Program Overview

PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma) Clinical Neuropsychology

Overview

This BPS accredited programme offered by the University of Bristol has run since 2010 and is delivered in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust, which includes a large regional neurosciences and major trauma centre. Almost all clinicians opt to take this programme part time although full time study is available. Our clinical programmes aim to engage and inspire clinicians to enhance their skills in Clinical Neuropsychology and support entry on to the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN). This diploma is accredited by BPS Division of Neuropsychology and delivers the adult knowledge component of the competency requirements for advanced training in clinical neuropsychology.

Around 80% of the taught content is delivered by practising clinicians. We promote a biopsychosocial scientist-practitioner approach and strongly advocate for neuropsychological research to be relevant and applicable to patient care, and for clinical practice to be underpinned by a thorough and ongoing engagement with scientific research/evidence.

The programme is largely online and can be taken from home or work. In-person attendance at teaching weeks (two per year for part-time study) is encouraged but is not mandatory and this flexibility suits those with busy professional lives, family responsibilities, disability and other factors impacting on travel to Bristol. Lectures are recorded and can be watched live or whenever is convenient, and exams/timed assessment will be held online.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; Two years part-time.
• Start date: January 2025, September 2025, January 2026.
• Application deadline:
  • For January 2025 start: Closed.
  • For September 2025 start: 8 August 2025.
  • For January 2026 start: 24 November 2025.
• Delivery method: Online with On-Campus Elements.
• Location: Clifton.
• Awards available: PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma).

Programme Structure

The programme consists of five taught units and a clinical dissertation.

1. Applied Clinical Neuropsychology and Principles of Neuropsychological Assessment covers a range of common neuropsychological disorders and the principles of patient assessment and interpretation of neuropsychological tests (including change scores).
2. Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology covers a range of issues frequently encountered in clinical neuropsychology. For example, pain and cognition, PTSD, performance validity testing and functional neurological disorders.
3. Theoretical Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Methods covers theories of brain function (for example, emotion and cognition, language, ageing). This unit also delivers a thorough grounding in neuroanatomy and neuroscience methods.
4. Neurorehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Approaches within Clinical Psychology considers a range of rehabilitation techniques and places these in the context of the recovery journey. This unit also considers the interface between clinical neuropsychology and allied disciplines (such as neurosurgery, clinical imaging).
5. Evidence Based Neuropsychology (EBN) and Case Study. The EBN component involves critical reviews of peer reviewed papers, and the Case Study component requires each student to review a clinical case in detail.

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner with a specialism as 'Clinical' or 'Counselling'. If you have a 'Forensic' or 'Health' specialism then these will be considered on a case-by-case basis due to upcoming changes that may broaden access to training. In addition, applicants with a 'Counselling' specialism must demonstrate Generic Competencies in Clinical Neuropsychology.
• You must submit all required documents as detailed in the programme’s Admissions Statement to be considered for review.
• See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £11,300 per year; part-time (two years) £5,650 per year.
• Overseas: full-time £22,000 per year; part-time £11,000 per year.
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Career Prospects

• All our programmes enhance clinical confidence and competency. This programme supports the "knowledge component" required for entry to the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).
• Those interested in this programme may also be interested in our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology which delivers both the knowledge component and "practice component" required for entry to SRCN within a single degree.
• Alternatively, after completing this diploma, you might be interested in our Certificate in Clinical Neuropsychology Practice which delivers the practice component within a single degree.