Clinical Psychology

Overview

Studying Clinical Psychology opens the door to a career which is infinitely varied, enabling you to undertake clinical work with a broad range of people experiencing a very diverse range of mental health difficulties. Clinical Psychologists not only seek to alleviate mental distress; they also work actively to promote psychological health and wellbeing.

In addition to direct clinical work with people, you are also likely to be able to undertake service related research, and provide consultation and supervision to other mental health professionals, teams and services.

Clinical Psychology enables you to undertake clinical work with a broad range of people experiencing a very diverse range of mental health difficulties. Clinical psychologists not only seek to alleviate mental distress, they also work actively to promote psychological health and wellbeing.

In addition to direct clinical work with people, you are also likely to be able to undertake service related research and provide consultation and supervision to other mental health professionals, teams,, and services.

Our doctorate integrates clinical, academic and research practice to achieve the highest quality of professional training. The course is made up of four interconnecting components: the academic and research programmes, clinical placements, and the assessment process.

Underpinning all these components is a commitment to the support of your personal and professional development and to promoting diversity and equal opportunities throughout all aspects of the course.

Why study a DClinPsychol Clinical Psychology at CCCU?

Our doctorate is fully accredited by The British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council.
We offer one of the largest and longest established Clinical Psychology training courses in the UK and have a national reputation for excellence and innovative practice.
Become a valued member of the Graduate College as a CCCU postgraduate student.

I have had a great experience at Salomons so far and feel I have grown academically, personally and clinically.
Salomons Trainee, Alternative Handbook for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology

Entry requirements

A BPS accredited psychology degree with a 1st or 2:1 classification. Applicants with a BPS accredited 2:2 psychology undergraduate degree will be considered if they hold a completed relevant PhD or completed a relevant Master's degree and meet one of the following:

obtained 65% or above
were awarded the overall classification of Merit
were awarded the overall classification of Distinction.

For example, if a candidate obtained 62% in their Master's degree but were awarded a Merit, they would meet the above criteria.

A non-psychology degree at 2.1 or above together with a BPS accredited psychology MSc at 60% or above, which confers GBC. Applicants who were awarded a 2.2 for their undergraduate degree in a non-psychology subject, must complete an accredited postgraduate conversion course in psychology and meet one of the following:

obtained 65% or above
were awarded the overall classification of Merit
were awarded the overall classification of Distinction.

For example, if a candidate obtained 62% in their Master's degree but were awarded a Merit, they would meet the above criteria.

If English is not your first language you are required to have an IELTS with an overall score of 7.5 with no element below 7.5. The test must have been taken within the last two years.

You will also require a full driving licence which allows you to drive with no restrictions within the UK and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

2.1

Psychology degree accredited by the BPS

How you’ll learn

The Clinical Psychology programme at the University's Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology has been running for over 40 years, and is the second largest of its kind in the UK. Over the years we have trained hundreds of clinical psychologists, and our team has gained a national reputation for offering a high quality, innovative and broad-based training experience.

We employ a very wide range of teaching methods using the most up to date audio-visual aids and virtual learning platforms. Teaching takes place in small group seminars and lectures, involving experiential learning, reflective practice, and problem-based learning methods. All teaching emphasises the links between theory, research and practice, attending to issues of difference and diversity. The involvement of service users in teaching is a hallmark our approach to teaching and learning.

You will typically be at the University's Salomons Institute for teaching two days in each week with occasional weekly teaching blocks. This teaching is undertaken in synchrony with your clinical placements (taking place on the other three days) so that there are excellent opportunities for theory-practice linkage – the doing and learning going hand in hand.

All teaching is undertaken by highly experienced practicing clinicians working within local NHS Trusts in our region or by our highly experienced Programme staff.

Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS
Academic Requirements (see above)
English Language Requirements (see above)
Clinically Relevant Work Experience
Driving Licence Requirements

In line with national requirements, we adopt a values-based approach to our selection process. This requires us to attract and select students on the basis that their individual values and behaviour align with the six core values set out in the NHS Constitution.

For more information on the programmes entry requirements and its six core values, please see our Application and Selection page.

How you’ll be assessed

The programme adopts a continuous assessment model utilising a range of assessment methods. These include reports of professional practice, clinical portfolio and viva, critical reviews of literature, and a major research thesis plus viva.

Examinations are not used as a means of assessment on this programme.

Your future career

Upon successfully completing our three-year full-time doctorate, you will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a fully qualified Clinical Psychologist. This enables you to work in the NHS or other mental health services, undertaking clinical practice with a wide range of people experiencing diverse mental health difficulties. Clinical Psychologists work with children, adolescents and their families and carers, adults, older people, those with physical and learning disabilities, amongst a wide range of other specialties. Undertaking research, and supervision of and consultation to, other mental health professionals, teams and services are also key components of the job.

The doctoral training you undertake with us will prepare you with the skills to undertake all the many and varied facets of this diverse and interesting career.

Fees

NHS-Funded Tuition Fees

We can only consider applicants for NHS-Funded places who meet ‘home’ fees status, and who have the right to work in the UK. Additionally, NHS funded places are only available to applicants who intend to work in NHS funded services upon the completion of training.

Successful NHS-funded applicants are employed as Trainee Clinical Psychologists by the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who formally manage all aspects of their contract of employment. Trainees are paid on Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scales.