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Minimum requirement of twelve months full time equivalent (FTE) relevant experience in a clinical or clinically relevant research capacity at the time of application. The length of experience can be gained in a number of roles but should equate to twelve months in total when adding up the FTE months of relevant experience within your application.

Due to the high number of applications, please note the following:

Experience gained during an undergraduate placement or voluntary work undertaken before degree completion will not be regarded as sufficient on its own.

It is recommended that candidates have spent a minimum of 6 months in one of their roles.

Whilst there is not a formal FTE requirement on the amount of research experience, it is highly unlikely that candidates without experience beyond that gained at undergraduate level will be successful in their application.

It is important that any such experience acquired is described in detail in the application. Experience can be gained in any type of environment, whether within the NHS, another healthcare body or in private practice and be either paid or voluntary, as long as it is relevant to the field of clinical psychology.

Please see the information below regarding roles and responsibilities that are considered relevant experience.

Positions for relevant experience include Assistant or Research Psychologists. Other roles are also considered as long as they meet one or more of the following criteria:

Supervision by a clinical psychologist (or equivalent mental health practitioner)

Face-to-face contact with service users and delivery of structured psychological interventions/mental health support/structured clinical or neuropsychological assessments

Familiarity with clinical populations and settings in the NHS or in health/social care settings (such as those commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups)

Substantive (voluntary) position (preferably within a statutory setting, e.g. Local Authority Mental Health volunteer)

Conducting and disseminating research that has involved service-user facing interactions

Due to changes in service delivery since the coronavirus pandemic, remote work that meets one or more of the criteria above will also be considered.

Please note that the following types of roles, whilst valued for development, would not count towards the criteria of twelve months FTE of relevant clinical experience or employment.

Carer

Mentor

Helpline volunteer (e.g. Samaritans)

Befriender

Special Education Needs Assistant

Teacher, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Lecturer, Trainer

Clinical experience limited to general healthcare (e.g. general practitioner, nurse)

Mental health support worker/health care assistant in a mental health setting where the role is focused on physical health care or daily activity support work

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is a research degree programme and incorporates a substantial research component, which results in the submission of a thesis for examination at doctoral degree level. Applicants must have experience of conducting and disseminating research following their undergraduate degree, alongside a sound understanding of basic research methods.

Whilst there is not a formal FTE requirement on the amount of research experience, due to the high application ratio for places on the Programme,  research experience gained during an undergraduate degree will not be regarded as sufficient on its own.

Research experience can be gained in an academic environment , in a research role, or in a clinical setting, such as a service review/audit.

Other examples of work that would be considered relevant research experience are as follows:

Project development

Data collection

Data analysis

Writing up and/or presenting results

Publications

Post-Graduate level research

Doctoral Level Research

Academic publications are valued, but not essential, and should be described in the application. Academic publications must have been accepted for publication by peer-reviewed journals to be considered during the selection process. Please note that publications listed may be verified during the short-listing process.

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What avenues of funding are there? How much are the course fees?

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What avenues of funding are there? How much are the course fees?

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Home fees places on the course are commissioned by NHS England (previously Health Education England). The purpose of this funding relates to NHS long term workforce planning and is summarised by the following quote: 'Ensuring that the NHS workforce of today and tomorrow have the right numbers, skills, values, and behaviours, at the right time and in the right place'. Further detail on the purpose of this funding can be found here.

Current Home Fees trainees are full-time employees of the National Health Service (NHS) and have annual leave and other benefits in line with usual NHS entitlements.  On entry to the programme all trainees commence on the first spine point of Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scales (including High Cost Area Supplement) – please note that this is independent of previous salary/experience and the salary is subject to a national ruling due to it being a training contract.

Excess travel expenses are currently paid for travel to placement, and University fees are currently paid directly by NHS England.

International fees places

Those who do not qualify for Home fees status can apply for a self-funded place as an overseas candidate via the King’s College London admissions portal. These places are not NHS funded and up to date information on tuition fees can be found here: https://kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/areas/doctorate-in-clinical-psychology-dclinpsy…

The tuition fees do not cover lodging or travel costs, and no salary/bursary is paid. The fees can be met via self-funding and/or sponsorship.

