University of Southampton
Course code:
2500
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]Social media:
Selection procedure
There are two stages to our selection procedure:
Stage 1 - Shortlisting
First, we screen all applications to make sure they meet our minimum requirements for work experience, academic and research requirements.
Applications are then rated using a competency-based rating procedure. The competencies cover the following key areas:
- academic/research competence
- clinical competence
- reflective practice
- personal resilience
The Admissions Director oversees the selection process including the selection panels that comprise members of the Programme Team, as well as local NHS Clinical Psychologists, who teach and/or supervise on the Programme.
Each application is screened independently by two people.
We invite short-listed applicants for interview.
We regret that we are unable to provide any feedback to candidates who are not short-listed for interview.
Stage 2 - Interviews
We aim to interview around 150 applicants.
Since COVID, the interviews have taken place remotely via an online platform. The intention is for this to continue, although we are continually reviewing the suitability of this and the preferences of our applicants, so this may be subject to change.
In 2025, we aim to have one main interview panel which will focus on personal, clinical, research and academic competencies. The aim is that the interview panel consists of a University Programme member, a local NHS Clinical Psychologist and an Expert by Experience.
Across the interview panels, we try to reflect a range of knowledge, skills, and specialities, as well as a gender and diversity mix, where possible.
Driving licence
The Southampton Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme covers a wide and rural geographical area. Hence, all applicants to Southampton must possess a full valid Driving Licence at application (subject to reasonable adjustments for disability).
All applicants must submit their full driving licence one week before interview date. If applicants cannot submit their driving licence documentation they might not be eligible for interview.
Support on the day
On the interview day, some of our current trainees are available to talk to and answer any questions applicants may have.
We also provide separate spaces for applicants to talk to trainees who share similar experiences. For example, applicants from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, those with long term health conditions, parents and carers, neurodivergence and males can join these spaces and find out more about how the Programme supports them. This is not part of the assessment process but an opportunity for applicants to learn more about the Programme from the trainees’ perspective and to ask them any questions.
Values
As a Programme, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive interview environment, to ensure we can get the best out of applicants.
Interview outcomes
Our interviews take place over a full week and are followed by a final selection meeting in which we decide which candidates will be offered places. The Programme Team informs all applicants whether they have been successful or not following the final selection meeting.
All applicants who attend an interview are sent written feedback outlining key strengths and areas for development.
Accessibility
As a Programme, we pride ourselves on giving everybody a fair chance in the interview process. If you have a disability, of any kind, we encourage you to contact our Accessibility Lead and discuss whether we can make any reasonable adjustments to support you. Information about how to do this is made available to all applicants when invited to interview. We aim to make our interviews accessible for everybody, but also make additional reasonable adjustments for people who need them.
Equal opportunities
As a Programme, we are committed to increasing the diversity of the Clinical Psychology profession and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and personal contexts, and encourage applicants to be open and reflective about their life experiences.
The programme is fully committed to Equal Opportunities for all students and follows the principles set out in the University of Southampton's Equal Opportunities Policy Statement. All individuals are selected and treated based on their relevant merits and abilities.
Disability Confident / Applicants with disabilities
We welcome applications from students with disabilities and have experience of making reasonable adjustments, as necessary, to support students.
Please note, however, that we do not currently invite applicants for interview based on the Disability Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
Contextual admissions
Our Programme is considering developing contextual recruitment processes. This is based on evidence that contextualising individuals' achievements using additional information about their educational, social, and economic background can lead to fairer and more inclusive selection processes. This information could help us to recognise individuals with strong potential for success at doctoral level and within the profession, who otherwise might not have been identified.
We will, in due course provide further details on our website about how we will use contextual data as part of our selection processes; for audit/research purposes; to create reports for external agencies such as NHS England, etc.
Last updated:
1st May 2025