MSc Clinical Neuropsychology

This one-year formative and supportive module is designed to help you progress towards the 60-credit Portfolio Year (Year 2) of the MSc and concludes with a summative assessment. Although the module carries no academic credit, its purpose is to support you in meeting the employment and workplace requirements needed to enter the Portfolio Year in a state of readiness. Students may remain enrolled on the module for up to three academic years where additional time is required to achieve these requirements.

Preparation is tailored to your individual circumstances and involves building the evidence needed for successful completion of the MSc portfolio. This includes collecting supervision logs and clinical case logs, preparing clinical case reports (or proposals for at least two case reports), and accumulating the required whole-time equivalent (WTE) employment months. The aim is to reach a level of completion that indicates you are likely to satisfy all Portfolio Year requirements within the subsequent 12-month academic year.

While enrolled, you will benefit from full University registration, including a University IT account, access to the e-Library and module Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and the opportunity to continue accumulating logs beyond the 50% completion point. You will also receive ongoing support through three planning, monitoring and progress meetings with the Course Director each year of enrolment, normally taking place at the start of the year, after six months, and after eleven months, to help ensure you remain on track for progression to the Portfolio Year.

This 0-credit summative module provides the foundations for advanced and specialist clinical neuropsychology practice. It focuses on the essential knowledge required to practise clinical neuropsychology at an advanced level and to work towards recognition by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a specialist in clinical neuropsychology. The module is designed to advance and consolidate your clinical neuropsychology knowledge and support its effective application within your professional practice.

The module begins with an introduction to the format, expectations and demands of the programme's principal summative assessment, the Clinical Practice Portfolio and Viva Voce examination. Successful completion of these assessments contributes towards BPS recognition as a specialist in clinical neuropsychology.

A central focus of the module is the development of broad and in-depth clinical neuropsychological and medical knowledge, particularly in relation to neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries. You will also enhance the precision, accuracy and clarity of your professional communication, with a particular emphasis on neuropsychological report writing, alongside the development of effective oral communication skills required for advanced clinical practice.

Throughout the module, you will be supported in recording and evidencing your clinical casework and clinical supervision. The maintenance of clinical case logs, supervision logs and case proposals forms an important part of the learning experience and provides the basis of the module's summative assessment.

This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the previous foundation module, further advancing your clinical neuropsychology specialism and focusing on the final stages of preparation for the Clinical Practice Portfolio. You will develop advanced competencies in professional communication while broadening your understanding of a wider range of neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries.

The module also develops your professional practice through an enhanced focus on ethical practice and ethical decision-making in clinical neuropsychology. Alongside this, you will explore wider professional considerations relating to the law and courts, helping to refine your practice, precision, clarity and professional communication. Whether or not you intend to work in medico-legal settings, these are essential skills that underpin advanced clinical neuropsychology practice.

As part of the formative assessment for this module, you will submit a second clinical case report alongside updated clinical case and supervision logs. In the final weeks of the module, you will also take part in a mock viva voce examination with live feedback. This provides an opportunity to practise and refine your presentation and discussion skills in preparation for the summative viva voce examination, which forms part of the Clinical Practice Portfolio submission.

This year-long summative module represents the culmination of the MSc and, on successful completion, awards 60 credits and enables graduation from the course. The learning outcomes and content of this module are supported through the two co-requisite modules, Foundations in Neuropsychology Practice and Advanced Clinical Neuropsychology Practice, which together provide the knowledge, skills and professional development required to complete the final assessment requirements.

The module is centred on your professional practice and employment activities, with progress demonstrated through the logging of clinical cases and clinical supervision hours. Throughout the year, your development is monitored and supported by the Course Director to help ensure you remain on track towards successful completion.

The primary focus of the module is completion of the MSc's summative assessment, the Clinical Practice Portfolio (CPP). The CPP comprises your clinical case and supervision logs, six clinical case reports and a viva voce examination. Successful completion of the Clinical Practice Portfolio demonstrates advanced competence in clinical neuropsychology practice and confers eligibility to apply for inclusion on the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).