School of Psychology
DEdPsy - Professional Training Programme
2015-2018 cohort - starts September 2015
Open Evening
Cardiff - 6th November 2014
The Programme Team and Current Trainees
Programme website at - http://psych.cf.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/postgraduate/dedpsy/index.html
Main Questions
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What does the Cardiff three-year DEdPsy Initial
Training Programme provide?
What are the main features of the Cardiff DEdPsy
selection process?
What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Professional Training Programme starting
September 2015?
What procedures govern applications for places?
What are the funding arrangements?
How can you find out more?
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 1
The Cardiff Programme is based on:
 the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC’s)
Standards of Education and Training (SET);
 the HCPC’s Standards of Proficiency (SoP);
 the British Psychological Society’s (BPS’s) standards
for Doctoral programmes in educational psychology in
England, Northern Ireland and Wales; and
 The BPS’s Required Competencies (RCs) for
educational psychologists who are eligible for
Chartered Membership.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 2
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Trainees who successfully complete the programme will be
eligible:
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for Chartered Status with the BPS; and
to apply for registration with the HCPC as an educational
psychologist, which is an essential requirement for practitioner
psychologists.
However, applicants should note the following.
Cardiff University has in place a Policy for Determining Applicants’
Fitness to Practise and Eligibility to Pursue Regulated Programmes of
Study. This policy will be followed where information is disclosed or
received about applicants, which suggests that a fitness to practise
assessment is required.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 3
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Eligibility to enrol on the programme, if offered a place,
is dependent upon satisfactory completion of an
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Check, i.e., one that does not reveal any information
that suggests a trainee would be unsuitable for work
with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The HCPC carries out its own health and character
checks to determine whether individuals are fit to
practise and can be included on the Register. So
passing all elements of this programme does not
guarantee automatic inclusion on the HCPC’s Register.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 4

The programme is designed to provide a wideranging overview of issues and practices in
educational psychology. There is a balance
struck between developing professional skills
and competencies and developing an
understanding of the theories and process
issues, which inform good practice.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 5
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The programme consists of:
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university-based sessions (blocked weeks);
investigative visits (pre-induction weeks) and practical
fieldwork placements in Local Authority settings and
Educational Psychology Services (blocked weeks);
reading and directed study (blocked weeks);
research projects, both collaborative and individual; and
private study time.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 6
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Arrangements across the three years are likely to be as
follows (approximate percentages).
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Year 1 - University - including research (60%)
Fieldwork - including investigative visits (40%)
Year 2 - University - (33%)
Fieldwork - including research (67%)
Year 3 - University (28%)
Fieldwork - including research (72%)
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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Cardiff University - DEdPsy Year Plan for 2014-2015
Term One
W/C
Year 1
Term Two
Year 2
Year 3
W/C
Year 1
Year 2
Term Three
Year 3
W/C
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
1
1/09
DS & IVs
R & DS
R & DS
5/01
U
EPS 2 **
EPS 3 *
13/04
R & DS
R & DS
R & DS
2
8/09
DS & IVs
U
EPS 3 *
12/01
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
20/04
EPS 1
EPS 2 **
EPS 3
3
15/09
DS & IVs
U (2w)
EPS 3
19/01
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
27/04
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3 ***
4
22/09
DS & IVs
EPS 2 **
EPS 3
26/01
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
4/05
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
5
29/09
DS & IVs (5w)
EPS 2
EPS 3
2/02
U (5w)
EPS 2
EPS 3
11/05
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
6
06/10
U (Induction)
EPS 2
EPS 3
9/02
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
18/05
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
7
13/10
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
16/02
R & DS
R & DS
R & DS
25/05
R & DS
R & DS
R & DS
8
20/10
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
23/02
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
1/06
