Entry requirements for 2024

Applicants must meet the essential minimum criteria to be considered for the programme. There are essential minimum criteria at all stages of our process.

Applications to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology are not accepted from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK without restriction.

Please note that we do not accept applications from:

  • Applicants who do not have the right to work without restriction in the UK.
  • Applicants who have been awarded any of the qualifications listed below since 31 March 2024
  • Applicants who have exited any of the training programmes listed below without completing it since 30 September 2023
  • We do not accept applications for self-funded places.
  • Intending applicants should be aware that the University of Edinburgh does not permit concurrent registration for any other degree while an individual is registered with the University of Edinburgh

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) funds the following psychological training:

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (University of Edinburgh/NHS Scotland and University of Glasgow/NHS Scotland)
  • MSc Psychological Therapies in Primary Care (Universities of Dundee & Stirling/NHS Scotland)
  • MSc Applied Psychology for Children and Young People (University of Edinburgh/NHS Scotland)
  • Stage 2 Health Psychology Training (NHS Scotland/British Psychological Society)*
  • Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training (Human Development Scotland/NHS Scotland)
  • Postgraduate certificates and diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) training to Accredited Practitioner or Supervisor level
  • Family Based Treatment (FBT) training to Accredited Practitioner or Supervisor level
  • Family Therapy (FT) Masters level Training
  • Enhanced Psychological Practice Programme, with Adults (EPP-A) or with Children, Young People and their Families (EPP-CYP), (Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES))

Where a candidate has previously received, or is currently in receipt of funding for any of the above programmes, that candidate will normally not be eligible to receive funding for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology until a minimum of 18 months after the award for the previous training is recommended by a qualifying examination board or by chair’s action after the qualifying exam board (or achieved by other recognised route). Where a candidate has enrolled in, but not completed one of the identified programmes, funding would not be available for a period of 24 months after the exit date from the programme. Please note that the 18 (or 24) month period is from the date of award of the previous training to the date of commencing the subsequent training. 

*For Stage 2 Health Psychology Training the date of award is taken as end of the 2 year NES funded contract, rather than award of the qualification by the BPS.

Academic

All applicants must have:

  • GBC confirmed at the time of application
  • We will therefore not consider candidates still pursuing their undergraduate degree at the time of applying. Some general considerations regarding when to apply are provided on the Clearing House Website

All applicants must also have either:

  • a GBC-accrediting honours degree at 2.1 or above with a mean percentage mark of at least 61% in the final two academic years fte

or

  • a GBC-accrediting MSc conversion degree in psychology at 2.1 equivalent or above with a mean percentage mark of at least 61.

or

  • a GBC-accrediting higher diploma conversion in psychology, at 2.1 equivalent level or above, with 240 credit equivalent (120 ECTS), where the overall number of research credits is at least 80 (40 ECTS) and with a mean percentage mark of at least 61

Please note that we check the equivalence of international degrees against the Guidelines for International Postgraduate Admissions published annually by Edinburgh Global here at the University of Edinburgh. Where GBC is based upon degrees accredited for GBC by the BPS, transcripts for each of those degrees need to be submitted.

Entry qualifications by country

Strong candidates will have evidence of other academic achievements, for example, research experience, publications or conference presentations. Candidates should be able to relate their experience of research to practice. We are looking for candidates who understand and can critically appraise theory and practice from a first principles basis as we aim to develop trainees to think about theoretical positions in depth and understand and reflect upon the nature of scientific assumptions and the meaning of "evidence".

