Routes into training

Every course requires Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society.

• An accredited psychology degree gives you GBC. For a UK degree, check with your university or on the BPS list of accredited courses.
• A degree that gives graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland counts too.
• Without either, a BPS-accredited conversion course gives you GBC. It will usually consist of at least one full year (approximately 45 weeks full-time, or its part-time equivalent).

Most courses want it when you apply. The Clearing House says: A few courses may consider people who do not have GBC when they apply, but most do not. And: Very few people who do not have GBC when they apply are successful e.g. only 1 person has been accepted to an NHS place nationally in the last 5 years.

If you finish an accredited degree or conversion course in autumn 2026 and have your results by the end of January 2027, you can apply by the closing date and send the GBC document once you have it.

The Clearing House says courses are mainly looking for applicants with a 1st class or 2:1. Some set a percentage: University College London asks for 67% or above, and Leicester for a mid 2:1 of 64% or above.

Some set a grade for a conversion course too: Trent at least a 2:1, Exeter a merit or distinction, and Cardiff a 2:1 or merit, with a 2:1 in your first degree as well. Some also want your first degree’s documents.

A 2:2 can still give you GBC, since the BPS standard is a lower second, but each course decides whether to consider one. Of the 30, 2 accept one, 17 consider one only with further study or evidence, 3 do not consider one and 8 do not say.

The Clearing House’s own example of further evidence is an academically demanding masters degree. Where a course says nothing about a 2:2, ask it.

A master’s does not replace GBC, and you do not need one. It counts as evidence of academic ability, most of all with a 2:2.

Finish it before the doctorate starts. Universities will not usually let you enrol while you are on another qualification, and anything still outstanding may mean withdrawing from it to take up your place.

Assistant psychologist posts are a common route, but you do not need one: support worker, healthcare assistant, social services and disability services roles are among the Clearing House’s examples. NHS Health Careers says assistant psychologists usually need an accredited psychology degree that gives GBC, and that you will usually be paid at band 4 or 5.

NHS Health Careers also says assistant psychologists (APs) are supervised by a registered practitioner psychologist. The BPS recommends at least an hour of formal supervision a week, and says: Peer supervision alone is not appropriate for APs. Look for both in an AP advert.

Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) work in NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT), in England. They usually train for about a year at Band 4 and are paid at Band 5 once qualified. They deliver low-intensity interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles.

• England. Anyone who starts NHS-funded training in the psychological professions from April 2022 will normally not be eligible to receive NHS funding for a subsequent psychological professions training until a minimum of 2 years after the award for the first training is recommended by a qualifying examination board. That applies however the training ends, including withdrawal. The trainings include Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Education Mental Health Practitioner, Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner and Clinical Associate in Psychology, among others.
• Wales. A two-year gap after Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology training in Wales, which the two Welsh courses may apply differently.
• Scotland. At least 18 months after the award of certain NHS-funded trainings, or 24 months after leaving one unfinished.

NHS-funded places employ you, so they need the right to work in the UK without restriction, and most need home fee status. Some courses also offer self-funded places, which usually need overseas fee status.

“Clinical psychologist” is a title protected by law, and using it requires registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. The BPS sets out the path: GBC, relevant experience, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, then registration.