1Course record · East of England
University of Essex
Does Essex test before interview? Not as far as we know: it has not named one.
The record
Before you apply
What you must meet to apply, in the course’s own words.
Right to work and fee status
Be appointable within the NHS. Evidence of your right to work in the UK will be required as appropriate.
Be eligible for home-based tuition fees.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
There are no self-funded places available on the course.
Source: Essex course page, checked .
GBC when you apply:
Applicants to the programme should:
Have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
DegreeOur summary: A lower second (2:2): With 65% or above in a research master’s or doctorate relevant to clinical psychology. The same applies to a low 2:1.
A BPS accredited degree in Psychology with a high 2:1 or above. The average mark for third year modules must be 65% or above.
A 2:2 or low 2:1 honours degree in Psychology with subsequent demonstration of academic competence, for example through achieving 65% or above (or equivalent) at Masters/Doctoral level in a research degree relevant to clinical psychology.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
ExperienceOur summary: 12 months minimum.
Applicants must demonstrate at least one year's full-time, or equivalent, clinical or research experience relevant to clinical psychology.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
English language
If an applicant's first language is not English they should obtain at least level 7 (with no component below 7) on the IELTS or equivalent (e.g. TOEFL score of 100 internet-based or 600 paper-based).
Note, there are no exceptions to this requirement.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
Not mentioned on these pages: driving licence, getting to placements, research, earlier NHS-funded training, other study, suitability statements and other conditions.
Pages read: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; Clearing House selection procedure, updated ; Essex course page; all checked .
Before interview
None named
Not named on the Clearing House list of courses using short-listing tests. Applications are fully anonymised, then independently rated and ranked by programme staff and local clinical psychologists. No pre-interview test is described.
Sources: Clearing House, checked ; Clearing House test list, checked .
At interview
A panel interview.
When“Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 April”
Source: Clearing House list of 2027 interview dates for NHS places, updated ; checked .
Held at the Colchester campus, with roughly three interviews offered per place. The course states that “the interview process includes a formal timed assessment” but does not say what it consists of.
Source: Clearing House, checked .
What your form is rated on
At this stage, we aim to ensure that applicants offered interviews meet essential criteria for employment in the Person Specification for trainee clinical psychologists, in addition to rating applicants on the basis of criteria such as clinical experience and demonstrated academic suitability.
Source: Clearing House, checked .
A note on this record
The timed assessment at interview is stated without detail. The course says it will provide further information to applicants who are invited.
Dates for 2027 entry
- Applications close
- 18 November 2026, 1:00 pm
- Interviews
- “Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 April”
Sources: Clearing House, checked ; Clearing House 2027 list, NHS places, checked .
Prepare for this course
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If you have applied here
What Essex says about feedback
The course’s selection page says nothing about feedback.
Source: Clearing House, selection procedure, updated ; checked .
Applying again: feedback from each course
This site is not affiliated with University of Essex.
Sources
- clearing-house.org.uk: selection procedureUpdated 21 September 2026; checked 24 September 2026.
- clearing-house.org.uk: which courses use a short-listing testUpdated 7 September 2026; checked 16 October 2026.
- clearing-house.org.uk: interview dates for 2027 by course, for NHS placesUpdated 5 October 2026; checked 22 October 2026.