All applicants must have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) as defined by the British Psychological Society (BPS).  Evidence of this should be submitted at the time of application. If you are unsure as to whether your undergraduate programme was accredited by the BPS, and therefore grants GBC, you can check by visiting the BPS webpages. Some individuals who do not have GBC may be able to apply for this via the special case criteria with the BPS, while others may have to complete a further postgraduate conversion course; again, further information about conversion courses can be found on the BPS webpages.  Final year undergraduates who are completing a course that grants GBC can be considered if they meet our criteria.

Our essential criteria (i.e. you must meet these to be considered at all) are at least an upper second class honours degree in psychology and at least one year's relevant experience and preferably longer. We will also consider applicants with a 2.2 honours degree who have completed a Masters by Research.  That is, it must be classified as a research degree, and not consist of largely taught components plus a dissertation.  We will also consider applicants with a 2.2. honours degree who have completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree.  Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the variety of roles taken up by the clinical psychologist in the health service and of their personal suitability for this career.  Where an applicant is making a career change they must describe the background and rationale for this.  Your relevant experience reference should be as current as possible.  Because of the amount of travel likely to be entailed during the course in this largely rural area, being able to drive and having access to a car are normally essential.  Special arrangements apply for trainees with disabilities.

Relevant experience can be gained before, during or after work for the psychology degree.  It will often be in a clinical setting, for example as a psychology assistant, nursing assistant or other care assistant.  We are also particularly interested in appointing people with clinically relevant research experience.  This needs to be supplemented by some clinical experience. We require that all applicants have experience equivalent to at least one year of full time work within a relevant clinical setting (including clinical research) at the point of making their application.  This experience can be split across posts and include voluntary work.   Additional desirable criteria include a first class degree or PhD and evidence from your application that you can self-reflect.  There is no provision in the degree regulations for accreditation of prior (experiential) learning.

Both the University and the NHS as employer of the trainees have equal opportunities policies and are concerned to implement fair selection procedures.  However, we do not currently operate a guaranteed interview scheme.  Enquiries about any aspect of entry, including support available for people with disabilities should be addressed to the Admissions Assistant.

Applicants whose first language is not English or whose previous education and examination qualifications have not been in the English language will need to provide evidence of an English language proficiency of IELTS level 8 (with no score below 7.5 in each test element, listening, reading, writing and speaking) or equivalent.

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the UK Border Agency for working in the UK.  Those offered a place on the Course will be required to undergo enhanced CRB checks and Occupational Health clearance assessment.

All applications should be made via the national Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology.

Further information about our Selection Procedure, Financial Support and How to Apply can be found by clicking the links below.