University of Leicester

Who can apply

We are unable to consider:

• Undergraduate applicants
• Applicants without Graduate Basis for Chartered membership 
• Applicants who do not meet the required academic criteria
• Applicants without the required clinical or research experience
• Applicants who do not meet our English language criteria (see * below)
• Applicants who are not eligible for NHSE funding (see ** below)
• Applications which are incomplete by the end of January 2025 e.g. missing one or both references or any other required documentation

*For those whose first language is not English, a score of 8, with no element below 7.5, is required on the IELTS at the time of application. The course also accepts an equivalent score on TOEFL or PTE. Further information is provided by the University.

** NHSE has a policy in place regarding future eligibility of NHS funding for specific psychological professions’ training programmes for individuals who wish to undertake more than one NHS funded training. Applicants are asked to consult latest NHSE guidance for details and for whether it applies to them. The course is not able to offer guidance on NHSE funding queries.

In addition please note: the University does not allow dual registration. Therefore, candidates who are currently undertaking other University-level studies must have completed these prior to the start of training. 

Academic

At the time of application all applicants must have:

• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status.
• An Honours degree in psychology of a mid 2:1 (64%) or above. Unfortunately, the course does not accept applications from candidates with low 2:1s, 2:2s or lower award grades even if other postgraduate qualifications have been completed.

For selection purposes we calculate the percentage as the total score for all modules taken in the final two years of the degree, divided by the number of modules taken during those final two years. Weighting of modules is not taken into account. Percentages are worked out to one decimal place i.e. a score of 63.9% would not be rounded to 64.0%.

We also consider applicants who have completed a postgraduate conversion course if their initial degree was not in psychology. The initial degree must still be a mid 2.1 (64.0%) or above, calculated as per the above method.

Clinical

At the time of application all applicants must have:

A minimum of 12.0 months paid full-time (or equivalent in part-time working) experience, clinical or research, which has brought them into contact with one or more client groups with whom clinical psychologists may work.

Whilst we recognise the valuable experience that can be gained from undertaking voluntary work in clinically relevant areas, unfortunately we are unable to consider this as part of our minimum criteria. To do so may inadvertently disadvantage those applicants not in a financially secure enough position to undertake unpaid work.

References / Statements of suitability

Your application must include two satisfactory references (one Experience and one Academic) indicating you will be suitable and sufficiently able to complete the doctorate. 

For those applicants who are unable to provide an academic reference from their undergraduate or conversion degree institution, then we are able to accept references from someone who is able to comment directly on recent academic ability in relation to clinical training. 

There is more information on the Clearing House website about references, including sample copies of the suitability statements to see the questions that are asked, and also a guide which applicants can provide to prospective referees. 

One of your references must be written by a current/most recent line manager. In some cases (i.e. an applicant has only been in post for a short time at the point of application to clinical training) it may be more appropriate to use a previous employer/manager, who may be better placed to provide a reference. Please clarify this in the Background Information section on the application, if this circumstance applies to you.

Documents required

Your application must include:

• A document confirming your GBC status.
• An academic transcript for your undergraduate psychology degree.
• If your initial degree was not in psychology, the academic transcript for your conversion course and the transcript for your initial degree. 
• Evidence of English language ability (if necessary)

Please note, we are only able to accept the official transcript of your undergraduate grade from your awarding university. We are unable to consider other supporting letters or documents. 

Unfortunately mitigating circumstances for degree grades cannot be retrospectively applied as they should have been established with the academic institution at the time.

Advice for your application

The Leicester DClinPsy course is proud of its excellent reputation for training in cultural diversity and cultural competence. Both teaching and placement opportunities support competence in engaging with, and serving, clients from the diverse communities who comprise the vibrant, multi-cultural population of Leicester and the East Midlands.  We would encourage applicants to reflect on these issues, including any lived experiences in their application.

International applicants

We are unable to accept applications from those who do not meet the requirements for Home fees (see Section - Funding)

We are also unable to accept applications from those who wish to self-fund, regardless of nationality or residency.