Programme summary for ClinPsyD Clinical Psychology

About the programme

In addition to providing teaching on the major approaches to clinical psychology theory and practice, this programme examines the assumptions which inform scientific activity, the problems in applying philosophies and methods from the natural sciences to human behaviour, and the relationship between the philosophy of science and research activity. The doctorate also encourages the formulation of psychological problems within their social context.

Programme structure

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.

Career opportunities

This doctorate will enable you to work as a qualified clinical psychologist in clinical psychology services or other settings. You could also progress to senior management in NHS services and a range of other clinical settings, or take up specialist positions in projects dealing with, for example, trauma and homelessness.

Support

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.

Admission

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.

Requirement for gaining the award

To obtain the degree of ClinPsyD, all aspects of the assessment must be passed. Students who fail any aspect of assessment may be re-assessed on that aspect once. In the case of placements, which involve re-attendance, employment conditions are such that funding will only be available (at SHA discretion) for one further assessment opportunity.