British Psychological Society qualifying exam?
So one course I’ve applied to do at Brighton uni isn’t BPS accredited and so i was wondering about the BPS qualifying exam you can take after your degree to get accreditation and go onto become a psychologist. Trying to keep my options open
January 25th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Hi Micha,
Unfortunately amid much controversy, after 2009 the BPS are withdrawing the qualifying exam. Once it has been withdrawn the only route to becoming a graduate member of the BPS and going on to become a chartered psychologist will be getting a BA or BSc (hons) Psychology degree that is already accredited by the BPS.
The BPS have recently started making it more and more difficult to get Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with them for psychology graduates. Previously, anyone with an accredited degree could get GBR. Last year they made it that only people who graduate with a 2.2 or higher were eligible-those with 3rd class honours no longer get GBR. Also, many already accredited degrees were at risk of losing accredited status if they did not include more neuropsychological and qualitative research methods content.
I seriously recommend that you ONLY consider an accredited degree. This ensures good, up to date psychology content. It also means that the option is there for you to apply for assistant psychologist jobs or postgraduate study in psychology once you graduate. There are many accredited psychology degree options at most UK Universities so I wouldn’t even consider one that is not. You will no longer be able to gain accreditation through the qualifying exam after graduating.
Try going to http://www.bps.org.uk for more info.
Hope this helps!
January 25th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
lol