Become a Psychologist

Applications to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology are not accepted from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK without restriction

Academic

Applicants must have eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS at the time of applying. We will therefore not consider candidates still pursuing their undergraduate degree at the time of applying. If you are completing a qualification in autumn 2013 and will get the results by the end of January 2014 see the information above for Open University students as the same process will apply. Applicants should hold at least a 2.1 honours degree in psychology. Applicants who have taken conversion courses that confer GBC must have received a 2.1 in their first undergraduate degree (regardless of whether this was a psychology degree) and will then be viewed as equivalent to applicants whose original degree confers GBC. Strong candidates will have evidence of other academic achievements, for example, completion of a higher degree, research experience, publications or conference presentations. Candidates should be able to relate their experience of research to practice.

Relevant Experience

Relevant experience which allows the applicant to apply psychological principles in practice is essential. Experience of applying and/or disseminating research is desirable. Previous working contact with, and supervision by, a clinical psychologist is an advantage, but other relevant work (eg nursing, support work, experience in relevant voluntary organisations) will be considered. Experience working on a clinically focused research project would also be seen as relevant, particularly if it involved direct client contact. A good range and amount of relevant experience is an advantage, however, it is more important to demonstrate an ability to reflect how this relates to clinical training and to the role of the clinical psychologist. Candidates will be expected to have a sound knowledge of psychological principles/models and be able to reflect on the application of these to human behaviour in general, their experience to date and future roles as a clinical psychologist.