The Alternative Handbook

University of Exeter
The selection process
What was your personal experience of the interview process for your current course?
■■
■■
■■
■■
Well organised day, with the interviewers wanting to get the best out of you.
I enjoyed the “ethical” stance of the clinical interview. The research interview was tough. I wasn’t sure what was expected
from the group, but found this an intriguing process.
The clinical interview and group task was good, made me feel at ease and I felt I was able to show who I was as a person
and professional. The research interview wasn’t as nice unfortunately, felt like they were trying to catch you out a bit and I
did not feel at ease.
The interview process at Exeter was very relaxed compared to other interviews I attended. It was by far the most enjoyable.
The university offer a buddy system where candidates are paired with current trainees who are very useful in taking you to
and from interview rooms, containing anxiety and generally making the whole experience more pleasant. The content of
interviews felt similar to others I had attended with the exception of the lived experience group which was an unusual but
very interesting experience in which candidates are encouraged to discuss a sensitive topic in a group.
■■
Exeter have an excellent buddy system where a current trainee meets you as you arrive and makes sure you get to the 3
interviews on time, helps you to find your way around and generally be helpful in keeping you calm for the interviews. The
buddy system always gets good evaluations from applicants it seems. The interviews are obviously testing but I got a real
sense that the interviewers want the best from those interviewed and don’t mind smiling, nodding and generally being
curious.
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
■■
I was really impressed by the experience of interviewing for Exeter and it was one of the main reasons I chose to study
here. The buddy system is very well thought out where buddies spend the day and are expected to support you in whatever
way they can. This was in contrast to other universities who I felt paid lip service to the buddy system but did not set it up
appropriately.
I was pleased that in both the research and clinical interviews questions were understandably challenging but did not
catch me off guard. I had heard nightmare stories and was anxious about ‘caught out’ unawares. However, all the questions
I felt were genuinely trying to get a feel for your skills as potential psychologists and felt both fair yet challenging.
I appreciated having members of the lived experience group there as it felt as though Exeter were listening to the views
of service users by having those people present during the interview. It also relieved some of my anxiety as I felt I could
get across the kind of person I was as well as having to demonstrate my knowledge and skills. In that sense, if they didn’t
think I was what they were looking for it felt like a fair assessment as I was being encouraged to get across my personality
as well as knowledge/skill.
I did find the group exercise challenging as I was surprised by how nervous I was speaking in front of others. It’s always
a juggling act to be able to get across what you want to say but also listen and reflect on what other group members are
bringing up. However, I think any group interview is inevitably challenging and as we work with challenging team dynamics
on a regular basis as part of the NHS, I’m sure this task was appropriate.”
The buddy system was great and really helpful. I found the Clinical panel really friendly and they helped to put me at ease
and draw the best of of you. The research interview felt quite intimidating, despite the fact that that was the panel I had
felt more confident about. I really valued the opportunity to talk with current trainees and that gave me a really positive
impression of the course overall
The interviews were challenging but fair. They generally covered the issues I expected them to so it was possible to prepare
beforehand to increase key confidence on the day.
The panels were generally warm and welcoming and had an air of wanting to help you give the best answers you could.
Excellent - Exeter has a great interview process and buddy scheme
I found the interview process quite tough, particularly the research component. Now I am on the course, however, I can
see why the interviews were set up as they were. I liked that there was a group task component, as this allows you to
show a different side of yourself.
The Alternative Handbook 187