EPS 1(6w)
EPS 2
EPS 3
9
27/10
R & DS
R & DS
R & DS (1w)
2/03
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
8/06
U
EPS 2 (7w)
EPS 3 (7w)
10
3/11
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
9/03
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
15/06
U
U (Th)
U
11
10/11
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
16/03
EPS 1
EPS 2
EPS 3
22/06
U
U (Th)
U
12
17/11
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
23/03
EPS 1 (6w)
EPS 2 (11w)
EPS 3(11w)
29/06
U (4w)
U (Th) (3w)
U (3w)
13
24/11
U
EPS 2
EPS 3
6/07
R & DS
R & DS
R & DS
14
1/12
U (8w)
EPS 2
EPS 3
13/07
R & DS (4w)
R & DS (4w)
R & DS (4w)
15
8/12
R & DS
EPS 2 (11w)
EPS 3 (13w)
16
15/12
R & DS (3w)
R & DS (3w)
U (1w)
27
33
44
Total EPS days
Last day of Term
Friday,
19th
52
December 2014
30
Friday,
44
27th
44
March 2015
29
Friday,
17th
July 2015
DS & IVs = Directed Study and Investigative Visits
* All EPS 3 weeks in terms 1 and 2 = Monday to Thursday for
(Th) = Thesis Work (University-Based)
U = University Sessions
fieldwork placements and Friday for thesis-related work
*** All EPS 3 weeks from 27th April = Monday to Friday for
R & DS = Reading and Directed Study
** All EPS 2 weeks = Monday to Thursday for fieldwork
fieldwork placements (Thesis submitted on 30th April)
Numbers in brackets = number of weeks spent on specific activities
placements and Friday for Small Scale Research Project and
thesis-related work
EPS = Fieldwork Placement
Year 1 Total EPS days for 2014-2015 = 59
Year 2 Total EPS days for 2014-2015 = 115
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
Year 3 Total EPS days for 2014-2015 = 129
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 7
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It is important to note that:
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the programme begins each year on 1st September;
trainees are expected to engage fully in programme
activities during all of the weeks listed on the Year
Plan (including Reading and Directed Study weeks);
and
the year ends on the Friday of the last week of term 3
listed on the Year Plan.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 8
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The following themes underpin University-based
sessions.
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Research Methods in Educational Psychology.
Processes and Methods of Assessment.
The Psychology of Learning: Managing Change.
The Psychology of Behaviour: Managing Change.
Understanding and Working with Organisations,
Systems and Groups: Managing Change.
The Role of the Educational Psychologist: Managing
Change.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 9
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All trainees on the Cardiff programme:
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have placements in local authority psychology services in Wales
and some counties in southern England (arranged by the
programme staff, in consultation with local authorities and
trainees themselves) during all three years of their programme
and do not need to find employment during years 2 and 3;
have three separate fieldwork placements in different local
authorities across the full term of the programme; and
cannot opt out of these arrangements, for example, to seek
employment in any of the three years.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What does the Cardiff DEdPsy Initial Training
Programme provide? - 10
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The tutors have been developing ‘COMOIRA’ - the Constructionist
Model of Informed, Reasoned Action. This is an innovative model for
applying psychology, where psychological theory and research lie at
the centre of a flexible process that can inform all the different tasks
in which EPs can become involved.
It will be used by the trainees on their fieldwork placements and in
group investigations, but is more than simply a fieldwork tool. The
programme team is keen to use COMOIRA in all aspects of work on
the programme including professional supervision sessions and
group consultations. COMOIRA is in a process of dynamic
development and will continue to influence all aspects of the
programme.
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COMOIRA References
Gameson, J., Rhydderch, G., Ellis, D. and Carroll, H.C.M.
(2003). Constructing a flexible model of integrated
professional practice: part 1, conceptual and theoretical
issues. Educational and Child Psychology, 20, 4, 96115.
Gameson, J., Rhydderch, G., Ellis, D. and Carroll, H.C.M.
(2005). Constructing a flexible model of integrated
professional practice: part 2, process and practice issues.
Educational and Child Psychology, 22, 4, 41-55.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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COMOIRA References
Rhydderch, G. and Gameson, J. (2010). Constructing a
flexible model of integrated professional practice: part 3,
the model in practice. Educational Psychology in
Practice, 26, 2, 123-149.
Gameson, J. and Rhydderch, G. (2008). The Constructionist
Model of Informed and Reasoned Action (COMOIRA). in
B. Kelly, L. Woolfson and J. Boyle (Eds.), Frameworks
for Practice in Educational Psychology: A Textbook
for Trainees and Practitioners. London: Jessica
Kingsley.
