Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

A minimum 2:2 first degree in Psychology, or an equivalent conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Applicants should be eligible for BPS Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) and will need to have or applied for Graduate Membership for entry to the programme. Read more about Graduate Membership of BPS.

It is also a requirement of the programme that all applicants have some relevant clinical experience in a mental health setting.

There is a requirement from the Education and Skills Funding Agency that apprentices hold a level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.

If an applicant does not hold GCSE's (C /4 or above) in English and Maths or cannot evidence these or equivalent qualifications, they should be willing to work towards Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications prior to Gateway.

Find out how we support Functional Skills.

Individual employers may set additional selection criteria in discussion with the University.

The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.

Months of entry

September

Course content

• Designed to upskill healthcare professionals to become competent and skilled in the assessment, formulation and delivery of psychological treatment interventions in a range of clinical settings
• A unique opportunity to gain advanced level clinical skills and training to become a skilled professional clinical associate in psychology
• Apprentices will be trained in core competency models of applied psychology practice which are relevant to their role
• Develops skills for effective communication with service-users, families and professionals and how to function in a multi-disciplinary setting
• A day a week “off the job” training and a further day a week on average for independent study related to the academic demands of the programme

Throughout the course apprentices will:

• Learn skills related to the practical application of research and evaluation within services, as well as making the most of evidence-based working with a range of colleagues to promote psychologically-informed assessment and intervention using a formulation-based approach
• Gain practical intervention skills which will be largely CBT-based whilst also developing their capacity for critical thinking and adapting their work in response to complexity and changing circumstances
• Cover topics including core skills in relationships for clinical work, professional understanding and reflective practice, as well as skills in assessment, formulation and intervention
• Gain practical experience under the close supervision of qualified clinical psychologists supporting on the job training, specific teaching will also develop and refine research skills and evaluation

We strongly encourage the use of Routine Outcome Measures with a critical perspective, as well as developing skills in multi-disciplinary working in the context of service-user participation and awareness of issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The programme contains five key modules. These run concurrently over the first 15 months of the apprenticeship. The final three months of the apprenticeship involve preparing for the sixth module ‘End Point Assessment’.

Fees and funding

Full programme cost: £16,000.

The employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.

Funding eligibility criteria

• To be eligible for funding apprentices must meet the criteria listed in the ESFA guidance. 
  
• The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.