University of Sheffield

Who can apply

• You must already have been awarded the qualification which grants Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society
• You must have home fees status
• You must have the right to work and study in the UK
• You must not be currently studying on another programme funded by NHS England*
• You must not have been studying on a programme funded by NHS England in the last 2 years*. Our next intake will start training on 21/09/2026.

* This applies to programmes that started after 31 March 2022.  2 years is measured from the date of the exam board for the first programme and the start date of the clinical psychology training programme. This is subject to change following NHS England guidance.

Academic

• A good 2:1 or 1st class Honours Degree in Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society.

OR

• A good 2:1 or 1st class degree in another undergraduate subject and a postgraduate psychology diploma/conversion course accredited by the BPS. Applicants whose first degree was not in psychology must submit a transcript of the postgraduate course which confers GBC.

We do not normally consider candidates who have a 2:2 in their undergraduate degree even with subsequent higher education qualifications. However, we do consider mitigating circumstances with regard to undergraduate degree qualifications: please check our Programme webpages for updates.

Clinical

Eligible applicants must have experience of working in a paid clinical work role for at least 18 months full-time (or the equivalent in part-time roles) at the time of applying, which includes at least one of the following aspects:

1. Undertaking psychological interventions with clients focused on change or recovery, using psychological models. This work must be under the supervision of a qualified psychological professional (see here for a list of psychological professions). Where relevant, supervision could be provided by another qualified and registered professional where it is clear on the application form how the supervised work is directly relevant to clinical psychology.
2. Undertaking complex assessment and formulation work, such as neuropsychological assessment work, with clients. This work must be under the supervision of a qualified psychological professional (see here for a list of psychological professions). Where relevant, supervision could be provided by another qualified and registered professional where it is clear on the application form how the supervised work is directly relevant to clinical psychology.
3. Working as a qualified and registered health or social care professional with client groups directly relevant to clinical psychology, such as in mental health services. It must be clear on the application form how the work undertaken is relevant to clinical psychology.

References / Suitability Statements

Your application must include two satisfactory Suitability Statements.

Your Academic Suitability Statement:

• Must be written by someone who can comment on your ability to study at a postgraduate level.
• Should be from your most recent period of study.

Your Experience Suitability Statement:

• Must be written by someone who can comment on your clinical experience.
• Should be from your current/most recent employer.

If alternatives are chosen, this must be explained on your application.

All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory references from previous employers.  We will contact line managers for the previous 3 years of employment.

Documents required

• A document confirming your GBC status.
• Academic transcripts and certificates for all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
• This includes an academic transcript and certificate for your conversion course, if your undergraduate degree was not in psychology.

If the degree award date is not shown on the degree transcript or certificate for any qualifications funded by HEE/NHS England from 1 April 2022 onwards then please state the name of the HEE/NHS funded qualification and the award date in the Application Form section titled: “If there are any other factors and/or any further context that are relevant in assessing your application please give details”. And you may be asked to provide a document to support this e.g. if you are invited for interview

Advice for your application

We publish our shortlisting criteria here. This will be updated for 2026 entry and will be available by the time the Clearing House applications open. We strongly encourage you to read the shortlisting criteria to ensure that you explicitly demonstrate how you meet the criteria on your application form. 

International applicants

Residence requirements

Due to the funding arrangements for places on the Programme, we cannot consider applications from international candidates.

You must be eligible for home fees status in order to apply for an NHS funded place on the Programme. Candidates should also check the UKCISA website.

If your status is not clear then you may be asked for additional information by the University admissions team prior to your application being reviewed by our short-listing team.

English language ability

If English is not your first language and your university qualifications were not taught and examined in a majority English speaking country (see list on the University of Sheffield webpages) you need to submit evidence of your ability in English language with your application.

The IELTS test requirement for this programme is a minimum score of 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5 or an equivalent qualification at this level (see list on the University of Sheffield webpages).

Please see the University of Sheffield English Language Requirements webpages for more details.