. But if the big question you’re asking yourself when comparing psychology vs psychiatry is ‘which pays more?’, the answer is psychiatrist.
Which option is right for you?
It really comes down to the kind of work that lights you up, and how long you’re willing to study to get there.
Psychology might be your path if:
How people think, feel and behave is fascinating to you
You want to help people through conversation and behavioural change
Getting into the workforce sooner is a priority
Schools, community work or private practice sound appealing
Studying online is your preferred pathway
Psychiatry might be your path if:
The medical or biological side of mental health is an area of interest
You want to be able to prescribe medication and order tests
You’re prepared to commit to a longer study pathway, starting with medicine
Hospital or clinical settings sound like your ideal workplace
After all this, if you’re still not sure, that’s okay. And it’s completely normal. Some people start in psychology and find their way to psychiatry later, or the other way around, once they’ve had more exposure to the field. There’s no wrong door to walk through first.
If you'd like to compare psychology to other similar careers that have a shorter study timeframe, you may also be interested in our guides on psychology vs counselling and psychology vs social work.
Can you study psychology or psychiatry online?
Psychology can be studied largely or entirely online. Many undergraduate psychology degrees are built for online and flexible study, which works well if you’re juggling work, family or anything else life throws at you. Online study is also available at the postgraduate level, although professional training includes compulsory placements and other practical requirements that can't be completed remotely.
Psychiatry is a different story. Because it starts with a medical degree, the early years involve clinical placements, lab work and hospital-based learning, so can’t be completed entirely online. Some parts of postgraduate psychiatric training might offer more flexibility, but becoming a psychiatrist still requires a significant amount of medical training.
If flexible study is high on your list, this is one of the biggest practical differences between the two.
Want to learn more about what online psychology study actually looks like? Our guide on how to study psychology online goes deeper.
Explore your psychology study options through us
If psychology feels like the right path, you can compare online psychology degrees from Australian universities through Open Universities Australia.
Not sure where to begin? Try Help Me Choose for personalised recommendations, or contact a student advisor for help understanding entry requirements, alternative pathways and choosing the right course for your goals.
About the author
Samira Kamboj
Student advisor specialising in psychology courses
Samira Kamboj is our specialist in psychology course advice at Open Universities Australia. After returning to university as a mature-age student herself, Samira understands the difference education can make and is passionate about helping students from all backgrounds create new possibilities through study.
FAQs about psychology vs psychiatry
Is it harder to become a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
Both take commitment, but psychiatry is the longer, more competitive road, starting with getting into medical school in the first place. Psychology is still rigorous, but the pathway is shorter and a little more accessible.
I'm a mature-age student. Which pathway is typically more achievable?
I'd usually point mature-age students towards psychology first, mainly because of the shorter timeframe and the flexible and online study options available. Psychiatry is absolutely possible at any age, but you'll want to think hard about the time commitment involved.
Will I spend more time with clients as a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
As a psychologist, yes, generally. Ongoing therapy sessions are the bread and butter of the role. Psychiatrists often have shorter, less frequent appointments once a treatment plan is up and running.
Can I switch from psychology to psychiatry later in my career?
Not directly, no. Psychiatry requires a medical degree, so a psychology background won't shorten that path. But your understanding of mental health and human behaviour will still serve you well if you decide to pursue medicine down the track.
How do I know if I'm more suited to psychology or psychiatry if I've never worked in healthcare before?
Start by noticing what you're drawn to. If it's behaviour, conversation and therapy, psychology is likely your fit. If it's the medical and biological side of mental health, psychiatry might suit you better. Work experience, volunteering or even just chatting to people already in the field can help the picture come into focus.
