University College London

What we look for in applications

We look for applicants that can demonstrate a good, well-rounded understanding of clinical psychology in practice, a commitment to service users, and demonstrated leadership potential. Please see our "Advice for application" section for further details.

How applications are reviewed

All applications are reviewed by two members of course staff.

They are reviewed initially on our essential minimum entry criteria (all outlined above):

• appropriate academic qualifications
• relevant clinical experience
• appropriate fee status
• the right to work in the UK without restriction (for home fee applicants)
• English-language ability sufficient for taking the course

Applications meeting minimum criteria are then rated by two course staff members against clinical, personal, academic and research criteria.

Based on these ratings, we identify the strongest candidates for interview.

We do not have any shortlisting tests at UCL in addition to this process.

Due to the number of applications we receive versus the number of interviews we are able to offer, meeting minimum criteria is not a guarantee of interview.  As a result of the high volume of applications, we are also unfortunately unable to provide feedback for candidates who are not offered an interview.

How interviews are conducted

There are two parts to our interview process:

1. An individual panel interview, with questions based on:
   1. A clinical vignette which candidates are presented with shortly before the interview 
   2. Other clinical /professional scenarios 
   3. A research vignette
   4. Other research and academic questions 
   5. The individual interview panel consists of at least one course staff member, and usually two other clinical psychologists who supervise trainees in the region
2. Following this, candidates take part in a group discussion task. The panel for this part consists of two experts by experience and one course staff member.

We are looking for candidates to apply their knowledge and experience to the questions asked in both parts of the interview process, including linking theory to practice.

We are currently reviewing our interviews.  Any changes made will be communicated to candidates who are invited to interview.

How we share results and give feedback

• Results are shared with candidates via email approximately a week to ten days after our final day of interviewing
• Candidates who are not successful in being offered a place on the course can request feedback on their interview performance from the chair of their individual panel interview. This chair will be able to give feedback on their performance in both the individual panel interview and the group task interview. 

Fitness to Practice, Criminal Record (and other) Checks, Safeguarding

• All candidates who are offered a place on the course will be required to complete various checks e.g. satisfactory DBS check and employment reference (both conducted through Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust as the employing Trust), an occupational health screen, as well as a satisfactory fitness to practice declaration to the course, ahead of starting the course. 

Equal opportunities

As part of our commitment to promoting diversity in clinical psychology, we currently use equal opportunities data (specifically ethnicity and disability) to take Positive Action where there is more than one candidate of equal merit during the shortlisting phase when we are selecting who will be invited for interview and also after the interviews when we are deciding who will be offered a place.

Please see the UCL Equality and Diversity policies for further information

Contextual admissions

Our course is currently considering developing contextual admissions processes. If, and when, we do institute any changes to our admissions criteria or processes, we will provide information on our course website.