These are important questions. The Clinical Associate Psychologist profession offers a valuable route into applied psychological practice, while also helping mental health organisations increase access to psychologically informed care.
What is a Clinical Associate Psychologist?
A Clinical Associate Psychologist, commonly known as a CAP, is an accountable psychological professional trained to undertake psychological assessment, formulation, intervention, research and service evaluation within a defined scope of practice.
CAPs work under the supervision of an appropriately registered practitioner psychologist. They complement the work of clinical psychologists and other psychological professionals, contributing directly to the needs of individuals, families, teams and services.
CAPs can work across a wide range of settings, including adult mental health, children and young people’s services, learning disability services, neurodevelopmental services, physical health, community care and independent mental health organisations to name a few.
The profession was developed to increase access to high quality, evidence based psychological care and to address an important workforce need between assistant psychologist roles and registered practitioner psychologist roles.
Is the University of Kent programme a traditional MSc?
No. The MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology at the University of Kent is a Level 7 degree apprenticeship.
This means that apprentices are employed in a relevant clinical role while completing their academic and clinical training. They earn a salary, develop their competencies in the workplace and study with the University at the same time.
The programme normally lasts 18 months, followed by the End Point Assessment period. Apprentices spend most of their week within their employing service. The programme includes one day of online teaching each week, four hours of directed independent learning and two week long periods of face to face teaching during the programme.
Successful apprentices gain an MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology and complete the Level 7 Clinical Associate in Psychology Degree Apprenticeship.
Does the University arrange a placement for me?
This is one of the most common questions we receive.
The clinical setting is not a separate placement allocated to students after they join the University. Applicants must first be employed in a suitable apprentice CAP role, or already work within a service that is willing and able to develop their existing position into an appropriate apprenticeship role.
The employing organisation may be an NHS service or an eligible independent health or mental health provider. The employer must be able to provide appropriate clinical work, governance and supervision so that the apprentice can develop and demonstrate the required professional competencies.
The University of Kent works closely with employers to ensure that the academic programme and workplace learning come together effectively. However, prospective apprentices cannot usually apply directly to the University without the support of a suitable employer.
How do I find an apprentice CAP position?
Apprentice CAP vacancies may be advertised through NHS Jobs, individual NHS Trust websites, independent mental health provider websites and other recruitment platforms.
Search terms such as “Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist,” “Apprentice Clinical Associate Psychologist” and “CAP Apprenticeship” may help you identify suitable vacancies.
It is also helpful to follow universities offering CAP training, NHS psychology services and mental health organisations on LinkedIn. Recruitment does not necessarily follow one national timetable, as vacancies depend on local workforce needs and employer arrangements.
You can also speak with your current employer if you already work within a relevant health or mental health service. Some apprentices enter the programme when their organisation chooses to develop an existing member of staff into the CAP role.
How is the apprenticeship funded?
Prospective apprentices do not usually apply directly to the NHS for personal tuition funding.
The employing organisation is responsible for creating or supporting the apprentice role, paying the apprentice’s salary and arranging the training funding with the University. Funding arrangements are subject to national apprenticeship rules and individual employer eligibility.
Government funding rules for Level 7 apprenticeships changed from January 2026. Applicants and employers should therefore seek current advice about eligibility and available funding routes rather than relying on information provided for earlier cohorts.
Our University of Kent apprenticeship team can discuss current funding arrangements directly with interested employers. Candidates should focus primarily on identifying and applying for an appropriate employed apprenticeship opportunity.
What are the University of Kent entry requirements?
Applicants must hold an approved psychology qualification with a classification of 2.2 or above and must have passed an empirical research project as part of a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Applicants must also meet the relevant English and Maths requirements before completing the End Point Assessment.
Meeting the academic criteria does not automatically secure entry to the programme. Applicants must also be appointed to a suitable apprentice CAP position and supported by their employer.
How can I prepare while completing my psychology degree?
Begin by learning as much as possible about the CAP profession and the services in which CAPs work.
Relevant experience may include paid or voluntary work in mental health, social care, education, research, community support, neurodevelopmental services or roles involving people experiencing psychological distress.
When applying, demonstrate more than an interest in psychology. Employers will want to see evidence of compassion, professionalism, reflective capacity, communication skills, cultural awareness, teamwork and an ability to use psychological knowledge responsibly.
Experience of research, data analysis, audit or service evaluation can also be valuable because CAP practice includes contributing to the evidence base and improving services.
Most importantly, read each vacancy carefully. CAP roles are developed around the needs of a particular population and service, so your application should explain why your knowledge, experience and values are suited to that specific setting.
What can I do after completing the programme?
Graduates may apply for qualified CAP roles within the clinical population and scope of practice in which they have trained.
CAP training can support a meaningful long term career in psychological practice. Some graduates may later pursue further development, research, leadership, teaching or other professional psychology training. However, the CAP qualification should not be viewed simply as a stepping stone to another profession. It is an important and developing psychological profession in its own right.
Our commitment at the University of Kent
At the University of Kent, we are committed to promoting the CAP profession and developing thoughtful, compassionate and clinically capable practitioners.
Our programme brings together academic learning, practical skills, workplace experience, clinical supervision, research and service improvement. We work collaboratively with NHS organisations and independent providers to help develop a sustainable psychological workforce that can respond to the changing needs of mental health services.
We also want prospective CAPs to hear directly from people already undertaking the journey. Through this page, we will continue sharing apprentice experiences, professional reflections, employer perspectives, practical application advice and opportunities to learn more about the programme.
If you are considering a career as a CAP, follow the University of Kent Clinical Associate Psychology MSc Apprenticeship Programme page, attend our forthcoming talks and engage respectfully with the CAP community.
The profession is still growing, and we are proud to contribute to its future.
Becoming a CAP: What I Wish I’d Known
By Maisie Tunstall, Clinical Associate in Psychology Apprentice, University of Kent
Please see the link below to find more information based on our currents CAPs Apprentice experiance