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COMOIRA References
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Electronic copies of the three COMOIRA
papers, and the chapter in the Frameworks
book, are available on request from the
Programme Administrator:
Email: dedpsyadmin@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone: 02920 875393
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the main features of the Cardiff DEdPsy
selection process? - 1
The process is designed to assess a range of skills
and competencies and includes:
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individual interviews;
a writing task; and
small group activities.
Applicants receive details of the activities when they
are invited to attend the selection process.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the main features of the Cardiff DEdPsy
selection process? - 2
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The programme team is looking to recruit trainees who:
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have made good use of their relevant experiences of working
with children and young people in education, child care or
community settings to prepare themselves for professional
training as an educational psychologist of the highest quality;
have a good understanding of the needs of children and/or
young people, especially in educational contexts;
have a good understanding of schools, local authority education
systems and/or children’s services, and the broader systems to
which they relate;
are able to apply psychology appropriately in their work with
children, young people and adults; continued…
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the main features of the Cardiff DEdPsy
selection process? - 3
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The programme team is looking to recruit trainees who:
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have a good understanding of the key issues and debates in
education;
have a good understanding of the role and function of
educational psychologists;
have maintained a keen interest in psychology itself (since the
programme will not involve the re-teaching of undergraduate
psychology);
have a good understanding of the key issues and developments
in the profession of educational psychology;
have excellent interpersonal skills and manage their interactions
with others sensitively; continued…
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the main features of the Cardiff DEdPsy
selection process? - 4
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The programme team is looking to recruit trainees who:
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have excellent self-management skills and can demonstrate
these skills in stressful and complex situations, e.g., the
selection process;
can reflect on their own experiences in order to identify salient
aspects of learning;
are able to communicate effectively to a high standard - orally
and in writing;
would participate enthusiastically in all aspects of the
programme and be open to new learning and experiences; and
would also be willing to undertake placements in any area of
Wales or in parts of England.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Programme starting September 2015? - 1
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Currently, applicants must be eligible for the Graduate Basis for
Chartered Membership (GBC), formerly the Graduate Basis for
Registration (GBR), of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
and must provide written confirmation of this before 31st
December 2014.
To be eligible for GBC applicants must either have:
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undertaken a qualification in psychology (usually a Bachelor (Honours)
degree) which has been approved by the BPS as conferring the Graduate
Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) ; or
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passed the Society's Qualifying Examination; or
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undertaken an appropriate Society approved conversion course.
Further details can be found on the BPS website.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Programme starting September 2015? - 2
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Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have benefited
from direct, relevant and appropriate work with children and young
people (0-19) within educational, childcare or community settings,
that has:
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helped to prepare them for training as an educational psychologist;
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been sufficient and sustained, showing continuity and commitment; and
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included being supervised/managed by an appropriate responsible professional.
The programme team is not in a position to comment on the
suitability of particular experiences.
The programme team is most interested in the use applicants have
made of their experiences to prepare themselves for training as
applied psychologists of the highest quality in education contexts.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Programme starting September 2015? - 3
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Applicants who undertook their psychology degrees at a
university in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and who are
unsure whether they are eligible for GBC, should contact
their respective course directors who should be able to
confirm whether they have GBC or not. A full list of
undergraduate accredited courses is available from the
British Psychological Society (BPS). Applicants will be
required to provide written confirmation of eligibility for
GBC.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Programme starting September 2015? - 4
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Applicants who studied overseas will be required to demonstrate
that they are eligible for GBC and should apply to the BPS for
Graduate Membership. Eligibility for GBC will be considered
automatically when applying for Membership and decisions on both
will be communicated at the same time. Please note that applicants
are responsible for confirming GBC and applications for Graduate
Membership can take several months to process.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the entry requirements for the Cardiff
DEdPsy Programme starting September 2015? - 5
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All applicants must have a standard of written and spoken English
that will enable them to complete doctoral level written assignments,
participate fully in all University-based sessions and function
competently as trainee educational psychologists in fieldwork
placement contexts.
