EP training in Scotland

What’s involved

Training to be an EP in Scotland is a three year commitment and requires completion of the Applied Educational Psychology Doctorate

Years 1 and 2

The first two years of the programme consist of a division of time between studying at university and time spent on a work-based placement withing an educational psychology service (EPS). The typical structure of the first two years involves two days a week at university, two days a week at your work placement and one day per week for study time. There are several block placements both with your EPS and at university. During your time at university, you can expect lectures, seminars, project work and student-led teaching.

Years 3

In year three of training, more of your time will be spent on placement within an EPS team with 2 block placements at university to focus on your thesis. In year 3, work based placements are four days a week.
You will have 2 different work placements.  One in first year and a different one for second and third year.  

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. At least one year, full-time equivalent must be paid.

It will be important to demonstrate how your previous experience has led you to apply for the programme with evidence of how your skills will support you to develop into a practitioner who will focus on 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: