The programmes comprise a set of distinct modules, and module combinations, intended to provide students with theoretical and technical knowledge and experience in the main clinical and community applications of psychology. The programmes combine taught modules with accreditation of relevant concurrent experience (placement modules), and self-directed research. The available modules are:

• Clinical & Community Psychology Theory & Practice
• Research Methods & Dissertation
• Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies
• Family & Systemic Therapies
• Psychodynamic & Psychoanalytic Therapies
• Psychometrics & Cognitive Assessment
• Cognitive & Behavioural Therapy Placement
• Family & Systemic Therapy Placement
• Psychodynamic & Psychoanalytic Therapy Placement
• Psychometrics & Cognitive Assessment Placement

The programmes provide high quality and up-to-date training in theory, practice and research in clinical and community psychology. All teaching is informed by the distinct UEL DClinPsy perspective: where psychological processes are understood in direct relation to social and cultural contexts, diversity and inequalities. The programmes provide training with the same strong emphasis on the historical and current social, political and cultural issues that affect clinical and community psychology provision.

The programmes are situated in our School of Psychology, a large and well-established scholarly community, with a strong record for delivering high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, research and consultancy. Students will benefit from excellent teaching and research facilities located in a purpose-built block (a major refurbishment of which was completed in 2008) with new experimental facilities, dedicated research laboratories (virtual reality technology, eye-tracking equipment and EEG suite) new teaching accommodation, and a well-stocked library of test equipment.

In keeping with the University’s commitment to broad access to higher education, and for the benefit of potential clients and stakeholders, we will select students who have the potential to acquire the technical knowledge and professional skills that are essential to safe and high quality practice in clinical and community psychology.

• Applicants must have an undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, social psychology, counselling, education, nursing, medicine or a related health and social welfare discipline, with a minimum 2.1 classification (or equivalent).
• Applicants will submit a written application, of up to 1000 words, outlining their academic and professional background, career objectives and reasons for choosing the programme at UEL.  Candidates whose academic background is from a discipline other than those mentioned above should explain how their professional or life experience has prepared them for study in this area.
• Applicants will provide two supporting references, one of which concerns academic ability and attainment, and one of which concerns clinical experience and professional intentions.
• Students who wish to undertake a placement module must obtain (or already be in) employment in an appropriate setting with a suitable supervisor before commencement of the module.  Students will be enrolled on placement modules only if the supervisor and setting will provide the appropriate range and quality of experiences to allow accreditation of practice.
• We value diversity and will consider non-standard applications from suitable candidates, subject to interview and submission of further documents, at the request and discretion of the Admissions Tutor.  We subscribe strongly to the university’s equal opportunities policy of not discriminating on the grounds of age, ethnicity, religious group, gender or sexual orientation.
• Candidates who prioritize their own needs and identities over those of their clients and stakeholders (e.g., whose written applications or references indicate cultural, political or religious beliefs that would prohibit them from working with specific settings, groups, persons or problems) are not suitable for a career in clinical or community psychology and will not be admitted onto a programme.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

We aim to provide flexibility in learning patterns to meet the varying needs of students from a variety of backgrounds and current employment statuses. There are 10 modules available, 6 taught and research modules and 4 placement modules.

Students may tailor their training choices to fit with their interests, current employment roles and future career ambitions. The level of qualification sought can be matched accordingly. The programme is highly flexible, and may be taken in part-time or full-time modes. Student may enrol in Semester A (September) or Semester B (February).

Students must obtain 180 credits, including credits obtained via core modules (Clinical & Community Psychology Theory & Practice and the Research Methods & Dissertation) to be eligible for the MSc.

Students obtaining 120 credits (by passing 4 taught or placement modules, which need not include the core/research modules) are eligible for the PG Diploma. Students obtaining 60 credits (by passing 2 taught or placement modules, which need not include the core/research modules) are eligible for the PG Certificate.

The Programmes involve a variety of learning methods.

