Program Overview

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Introduction to the Clinical Associate in Psychology Level 7 Apprenticeship MSc

The Clinical Associate in Psychology Level 7 Apprenticeship MSc is a degree apprenticeship designed to equip psychology graduates with the core skills required to pursue a career as a Clinical Associate in Psychology. This program allows applicants to specialize in a specific clinical area, with pathways available in Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Older Adults, Physical Health, and Intellectual Disabilities. The pathways available may vary annually, depending on employer demand. The program provides formal apprenticeship training as part of the student's employment within healthcare, focusing on the fundamentals of applied psychology, including assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation, according to the British Psychological Society (BPS) principles. Upon successful completion, apprentices will be equipped to provide evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to service users' individual needs. Apprentices will also undertake training in research and evaluation to enable meaningful local service development. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is the top-rated university provider of higher and degree apprenticeships in the UK, according to RateMyApprenticeship in 2024. The university is located in the heart of Nottingham, one of Europe's top 25 student cities, and is home to over 75,000 learners. NTU is rated TEF 'Gold' for teaching and learning, ensuring that students learn from experts in their field. The university is ranked among the top 150 in the world for Psychology in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2025, out of 1,049 evaluated institutions. The program is integrated, with the end-point assessment administered by NTU and linked to the academic award that apprentices study during their off-the-job training period. The assessments are conducted by independent end-point assessors who have been selected to assess apprentices against industry-specific competences. The program is designed to develop Clinical Associates in Psychology who can provide high-quality, evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions for a specific population from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. The overall aim of this apprenticeship is to develop Clinical Associates in Psychology who will be able to provide high-quality, evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions for a specific population from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Students will be engaged in studying relevant psychological theory and practice through lectures, seminars, clinical skills workshops, presentations, reflective practice groups, and self-directed study, which will amount to at least 20% of the apprenticeship. Through their employment, students will be engaged in work-based learning for the remaining working week. Students will be allocated an Academic Supervisor for their studies and be supervised by a HCPC-registered practitioner psychologist in their workplace. Students will have access to online course materials, the PebblePad e-portfolio tool, library resources, and student support services. The program includes a range of core modules, including Psychological Assessment and Formulation, Ethics and Professional Practice, Research and Evidence-Based Practice, and Psychological Intervention. The program also includes a work-based learning module, Clinical Application, where students will compile a portfolio of their experience and learning. The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation. The EPA is administered by NTU and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study during their off-the-job training period. The assessments are conducted by independent end-point assessors who have been selected to assess apprentices against industry-specific competences.

Program Details

• Level of study: Masters, Apprenticeship
• Entry Requirements:
  • A Bachelor Degree in psychology eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a minimum 2.2 award.
  • GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) by the end of the first year of study.
  • Full-time employment in a healthcare setting or a job offer from an employer where you will be starting employment by the time the course starts.
  • Approval from your employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: 18 months taught, with up to 3 months EPA period
• Attendance: Part-time
• Course delivery: Block (City Campus)

About the Course

This degree apprenticeship will allow psychology graduates to gain the core skills required to pursue a career as a Clinical Associate in Psychology. The program provides the formal apprenticeship training required as part of the student's employment within healthcare. Students will undertake training in the fundamentals of applied psychology, including assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation, according to the British Psychological Society (BPS) principles.

Module Information

The program includes a range of core modules, including:

• Psychological Assessment and Formulation: Develops the skills, knowledge, and behaviors to tailor psychological assessment, formulation, and practice relevant to the clinical specialism.
• Ethics and Professional Practice: Develops the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required to be an accountable professional acting in the best interests of service users.
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Develops the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required to undertake service development activities that can inform change and improvements in the specialist clinical area of work.
• Psychological Intervention: Develops the abilities to provide a range of evidence-based psychological interventions, based on the assessment and formulation, to individuals and groups, appropriate to the needs of service users in the clinical specialism.
• Clinical Leadership: Develops the abilities to provide support, supervision, training, and guidance as part of multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating an understanding of leadership and influence through collaboration with a range of colleagues on psychological practice.
• Clinical Application: A work-based learning module where students will compile a portfolio of their experience and learning.

End-Point Assessment

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation. The EPA is administered by NTU and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study during their off-the-job training period. The assessments are conducted by independent end-point assessors who have been selected to assess apprentices against industry-specific competences. The EPA includes two elements: a demonstration of practice and a professional discussion.

How You're Taught

Students will be engaged in studying relevant psychological theory and practice through lectures, seminars, clinical skills workshops, presentations, reflective practice groups, and self-directed study, which will amount to at least 20% of the apprenticeship. Through their employment, students will be engaged in work-based learning for the remaining working week. Students will be allocated an Academic Supervisor for their studies and be supervised by a HCPC-registered practitioner psychologist in their workplace. Students will have access to online course materials, the PebblePad e-portfolio tool, library resources, and student support services.

How You're Assessed

Students will be assessed throughout the course using both formative and summative assessments through a range of methods, including written academic essays, role-plays, presentations, and case studies. Students will also be required to submit a portfolio describing their application of their learning across the academic course to their practice in their clinical specialism. The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.

Entry Requirements for UK Students

To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Be a UK resident or have the right to work in the UK.
• Have a job or a job offer from an employer who will support you to complete your apprenticeship.
• Spend at least 50% of your working week in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.
• Have a Bachelor Degree in psychology eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a minimum 2.2 award.
• Have GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) by the end of the first year of study.

Entry Requirements for International Students

To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3-year period on the first day of your apprenticeship.
• Have permission granted by the UK government to live in the UK and such permission is not for education purposes only.
• Be able to complete the apprenticeship in the time you have available (e.g., your Visa must last for the duration of the apprenticeship as well as your contract of employment).
• Have a Bachelor Degree in psychology eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a minimum 2.2 award.
• Have GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) by the end of the first year of study.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for this course are paid by the employer. For more information on fees and funding, please visit the university's website.

Careers and Employability

The program is designed to develop Clinical Associates in Psychology who can provide high-quality, evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions for a specific population from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Upon successful completion of the course, apprentices will be equipped to provide evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to service users' individual needs. The university's Employability team provides personalized support, one-on-one coaching, and industry-specific advice to help students achieve their career goals.

Campus and Facilities

The university's City Campus has a range of facilities, including classrooms, lecture theaters, social spaces, and a library. The campus is located in the heart of Nottingham, one of Europe's top 25 student cities. The university also has a range of support services, including academic support, student support, and career advice.