1Course record · South East
University of Surrey
Does Surrey test before interview? No. It says it uses no short-listing test.
The record
Before you apply
What you must meet to apply, in the course’s own words.
Driving licence
The programme requires successful applicants to hold a current driving licence that is valid in the UK, and allows a motorised vehicle to be driven, and have access to transport for work purposes.
Short-listed candidates will be required to present proof of their valid driving licence two weeks prior to the interview (subject to reasonable adjustments for disability).
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
Right to work and fee status
We cannot consider:
Applicants with overseas fees status
Due to the funding arrangements in place for the programme, we are unable to consider applications from candidates who are not classed as home fees students. This includes most international candidates, with the exception of candidates from the Republic of Ireland.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
Have the right to work in the UK and settled status, and be eligible for Home Fees, as the programme is training professionals for the NHS (see funding section).
Source: Surrey course page, checked .
GBC when you apply
Applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate studies: offers will be conditional on achieving a 2:1 (see Academic Requirements below).
All other applicants must have GBC confirmed at the point of application.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
DegreeOur summary: A lower second (2:2): With a master’s-level degree of at least 65% in an area relevant to clinical psychology.
A psychology degree (1st or 2:1) which confers eligibility for GBC
OR
A psychology degree (2:2) which confers eligibility for GBC plus a Masters level degree or above, in an area relevant to the profession of Clinical Psychology (of at least 65%)
OR
A degree in another subject (1st or 2:1 honours) plus an accredited conversion qualification which confers eligibility for GBC
OR
A degree in another subject (2:2) plus an accredited Masters level conversion qualification which confers eligibility for GBC (of at least 65%)
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
ExperienceOur summary: 12 months minimum.
A minimum of 12 months full-time (or equivalent) experience relevant to the profession of Clinical Psychology acquired within the last 3 years, at the point of application
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
English language
IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above (or equivalent) with 6.5 in each individual category.
Applicants who are required to provide an English language test must send evidence to the Clearing House with their application.
Failure to provide this evidence will mean your application cannot be considered.
Source: Surrey course page, checked .
Earlier NHS-funded training
We cannot consider:
Candidates who will complete any NHS England (formerly Health Education England) funded training programme after 25th September 2024. You will not be eligible to apply for Clinical Psychology training until two years after the qualification has been awarded.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
If you started any Health Education England (HEE) funded training programme after 25 September 2024, you will not be eligible to apply for clinical psychology training until two years after the qualification has been awarded.
Source: Surrey course page, checked .
Our note: Surrey’s two pages put the two-year gap differently: its Clearing House tab, for NHS England-funded training completed after 25 September 2024; its own course page, which carries no date, for training started after that date. Both are quoted.
Other study
If you are currently enrolled on any other degree (for example a PhD or masters programme), or have any outstanding requirements from another programme, you may be required to withdraw from that programme to take up a place or to continue your studies on a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Source: Surrey course page, checked .
Suitability statements
The clinical Suitability Statement should be written by your current or most recent line manager.
If an alternative referee is provided, a reason must be provided on the application form.
Source: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; checked .
If applicants are not using their current employer for their clinical Suitability Statement, they must explain why or their application will not be accepted.
Source: Clearing House selection procedure, updated ; checked .
Other
Applicants who hold a conversion qualification or who studied overseas are required to send transcripts for their undergraduate degree directly to the University of Surrey’s Admissions team.
The absence of a transcript will result in an applicant not being considered as there will be no means to verify the minimum requirements stipulated.
Applicants who attained a lower second-class undergraduate degree in psychology (2ii) (except those holding a PhD) are required to send a transcript of their masters degree directly to the University of Surrey’s Admissions team.
Failure to provide this transcript will mean your application cannot be considered.
Source: Surrey course page, checked .
Not mentioned on these pages: getting to placements and research.
Pages read: Clearing House entry requirements, updated ; Clearing House selection procedure, updated ; Surrey course page; all checked .
Before interview
No test
The course states: “We do not currently have any short-listing tests.”
More about the test
Applications are read and scored by a programme staff team member against the Trainee Clinical Psychologist person specification and the programme's values.
