Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Sections
Application Process
P1. What chance do I have of obtaining a funded place?
In 2007, over 800 people applied for 120 places.
P2. Do I need UK residency at the time of application?
Applicants should be ordinarily resident in the UK. Applicants are required to have UK residency at the start of the course, need to attend interviews in person and be permitted to work during years 2 and 3 of the course and for an additional two years following completion of the course. For more information on obtaining UK residency please visit the Home Office Website
P3. When can I apply?
The application process is closed and runs annually from September-December and can be accessed via the CWDC website. The application process for 2009 start will open on Monday 27th October 2008. Interviews will be held between February and April of the year the course is due to start.
P4 How do I get an application form?
This year the entire application process is online, so no forms are required. For more information and to access the application system, please visit the prospective applicants' page.
P5. I won't be in the UK at the time of the application process is this a problem?
Although the actual application can be completed online and so in theory can be completed anywhere in the world it is a requirement that, should you be selected for the next stage of the application process, then interviews are to be attended in person. If this is problematic then please speak to the course administrator/director at your chosen university - their details can be obtained from the universities' website.
P6. Can I apply to more than one university?
Yes, you can select up to three universities.
P7. I already have a PhD in Child Studies/Psychology, are there any fast track routes?
No, currently the three year programme is the only entry route to becoming an Educational Psychologist - many applicants have years of experience and have completed further education to PhD level.
P8. Do I have to apply within a certain time period after graduating from my first degree? (ie. I must apply within 2 years of graduating)?
There is no time limit between graduation and applying to train as an Educational Psychology.
P9. I want to apply to Cardiff University/ Wales as one of my choices, how do I do this?
The CWDC funding scheme is only available to support training provision in England. Cardiff operates a different system with its own funding from the Welsh Local Government Association. If you apply to Cardiff, it does not count as one of your 3 choices on your application to CWDC.
P10. Can I do the course part-time?
No, it is a full-time, 3 year course. For funded trainees there is a five year commitment as you will be expected to work as an EP for a minimum of 2 years post-qualifying in a Local Authority.
P11. Is there a fee to apply?
No, there is no application fee.
P12. Who pays for the CRB check?
All successful applicants will be expected to undergo a CRB check. Either the trainee or the training provider will cover the cost of this, depending on the specific arrangement. A CRB check costs £36 for an enhanced check and £31 for a standard check (accurate on 18 August 2008).
P13. Do I have to make arrangements for a work placement in years 2 and 3?
No, training providers are required to incorporate arrangements for years 2 and 3 into their offers. You will receive the terms and conditions for all three years at the time of the offer.
Funding
F1. Are there any alternative sources of funding?
CWDC is not aware of any other funding providers.
F2. What if I don't want to apply for a funded place as I would like to self-fund?
To apply for self-funded places, please contact the university and apply directly to them.
F3. Can I apply for a funded and self-funded place to increase my chances of getting a place?
Applications via CWDC are for funded places only. If you wish to apply as a self-funding candidate then you must contact the training provider directly. You can apply for both in the same year.
F4. Do I need to make two applications - one to CWDC for funding and a separate one to the university?
No - for funded places a single application needs to be made to CWDC, we will then pass on the information to your chosen universities.
F5. What does CWDC pay for?
CWDC pays tuition fees directly to the university for all three years of the course.
A bursary is paid to trainees in the first year of the programme and for the second and third years trainees are either employed by a local authority and receive a salary or continue to receive a bursary, depending on the specific regional arrangements.
F6. Is the bursary taxed?
No, the Year 1 bursary is tax free. More information about this can be found on the HMRC's website, ruling EIM61200.
F7. Do trainees have access to a Local Authority pension scheme?
No, trainees in their first year are full time students, not employees. In the second and third year, some training providers have arrangements for trainees to be employed by a Local Authority, which entitles them to standard employments rights.
Application criteria
Included in this section:
- Graduate Basis for Registration
- Work experience
AC1. Graduate Basis for Registration
As the doctorate programme is an applied psychology course, it is necessary for all applicants to be eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society at the time that they apply.
About BPS http://www.bps.org.uk/the-society/the-society_home.cfm
AC2. How do I get GBR?
Please refer to the relevant section on the BPS website which gives guidance on how to obtain GBR.
AC3. How do I know whether I have GBR or not?
A list of all courses which are accredited by the BPS can be found on the BPS website.
AC4. If I will get the results for my conversion course in January 2009 can I still apply to start the training in September 2009?
You can still apply, but will be expected to bring your results with you in the event that you are called to interview.
AC5. I am currently in my third year of my psychology degree, can I apply to start in September 2009?
No, as there are no conditional offers made, you cannot apply until you have completed your degree.
AC6. What if my undergraduate degree does not qualify for GBR?
Eligibility for GBR still needs to be obtained. You may need to undertake a Masters or conversion course, or take the BPS exam. For more information, please see the British Psychological Society website: http://www.bps.org.uk/
AC7. I have a 2:2 can I still apply?
Most training providers prefer applicants to have at least a 2.1, however, where an applicant has sufficient experience or additional relevant qualifications their application will still be considered.
Relevant work experience is also an important part of the application process
Please refer to the requirements of the individual Universities- it may be worth contacting the course director/administrator for further advice
AC8. My degree was not obtained from a UK institution- am I eligible to apply for the Doctorate Programme?
It is necessary to first determine whether your degree gives you eligibility for GBR and is accredited by the BPS (http://www.bps.org.uk/)
AC9. I already have a degree and a masters but neither are in Psychology do I still need to be eligible for GBR?
Yes, please see the section on how to obtain GBR (question AC1)
AC10. My undergraduate degree is accredited by the BPS but my masters is not, am I still eligible for GBR?