The programme particularly welcomes applicants with sponsorship who intend to disseminate knowledge and skills in their home country. There are no direct scholarships available from KCL for the DClinPsy, however please see the KCL funding database for details of possible avenues of funding that overseas candidates may be eligible to apply for: https://kcl.ac.uk/study-legacy/funding

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Academic Requirements

Minimum Undergraduate Degree Grade: 2.1 (we are unable to consider applicants with a 2.2 or lower grade at undergraduate level)

Honours Level Degree

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (GBC)

Completed undergraduate or conversion degree

Experience Requirements

at least twelve months’ full time equivalent (FTE) relevant experience in a clinical or clinically relevant research capacity at the time of their application

Applicants must have experience of conducting and disseminating research following their undergraduate degree, alongside a sound understanding of basic research methods.

References

One academic referee and one clinical experience referee. Applicants without two completed references will not be considered.

English Language Requirements

For candidates for whom English is not their first language, they must meet one of the following criteria:

English language proficiency test meeting Band B of the KCL Postgraduate English language requirements

Completion of a degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) taught in English from a majority English language country (UKVI recognised) within 5 years of the Programme start date.

2-Year Psychological Professions Funding Rule

Applicants who have started training on an NHS-funded training programme after the 1 April 2022 until 2 years after the award for the training is recommended by a qualifying examination board. Please note that the rule applies to any individual who starts and subsequently completes, withdraws or fails to complete the qualifying requirements of a training programme.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Applicants who do not meet this criteria  at the time of their application will not be eligible for shortlisting and no exceptions can be made. References must be received before shortlisting takes place.

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Clearing House Profile & Home Fees (NHS England funded places) Application Portal

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Clearing House Profile & Home Fees (NHS England funded places) Application Portal

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Clearing House is a registered non-profit educational charity. We work with clinical psychology courses to provide information and an easy to use application system. We do not make decisions about who is successful, but we wish you the best of luck!

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The three year full-time Health Care Professions Council approved and BPS accredited DClinPsy programme from the Psychology Department at King’s College London.

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King's Apply (application portal for international fees status places)

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King's Apply (application portal for international fees status places)

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Login to King’s Apply
Create an Account
Please create a new account to start an application if you have not applied to King’s before. For information about the data collect in the application process and how we use it, please see the Applicant Data Collection Notice. Applied via UCAS or DfE Apply? Within 7 days of submitting your application on UCAS (undergraduate) or DfE Apply (PGCE Teacher Training), you will receive an email containing your login details to King’s Apply. Your username will be the email address you used on UCAS or DfE Apply. If you do not receive this email after 7 working days, please click on to the Forgotten Your Password? screen.

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UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Home or Overseas fees: the basics

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An overview of how home and overseas fees are charged

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Tweets by KingsDClinPsy

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Applicants must apply via the correct method of application for their fee status as noted below. Applications made via the incorrect route will not be considered.

For October 2025 entry, interviews for NHS funded (homes fees places) will take place in person on the 13th, 14th and 15th May 2025. The date(s) for international fees status interviews are to be confirmed but will likely be in late April/May.

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Academic Shortlisting

Minimum Undergraduate Degree Grade: 2.1 in Psychology, recognised by the BPS for GBC or have a recognised "conversion" degree, with a 2:1 or 1st class level in both your undergraduate degree and your conversion degree.

Postgraduate Qualifications: Not required (Applications can be enhanced by evidence of a postgraduate qualification relevant to clinical psychology, however this is not a prerequisite for a successful application)

A Level or equivalent grades: These are weighted during shortlisting, however lower A-level grades does not mean that a candidate would not be successful in their application.

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership(GBC) with the British Psychological Society: Useful information on how to know if your qualifications grant you this status can be found here: https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/applications/entry-requirements/academic-qualifications

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Listing Qualifications & Transcripts

Include full grade or pass mark details for all school leaving qualifications (whether A level or other secondary school equivalent).

The original grades for any non-UK qualifications must be in a format that will allow conversion to a UK equivalent. Do not convert this yourself.

Failure to list all qualifications and final grades will reduce your chances of a successful application.

A full transcript should be submitted as evidence of a BPS accredited qualification, along with proof of GBC status.

Useful nformation on non UK qualfications equivalency to UK degrees (e.g. 2.1 or 1st) can be found here https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study-legacy/postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/international

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Can you provide feedback on why my application has been unsuccessful?

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Can you provide feedback on why my application has been unsuccessful?

