There are so many different routes into clinical psychology and it can be hard to know where to start and what type of experience is going to be beneficial. It can be helpful to have a look at the specific universities you are interested in to see what their minimum entry requirements are.
For example:
- Some universities may require you to have completed postgraduate study (depending upon your undergraduate degree classification)
- Some universities may require you to have worked in the NHS for a specific period of time
- Some universities may require that you have completed additional research to that of your undergraduate degree
- Some universities may require none of these additional experiences
It can vary so much as to what is given weight at any particular university, so it is really important to be mindful of this when looking at applying for a place. We have created the below diagram to highlight a few of the potential routes that you may take in order to gain experience, though there are so many more. It can be really exciting that there is not one strict pathway that you have to take in order to be successful in gaining a place, though it can also be daunting if you don’t know where to focus upon next. Your ability to reflect upon your experiences and what you have learnt can be just as valuable as the experience itself.
Enjoying the journey and finding roles that are fulfilling and align with your personal values can make the process feel a little bit easier at times.
