Entry Requirements
Entry is open to a graduate of any approved university holding an Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent qualification acceptable to the British Psychological Society as the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Individuals should have achieved eligibility for GBC by the time that they apply. Emphasis in selection is based on an applicant’s potential as a NHS Clinical Psychologist. We also consider a good general grounding and achievement in academic psychology to be important (for instance, via research attainment), alongside sound reasoning skills, and an ability to undertake a further period of postgraduate study. Work experience in NHS and similar settings would be expected to have provided applicants with a critical awareness of the roles that Clinical Psychologists fulfil, of basic competences in some of the tasks involved, and a general awareness of key current professional and organisational issues.
In practice, successful candidates will all have obtained a first or upper second class degree, or will have strengthened their academic profile by obtaining a relevant post-graduate degree. They will additionally have also undertaken some relevant, paid, full-time employment after finishing their undergraduate degree and before applying to Newcastle (usually a minimum of a five months duration at the time of applying). This experience will have involved either: 1) contact with relevant a client group, 2) the use of relevant skills, or ideally a combination of both 1) and 2). However, diversity within our intake is seen to enrich our yearly cohort of trainees. Thus, we welcome those who have received their GBC status via the degree conversion course route. For all application enquiries please contact the Admissions Tutor (see above). Additionally, we can provide a number of factsheets, for instance regarding general queries, relevant experience, and preparing for interview at Newcastle.
References
Please ensure that your experience reference is from your current line manager. If you do not supply a reference from your current line manager we will seek an employment reference from your current line manager if you are invited to interview in addition to references supplied via the Clearing House system.
Selection Procedure
Selection is undertaken by a joint panel representing service users, the University, the employing Trust and NHS Clinical Psychologists. Initial selection by the panel (from application forms only) results in an interview short-list of 50 candidates. Interview selection then consists of two 30-minute panels and a paper and pencil research task. Whilst subject to yearly review, a formal panel interview presently includes a research critique and assesses various aspects of candidates’ past experience and expertise. This panel consists of the Programme Director, the NHS Line Manager of Trainee Clinical Psychologists and a local clinical psychologist. The second panel gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their clinical problem-solving and therapeutic skills via a role play, and enables them to discuss professional and health service related issues in relation to clinical practice. This latter panel consists of a Clinical Tutor, a service user representative and a local clinical psychologist.
Feedback regarding shortlisting and interview performance is offered by e-mail (contact the Programme Administrator) to those who have not been successful in gaining a training place at any institution for that year, after the clearing house deadline for all programmes to inform applicants of the outcome of their interview(s). Offers of places are subject to an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check, satisfactory references, and also medical clearance.
