This course is designed for those who not only have a background in psychology, but also experience of working with children and young people in an educational or community setting.

You will have a strong interest and demonstrable experience of improving educational, social and emotional outcomes for children, young people and families.

You must meet all the nationally set essential entry requirements set out on the Association of Educational Psychologist website. In addition, we actively look and select prospective trainees who are demonstrate the following qualities and skills:

  • A commitment to a career in Educational Psychology
  • A commitment and willingness to undertake placements throughout the Eastern Region of England
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Resiliency and maturity to undertake an intensive, full-time doctoral level training programme
  • A good understanding of research and how it applies to educational psychology
  • A good knowledge of education systems in England
  • A demonstrable interest in our core values and philosophy
  • A good knowledge of the EP role with realistic expectations of the day-to-day work of an EP
  • A potential to conceptualise, formulate and apply psychology to contexts relevant to children and young people
  • An ability to be critically reflective both personally and professionally
  • An awareness of key legislation and policy relating to SEND and relevant to educational psychology practice
  • A good knowledge of child development and related theory
  • A demonstrable understanding of the role of educational psychologists in local authority practice and an awareness of related issues of social justice, service delivery and access
  • A good quality of written and spoken English. For non-native English speakers, this must be at a standard equivalent to level 7.0 of the International English Language Testing System, with no element below 7.0.
  • The ability and willingness to drive
  • The ability to demonstrate good character and satisfactorily pass DBS checks*
  • The ability to show good health and satisfactorily pass occupational health screening*

*We encourage applicants to speak, in confidence, with our PGR office if they are concerned that they may not satisfactorily pass DBS checks or health screening should a place be offered. Our PGR office will then be able to offer the most appropriate advice for your specific circumstances. 

Qualifications and previous experience

As the Educational Psychology programme leads to a doctoral degree as well as preparing you for entry to the profession, we are looking for sound academic skills, evidenced through your qualifications, and a depth and breadth of high quality and successful professional experiences.

You must hold a degree that is eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS). This can be an undergraduate degree in psychology, an approved conversion course or a Master’s degree.

We will normally look for a minimum of a 2.1 (or equivalent), but we will consider applicants from those with a 2.2 classification, whose experience or further qualifications demonstrate capacity to successfully complete the programme. This may include applicants who have substantial experience working with children and young people in a relevant role (well in excess of the minimum required 12 months) or who have a Master’s or higher degree in a relevant subject area.

If you hold a degree or qualification from an overseas university, it must have been approved equivalency from the BPS. Please see the AEP website for more information.

You must have the qualification that grants you eligibility for GBC before the application deadline. If the qualification that grants you eligibility for GBC is not from the UK or Ireland you will also be required to enter your BPS membership number at the application stage.

You will also be expected to demonstrate a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent experience of working with children and young people. A minimum of nine months of this experience must be made up of paid employment.

We are not prescriptive as to what type of experience is ‘relevant’, only that you can meet the essential and desirable criterion set out on both the AEP and our website. Applicants are often received from a wide range of professional groups including teachers, teaching assistants, assistant educational psychologists, research assistants, social workers, community workers, and youth workers, amongst many others. We place a high value on diversity and are interested in how you have used and what you have learnt from your experiences.

There is no provision in the UEA degree regulations for Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning. The programme is full-time, over three-years and attendance at all programme components is mandatory over that time, including the induction periods. The length of the programme cannot be reduced through the accreditation of prior learning or experience: all trainees are required to complete the full programme of training in order to qualify.

Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)

Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children

All applicants for the doctorate in Educational Psychology course will be required to obtain an Enhanced Criminal Records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The enhanced disclosure will be used to assess suitability for the programme and information provided may be discussed with the external members of the School's Safeguarding Sub-Committees. Candidates are responsible for payment of the DBS fee. General information about this process can be obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service Website.

Satisfactory health screening

You will need to demonstrate your fitness to practice by completing an Occupational Health Questionnaire Form. You will need to return it to the Occupational Health Service at UEA. This will give us information about any special needs you may have and enable us to assess whether the University and placement areas will be able to provide support. It is therefore, in your interest to provide full answers to the questions.

English Language

If English is not your first language, an IELTS (or other recognised qualification) overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or equivalent) must be provided.