Resources
The official sources, in one place
Psychology career advice online often conflicts. These are the organisations that actually set the rules, run the applications or post the jobs, with a line on what each one is for.
Links last checked 5 November 2026. Rules change, so always check the source.
Regulation and titles
The HCPC regulates practitioner psychologists by law. Nine titles are protected; 'psychologist' on its own is not.
- HCPC: the professions and protected titlesThe official list of the nine protected practitioner psychologist titles.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- HCPC: check the registerFree search to confirm whether someone is HCPC registered.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- HCPC: registrationHow registration works for practitioner psychologists, and the fees.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- HCPC: standards of proficiency for practitioner psychologistsThe standards every registered psychologist must meet.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- HCPC: standards for CPDThe CPD standards registrants must meet, and how audits work.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- HCPC: misuse of titleHow the HCPC treats misuse of protected titles, including by trainees.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- NHS England: registration for psychological professions titlesWhich registration NHS employers expect for each psychological professions role.england.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
BPS: degrees, membership and qualifications
The British Psychological Society accredits degrees, confers GBC and runs several Stage 2 qualifications.
- BPS: find an accredited courseCheck whether your degree or conversion course was accredited for your intake year.portal.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: accredited conversion programmesWhat a conversion course is, how long it takes and who it is for.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: Graduate membership and GBCEligibility, fees and how to get your GBC confirmed.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: Chartered membership (CPsychol)What Chartered status means and the routes to it.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: qualificationsThe BPS's own Stage 2 qualifications and what each leads to.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: Wider Psychological Workforce registerRegistration for PWPs, CWPs, EMHPs and Clinical Associates in Psychology.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Clinical psychology
- Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical PsychologyThe central application system for most UK DClinPsy courses.clearing-house.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Clearing House: dates to rememberThis cycle's deadlines, from closing date to offers.clearing-house.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Clearing House: relevant experienceWhat DClinPsy courses mean by clinically related experience.clearing-house.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: clinical psychologist job profileThe BPS overview of the role and training route.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Forensic psychology
- BPS: Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP)Entry requirements, application deadlines, fees and the candidate handbook.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: forensic psychologist job profileThe role, employers and qualification route from the BPS.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- HMPPS: forensic psychologist trainingHow HMPPS trains and funds trainee forensic psychologists.prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- HMPPS: psychologist rolesFacilitator, trainee and qualified psychology posts in prisons and probation.prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- HMPPS: programme facilitator roleA common experience-building role in prisons and probation.prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Counselling, educational, health, occupational, sport and exercise
Guides for each of these pathways are being written; their official sources will be added here.
- HCPC: approved programmes searchCheck that a doctorate or Stage 2 route is HCPC-approved before you apply.hcpc-uk.org (opens in a new tab)
- CASES: SEPAR routeThe supervised experience route for sport and exercise psychologists.cases.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BACPThe professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists, a different route from counselling psychology.bacp.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Jobs, pay and early-career roles
- NHS JobsThe main site for NHS psychology vacancies in England and Wales.jobs.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Justice jobsWhere HMPPS advertises psychology roles, including assistant psychologist posts.jobs.justice.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- NHS Employers: pay scales 2026/27Current Agenda for Change pay for each band.nhsemployers.org (opens in a new tab)
- NHS Health Careers: psychological wellbeing practitionerTraining, entry routes and pay for PWP roles.healthcareers.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
- NHS Health CareersNHS role profiles, entry routes and pay bands for psychology roles.healthcareers.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BPS: standards for employing assistant psychologistsWhat good recruitment and supervision of assistant psychologists looks like.bps.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- BABCP: Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes routeHow people without a core profession can work towards CBT accreditation.babcp.com (opens in a new tab)
Funding
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