University of Edinburgh

Who can apply

All selection processes and criteria are under continuing review and, whilst the information below is correct at the time of submission, the most up-to-date information will be on our website.

• We do not accept applications for self-funded places.
• Applicants need to have the right to work without restrictions in the UK.
• We do not accept applications from candidates who only have a student visa.
• 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. This means that if you are studying for another degree (e.g. PhD) at the time of application and have not been awarded the degree by the time the programme begins, you may need to consider either withdrawing from your offer of a place or deciding not to finish your other degree.
• All candidates, regardless of nationality or first language, must provide suitable evidence of a fluent command of the English language. Our requirements differ from the Clearing House default requirements (see the entry requirements section of our website for details).

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.

Currently, the specific regulations applied differ depending on whether the course to which an applicant applies is in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. These criteria are regularly reviewed by the funding bodies and changes may be made in future to ensure fair return on investment.

Below you will find the current conditions of eligibility. However, from the 2028/29 application cycle these will change. In line with the principle of best value, a cross-border approach will be applied across Scotland and England.

From intake 2029 (application cycle 2028/29), where candidates have received funding from Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS), formerly NHS Education for Scotland (NES), or the NHS in England and apply to Programmes funded by PSDS (i.e. Programmes located in Scotland), the funding restriction laid out in the 'Scotland' section will apply, but will include the courses in the England list too.  Where candidates have received funding from the NHS in England or PSDS and apply to Programmes funded by the NHS in England (i.e. Programmes located in England), the funding restriction laid out in the “England” section will apply, but will include the courses in the Scotland list too.  Where necessary, further details will be published over coming months.

Funding restriction for NHS Wales will remain unchanged.

Eligibility for current (2026) application (entry in 2027)

Public Services Delivery Scotland (formerly NHS Education for Scotland) (PSD-Scotland) 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 Public Services Delivery Scotland (formerly NHS Education for Scotland)

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 PSD-Scotland funded contract, rather than award of the qualification by the BPS.

Academic

All applicants must have:

• GBC confirmed at the time of application
• a GBC-accredited honours degree with a mean percentage mark of at least 61 in the final 2 academic years fte

OR

• a GBC-accredited MSc conversion degree in psychology with a mean percentage mark of at least 61

OR

• a GBC-accredited higher diploma conversion in psychology 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.

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. We aim to facilitate the development of trainee competence to think about theoretical positions in depth and understand and reflect upon the nature of scientific assumptions and the meaning of ‘evidence’.

NB: International Qualifications are checked for equivalency to UK 2:1 using the Guidelines for International Postgraduate Admissions published annually by the International Office (Edinburgh Global) at the University.

Clinical

candidates are advised of the following:

• Relevant experience that allows the applicant to apply psychological principles in practice with populations in need is essential
• An understanding of how to do psychological research is essential
• Previous NHS work and working contact with, and supervision by, a practitioner psychologist such as a clinical psychologist are an advantage, but other relevant work (e.g. nursing, support work, experience in relevant voluntary organisations) will also 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 greater range and amount of relevant experience is an advantage, however, it is essential to demonstrate an ability to reflect on how this experience 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 theories, 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

References / Suitability Statements

It is essential that your application includes two satisfactory Suitability Statements.

In addition to the guidance regarding Suitability Statements on the Clearing House website, the Experience Suitability Statement should be written by the candidate's current or most recent employer, otherwise candidates should explain their choice of nominee in the Background Information section of their application.

Suitability Statements should not be written by a peer or colleague.

Candidates should note that further references may be sought later in the selection process.

Documents required

Your application must include:

• A document confirming your GBC status.
• An academic transcript for each of your GBC-accrediting degree(s):
  • either an undergraduate Psychology degree or
  • an MSc conversion degree or
  • a higher diploma conversion degree with 240 credit equivalent (120 ECTS), where the overall number of research credits is at least 80 (40 ECTS)
  • a combination of international degrees accredited by the BPS for GBC
• Any documents needed to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements (see International applicants section below)

Advice for your application 

All candidates are advised of the following:

• It is essential to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to foster good working relationships with colleagues and clients and to work as part of a team.
• 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.
• 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 and a clear understanding of professional issues as they relate to clinical psychology.
• Candidates must also be able to reflect on the ethical and value base of the profession.
• A commitment to, and knowledge of, NHS Scotland (e.g. current priorities), and the role of clinical psychology within it is beneficial.
• It is essential that candidates can reflect on their work and demonstrate a professional development as a reflective scientist-practitioner.
• Understanding of the contextual factors which can influence physical and mental health is essential.

In considering whether to apply or not, candidates should be aware that, on all Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programmes, academic content as well as placement experiences are often emotionally challenging and that trainees are required to have, or to develop, the capacity to engage in all aspects of training and teaching, notwithstanding the emotional challenge. Many supports are available and can be provided but, even with good support, training can be experienced by trainees as demanding and challenging. This is due to these emotional factors and continually being in a learning role as well as the variety and complexity of work tasks that need to be completed concurrently across teaching, academic assignments, research thesis and clinical placements.
 

International applicants

See Entry Requirements and Funding sections for more details.

• Applicants need to have the right to work without restrictions in the UK.
• We do not accept applications from candidates who only have a student visa.
• We do not accept applications for self-funded places.
• Where GBC is based upon degrees accredited for GBC by the BPS, transcripts for each of those degrees needs to be submitted. International Qualifications are checked for equivalency to UK 2:1 using the Guidelines for International Postgraduate Admissions published annually by the International Office (Edinburgh Global) at the University.
• All candidates, regardless of nationality or first language, must provide suitable evidence of a fluent command of the English language. Our requirements differ from the Clearing House default requirements (see the entry requirements section of our website for details).