The minimum English language level accepted for application to the
DEdPsy Programme (where appropriate) is an International English
Language Test (IELT) score of 7.5, with a minimum score of 7.5 on
each sub-test. In addition, during all aspects of the selection process
(including scrutiny of submitted application forms), English language
proficiency will be monitored and assessed.
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What procedures govern applications for places?
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Cardiff University now has a separate application
process for places on the Cardiff DEdPsy.
Further details are published on our DEdPsy web
pages at:
http://psych.cf.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/postgraduate/dedpsy/index.html
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What are the Cardiff DEdPsy funding
arrangements? - 1
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Currently, funded trainees in the new cohort for 2014-2017 have all programme
fees paid for them and also receive from Welsh Government central funds:
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a training grant/bursary (£12,600) for all three years of the programme.
No additional funds are provided for travel expenses etc. but many EPSs now pay
the costs of travel for journeys that trainees make on EPS business during
placement.
Trainees on the Cardiff DEdPsy Programme are not employed during any of the
three years of their training and, therefore, do not accrue pension and other
entitlements during this time.
Trainees on the Cardiff DEdPsy programme must successfully complete all
programme requirements each year in order to progress to the next year.
Funding in a subsequent year depends on successful completion of the previous
year.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the Cardiff DEdPsy funding
arrangements? - 2
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The Cardiff DEdPsy programme has now started to offer places to a limited
number of candidates who meet all selection criteria and wish to self-fund. The
fees for 2014-2017 are currently £9000 per year (for permanent UK residents)
and £17000 per year (for overseas students).
All prospective self funding candidates must meet all of the DEdPsy stringent
selection criteria and programme requirements and no special allowances are
made for them.
We are proceeding on the basis that funding and fees for funded and selffunding trainees in 2015-2018 will be the same as for the 2014-17 DEdPsy
cohort.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the Cardiff DEdPsy funding
arrangements? - 3
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Upon successful completion of the training
programme, funded trainees may be required, as is
currently the case, to complete two years of
employment as an educational psychologist within a
Local Authority in England or Wales.
Failure to undertake this may result in the recovery of
all or a part of the training grant/bursary.
In this event, each case would be considered on an
individual basis.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the Cardiff DEdPsy funding
arrangements? - 4
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Currently, funded trainees are required to have the majority of
their fieldwork placements in Wales, but there are no other
conditions attached to the central funding for trainees on the
Cardiff programme.
However, at any time in the future, this situation could change,
resulting in funded Cardiff trainees:
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having all their fieldwork placements in Wales; and
being obliged to apply for vacant EP posts in Wales, and
possibly work in Wales, for two years after they qualify.
Cardiff University DEdPsy Professional Training Programme - Open Evening - Cardiff - 06.11.14
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What are the funding arrangements? - 5

It is expected that the 3 years of training will be
continuous. Any breaks in training will have to be
justified and will normally only be allowed in case
of:
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maternity/paternity break;

certificated sickness; and
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some other unavoidable emergency.
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What are the funding arrangements? - 6
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Funded trainees who withdraw from the programme will no longer be
eligible for the training grant/bursary and may be required to reimburse
all payments made.
Funded trainees who withdraw from the programme, or fail to progress,
will not be eligible for any further funding under the scheme.
Funded trainees who are required to repeat any part of the programme
will not be eligible for additional funding for the repeated period.
Any trainee who is required to repeat any part of the programme is
also likely to have to pay fees for the repeated period.
The Cardiff DEdPsy Programme does not offer any interim, exit or
aegrotat awards for trainees who do not successfully complete all
programme requirements. This includes successful completion of the
thesis.
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How can you find out more?

For information and links to other sites, visit our website at:
http://psych.cf.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/postgraduate/dedpsy/index.html

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Contact an Educational Psychology Service (EPS) and ask to
shadow/interview an EP.
Read the journal ‘Educational Psychology in Practice’ which all
members of the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP)
receive quarterly and which may also be available in University
libraries.
Read the journal ‘Educational and Child Psychology’ which
members of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology
(DECP) receive quarterly and which may also be available in
University libraries.
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