University of Birmingham

Course Specific Questions

When application opens please review the Course Questions section of the sample application form (around pages 15 to 20) to see which questions we require applicants to answer. These Course Specific Questions also appear in the "live" application form when our course is selected.

Shortlisting and interviews

We do not currently have any additional tests as part of short-listing, but we are reviewing our selection process and therefore this is subject to change. Where appropriate, updated information will be made available on our webpages.

Applications are screened for the minimum criteria noted above - (Academic, Clinical, the ability to live and work in the UK without restriction, GBC)

Application forms are anonymised and rated against a set of criteria including competencies in:

• Clinical work, Academia/Research, and Personal Suitability 

Shortlisted applicants are offered face-to-face interviews with small panels comprised of: Programme team members, Experts by Experience, and local Clinical Psychologists. As part of the interviews currently, applicants give a short research-based presentation. Our selection process is regularly reviewed, so the exact nature of the interview process is subject to change.

Interviews take place in the University, and applicants have some flexibility in being able to set a preference for their interview date and either a morning or afternoon session.

Following interviews, applicants are informed about the outcome as soon as possible.

Written feedback is available for applicants who have been interviewed but have been unsuccessful in their application. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to provide feedback to applicants who have not been interviewed.

Equal opportunities

At Birmingham, we are very conscious of being situated in an area of rich ethnic and cultural diversity, and the course particularly welcomes applications from people underrepresented within the profession.

It is very important to us that applicants are not discriminated against or unfairly treated on the grounds of factors such as: age, social class, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

To this end, application forms are anonymised prior to review, we don’t note "A level" results or the awarding institution for Undergraduate degrees, wherever possible our interview panels are balanced in terms of gender and ethnicity.

We are developing a strategy for Positive Action, and further details will be given on the University web pages when this process concludes.

Contextual admissions

In collaboration with the Clearing House and other Programmes, we have agreed to share equal opportunities data, and are exploring options for a contextual admissions process in the future.  

Disability Confident / Applicants with disabilities

We do not currently use Disability Confident in our selection processes, but actively encourage applications from people with a disability, and make every effort to provide reasonable adjustments to trainees once on the programme through University and employer processes.

Applicants with experience outside traditional health/caring settings should apply if their experience is relevant and they meet minimum academic criteria.

We strive to ensure that all aspects of difference and diversity are supported on the course for all trainees, via:

• Appraisal Tutors
• Professional Mentors
• Buddy System
• Reflective Practice Groups
• University Wellbeing & Disability Services
• NHS Staff Support Services