Clinical Psychology

If you haven’t completed an undergraduate degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), don’t let that stop you from becoming a clinical psychologist. There are other available pathways that will get you into the career (though they do all involve getting a degree)!

Alternative 1: Conversion Course

What is a conversion course?

  • A type of postgraduate degree that provides the information necessary to progress into a career that your undergraduate degree may not have prepared you for

  • They are typically one year long if studying full-time, or two years long if studying part-time

  • To become a clinical psychologist, the conversion course you complete must be in psychology and accredited by the BPS

When is a conversion course an option?

  • When you have an undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology

  • When you have completed an undergraduate psychology degree that doesn’t have a BPS accreditation

What happens after a conversion course?

  • After completing a conversion course, you can continue the pathway to becoming a clinical psychologist

  • This would be firstly gaining work experience, before completing a postgraduate doctorate (PhD or DClinPsych) in clinical psychology

Alternative 2: Apprenticeship

When is an apprenticeship an option?

  • When you have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree or conversion course

  • When you have some relevant work experience, whether it be through employment or volunteering

What apprenticeships are there?

  • The apprenticeship that can be taken as part of an alternative pathway to clinical psychology is called a Clinical Associate in Psychology level 7 degree apprenticeship

  • They are typically 18 months long, and involve being trained by an employer, such as the NHS Trust, alongside the completion of a degree programme

  • You can find a list of available training providers for this apprenticeship here

What happens in the apprenticeship?

Some examples of tasks you would partake in include:

  • Assessing individuals and/or families by using a range of psychological assessement methods

  • Applying a range of psychological interventions based on the results of assessments and the diagnosis

  • Analysing and evaluating the appropriateness of the range of psychological models and protocols when addressing individualised patient need

  • More information can be found here

What are the next steps after an apprenticechip?

  • The apprenticeship equips you with the relevant qualifications to be a clinical associate in psychology

  • To become a clinical psychologist, after completing the apprenticeship you will still need to complete a postgraduate doctorate (PhD or DClinPsych) in clinical psychology.

Work Experience

Whilst work experience isn’t directly an alternative pathway to becoming a clinical psychologist, it is one way to make your application more competitive if applying for a conversion course or apprenticeship opportunity.

Here are some examples of work experience schemes for aspiring clinical psychologists, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds: