All applications must be sent to the Clearing House by the beginning of December the year prior to entry. Visit the Clearing House website for precise deadline dates each year.
Our approach to selection:
We are looking for trainees ready to embrace learning, with an existing commitment to inclusion, reflection and developing high levels of competence in research, clinical work, academic assignments and socio-cultural competence. We also want to attract trainees who are able to demonstrate that their values and behaviours align with the values of the NHS Constitution.
In line with a reflective evidence-based approach, Exeter selects on the basis of the Competency Model which was developed following a job analysis of the trainee clinical psychology role (Baron & O’Reilly, 2012). The model specifies ten competencies that underpin successful trainee clinical psychologists. These are: intellectual ability and academic rigour, communication skills, self-awareness and openness to learning, personal maturity, warmth and empathy, resilience, organisation, autonomy and initiative, motivation and application and contextual awareness. The programme recognises that its processes form part of a national programme and therefore uses the Job Description and Person Specification (.pdf) that is made available to all applicants.
Our selection process:
All applications that meet minimum entry criteria will be put through to shortlisting. All applications are assessed by a panel consisting of a member of Course Staff and a local NHS Clinical Psychologist. In order to reduce the risk of bias, information about institutions attended and degree class are removed before shortlisting and we provide mandatory training to all shortlisters for benchmarking and to reduce bias.
Applications are assessed in relation to 3 areas:
- readiness for clinical training;
- clinical competence/aptitude;
- and research competence/aptitude.
Following shortlisting, applicants will be notified whether they are being invited for interview, on the reserve list for interview, or have been unsuccessful. Applicants who are invited for interview will be able to take advantage of our buddy system, enabling them to meet with a current trainee prior to interview to find out more about the lived experience of the course and trainee life at Exeter. Applicants who require adaptations to interview processes due to disability / additional needs should contact us.
Interviews will be held in the spring of each year and take the form of one interview, approximately 1 hour in length. We review our interview process each year and train the interview team to eliminate bias and for benchmarking. Candidates will be given tasks to undertake prior to the interview in preparation for the day, such as a video/roleplay/research design. We intend the time you spend with us to be respectful, constructive and supportive, and all candidates will be given a clear brief about what to expect when they are invited for interview. All selection tasks are designed to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate the required competencies and values for entry into the programme.
Interview panels are made up of an expert by experience, a course member and a psychologist from the locality. We are working hard to ensure that our panels are diverse in terms of race, gender and class.
Applicants should consult the Clearing House website to find out the dates for interview for the relevant year and whether interviews will be online or in person, our current plan is that interviews will remain online to address the environmental and cost implications of holding them in person. In exceptional circumstances, alternative interview dates are available, please contact the course team to find out if your circumstances apply.
Once interview days have concluded, applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application (offer, reserve offer or unsuccessful). Unsuccessful and reserve list applicants will be given the opportunity to meet with the chair of their interview panel to get feedback on their interview.
All offers of a place on a course are dependent on satisfactory criminal record and health checks and compliance with health checks will be acted upon.
International Trainees
We hold our international interviews a month before our ‘home student’ interviews. Shortlisting for international interviews is done by programme staff and the interview panel is made up of a member of the programme senior management team and a Psychology Head of Service from one of our local NHS Trusts. Like the home students, unsuccessful international trainees are offered a chance to talk to the course staff that interviewed them for feedback.
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
