University of Staffordshire

Course Specific Questions

When application opens please review the Course Questions section of the sample application form (around pages 15 to 20) to see which questions we require applicants to answer. These Course Specific Questions also appear in the "live" application form when our course is selected.

Shortlisting and interviews

Programme  staff, clinical psychologists and placement supervisors from within Shropshire and Staffordshire, and service users/carers all participate in the selection process.

We recruit to the values of the NHS Constitution. This influences our selection criteria and especially the values we are seeking to be demonstrated in both your application and interview, which we view as essential in any individual involved in working with service users.

Application shortlisting

All applications are reviewed anonymously by programme staff which is followed by a moderation process. Shortlisting processes involve use of a rubric to provide a holistic rating of applicants based on suitability statements, applied experience, experience of research and evaluation, evidence of self-reflexivity and learning from applied and lived experience, valuing of critical and contextual thinking, equity and inclusion and involvement of Experts by Experience, and values-driven practice.

As part of our commitment to increasing the representation of socially disadvantaged and marginalised groups within the profession of clinical psychology, and our awareness of the additional challenges they may face in accessing training, we have introduced the use of a Contextualised Admissions process alongside use of Positive Action Provisions in line with the Equality Act. The shortlisting process makes use of all contextual admissions criteria as well as POLAR data. In line with the Equality Act of 2010 we have introduced use of equal opportunities data provided by applicants (specifically ethnicity and sex) to take Positive Action when applicants' scores are tied at the shortlisting stage.

We are reviewing extending involvement in our shortlisting process to practitioner psychologists and supervisors within trainee employing NHS Trust and Experts by Experience.   

Interview

In-person interviews will take place week beginning 10th May 2027

• This typically involves a single panel interview incorporating a values-based role-play element.
• The interview broadly assesses applied academic, research and clinical knowledge as well as personal and professional values and suitability for training.
• Panel members include programme staff, Clinical Psychologists and supervisors from the NHS Trusts trainees are employed by and service user/carer representatives.

You will be required to provide both proof of identity (passport or photo driving licence) and eligibility to work in the UK without a work permit at interview.

Widening access to the profession of clinical psychology is important to us. In line with the Equality Act of 2010 we now use equal opportunities data provided by applicants (specifically ethnicity and sex) to take Positive Action when applicants' scores are tied after interview in considering places on our offer and reserve lists.

Following this stage, offers will be made to the most suitable candidates, subject to satisfactory Occupational Health screening and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Feedback

We are not able to provide individual feedback for those not invited for interview due to the large number of applicants. Written feedback is provided to all applicants who are shortlisted for and attend interviews, irrespective of outcome. We are not able to offer time to discuss individual outcomes in more detail.

Equal opportunities

The University of Staffordshire is committed to promoting and enabling a positive culture where everyone is confident to be their authentic selves. We focus on inclusion as a way to ensure equality of opportunity for all and to demonstrate our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Human Rights. Our two key strategic objectives for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are to ensure a university environment which actively promotes social and educational inclusion and equality of opportunity, and that the needs, rights and contributions of people with protected characteristics underpin the design and delivery of the University’s Enabling and Resourcing Strategies and related plans.

Our equality framework, objectives, and reports showing how we're performing can be viewed on the University of Staffordshire website.

We particularly welcome applications from people currently underrepresented within the profession.

Widening access to the profession of clinical psychology is important to us. In line with the Equality Act of 2010 we now use equal opportunities data provided by applicants (specifically ethnicity and sex) to take Positive Action when applicants' scores are tied after our shortlisting process and again after interview.

Contextual admissions

As part of our commitment to increasing the representation of socially disadvantaged and marginalised groups within the profession of clinical psychology, and our awareness of the additional challenges they may face in accessing training, we have introduced the use of a Contextualised Admissions process alongside use of Positive Action Provisions in line with the Equality Act. The shortlisting process makes use of all contextual admissions criteria as well as POLAR data.

Applicants with disabilities

The course does not participate in the Disability Confident scheme.

We endeavour to make our selection processes as inclusive as possible, and we have been particularly praised for the inclusivity of our interview process by candidates in feedback mechanisms. Candidates are provided with information prior to interview about what to expect on the day itself, information is repeated orally and in writing on the interview day. We provide a quiet room prior to interview times for candidates to prepare and interview questions are available for a short period in advance of interviews for candidates to consult and they can choose to make notes in response to these to bring into interview. Candidates can request extra time at the interview stage to support reasonable adjustments and communicate how they would prefer to allocate use of this time. All interview questions are available in writing during interviews, and applicants can make notes during interviews.