University of Bath

Who can apply

We are unable to consider:

• Applicants who hold a 2:2 undergraduate and do not hold a relevant doctoral level qualification
• Applicants who have not yet graduated and who do not have GBC status
• Applicants who do not hold the minimum 12 months (full-time equivalent) relevant clinical experience
• Applicants who have recently received NHS funding for other relevant training programmes*

*Note: The course/training is expected to start on the 28th September 2026

Academic

All applicants must:

• Have, or be eligible for, Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS). Candidates from non-GBC accredited courses need to apply themselves for GBC prior to application
• Have a 1st or 2:1 in an undergraduate psychology degree OR have an undergraduate degree in another subject plus a Masters level conversion course with either merit or distinction.
• Have appropriate 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 Information

• 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.

Furthermore, regarding qualifications:

• Please note that the University will not usually allow you to enrol onto the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology if you are currently enrolled on any other degree e.g. a PhD or Masters’ programme.  If you have any incomplete assessment / reassessment or other criteria from another programme, it may not be possible for us to offer you a place on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or you may be required to provide proof that you have withdrawn from your incomplete programme.
• For applicants who are currently completing a PhD, any offer of interview will be conditional upon submission of the PhD for viva by the Clearing House "offer acceptance" deadline in early June.  Any offers made to applicants currently studying for a PhD will ordinarily be conditional upon the applicant passing their viva with at most limited modifications (maximum of three months). All corrections must be submitted before the start of the course. Applicants should take account of this early in their planning given delays in organising Vivas.

Clinical

All candidates must have: 

• A minimum of 12 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.

Appropriate clinical work experience - we give credit for any of 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

References / Statements of suitability

Your application must have two strong references from appropriate referees.

You need to nominate one person to write your Academic Suitability Statement and a different person to write your Experience Suitability Statement. Each suitability statement can only be provided by one person.

The academic referee must be someone who has been involved in academic teaching or supervision of the applicant. The experience referee must have knowledge and experience of the applicant in a clinical setting.

We encourage applicants to carefully consider their referees’ suitability to provide the information requested in the Clearing House reference forms.

Documents required

Your application must include:

• A document confirming your GBC status.
• Undergraduate degree CERTIFICATE
• Conversion course CERTIFICATE (if completed)
• Any other Masters degree CERTIFICATE (if  applicable)
• Postgraduate degree CERTIFICATE (if applicable)
• And applicants may need to provide an English test - ALL APPLICANTS please see the section below titled "English Language requirements"

All candidates who are offered a place may need to provide a copy of their degree certification for verification before course commencement.  

We will also (where relevant) be seeking evidence of Right to Work and residency status as provided by the UK government at interview stage.

You may also be asked to provide the programme with sight of the original documentation at the commencement of the programme. If a candidate is found to have given false information in their application, their application will be cancelled, and any offer made withdrawn. 

Advice for your application

All applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Their commitment to clinical psychology as a profession
• Their ability to be critical and analytical
• Their personal, professional and socio-political awareness
• Their commitment to anti-racist practice and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

English Language requirements

Candidates for whom English is not their first language will be required to provide proof they possess an adequate level of English competence.

This should be an IELTS test taken no more than 24 months prior to the starting date of the programme with a minimum score of 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each element.

Completion of a degree in an English-speaking country or from a non-English speaking country taught in English, studied for at least three years is also acceptable.

For further information, please refer to the University of Bath English language requirements.

International Applications 

We will consider applicants with Overseas Fee Status for self-funded places starting in September 2026.

International applicants offered a place will need to meet UK visa requirements. Please refer to UKVI guidance and the University of Bath international student support pages for further information.  International Support Service.