University of Essex
Course code:
800
Course length:
3 years (full-time)
Phone:
You can email any enquiries after checking all 6 pages below, which cover most FAQs
Administration email:
[email protected]
Overview
Who can apply:
We do not accept applicants who have not yet graduated
Qualifications:
High 2:1 or above (over 65%) required for undergraduate degree (or conversion course)
A low 2:1 or 2:2 degree can be considered with specific further demonstration of academic competence
Please see our Entry Requirements page for specific details
Experience:
At least one-year’s full-time, or equivalent, clinical or research experience relevant to clinical psychology
Residence:
Home Fee status is required
Applicants need to be employable by the NHS
Please see our Entry Requirements page for more information
Application:
We do not have any additional tests as part of short-listing
Disability:
We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and endeavour to interview all applicants under this scheme who demonstrate essential criteria
Please see our Selection Procedure page for more information
Document requirements:
Please use the Download Application option (from Overview) to check that all your uploaded documents are visible and legible in the application PDF.
Please provide a document confirming your GBC status, plus:
- Undergraduate degree TRANSCRIPT
- Conversion course TRANSCRIPT (if completed)
- Any other Masters degree TRANSCRIPT (if completed)
- Any other Postgraduate degree TRANSCRIPT (if completed)
Professional accreditation
This three-year full-time doctoral-level training programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Successful completion of the training programme leads to the qualification of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psych) from the University of Essex which confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to apply for chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS). The only award that can be made is the D.Clin.Psych and there is no other exit award.
The programme does not offer Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL).
Approach and theories
The programme does not prioritise one model or approach, but instead draws on a number of different models and approaches including cognitive-behavioural models, psychodynamic approaches, systemic and integrative approaches alongside developmental, socio-political, critical and other perspectives. The main therapeutic modalities are CBT, systemic and short-term psychodynamic models.
Further information about the programme curriculum can be found on our website.
Please note that information relating to the curriculum on the Essex University DClinPsy website is primarily intended for current trainees and may be subject to change as part of the ongoing curriculum review for the 2027 entry. Prospective applicants should, therefore, refer to the information created and provided by Essex DClinPsy and placed into the Courses section of the Clearing House website, this is the most up-to-date information relevant for an application to Essex.
Placement locations
Placements are generally based in Essex and range from a six-mile radius from the University up to approximately a 40-mile radius. If coming from different areas within Essex or from outside the county, commutes may be lengthy. Most placements are undertaken over three days per week for six months; however, we also offer split placements and year-long placements where appropriate, depending on service provision and trainee learning needs. Placement days increase during the summer term in Years 1 and 3. Throughout the programme, trainees are offered experience across a range of client populations and service settings, providing opportunities to develop the core clinical competencies required by the British Psychological Society across diverse clinical contexts.
Last updated:
17th July 2026