Academic requirements

You must meet a range of essential criteria to be considered for a place on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course.

Academic qualifications - you must hold at the point of application, either a 1st class or 2:1 in an undergraduate psychology degree, OR an undergraduate degree in another subject, plus a Master's level conversion course (at merit or distinction).

Research experience - Research experience in addition to an undergraduate project. This can be an undergraduate placement year, if additional to the degree requirement. Other suitable experience includes service audit/evaluation and development, PhD, MSc or other research posts.

Additional Academic Criteria

• Undergraduate degree classifications for subjects which are not GBC accredited are not considered as part of the selection process.

• PGDip conversion courses are only accepted where an applicant with an undergraduate degree including modules in psychology (with a minimum 2:1 or above) has taken a conversion course to achieve GBC.

• No score will be allocated to the PGDip as part of the academic score (see the Selection Procedure section below for details). Account will be taken of further qualifications in short-listing.

• Any offers made to applicants currently studying for a PhD will be conditional on passing their viva with at most minor modifications before the programme start date. Applicants should take account of this early in their planning in organising Vivas.

Professional requirements

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS) - Candidates from non-GBC accredited courses need to have applied and gained membership themselves.

Clinical experience - a minimum of nine months, full time equivalent, relevant clinical experience of working with people with psychological needs either in a paid or voluntary capacity, or a clinically relevant research capacity, at the time of application. (see ‘desirable criteria’ below for examples).

Other requirements

Desirable criteria:

Appropriate research experience - research development, co-ordination, co-production of research with people with personal experience (PPE) and stakeholders, ethics-approval and dissemination (for example) are rated more highly than data collection/entry. Research development, co-ordination, ethics-approval and dissemination (for example) are rated more highly than data collection/entry.

Appropriate clinical work experience - we give credit for the following types of relevant clinical experience:

• the NHS or a health or social care setting (such as those commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups)
• experience with a wider range of client groups or variety of settings and over longer periods of time
• experience that indicates a candidate has shown development in their skills and competencies
• direct experience of delivering psychological intervention under appropriate supervision (such as an assistant psychologist or psychological wellbeing practitioner)
• structured clinical or neuropsychological assessments
• clinical health psychology

We value voluntary work and commitment to social change and environmental issues.

Publications - we give credit for authorship of publications in peer-reviewed journals where the candidate has evidenced their contribution to the work. We also give credit for oral and poster presentations at national conferences and contribution to substantive health service publications.

Additional skills and competencies - we value a range of additional activities, skills and training (such as postgraduate certificate level training and counselling courses). Valued indirect skills include:

• leadership skills
• teaching qualifications
• community involvement projects
• drama skills
• competency in different languages
• publishing
• media experience

We operate an equal opportunities policy and you will not be disadvantaged in the selection process or through training because of race, religion, age, gender, social class or sexual orientation. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds including mature or second career applicants. We encourage applications from candidates who have a disability, and are committed to making all reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of interviewees and trainees with disabilities. We intend to use contextual information as part of this process, and so encourage applicants to provide such information as relevant. We use contextual information in positive action initiatives in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Personal qualities and values consistent with the NHS constitution - you must demonstrate that you can give the highest standards of professional care. You must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice.

The ethos of the Bath Programme is consistent with the core values of the NHS Constitution and of inclusivity and equality.

We aim to recruit individuals who:

• Demonstrate personal qualities and values consistent with the core values of the NHS Constitution

• Show evidence of a commitment to the core principles of clinical psychology and the specific ethos and philosophy of the Bath course

• Are from many differing backgrounds, with a wide variety of life and work experiences, aptitudes and talents

• Have the ability to form meaningful and productive connections with the full range of vulnerable people and to always act in their best interests.

• Have willingness and capacity to develop and manage these connections in a compassionate way in clinical, research and other roles.

• Demonstrate understanding of the personal qualities and values that will support the provision of the highest standards of professional care.

This can in part be demonstrated through their personal qualities, values and beliefs which we assess throughout our selection procedure.

Ability to transport yourself to placement locations - You are therefore expected to drive your own car or to provide your own transport means and given the rural localities please note public transport is not always available.
Reasonable adjustments are made as required for those trainees with a disability that may prevent them from driving. If you think this applies to you please contact bathcp-admin@bath.ac.uk.

Additional Information for International Applications: - All places are NHS funded. We do not currently accept applications from International candidates or offer any self funded places. See Fees and funding section for more details.

English Language requirements

You need either of the following:

• IELTS: a minimum score of 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each element
• a completed degree in an English-speaking country or from a non-English speaking country taught in English, studied for at least three years

You need to have gained your English language qualification within 24 months before you start the course.

References

Two strong references from appropriate referees. One of these must be from an academic referee who has taught or supervised you in an academic setting. One of these must be from an experience referee who has knowledge and experience of you working in a relevant clinical setting. Each reference (suitability statement) must be provided by a different person.