Frequently asked questions

General

How hard is it to get a place at Sheffield?

At Sheffield last year, we had over 670 applicants for 40 places.

In 2025 we aim to interview 125 candidates and we are expecting to have 40 places. The number of places are reviewed annually by our commissioners and can be subject to change from year to year.

However, if you take into account the fact that most applicants apply to other courses, the chances are better than they might appear.

Can I do the programme part-time?

We do not currently offer a part-time programme. The programme is only accredited and ratified as a full time programme. However, we have a lot of experience in supporting trainees with a variety of needs. We will as far as possible make adjustments for people with disabilities or health conditions and will facilitate access to support throughout their training. We will also endeavour, wherever possible, to facilitate supportive training plans for people with other needs e.g. carer commitments.

Information for applicants with a disability

Do I have to work in Sheffield/Yorkshire & Humber region after I finish the programme?

The aim of the programme, when it was established, was to provide clinical psychologists for the locality. There is an expectation that all those who are funded by the NHS and train in Sheffield will take up local NHS posts once qualified where possible. 

I am not a UK citizen. Can I apply to the programme?

We will unfortunately be unable to accept applications from international candidates for the programme.

Training on the Sheffield DClinPsy programme involves a dual status as a postgraduate student of the University and an NHS employee. The NHS, via our local commissioners funds all tuition fees and pays trainee salaries for home trainees. The NHS therefore holds an interest in training people who will be able to work within the NHS on completion of their training. If you hold a non-UK or Irish nationality (i.e. British or Irish passport) then this is not an issue, provided you meet the competencies for spoken and written English. On our programme we have had several people who are non-UK nationals from across the world, and whose first degrees in psychology were completed in another country. 

Please see the following webpages for more guidance on eligibility for home fee status for EU applicants: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study/fee-status

Further information about entry requirements

How much do trainees get paid?

Home trainees recruited through the Clearing House are currently appointed at Band 6 on the Agenda for Change pay scale. This is considered as a new post even if previously employed by the NHS.

Do you hold an Open Day for the programme?

In 2024, we piloted an Open Day after our interviews which all candidates who were offered a place or reserve list place were invited to. Please see here for the slides from the Open Day we held in April 2024.

As we are interviewing in person in 2025, we are reviewing whether to run the Open Day again. We will inform candidates invited to interview about whether there will be an Open Day in 2025. 

---

My degree

What do I need to do if I have gained a 2:2 undergraduate degree?

Applicants with a 2.2 undergraduate degree will not normally be considered unless there is evidence of mitigating circumstances, as this grading falls outside our minimum entry criteria. The rationale for this is that a good undergraduate degree reflects a robust performance across a broad range of modules and examination processes. The undergraduate degree also provides the greatest equality of access to programmes of study for all students at the tertiary level of education.

We review our shortlisting process annually, and this may mean we will consider 2.2 degrees again at some point in the future.

I have just completed a degree which may not be recognised by the BPS. Can I still pursue an interest in Clinical Psychology?

One of the basic requirements to be considered for entry into our shortlisting process is having a degree, which is recognised by the BPS as fulfilling the basis for graduate registration (GBC). If you are in any doubt about the status of your own degree course, you should consult a member of staff in your undergraduate department or consult the BPS website for details. If your degree does not confer eligibility for the years in which you were registered as a student on your course, you would not be considered for a training place.

I have a non-psychology degree. I am interested in clinical research and wonder what opportunities there might be to get involved in this.

The DClinPsy programme is a professional training programme to train Clinical Psychologists. If your interest is purely in research, you could also consult our website for details of research opportunities within the Psychology department or the Clinical and Applied Psychology Unit. It may also be worth investigating the possibility of taking a conversion course in psychology, which might fulfil the graduate basis for chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society. Once you have completed a conversion course, you would have the option to then apply for clinical training.

---

The application form

I have not been offered an interview this year, can I have feedback on my application form?

Due to the large number of applications that we receive, it is difficult for us to offer individual feedback for those candidates who do not get an interview. However, we would recommend that you look carefully at these FAQs to enable you to identify areas in which you might have strengths and weaknesses.

Who should I choose to act as my referees?

Details are provided on the Clearing House website. It is helpful if your referee has an understanding of clinical psychology and can comment on your skills and aptitudes in relation to this.

---

Interviews 

What are you looking for at interview?

We are looking at a range of competencies. These include your interpersonal skills, your resilience, and your ability to reflect on your own learning and experience. We are also assessing your ability to cope with a period of post graduate study, we are therefore interested in your psychological knowledge, and your ability to think about and apply this knowledge. Your knowledge of research, and your ability to understand and talk about the strengths and limitations of research methodologies is also important.

I have a disability that might make it difficult for me to participate in the interviews. Could you give me some advice?

We encourage applicants with disabilities to contact us at the earliest opportunity once they have been offered an interview. We have a Disability Liaison Officer within the Unit who is also a member of the admissions team. Please get in touch; in consultation with you as an applicant, we will attempt to make the process as fair and accessible as possible putting in place reasonable adjustments for the interview process in accordance with your needs. The HCPC produces information for people with disabilities who want to train as a health professional and you may also find it useful to look at their website.

Information for applicants with a disability

What will the role play involve?