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Please note that due to the high numbers of applicants, the Programme does not give individual feedback to applicants who are not interviewed, however more detailed written individualised feedback will be provided to all unsuccessful candidates to improve applicants’ understanding of some of the factors influencing their unsuccessful application. Feedback is offered to all candidates who are interviewed by telephone.

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Is it possible to meet a course tutor to discuss applying to the Programme?

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Is it possible to meet a course tutor to discuss applying to the Programme?

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Due to the high demand and constraints on professional time, it is not possible for course tutors to meet with prospective applicants or reply to emails regarding individual applications.

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme also holds annual information evenings – these events are advertised on Twitter and if you would like to be added to the mailing list for these events, please contact dclinpsy-admin@kcl.ac.uk.

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Is there an age limit for applicants to the Programme?

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Is there an age limit for applicants to the Programme?

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There is no age limit for applicants to the Programme. All applicants are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential and applications are scrutinised on this basis alone.

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Why is the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology different from a PhD? What happens upon completion of the Programme?

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Why is the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology different from a PhD? What happens upon completion of the Programme?

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The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is a specialist training doctorate which combines academic and clinical training, including a research project and six clinical placements. It is intended to prepare graduates for careers as practising clinical psychologists. The research conducted as part of the DClinPsy constitutes part of the training Programme. You do not have to submit a research proposal as part of your application.

Upon successful completion of the Programme, candidates are eligible to apply to the Health & Care Professions Council for registration as a clinical psychologist in the United Kingdom and apply for jobs as a Clinical Psychologist within the UK. Most graduates continue working within the NHS, however some also work for the private sector. (Overseas students may need additional permissions and visas in order to take up work in the UK).

Please note that the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology may not confer eligibility to obtain accreditation as a qualified clinical psychologist in any country other than the United Kingdom. Applicants wanting to practise elsewhere after completion of the Programme are encouraged to look at the accreditation requirements in the relevant country prior to applying for a place on the Programme.

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What is GBC Status? How can I obtain GBC Status?

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What is GBC Status? How can I obtain GBC Status?

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Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership is a standard set by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It ensures that, before anyone can start a clinical psychology course, they have already studied psychology in sufficient breadth and depth to provide a sound basis for their postgraduate training and professional practice.

GBC is usually obtained by completion of one of the following:

i) An honours degree that has psychology as the main field of study ii) A Masters or Doctoral degree that has psychology as the main field of study iii) A recognised conversion degree that confers eligibility for GBC.

If you studied in the UK or the Republic of Ireland and are unsure whether your qualification was accredited at GBC level, or are looking to undertake an accredited course in the United Kingdom, the British Psychological Society website has an accredited course search. Candidates eligible for Graduate Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) after having gained an academic award accredited by the PSI are eligible for GBC of the BPS.

If you are still unsure whether your qualification was accredited at GBC level, you should check with the BPS or the institution where you studied.

If your qualifications are not from the UK or Republic of Ireland, you need to apply to the BPS to have your qualifications assessed individually to determine eligibility for graduate membership and the GBC.

Please note that applications without proof of GBC will not be considered.

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Which conversion degree should I consider? Do you value one over the other? Am I at a disadvantage for not studying psychology at undergraduate level?

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Which conversion degree should I consider? Do you value one over the other? Am I at a disadvantage for not studying psychology at undergraduate level?

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The Programme does not distinguish between types of accredited conversion degree, whether a postgraduate diploma or masters conversion course, as both offer valuable knowledge and experience.

Completion of a conversion degree means that during our shortlisting process, we would weight your undergraduate degree in a different discipline the same as a psychology degree.

The decision of which conversion course to undertake is down to the candidate alone.

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Which university is best for me to undertake my undergraduate degree, masters degree or conversion course?

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Which university is best for me to undertake my undergraduate degree, masters degree or conversion course?

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Candidates must have qualifications at least to the standard of a British Bachelors Honours degree; however we do not value one university over another during our shortlisting process. We assess a candidate’s academic achievement based on their results alone.

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I am considering undertaking a Master’s degree before I apply for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Which one will most benefit my application?

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I am considering undertaking a Master’s degree before I apply for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Which one will most benefit my application?

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As long as a Master’s qualification is relevant to the field of clinical psychology, it will have the same weighting in our selection process as any other relevant Master’s qualification.

