Oxford

Trainees are recruited annually, and all applications will be assessed by a team of Course staff and clinical supervisors according to pre-defined criteria. We expect to short-list approximately 150 candidates for interview through a multi-stage process which will include information provided on the application form and referees’ reports. Following eligibility checks (e.g., right to work), past academic qualifications are scored; see https://oxicptr.web.ox.ac.uk/dclinpsych-entry-requirements.

An academic threshold score is set which allows approximately half of applicants to proceed to the detailed short-listing stage. This is a pragmatic measure to reduce the number of applicants to a level that can be managed at short-listing. The academic threshold score is not made public as it will change each year depending on the strength of applications received. Desirable criteria scored at short-listing include clinical and research experience, evidence of publications and dissemination, additional qualifications, skills and abilities not previously scored, and evidence of suitability to train as a clinical psychologist and health professional within the NHS.

Approximately 150 candidates will be invited to interview at the Isis Education Centre in Oxford. 

Candidates invited to attend interview will undertake a clinical task developed in collaboration with Experts by Experience, requiring timed written answers to a filmed clinical scenario, and an interview which covers clinical, research and academic aspects. All candidates are asked pre-specified lead questions and there are clear criteria for ratings. Candidates will also hear brief presentations from the course team and will have the opportunity to meet with current trainees and course staff including some who are not involved in the formal selection procedures but who are available to provide information and support.

Following completion of this process, candidates are either: Offered a place; Placed on a reserve list; Informed that they have not been successful. All applicants invited for interview will be asked if they require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the selection process due to a disability; this is irrespective of whether candidates have indicated on the application form that they wish for a disability to be taken into consideration or not.

Interviews will take in person. In the event of the course not being able to hold face to face interviews and/or clinical task on-site, an alternative online format will be used. In this event, further information would be available on the course website and communicated in advance to applicants.

Due to the large number of applicants, unfortunately we are unable to offer feedback to individual candidates who are not offered interviews. Candidates who are offered interviews are provided with the opportunity for individual telephone feedback following the interview.

Please note that in processing personal data, the Oxford Course adheres to University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS FT privacy policies.

Equal Opportunities and Fitness to Practice

Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the selection process because of race, religion, age, disability, gender, social class or sexual orientation. Please see the Equal Opportunities policy regarding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for further details. Applicants are required to disclose any information that might affect fitness to practice or future registration under the Health & Care Professions Council.

Offers of places made to successful candidates are conditional on various checks e.g. occupational health clearance (including the possibility of a health check) and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Training as a clinical psychologist involves working with children and vulnerable adults.  Throughout the selection process and during training we will take stringent measures to ensure that the clients that trainees work with are kept safe.

All general enquiries should be directed to: [email protected]

Contextual admissions

The Oxford Course incorporates contextual recruitment processes within Admissions. This is based on evidence that contextualising individuals’ achievements using additional information about their educational, social and economic background can lead to fairer and more inclusive selection processes. In particular, this information could help to recognise individuals with strong potential for success at doctoral level and within the profession, who otherwise might not have been identified. Completion of contextual survey questions is optional.  

Disability Confident / Applicants with disabilities

We encourage applications from candidates who have a disability. Whilst we do not operate a guaranteed interview process, we are committed to making all reasonable adjustments to the interview process. The Course has a Disability Lead. We also make reasonable adjustments throughout training to meet the needs of trainees with disabilities.