University of Liverpool
Course code:
1600
Course length:
3 years (full-time)
Phone:
0151 794 5530
Administration email:
[email protected]
Overview
Who can apply:
You must have GBC when you apply.
Qualifications:
You must have a minimum 2:2 class honours degree to apply.
The majority of successful applicants have a 2:1 or 1st class degree as a minimum.
Those with 2:2 class honours degree must also meet all of the below criteria for their application to be considered:
- Application form/references demonstrate reason(s) for not having fulfilled academic potential so far
- Candidate has additional research experience
- Application form itself demonstrates excellence
Please see our Entry Requirements page for more information.
Experience:
Minimum requirement of one-year whole-time paid experience which meets at least one of the below criteria (by the time of application):
- 24 months paid contact with relevant clinical populations
- 1 year Assistant Psychology (AP) post (or equivalent)
- 1 year other qualified professional role (e.g. OT, Social Worker)
Applicants may find that AP (or equivalent) experience which is supervised by a qualified clinical psychologist significantly supports their ability to demonstrate and apply their clinical knowledge and skills within their application. Applicants should therefore highlight explicitly on their application form where their paid work has been supervised by a clinical psychologist.
Most applicants have substantially more.
Please see our Entry Requirements page for more information.
Residence:
Applicants must have the unrestricted right to reside, study, train and work in the UK.
Please see our Entry Requirements page for more information.
Application:
We do not currently have any additional tests as part of short-listing
Disability:
We do not participate in the Disability Confident scheme, but we encourage applications from people with a disability.
Anyone with a declared disability who at short-listing is placed on the reserve list for interview, will automatically be offered an interview.
Please see our Selection Procedure page for more information.
Document requirements:
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)
- Any other Postgraduate degree CERTIFICATE (if completed)
Open Day
An Open Day will be held for potential applicants to the Liverpool course in Autumn 2026 (date and venue - to be confirmed).
Please register your interest in joining the Open Day by emailing [email protected]
We encourage contact from potential applicants from the global majority / black / Asian / ethnically minoritised backgrounds. We have a mentoring support scheme, if you are interested in taking part please contact Ste Weatherhead [email protected]
Professional accreditation
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
There is no accreditation of prior learning or experience: all trainees must complete the full programme of training to qualify. Attendance throughout the course is mandatory, including the induction period.
Approach and theories
The overriding theme is the application of theoretical concepts to clinical problems on an evidential basis and reflective approach. The programme promotes a Human Rights Based Approach to care.
In accordance with the BPS accreditation standards, the specific therapeutic competencies identified by the programme are Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), and Systemic Therapy. Neuropsychology also comprises a key element of the competency framework. Other therapeutic modalities and approaches to clinical work are taught throughout the programme. A strong emphasis is placed on the collaborative development of clinical case formulations which are capable of informing subsequent interventions and reformulation. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to apply for an integrated CBT or CAT pathway as part of the programme (some of which may require self-funding).
Placement locations
Placements are offered across a variety of services across the North-West region, predominantly within Cheshire and Merseyside. Trainees have the option to undertake either two 6-month or one 12-month specialist placement. These placements may build on core skills with more complex or specialist work.
Specialist placements can be in any area of clinical psychology, including core areas (Adult Mental Health, Children and Families, Learning Disability and Older Adult). However, in a specialist placement, core competencies established in preceding placements are deepened and trainees are likely to:
- work with more complex cases.
- integrate psychological approaches as well as consolidate leadership skills through indirect working, e.g., consultancy working, supervision of others, teaching of others and multi-professional liaison.
- apply and integrate psychological approaches to novel areas. Examples of this include placements in public health services, perinatal mental health services, or within innovative non-for-profit organisations such as social enterprise or third sector organisations that often work in partnership with NHS services.
Applicants should note that we are not able to offer "out of area" placements, falling outside of the North-West Region. Trainees will be expected to travel to placements within the region.
Last updated:
23rd June 2026