Nottingham Trent University

What you'll study

This Level 7 apprenticeship combines academic modules with substantial supervised clinical practice. Core taught areas typically include psychological assessment and formulation, evidence-based brief interventions (for example CBT-informed approaches), psychometric measurement and outcome evaluation, clinical decision-making and case management, risk assessment and safeguarding, clinical governance and ethics, diversity and working with different populations, and a research methods and improvement project at master's level.

Learning is delivered through a mix of university teaching days, blended online learning, clinical supervision and workplace-based practice. Apprentices complete a programme of competency evidence gathered from real caseloads and observed practice, including a portfolio and a master's-level dissertation or service improvement project that demonstrates applied research skills.

Typical modules and activities

• Assessment, Formulation and Case Conceptualisation
• Evidence‑based Psychological Interventions for Common Mental Health Problems
• Measurement, Outcomes and Evaluation in Practice
• Clinical Professional Practice, Ethics and Governance
• Working Inclusively: Diversity, Culture and Communication
• Advanced Research Methods and Applied Project
• Supervised Clinical Placement and Reflective Practice

Entry requirements

As an apprenticeship, applicants must be employed in a suitable role and supported by an employer who will fund and facilitate the apprenticeship. Typical academic expectations include an undergraduate degree in psychology that confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society or a closely related degree with relevant conversion and demonstrated clinical experience. Employers and the university often expect evidence of recent healthcare or mental‑health related practice and an ability to work with people in distress.

Other standard requirements include satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and occupational health clearance. Applicants normally go through an employer-led selection process which may include interviews, situational judgement tasks and demonstration of interpersonal and clinical skills. Functional literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE English and Maths (or Functional Skills) may also be required by the apprenticeship standard.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Clinical Associate in Psychology apprenticeship typically work in NHS psychological therapies services (including IAPT), community mental health teams, long‑term conditions services, older adults services and other allied health settings. The role prepares practitioners to work as practitioner psychologists delivering assessment, brief interventions and contributing to multidisciplinary care pathways.

Career progression pathways include senior practitioner or team lead roles within psychological therapies services, specialist pathway roles (for example chronic health conditions or neuropsychology-related posts), research and service‑development roles, or using the qualification as part of a longer route towards doctoral clinical psychologist training for those seeking registration at Chartered Psychologist level.

Why study at Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University offers the apprenticeship through close partnership with local health providers, ensuring placement experience across NHS services and other clinical settings. The university combines applied teaching from staff with clinical backgrounds, structured employer‑aligned assessment of workplace competencies, and access to research-informed training materials and facilities.

Apprentices benefit from dedicated apprenticeship support, practice supervisor training for employers, and an emphasis on transferable clinical skills, service improvement and reflective professional development that prepares graduates to meet the demands of contemporary psychological services.