University of Sheffield

Who can apply

• Applicants must already have been awarded the qualification which grants the graduate basis for chartership with the British Psychological Society
• Applicants must have home fees status
• Applicants must have the right to work and study in the UK
• Applicants must not be currently studying on another programme funded by NHS England (previously Health Education England)*
• Applicants must not have been studying on a programme funded by NHS England (previously Health Education England) in the last 2 years*

* this applies to programmes that started after 31.03.22.  Two years is measured from the date of the exam board for the first programme and the start date of the clinical psychology training programme. This is subject to change following NHS England guidance.

Academic

• A good 2:1 or 1st class Honours Degree in Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

OR

• A good 2:1 or 1st class degree in another undergraduate subject and a postgraduate psychology diploma/conversion course accredited by the BPS. Applicants whose first degree was not in psychology must submit a transcript of the postgraduate course of study which confers GBC.

We do not normally consider candidates who have achieved a 2:2 in their undergraduate degree even with subsequent higher education qualifications. However, we do consider mitigating circumstances with regard to undergraduate degree qualifications: please check our Programme webpages for updates.

Clinical

We are updating our shortlisting criteria. Please see our website from 1 September 2024 for full details, including any specific clinical experience criteria in addition to the below:

• Applicants will demonstrate that they have clinically relevant experience working with client groups relevant to the practice of Clinical Psychology.
• Applicants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and some experience in, the use of psychological models in informing change oriented and recovery work.
• Applicants will be able to demonstrate what they have learned from their experience in terms of the applications of psychological models and theories to the work, and in terms of being able to reflect on their own personal/professional development.
• Applicants should demonstrate a good understanding of the role of clinical psychologists in the current NHS context. Stronger applications will provide evidence of direct experience of working with and supervision by members of psychological professions.

References / Statements of suitability

Your application must include two satisfactory Statements of Suitability.

• One must be written by someone who can comment on your ability to study at a postgraduate level
• One must be written by someone who can comment on your clinical experience

These should be from your current/most recent employer and most recent period of study.  If alternatives are chosen, this must be explained on the application.

All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory references from previous employers.  We will contact line managers for the previous 3 years of employment.

Documents required

• A document confirming your GBC status.
• Academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
• This includes an academic transcript for your conversion course, if your undergraduate degree was not in psychology.
• If the transcript for your GBC course (undergrad or conversion) does not give a final overall percentage grade, please provide a letter from the course giving this grade.

Advice for your application

Strong applications will demonstrate 

• An awareness of, and commitment to, the full range of roles in which clinical psychologists practice
• An ability to work with people from diverse communities and with diverse needs
• An ability to use research and critical skills to understand issues relevant to delivering high quality care
• An ability to use psychological models effectively and flexibly to facilitate understanding and meaningful change
• An ability to reflect on your own experience and the socio-political context of psychological work
• An awareness of service contexts and the value of stakeholder involvement and co-production

International applicants

Due to the funding arrangements for places on the Programme, we cannot consider applications from international candidates. See Funding section for more details.

If English is not your first language and your university qualifications were not taught and examined in a majority English speaking country, as identified on the University of Sheffield web pages, you need to submit evidence of your ability in English language with your application. The IELTS test requirement for this programme is a minimum score of 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5 or an equivalent qualification at this level as listed on the University of Sheffield web pages. Please see the University of Sheffield English Language Requirements web pages for more details.