Have you already done NHS-funded training?

You may not be able to apply this year

If you have already received NHS funding for training in the psychological professions you may need to wait before you can apply for clinical psychology training.

See below for the requirements in each UK nation.

Statement from NHS commissioning bodies

Taxpayers fund training for NHS psychological professionals, and it is crucial that these investments provide a strong return. To achieve this, each UK nation has developed specific funding rules.

These rules aim to ensure that individuals complete their funded training and that a suitable period of time elapses after that training, before being eligible for another funded training. The specific regulations applied differ depending on whether the course an applicant is applying to is in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Each nation regularly reviews its rules, and changes may be made in future to ensure fair return on investment.

Requirements by UK nation

England

From April 2022 you need at least a 2 year gap between finishing your previous NHS-funded training in the psychological professions and starting NHS-funded clinical psychology training. This is an NHS England (NHSE) requirement.

This applies to anyone who starts NHS-funded training, regardless of how the training ends: pass, withdraw, fail, etc. And the end date used is the date of the exam board for that course, regardless of when/how you left.

Please see the NHSE website for details of the requirements e.g. relevant dates, a list of psychological professions training, etc

Wales

From 16 October 2023 you need at least a 2 year gap between finishing your previous NHS-funded training in the psychological professions and starting NHS-funded clinical psychology training. This is a Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) requirement.

Please see the Bangor University and South Wales entries in the Courses section as the implementation may vary between the courses
Please see the NHSE website for details of the requirements e.g. a list of psychological professions training, etc

Scotland

NHS Education 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) - the date for this award is taken as end of the 2 year NES funded contract, rather than award of the qualification by the BPS
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 exam 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.

Please also see the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow entries in the Courses section

Still unsure?

Have you read all the information above? And followed all the relevant links?

If you're still unsure about your eligibility in relation to previous NHS-funded training you've done, please contact the relevant NHS commissioning body for more information:

Entry requirements