• In the taught and research modules, there will be lectures, seminars, workshops, group exercises, peer study groups, research and individual academic supervision.
• Placement modules involve supervised work in clinical and health settings.
• Direct attendance/contact is supplemented by on-line materials, reading assignments, group work, and individual preparation for submissions.

A range of assessment procedures is employed: each module will use forms of assessment pertinent to the domain of study/training, and will address particular aspects of performance.

• The 5 taught modules (core and optional) are each assessed via an Essay (3000 words) and a Seminar Presentation (30 minutes, supported by AV aids and a written handout).
• The research module is assessed via the Research Proposal (4000 words) and Research Dissertation (10,000 words).
• Each of the 4 available Placement modules is assessed via supervisor Competency Ratings and one Practical Report (4000 words).

The programmes are intended to produce post-graduate and Masters-level psychologists who are capable of pursuing successful and innovative careers in clinical and community psychology. Accordingly, the programmes and component modules have been structured to reflect the British Psychological Society's Centre for Outcomes Research & Effectiveness (BPS CORE) definitions of the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for safe and effective provision of psychological services:

1. Generic competences are involved in providing all forms of psychological assessment and intervention, whatever the setting or therapeutic orientation. These are addressed in the core and research modules of the programme.
2. Basic competences underpin provision of assessment/intervention in each of the main therapeutic orientations, and are addressed in the optional taught and placement modules of the programme.
3. Core competencies are key skills used in each of the main orientations (though not necessarily in every assessment/intervention), and are addressed in the optional taught and placement modules of the programme.
4. Problem-specific competencies are techniques specific to certain problems, clients, or problem presentations that are unique to each therapeutic orientation, and are addressed in the optional taught and placement modules of the programme.

Students aiming to obtain the MSc will undertake the 60 credit research module (Research Methods & Dissertation) which is delivered partly via lectures/seminars and partly via one-to-one supervision with an expert in the area.

Lectures and seminars will provide students with a thorough grounding in:-

• the main research orientations and their associated methods
• ethical issues and contemporary frameworks for research
• planning, execution and evaluation of research programmes.

Supervisory meetings are flexible and student driven, each student is allocated a personal supervisor. They take place on a one-to-one basis with a minimum contact time of twelve hours during the module. Supervisory meetings are supplemented by group tutorials, in which students share ideas and discuss common issues associated with carrying out research projects, in peer-support format.

Students will graduate from a programme located within a school with a national reputation for clinical psychology teaching, and will be in a very competitive position to apply for positions on professional programmes of study (e.g. clinical, counselling or educational psychology), for junior/assistant psychology posts, or research positions.

Please note that successful completion of the programme(s) does not qualify students to practise as clinical psychologists in the UK i.e. will not allow you to register with the Health Professions Council as a ‘practitioner psychologist’, nor to use the protected title ‘clinical psychologist’.

• In the first week you will be offered a comprehensive induction to the programme to help you find your way around the available resources, and settle in.
• Students are provided with a personal tutor to support learning queries and discuss any issues affecting progress.  Tutors operate an open door policy, and are accessible to students on campus, or can be contacted through UELPlus and email.
• For placement modules, your personal tutor will visit your work/placement to meet with your supervisor and discuss progress towards demonstrating competencies and submitting the Competency Ratings and Practical Report.
• There are substantial learning, library and research resources accessible on and off campus via our computing facilities, Library & Learning Service and the SCONUL system.
• Lectures and seminars are accompanied by comprehensive lecture notes, handouts and on-line materials accessible via any internet connection.
• For the research aspect, you will have a dedicated dissertation supervisor who is familiar with the topic area and who will guide and support you during the specialist research stage.
• Specialist support (e.g. financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is available from central University Services.  The University also has disability and dyslexia advisors who can support you through the assessment processes.

Students may attend any taught module for up-skilling or interest sake, and without undertaking the assessed component, to be eligible for CPD certification.

The programme is the first to offer placement modules (to accredit work-based learning and development) at the pre-doctoral level in clinical/community psychology.