Sources: Clearing House, checked ; the course’s own page, checked .
At interview
A panel interview.
When“Monday 12 to Friday 16 April”
Source: Clearing House list of 2027 interview dates for NHS places, updated ; checked .
An in-person interview session on campus, with interviews and activities designed to evaluate clinical, reflective and research skills, including how these fit with NHS values.
Sources: Clearing House, checked ; the course’s own page, checked .
What your form is rated on
- Applications are read by a programme staff team member and scored according to the person specification for the role of Trainee Clinical Psychologist (see the Entry Requirements section of our website for a copy) and the values of the programme.
- Applications are expected to be well written, demonstrating a good grasp of the English language and align with NHS Values.
Source: Clearing House, checked .
Using AI
“We strongly discourage the use of AI in preparing application as this often homogenises applications and weakens the authentic voice of the applicant”.
Source: Clearing House, updated ; checked .
A note on this record
Surrey's own course page, which describes 2027 entry, states that shortlisted candidates “must possess a full valid driving licence by the date of the interview (subject to reasonable adjustments for disability)”, and that “All applicants are required to present their photocard licence on the day of the interview”, which also serves as photographic proof of identity; a candidate who is unable to drive and meets the Disability Discrimination Act criteria must show a passport instead. The page gives interview days between 12 and 16 April 2027. Its Clearing House entry asks short-listed candidates for proof of the licence “two weeks prior to the interview”, which is earlier.
Dates for 2027 entry
- Applications close
- 18 November 2026, 1:00 pm
- Interviews
- “Monday 12 to Friday 16 April”
Sources: Clearing House, checked ; Clearing House 2027 list, NHS places, checked .
Prepare for this course
- Practise interview questionsUses a panel interview. On clinical knowledge and reasoning, its record mentions “clinical, reflective and research skills”.
Our own questions, on the themes courses name.
- Practise situational judgementThis course has not named filmed scenarios or values-based questions at interview, which the SJT practice rehearses.
Checked Report an errorCorrections
Reported online by applicants, not confirmed by the course
What trainees and applicants have said in public about selection here, paraphrased. The process may have changed since.
Posted 2013 to 2026: 11 reports about earlier years
Several, older: 8 accounts
There was a research section, sometimes with a paper, case study or vignette to read during the interview, and many found it hard.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 4 accounts
A single online panel interview on Microsoft Teams, of roughly 40 minutes to an hour. One trainee says no other tasks were set.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 4 accounts
A three-person panel that included an Expert by Experience, usually with a clinical psychologist and a member of course staff.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 4 accounts
The panel posted questions in the Teams chat. One trainee says each question was removed before the next was posted.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 4 accounts
Before the interview there was a welcome talk or Q&A, and afterwards candidates could meet current trainees.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 4 accounts
Most questions were about values, personal and professional experience and reflective capacity, with some clinical questions.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 3 accounts
Historical: two separate interviews, one about working with people and one personal. One poster gives the panels: a regional psychologist with a carer or service user, and the course director with a regional psychologist.
Source: ClinPsy forum, 31 May 2013, checked .
Several, older: 3 accounts
Historical: the personal interview covered personal history, including family background, and some applicants found it more probing than other courses' interviews.
Source: ClinPsy forum, 31 May 2013, checked .
Several, older: 2 accounts
Historical: Surrey once set a written research test at shortlisting. One 2015 account describes a 45-minute test shared with Salomons, with questions on a research summary and then an abstract to write.
Sources: an applicant’s blog, 18 Feb 2015, checked ; ClinPsy forum, 20 Mar 2026, checked .
Several, older: 2 accounts
Two trainees describe a statistics question or section, and one says it came without warning.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
Several, older: 2 accounts
Two trainees say Surrey has changed its interview process since their cycle.
Source: BPS Alternative Handbook, Sept 2025, checked .
If you have applied here
What Surrey 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 Surrey.
Sources
- clearing-house.org.uk: selection procedureUpdated 21 September 2026; checked 24 September 2026.
- surrey.ac.uk: the course’s own pageChecked 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.