The clinical psychology programme provides a broad-based education and training, designed and taught by core programme staff and NHS specialists, covering all of the major approaches to clinical psychology.  In addition, it offers a number of elements which trainees find very rewarding, including:

• Theoretical frameworks for critically but constructively evaluating clinical psychology theory and practice, and for developing alternatives to some aspects of this.
• Teaching on innovative approaches to practice, such as social constructionist and narrative therapies and recovery models in psychosis.
• An approach to research which encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods and emphasises understanding of their epistemological bases.
• An outstanding range of placement and personal/professional development experiences.
• A wide range of support systems

The aim of the Programme is to educate and train Clinical Psychologists for work in NHS and related settings, in accordance with the requirements and goals of the Health Professional Councils requirements for registration as Practitioner Psychologists, and the British Psychological Society’s Committee on Training in Clinical Psychology requirements for becoming a Chartered Psychologist.  This aim is achieved through an academic curriculum of three core modules (one in each of the three years of the programme); two research projects and six 6-month clinical placements.

All applications must be made via the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology.  Professional body requirements exclude exemption via APC/EL.

Students/trainees must have an Honours degree recognised by the British Psychological Society as conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartership and of a standard which indicates their suitability for work at Doctoral level - at least an upper second or first class Honours degree. They must have relevant work experience from which they can clearly articulate what has been learned, as well as demonstrating appropriate knowledge and understanding of the profession of Clinical Psychology, plus appropriate commitment and realistic evaluation of what training and practice involve. Highest-rated applicants are short-listed for interview. In addition, applicants who have indicated that their application should be considered under the employing NHS Trust’s Positive about Disabled People scheme, and whose forms have been initially screened as meeting minimum selection criteria, are also short-listed for interview.

At least two members of academic staff will review each application before a decision is made and selection interviews always include a member of NHS staff as well as members of academic staff.

Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures.  No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it.

Where English is not the applicant’s first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English, or such qualifications as our University deems comparable, score of 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components, is required at entry.  Such assessment of English language competence must normally have been undertaken no more than two years prior to application, though relevant and more recent study in a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution may be accepted as sufficient proof of ability.

Professional doctorate programmes can be either ‘taught’ or ‘research’ in their emphasis (that is, when measured by student effort). Both have equal status and share the same learning outcomes. The Programme is 3 years, full time. Approximately 50% of Programme time is spent in clinical placements; 20% on academic teaching; 20% on research and 10% on self-directed study. Placements and academic teaching run in parallel throughout the three years, following an induction in year 1.

The Programme involves a variety of learning methods: supervised practice on placements; supervised research; lectures; seminars; demonstrations; workshops and role-play.

Assessment methods include: course work; written examinations; reports of clinical work; supervisors’ assessments of placement performance; a service-related research project and a thesis. As all modules (taught and placement) are ‘core’ to the programme, all aspects of assessment have to be passed in order for trainees to progress on the programme. All aspects of assessment must be passed for the award of the degree.

Trainees carry out two research projects: a smaller scale service related project (in Year 1) and a large-scale thesis in Years 2 and 3. University and NHS supervision is provided and trainees develop their ideas in consultation with supervisors, and in small discussion groups. The research component constitutes 20% of the award.

Registration of the research component can only take place following a recommendation from the relevant School Research Degrees Sub-Committee to the university Research Degrees Subcommittee of the suitability of the candidate to undertake research, of the programme of research, of the supervision arrangements and of the research environment.  These approvals require appropriate academic judgement to be brought to bear on the viability of each research proposal. 

Candidates for a Professional Doctorate must successfully complete all assessed elements of their programme before award of the degree can be made.

Once the research stage of the programme is reached progression will be formally reviewed annually by a Panel comprised of staff with appropriate academic and professional expertise who are independent of the candidate’s supervisory team.  The School Research Degrees Sub-Committee and the university Research Degrees Subcommittee monitor the reports from these Panels.

The examination of the research component of the Professional Doctorate has two stages: firstly the submission and preliminary assessment of the research; and secondly its defence by oral examination.

The programme is approved under the HPC statutory registration requirement for professional practice as a clinical psychologist in the UK.

The Programme provides the necessary training for work as a clinical psychologist in the NHS.

The Graduate School is responsible for providing a focus to the support of our postgraduate research students and for our institution’s research and scholarly strategy.

Professional Doctorate students will have at least two and not normally more than three supervisors, who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and professional experience. One supervisor shall be the Director of Studies with responsibility to supervise the candidate on a regular and frequent basis.

The Programme has a number of support mechanisms including: academic and clinical year tutors; personal tutors (who also carry out placement visits); annual individual reviews; Personal and Professional Development groups; a Personal Advisor Scheme (entirely separate from Programme staff) with additional schemes for black and minority ethnic trainees and gay and lesbian trainees; access to student counselling services; a buddy system; access to University support services for students with disabilities.