Program Overview

Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Doctorate

Overview

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course is an innovative, creative and contemporary training course to develop clinical psychologists who are able to contribute to and take leading roles in the provision of psychological health care throughout the NHS and the communities we serve.

Course Details

Year 1 Core Modules

• Clinical Placements 1
  • Develop the knowledge, skills and values to work effectively with clients across the lifespan.
  • Undertake two placements in either adult mental health, older adult, child and family or intellectual disability, neurodiversity and acquired brain injury services.
• Personal Professional Development 1
  • Introduces you to personal and professional development.
  • Develops your professional competence relating to personal and professional development, as well as developing your awareness of the clinical, professional and social context within which your work is undertaken.
• Psychological Theory and Practice 1
  • Study the fundamental theories, models, and principles to work with service users from diverse backgrounds across the full lifespan, including those with a learning disability or neurodiversity.
  • Cover development across the lifespan, risk assessment and common presentations as well as the main theoretical models and therapeutic approaches on which clinical psychology interventions are based.
• Research Methods 1
  • Develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of advanced research methodology used in psychological research.
  • Study quantitative and qualitative methods, critical reviews of established literature, research with diverse populations, project design, project management, and data analysis.

Year 2 Core Modules

• Clinical Placements 2
  • Develop the knowledge, skills and values to work effectively with clients across the lifespan.
  • Undertake practice placements in two of the areas not experienced in Year 1, including adult mental health, older adult, child and family or intellectual disability, neurodiversity and acquired brain injury services.
• Personal and Professional Development 2
  • Introduces you to the knowledge and skills necessary to work collaboratively with other health professionals and with services relevant to clients.
  • Theoretical input includes organisational theories, the structure and function of the NHS, voluntary and other services available for client support, management skills and working with multi-disciplinary groups and teams.
• Psychological Theory and Practice 2
  • Study the application of psychological theory to clinical skills.
  • Learn how to apply the cycle of assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation, and how to transfer this knowledge and these skills to service users in specialist services including neuropsychology, physical health, forensic, addiction, eating disorders, and psychosis.
• Research Methods 2
  • Study the theories and strategies of advanced design and analysis concepts in psychology.
  • Gain knowledge, experience, and develop an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice of both quantitative and qualitative approaches to psychological research.

Year 3 Core Modules

• Advanced Independent Work
  • Complete a piece of independent, self-managed original empirical research.
  • Consolidate your learning experiences both from the previous research modules, and other academic modules and clinical placements throughout the programme.
• Clinical Placements: Two Placements (specialist therapy and elective)
  • Develop the knowledge, skills and values to work effectively with clients in a service setting.
  • Your placement may involve revisiting an area of work, defined by a client group or a model of intervention, or working in an area not covered by previous placements.
• Integrated Practice
  • Explore complex psychological theory and advanced clinical practice to work with service users at several conceptual levels and further develop and deepen your knowledge and understanding of advanced and specialised therapeutic approaches.

Entry Requirements

• All UK/EU applicants must apply through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology.
• Screening criteria used in the first stage of the application process includes:
  • Being eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society.
  • A minimum academic attainment of a 2.1 (or equivalent level for degrees from countries where a different classification system is used) at undergraduate psychology degree level (or a 2.2 with a successfully completed master's degree or higher in psychology).
  • A minimum of 12 months' full-time relevant clinical experience (not necessarily consecutive).
  • Those who are still undergraduates at the time of application will not be considered.
• Criteria used within the shortlisting for interview process includes:
  • An understanding of the importance and contribution research plays within the profession.
  • A clear commitment and motivation to train as a clinical psychologist.
  • A good understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist and why you are choosing the profession.
  • Experience of different psychological models and clinical settings.
  • Evidence of personal awareness and a recognition and understanding of the importance of self-reflection.
  • The ability to communicate and relate well to others.
  • References.

Employability

Career Opportunities

• The programme provides the relevant doctorate qualification for graduates to practise as clinical psychologists in the NHS and wider health and social care system, within both privately and publicly funded positions.

Professional Accreditation

• The doctorate is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory regulator for practitioner psychologists in the UK, and graduates are eligible to apply for HCPC registration.
• The training programme is regularly reviewed and approved through both University procedures and those linked to their professional body, The British Psychological Society (BPS) as well as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Full-time

Entry Fee for UK Applicants

• Contact the School
• More about our fees

Programme Details

• Length: 3 years
• Start date: September
• Semester dates

Part-time

• Not available part-time

Choose Teesside

• Stand out from other job applicants with your higher level qualification, specialist knowledge and expanded networks.
• Improve your project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork.
• The median salary for working-age postgraduates (£45,000) was £6,500 more than for working-age (those aged 16 to 64) graduates (£38,500) in 2022.
• Study in our friendly town-centre campus with £280m of recent investment.
• Study at Europe's first Adobe Creative Campus and develop your creative and digital skills.