Yes.
AC11. Would it be beneficial for me to complete any further education in the time leading up to the entry date?
The minimum entry requirements state that applicants must all have obtained eligibility for GBR and completed the equivalent of 1 year full time work experience, although some training providers request more. Please refer to the section on work experience below.
AC12. I am an undergraduate and I would like to pursue a career in Educational Psychology- which degree would best enable me to do so?
Any degree that is accredited by the BPS to grant eligibility for GBR. For a full list of accredited courses please visit this section of the BPS website.
AC13. Is the conversion course considered to be a weaker route than completing a degree in Psychology to receive GBR?
No- the only requirement is that applicants are eligible for GBR with the British Psychological Society.
AC14. Do I have to have a teaching qualification to apply?
No, a teaching qualification is no longer obligatory, although knowledge and experience of the UK education system is expected.
Work experience
In order to gain entry onto the course it is necessary to have completed at least the equivalent of 1 years full time work experience in a relevant setting. Some training providers ask for two or more years. For full details on your chosen institution's entry requirements please refer to the handbook.
WE1. Do applicants have to obtain a PGCE or have teaching experience?
No -although many applicants do have teaching experience it is not a requirement, for a list of common work experience please refer to the CWDC website.
WE2. Can you advise me on the best experience I can gain whilst waiting for the application process to open?
No, CWDC only hosts the application process for funded places on the course, please refer to the information provided by the universities regarding specific entry requirements. For details of common routes into Educational Psychology training, please refer to CWDC website
WE3. Do I have enough work experience?
Your work experience needs to be the equivalent of 1 years full time, this can be made up of a series of part-time roles. Some training providers require two or more years. Please see the specific course details for more information.
WE4. Which is more valuable to my application, completing a masters or doing more work experience?
Work experience is a requirement, completing a Masters is not.
WE5. Does voluntary work count as relevant experience?
Yes, most training providers consider voluntary work can be counted towards your work experience.
WE6. Is work experience from outside the UK counted?
Work outside of the UK will contribute to your application. However, applicants are advised to ensure they have up to date knowledge and understanding of the UK education system.
References
R1. I am a previous applicant. Can I re-use a previous reference?
You can re-use your academic reference from a previous application. You must indicate this intention via the online system by 28th November 2008. Applicants cannot re-use an experience reference. You must provide a new current experience reference.
R2. I have only been in my current employment for about 3 months. Would it be acceptable for my previous employer to be referee for my relevant experience reference?
Applicants should only provide a third reference if they have been in their current employment for less than 3 months.
R3. When do my references have to be submitted?
References must be submitted via the online system by the deadline - 19th December 2008.
R4. The OU has a policy about providing references in standard format, how can I submit it?
Where possible OU students should ask referees to input the reference into the online system. However, if this is not possible. Applicants can submit an email or hard copy of the OU reference to CWDC by 28th November. This will then be uploaded onto the electronic system by CWDC staff.
R5. I am having trouble submitting my reference, what can I do?
If there is too much text in any of the boxes, this will prevent it from submitting. This includes fields such as the job title. The system will also time you out after a period of inactivity, so that you will need to log back in. Also, you should click firmly on the submit button to submit the reference.
R6. I don't know if the reference I have written has submitted. How can I tell?
When the reference is successfully submitted, you will be taken out of the reference page. You will also not be able to log back in to the system. If neither of these things apply to you, the reference has not been successfully submitted. Please see Question R5 for further advice.
R7. My referee hasn't received their log in details yet, what has happened?
All reference requests are responded to within 1 working day. If your referee has not received their log in details, please check that the contact details you have provided are correct and typed accurately. Please also check that your referee's email account is not set to send certain emails directly to junk mail.
Course information
CI1. Is the course part-time or full-time?
The course is a full time programme that runs for 3 years
CI2. Do I need to apply for an Assistant Psychology position before applying?
No, arrangements for the necessary work placements are made by your training provider.
CI3. Can I take a gap year during the course or defer the entry?
No
CI4. If I get pregnant while I am studying, am I entitled to maternity pay?
If you have to take maternity leave during your first year, CWDC will suspend the payment of your bursary and fees until you return to study. It is likely that this will also be the arrangement if you receive a bursary in your second and third years. Those trainees in employment in their second and third years will be subject to the standard employment policies of the Local Authority.
CI5. Can I take a gap year after graduating?
No, those accepting a funded training place are expected to work in a Local Authority for two years after graduating.
International students
IS1. I wish to self-fund do I still apply through CWDC?
No, you apply directly to the universities- details on how to do so can be provided on their websites.
IS2. I would like to seek funding through CWDC are there any requirements?
International students need to be ordinarily resident in the UK and be permitted to work within the UK for the duration of the course and for two years following graduation.
For further details on obtaining UK residency please visit the Home Office Website.
IS3. My degree was not obtained from a UK institution- am I eligible to apply for the Doctorate Programme?
It is necessary to first determine whether your degree gives you eligibility for GBR and is accredited by the BPS by visiting the evaluation section of the BPS website and submitting the supplied form.
About the role
ATR1. What do Educational Psychologists do?
For an overview as to what the job entails please refer to the careers section of the BPS website or contact your local Educational Psychologist
ATR2. How can I get in touch with my local Educational Psychologist?
Contact your Local Authority
Additional information
AI1. Where can I find more information on other careers in psychology?
Please have a look at the BPS website for more information regarding other careers and available courses within Psychology.
Childcare
CC1. I want to apply for the course but I have children, is there any additional childcare support?
It is advisable that you check with individual training providers to determine what their individual policies are.
If you're looking for childcare provision outside of your university or college, ChildcareLink is a government website that pulls together childcare information from local authorities and enables you to search for the appropriate care in your area.