The choice of which to undertake should be the candidate’s alone, based on their own academic interests.

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Do I need to have worked for the NHS to be able to apply for the Programme?

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Do I need to have worked for the NHS to be able to apply for the Programme?

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Candidates’ relevant experience can be gained in any type of environment, as long as it meets the criteria above – whether within the NHS, another healthcare body (e.g. Health Service Executive) or in private practice. Candidates are however expected to have an understanding of the role of clinical psychology within the NHS and this will be assessed during the application process.

Please note that candidates without experience of carrying out assessments, behavioural interventions and observations and/or treatment programmes with clients in a clinical or research capacity are very unlikely to be shortlisted for interview.

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Home Fees Applicants (NHS funded places)

Apply via the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology - between September and November 2024 for entry in October 2025

Please follow all guidance in the application form on the Clearing House site.

International Fees Status Applicants

Apply via King's Apply - between November 2024 - March 2025 for entry in October 2024.

Application instructions for international applicants

The following documents are required in order for a full assessment of your application to be made:

Proof of eligibility for GBC Status with the BPS.

Official final academic transcripts for all competed undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

CV detailing all work and/or research experience relevant to your application. For each role, please include the dates from and to; hours per week; job title; employer and country; area of work (e.g. adult mental health); main duties performed and whether the role was paid, voluntary or part of a placement during education. Please also give details of any publications/dissemination resulting from your work.

1 academic and 1 clinical reference. Academic references can only be accepted from academic email addresses. The academic reference should be able to comment on your academic ability and potential, alongside your overall suitability for postgraduate training in clinical psychology. The clinical reference should be able to comment on your recent employment within a health setting or other relevant experience and your suitability and readiness for clinical training.

English Language Test Certificates if applicable. Please refer to our English language requirements: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/english-language

A Personal Statement which should be no longer than 2 pages. This should include answers to the following questions:

1. In what way have your work and/or research experiences prepared for you for training in clinical psychology?

2. What would you hope to gain from training?

3. How you intend to fund your place on the Programme

Please note that a research project proposal is not required as part of your application

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A mentoring initiative to widen access to Clinical Psychology for people from racially-minoritised communities.

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All applicants must have one academic referee and one clinical experience referee. Applicants without two completed references will not be considered.

The Programme encourages applicants to carefully consider their referees as to their suitability to provide the information requested in the Clearing House Suitability Statements.

Academic referees should be able to comment on an applicant's academic ability and preferably have direct experience of their academic work or research experience (references are accepted from supervisors related to post qualification employment).

The clinical experience referee should be able to comment on an applicant's suitability for training as a clinical psychologist. Ideally this reference would be from a clinical psychologist (or equivalent mental health practitioner) and recent. If this is not possible, the rationale for the selection of that particular referee should be detailed in the application. At the very least, the clinical experience referee must be a mental health professional who has supervised a candidate's work in a clinical or research environment.

Please note that a referee who has had little contact with you is unlikely to be able to write a reference of sufficient quality and depth. A referee who supervised you years ago may not be able to comment on your development and standard of your work at the time of the application. Similarly, a referee who has supervised you in your most recent employment for 3 months or less may not be able to comment as well as others who have worked with you for longer periods of time.

Applicants should request for their references to be anonymised (e.g. "they").

We strongly recommend asking your chosen referee if they are happy to provide a reference for you prior to adding their details.

The following references will not be considered as appropriate and will lead to an unsuccessful application if provided:

References written by family members

References by people who have not supervised you in a clinical or academic environment

References not provided in the Clearing House format (please note that a number of healthcare organisations have a policy of providing standardised references for all employees and will not provide personal references; please check this before you apply).

As part of the pre-contract process, all Candidates who are offered and accept a place will be required to provide reference details for the past 3 years of employment. This is separate from the Clearing House application process

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Additional Requirements for Home Fees Applicants (for NHS England Funded Places)

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Additional Requirements for Home Fees Applicants (for NHS England Funded Places)

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Home Fees Status (Please note that in order to qualify for ‘home fees’ status, applicants usually must have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the full three year period before the first day of the first academic year of the course). Please see the UKCISA guidance for further information on home fees status.

Right to work in the UK without restriction for the duration of the training Programme (3 years from the start date of the Programme - usually the 1st October). Applicants with visa restrictions (e.g. student visas) will not normally be eligible