You will be given a short scenario during your interview. During the interview one of the panel members will play the part of an individual experiencing some distress. You will be asked to explore this with them for a few minutes and then discuss this with the panel.

---

Accessibility and equal opportunities

What is the experience of Black/Asian/ethnic minority candidates in applying for a place on the programme?

We are very positive about having people from diverse cultures and backgrounds train as clinical psychologists. We aim to support candidates who apply with culturally diverse experiences. If you want to speak to a trainee or recently qualified psychologist with a similar background, we will endeavour to put you in touch.

Will my age be a problem in getting a place on the programme?

There is no specified age limit for training and, when shortlisting, applicants´ personal details are obscured to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, etc. We currently have a diverse age profile amongst our successful applicants and would welcome applications from people with life experience.

I have a disability/chronic health condition. Would this prevent me from applying?

This will not prevent you from applying and we welcome applications from people with diverse experiences and varying needs. There will be many opportunities to let us know about your condition and the support you may need if you wish to do so. Should you be successfully shortlisted, we will work with you to facilitate the interview process.

If you declare a disability prior to interview, a member of the admissions staff will contact you, regarding reasonable adjustments, which may help you in our interview process.

If you are then offered a place, you would need, in common with all prospective trainees, to complete forms for Occupational Health and possibly meet with a member of the occupational health team for the employing Trust. They will review your health problems and advise whether you are fit enough to undertake the work. They may then send recommendations to the Directors of Clinical Practice regarding any adjustments, which may need to be made. Offers of a place are conditional on satisfactory Occupational Health clearance.

In addition to occupational health, once you are registered at the University an assessment of your needs can be made through the University Dyslexia and Disabled Student Support Service (DDSS).

In the case of either a long-term health condition, or a disability, a collaborative training plan would then be developed to ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to facilitate your ongoing training. You should be aware that the training is only offered as a full time programme and any adjustments made would be to support you in fulfilling that commitment.

You may find it helpful to look at ‘Health, disability and becoming a health and care professional’ available on the HCPC Website.

Information for disabled applicants

University information relating to disability

Where do I declare that I have a disability or health condition on my application form?

We are signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme. We welcome applicants with a disability or health condition and the positive contribution and difference that you could make to our training community. We will ensure that you have equal access to training and are not discriminated against because of your disability or health condition.

We advise applicants who wish to declare a disability to do so on the application form, you can add further detail should you wish to in the section on further relevant information. Declaring your disability here would enable us to discuss your support needs with you prior to interview. If you prefer however you can disclose your disability at a later stage.

Further guidance for applicants with disabilities can be found at the Clearing House website.

Information for applicants with a disability

---

The programme

Are there any exams?

Currently, No, we use a variety of coursework to assess competence, as detailed in the programme structure. However, we are currently reviewing our assessment process for the 2025 intake and may be introducing exams. We will update the website when plans have been confirmed. 

---

Further information

Would it be possible to call in to have a chat with someone regarding my suitability at some point?

We are sorry but we are unable to offer face-to-face meetings prior to interview in order to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates. You should find that most of the answers to your questions are addressed in this and other course documentation, or on the main clearing house website. Once you have read these, if you still have a specific question that we have not addressed then you can email or write to us.

Clearing House website

Can you recommend any books or websites to prepare me for the application process?

There are books that you may find helpful, such as:

• How to Become a Clinical Psychologist: Getting a Foot in the Door, Alice Knight. (2002: Brunner/Mazel)
• What is Clinical Psychology? Susan Llewelyn and David Murphy (2014: Oxford University Press)
• Or this article by David Murphy, Five tips for getting into clinical psychology training
• Randall, J. (Ed.). (2019). Surviving Clinical Psychology: Navigating personal, professional and political selves on the journey to qualification. Routledge.

• The University of Lancaster have put together this resource to support aspiring clinical psychologists, providing information on your application journey.

However, the best way to find out about the profession is to talk to people with experience of clinical psychology in the NHS.

What is the Alternative Handbook?

It's a survey of the views of current clinical trainees, in book form. The British Psychological Society compile and publish it each year, by sending questionnaires to trainees on all programmes.

Each annual edition has a new design and format of views and information, with individual and collective trainee views from all three years. You will find more information about each individual programmes, including table comparisons of some course details. All information included is based on feedback from current trainees, to ensure you receive the most up-to-date views on each programme.

Please visit the BPS shop for more information or to purchase a copy.

Where can I find information about accommodation?

 Information about the accommodation available through the University and the associated costs can be found on the Accommodation pages.

What are your English language requirements?

If English is not your first language and your university qualifications were not taught and examined in English, 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 as listed on the English language requirements for research degrees page.

How do I find out if I am eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)?

Degree qualifications awarded outside the UK are assessed for eligibility for Graduate basis for Chartered Membership by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Usually GBC is conferred when an individual has completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology, or a postgraduate degree which includes a substantive period of study in Psychology. You must apply for membership of the BPS and they will check your qualifications as part of the application process.

For further information, please visit the BPS website.

---

International students

Do I qualify as home or International regarding my fee status?

We unfortunately no longer have places for international applicants who are self funding and we cannot accept applications from anyone without Home Fees Status

For more information about whether you qualify for home or international fee status, please see: 

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/fees/status