Essential Criteria | Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research

Criteria	Note
You must hold either: A 1st class or 2:1 in an undergraduate psychology degree, or An undergraduate degree in another subject, with a Masters level conversion course (merit or distinction).	We will not accept any other qualifications or class of degree different to these.
Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society (BPS)	Candidates from non-GBC accredited courses need to apply themselves for membership on the basis of GBC.
Clinical experience	There is no required amount, but you must have some relevant experience.
Two Satisfactory References	One reference MUST be academic and the other a relevant experience reference.
Personal Qualities and Values Consistent with the NHS Constitution	You must demonstrate that you can give the highest standards of professional care. You must demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and to the values in the NHS constitution.
The Right to Work in the UK	NHS England commissions the course and provides trainees with financial support. You must ensure before applying that you are eligible for NHS funding for both tuition fee and salary support (standards are set by the bursary specifications) and Home Fee/EU status. We do not currently offer any self-funded places.
An Adequate Level Of English (if this is not your first language)	Candidates will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency at the higher level required by the University of Oxford, See https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford/application-guide?wssl=1 Certificates must be dated to within two years of the start of study.
Ability to Drive	All Trainee Clinical Psychologists on the Oxford Course must be able to drive, and have access to a vehicle for the duration of the three-year training course. This forms part of the training contract. For 2025 entry, applicants will be required to have a full UK valid driving license by point of interviews (if offered), which will take place in late April 2025. In line with the Equality Act 2010 and ACAS guidance, the Oxford Course will try to accommodate occupational health recommended reasonable adjustments where practical, however this will not preclude travel to / within placements. Please see the Course FAQs page for further detail regarding driving requirements and reasonable adjustments.

Criteria	Note
Appropriate Research Experience	This must be in addition to an undergraduate project. We are looking for candidates who show a continuing commitment to improving the quality of health care and contributing to the evidence base of the profession. Suitable experience would include an MSc, PhD or other relevant research, service audit or evaluation. Research experience can occur in the context of an undergraduate placement year. Developing/coordinating research and applying for ethics approval will be rated more highly than data collection/entry.
Appropriate Work Experience	We give credit for the amount and range of experience gained, and are particularly interested in what candidates have made of the experience they have had, in particular how it has shaped their career aspirations and made them a stronger candidate for clinical psychology training. Appropriate clinical experience can include that gained within the context of a research role that involves work with people who present with psychological needs.
Publications	We give credit for authorship of publications in peer-reviewed journals. We also give credit for other forms of dissemination such as oral and poster presentations at national conferences and contribution to substantive health service publications.
Additional Skills and Competencies	We value a range of additional activities, skills and training (such as postgraduate certificate level training and counselling courses). Valued indirect skills include: leadership skills teaching qualifications community involvement projects drama skills competency in different languages publishing media experience

Qualification	Grade	Score
A-Level or equivalent A maximum of 3 A-levels or equivalent are considered Maximum total A-level score = 18	A or A*	6 points
	B	4 points
	C	2 points
	D or below	1 point
Undergraduate Psychology Degree	First class	10 points
Conversion Course (MSc) Scored in place of undergraduate psychology degree	Distinction	10 points
Other Postgraduate Qualifications Candidates will only be allocated points for their highest qualification in this category	Distinction at Masters	5 points
	PhD beyond 2 years	5 points
	Completed PhD	10 points
Maximum Total Academic Score = 38 points