University of Edinburgh

Introduction

All selection processes and criteria are under continuing review and, whilst the information below is correct at the time of submission, the most up-to-date information will be on our website.  The selection and appointment procedure reflects the partnership of the University, NHS Scotland employers and NES in the commitment to attract excellent candidates to the Programme. Successful candidates will be employees of the individual NHS Health Boards as well as postgraduate students at the University of Edinburgh.

Please note we have made some changes to the timings of our process compared to previous years.

All applicants will be sent some additional questions to respond to online and will be asked to complete an online Situational Judgment Task which is designed to assess capacity to make sound judgements in complex situations. We also ask applicants if they have a disability and if they wish to use the Disability Confident scheme. Then, all applicants will be asked to rank order the Health Board areas for which they wish to be considered, as well as indicate which clinical specialties they would consider for aligned training places (see About the programme section). We do these two processes (additional questions and Health Board information) separately for all applicants to provide more time to consider the relevant information and respond to each part

Shortlisting

Members of the academic programme team and clinical psychologists from the NHS Board areas participate in the short-listing process using anonymised application forms and answers to the additional questions. All decisions regarding screening, shortlisting and inviting to interview are made with the applicant’s identity concealed from the shortlisting panel. Usually about 110 candidates are invited for the interviews. Candidates who are not offered an interview place will be provided feedback about which element(s) of the shortlisting process led to their application being unsuccessful. Due to the numbers of candidates, we cannot provide any more detailed feedback. There are essential minimum criteria at each stage of our selection, including at shortlisting.

Interview stages

There is usually one interview, about 40 minutes, covering academic, applied research, clinical and professional competences, although we have in the past had two separate interviews. We also usually ask all candidates to take part in an interpersonal role play task with an actor as part of the selection process. Interviews have been held online in recent years but may be held online or in person in 2025. If the interviews are in person in Edinburgh, NES may cover reasonable requests for agreed costs incurred in attending for candidates.

Interview panel members are drawn from the academic programme team, the clinical practice team and representatives from the NHS Board areas. Current trainees are available to provide information about their experience of training. There is also an orientation video and an opportunity to discuss and review preferences for NHS Boards with a tutor. Following the interviews, each NHS Board area appoints the appropriate number of applicants, who will be based in that area for the duration of the Programme (although see note below for State Hospital trainees).

After Interview

By the end of May/beginning of June candidates will receive a definite offer or reserve listing, or will be informed that they have been unsuccessful. Only if applicants have heard nothing from the Programme, by this late date, need they make enquiries. Feedback after interviews is available to unsuccessful applicants on request. This will be provided in a written format, giving individual areas of relative strength and weakness during the interview process. Unfortunately, due to the high numbers of candidates interviewed, the programme cannot undertake to give any other forms of feedback about interview outcomes.

Training as a clinical psychologist involves working with children and vulnerable adults.  Throughout the selection process and the training programme, stringent measures will be taken to ensure that the clients that trainees work with are protected. All employment arrangements are undertaken directly with the employing NHS Board, who will take up current employer references, carry out health checks and arrange Protection of Vulnerable Groups (criminal records) checks. Offers of employment are subject to these being satisfactory.

Equal opportunities

The University of Edinburgh and NHS Scotland employers are committed to promoting diversity and welcome applications from under-represented groups. We recognise the importance of our training cohorts more closely representing the populations that we seek to serve. The selection process will not discriminate against any applicant on the grounds of gender, transgender status, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. In addition to statements of non-discrimination, we seek to foster an inclusive ethos that celebrates diversity, whilst encouraging us to recognise our common humanity. We are committed to anti-racist actions across all areas of the programme. We apply Positive Action at shortlisting and at interview stages for candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The School has an active Athena Swan programme, that works to foster policies and practices that lead to inclusivity. In 2017 we were successful in enhancing our Athena Swan status from the Bronze level to the Silver level. The University of Edinburgh’s commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion are available here.

Contextual admissions 

Our programme is considering developing contextual recruitment processes. We will in due course provide further details on our website about the work we are doing in this area.

Disability Confident / Applicants with disabilities 

• Programme participates in the Disability Confident Scheme, in line with the Equality Act (2010).
• We will offer an interview to candidates who declare a disability and indicate that they wish to take part in the Disability Confident scheme and who meet all our essential minimum criteria. Please note that there are essential minimum criteria at each stage of our selection, including at shortlisting.