In this blog, you will learn:
- What the EPFT scheme is.
- Which universities are offering the doctorate for 2024.
- About the candidate specifications and who funds the EPFT scheme.
Whether part-time and fast track routes are available.
Where the latest Educational Psychologist jobs are and how to apply for them.
What is the EPFT scheme?
There are many paths to become an Educational Psychologist, and funding is available to train for this profession. The Educational Psychology Funded Training (EPFT) scheme provides six-year training for 204 trainee Educational Psychologists.
The scheme consists of a three-year doctorate degree course followed by a three-year period of employment. Trainee Educational Psychologists must spend the three years immediately after graduation employed as an Educational Psychologist within a local authority.
The online application process is administered by the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) and the participating universities, in partnership with employers, are responsible for selecting the applicants.
Which universities are offering the doctorate for 2024?
The EHCP scheme is currently delivered by 12 universities and one NHS trust and there are 204 training places under the scheme available in September 2024. In 2020, the annual number of funded training places for Educational Psychologist’s increased from 160 to 200.
What are the candidate specifications?
There are entry, nationality and residency requirements for the EPFT scheme that candidates must be eligible for.
The entry requirements to apply through the EPFT scheme are:
- Must have a psychology degree, Masters degree or have completed an approved conversion course, and be eligible for the British Psychological Society Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.
- Must be able to demonstrate that you have gained a minimum experience of one year working with children and young people within an educational, health, social care, youth justice, childcare or community setting by the application deadline. This can consist of paid employment, or at least 9 months full-time (or equivalent) paid and the equivalent of three months sustained relevant voluntary experience.
- Must be allowed to work in England for the duration of the course and for at least three years after graduating.
- Must meet the nationality/residency requirements according to govuk.
Who funds the EPFT Scheme?
The EPFT Scheme is currently the only funded educational psychology training scheme in England, however there is an administration fee of £30 to start the online application to cover the costs of managing the EPFT system. At present, funding for the EPFT scheme is only available as a full-time three-year course.
The Department for Education (DfE) works with the 12 participating universities to manage the funded element of the scheme. The Department of Education pays the tuition fees over the three-year course as well as a bursary for the first year, all of which will be paid to the university on the candidate’s behalf.
Participating employers and local authorities also offer practice placements in years two and three, with funding available typically through bursaries.
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