What’s involved
Training to be an EP in Scotland is a three year commitment and requires completion of the Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate
Year 1
The first year of training has the highest amount of studying at university, and you can expect lectures, seminars, project work and student-led teaching. You’ll also have some a work-based placement in the first year as well.
Years 2 and 3
In year two and three of training, more of your time will be spent on placement as a Trainee Educational Psychologist (TEP). In year 2, placements are two days a week alongside university sessions, and five days a week during block placements. In year 3, placements are four days a week.
What you need to get on a course
To apply for an EP training course, you need to have one of the following:
- A psychology degree (a 1st or 2:1)
- A conversion course
- A psychology based Masters degree (necessary if your honours degree in psychology was a 2:2)
The important thing is that your previous Degree or Masters qualification needs to provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership to the British Psychological Society.
You’ll also need to provide evidence of a minimum of two years full time experience working with children, young people (aged 0-24) and/or families in:
- Education (e.g. school, college)
- Health (e.g. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
- Care (e.g. Children’s social work)
- Community settings (e.g. Children’s centres)
You should have at least two years relevant experience when you apply. Relevant paid, voluntary, full-time or part-time work can be taken in to account.
It will be important to demonstrate how you have applied psychology to real world issues in order to improve outcomes for children and their families.
Funding
We understand that The Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities have agreed a partnership funding approach which will mean that educational psychology trainees will receive a grant which will cover training fees and a grant for the 3 year period.
Living costs are are funded through a £15,000 grant for each year of training.
As in England, the grant has conditions including a requirement to practice for a minimum of a two year period as an educational psychologist in a local authority, in Scotland, post qualification.
Where training happens
There is 1 university in Scotland that trains EPs: