As far as I am aware you don’t need a PhD or even a MSc to get onto the Clin. Psych doctoral course, but many people that do have at least a MSc to their name. Experience working in clinical settings is a must really and many clinical psychologists started work as assistant clinical psychologists before they managed to get onto the course.

You can see the basic entry requirements here: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/basicentry.htm

You will need to reply through the Leeds Clearing House (it’s like the UCAS of Clinical Psychology). Their website has loads of information on how to apply and what to do: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/

Another good resource is a website called psyclick (http://www.psyclick.org.uk) which is an excellent resource of information written by a chap who was going through the entire process of applying to be a clinical psychologist.

Further to this a good place to start is a book called ‘How to be a Clinical Psychologist’ by Alice Knight.

I hope that helps a little bit and I wish you the best of luck in the future.

Thanks for a good blog. I am currently in my second year on a Psych bachelor sandwich degree, with one year placement in a clinical setting. My aspiration for the future is def to become a clinical psychologist, but I am confused as to the requirements. I’ve read the “so you want to be a psychologist” by BPS and lots of other guides. The BPS clearly states I will need to take a PhD after my bachelor and then(?) work for 3 years before I can get accredited. Other web sites say its suifficient to take a Masters. I am 25 and have about 3 years of work experience with children, but not in the UK (I am an international student). If you could please enlighten me as to what I can expect after I graduate, what I need to prepare now, etc, I would be really grateful. Also, my average is somewhere around 65, either just under or just over. Will this be suifficent? Lots of questions, hope you can answer some of them. Thanks a lot, Kristin