Relevant Experience

Relevant experience which allows the applicant to apply psychological principles in practice is essential. An understanding of how to do psychological research is essential. Previous working contact with, and supervision by, a practitioner psychologist such as a clinical psychologist is an advantage, but other relevant work (e.g. nursing, support work, experience in relevant voluntary organisations) will be considered. Experience working on clinically focused research project(s), for example as part of a research degree such as a PhD or through employment on such projects, would also be seen as relevant, particularly if it involved direct client contact. A good range and amount of relevant experience is an advantage, however, it is essential to demonstrate an ability to reflect on how this relates to clinical training and to the role of the clinical psychologist. It will be essential that applicants can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of, and application of, the academic psychological models and principles that underlie the work they have undertaken. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to develop competence as reflective scientist-practitioners, and an understanding of their role as consumers and producers of research.

English Language Requirements

Nationals of a majority English speaking country (which includes UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, Jamaica and New Zealand) need to provide evidence of either (a) or (c):

a)  A degree from a university in a majority English speaking country (including UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, Jamaica and New Zealand) or a degree taught and assessed in English at a university which has been approved through the University of Edinburgh’s due diligence process (see https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/english/postgraduate).

Nationals of other countries need to provide evidence of either (b) or (c):

b)  A degree from a university in a majority English speaking country (including UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, Jamaica and New Zealand) or a degree taught and assessed in English at a university which has been approved through the University of Edinburgh’s due diligence process (see https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/english/postgraduate). The award date of the degree should be no more than 3.5 years old at the start of the clinical psychology programme, but can be up to 7 years if you have worked or studied continually in a majority English speaking country since the degree was awarded.

c) One of the following qualifications, which should be no more than two years old by the start date of the programme:

Find out more about the university’s postgraduate language requirements:

English language requirements

Interpersonal and Other Skills

All candidates must have a fluent command of the English language and demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills. It is essential to be able to foster good working relationships with colleagues and clients and to work as part of a team. Candidates should show evidence of reflecting on the ethical and value base of clinical psychology. Given the demands of clinical training, the candidate should be adaptable and flexible, and have the capacity to prioritise and balance academic and work demands. Due to the geographical spread of some health boards, extensive travel will be required for most placements.

Professional Issues

Strong candidates will be motivated to take on the full range of roles of the clinical psychologist. They will provide a clear rationale for, and demonstrate insight into, the professional context, roles and responsibilities of the clinical psychologist in the NHS and a clear understanding of professional issues as they relate to clinical psychology. A commitment to, and knowledge of NHS Scotland (e.g. current priorities), and the role of clinical psychology within it is beneficial. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to professional development as a reflective scientist-practitioner and an understanding of the contextual factors which can influence physical and mental health.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be applied for candidates who have completed the MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People at the University of Edinburgh or the MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care provided jointly by the Universities of Stirling and Dundee, which have significant clinical practice (placement) components. Any consideration of RPL will not have any impact on the selection of trainees.

Please see information above about the restricted periods that apply to candidates who have received NES funding for Psychological training for 18 months after the award (or 24 months after exiting without completion) from that training.

Recognition of Prior Learning does not apply for those who have completed any other NES-funded Psychological training. 

Promoting Diversity/Equal Opportunities

The University of Edinburgh and NHS Scotland employers are committed to promoting diversity and welcome applications from under-represented groups. The Programme participates in the "Disability Confident Scheme". The selection process will be carried out in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and as such will clearly not discriminate against any applicant on the grounds of the 9 protected characteristics covered by the Act. Consistent with the Act, we apply positive action in relation to Race at the shortlisting and interview stages of selection, as highlighted in our Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. 

Please note that there are essential minimum criteria at each stage of our selection, including at shortlisting. 

No Concurrent Degree Registration

Intending applicants should be aware that the University of Edinburgh does not permit concurrent registration for any other degree while an individual is registered with the University of Edinburgh.

Visa Requirements

Successful applicants to the programme are currently employed by the NHS as trainee clinical psychologists while they study. By applying for this programme you would be applying for a job with the NHS and therefore need to have the right to work in the UK without restriction. A student visa is therefore not applicable for this programme as, if you were accepted, you would be classed as an employee, not a student.

We are not qualified to tell you whether you have the right to work in the UK or not. If you are unsure of your status, please: