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Doctor of Clinical Psychology

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Apply for this course

UK and international students

Apply for this course by: 22 November 2023

 

You’ll need to pay a Clearing House processing fee.

  • If you submit your application and pay by 25 October 2023 the fee is £30
  • If you submit your application between 26 October 2023 and the deadline of 22 November 2023 the fee is £40

 

What you’ll need

As part of the application process, you’ll need to submit:

  • Proof of Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) status.
  • Undergraduate degree transcript
  • Conversion course transcript if completed
  • Multiple personal statements reflecting on your work experience, outlining your learning ambitions and providing other information about yourself
  • An academic reference
  • A professional reference
  • Evidence of English Language proficiency, if English is not your first language and you have not successfully completed university qualifications that were fully taught and examined in English

 

Right to Work/Residency requirements

It is a requirement that applicants have the unrestricted right to reside, study, train and work in the UK. You must be eligible to study as a full-time postgraduate student on this course, and to train/work full-time within the National Health Service (NHS) as a ‘Trainee Clinical Psychologist’. You are also required to adhere to the current regulations of the employing NHS Trust.

The University of Liverpool cannot confirm whether or not you have the right to work in the UK. Please visit the UK Government Website for information about proving your Right to Work.

Please also be aware that we don’t accept applications from self-funding applicants to this programme.

 

The application process

All applications for this course must be made via the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology:

  • Sign into their online portal and start your application
  • Submit your application and pay the processing fee
  • Clearing House will check your documents and references and confirm the processing fee has been paid. They will then send us your application for consideration
  • Track the progress of your application by logging into the Clearing House website
  • We’ll email you when a shortlisting decision for interview has been made
  • If invited for interview, we’ll let you know the outcome as soon as an offer decision has been made
  • If you’ve been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it by logging in to the Clearing House website. You must do this prior to any Clearing House deadlines

Need help applying?

If you experience any problems applying via the Clearing House website, you can email chpccp@leeds.ac.uk for support.

For any other queries, contact the Course Administration Team.

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Doctor of Clinical Psychology

A Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol) is a professional doctorate awarded in clinical psychology.

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Course overview

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course is a three-year, full-time programme accredited by the British Psychological Society. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status, allowing you to practise as a Clinical Psychologist within the NHS.

Introduction

This programme offers clinical placements throughout the year, an academic course and an opportunity to undertake your own research work and dissertation.

Local NHS clinical psychology services on Merseyside offer a particularly rich variety of specialist placements at facilities such as Ashworth High Secure Hospital, the Windsor Clinic (Addictions), the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery

You will also have the opportunity to work with many esteemed practitioners in their fields such as; family therapy, paediatric liaison, brain injury rehabilitation and eating disorders.

Alongside clinical placements, time is also devoted to the major theoretical paradigms in clinical psychology (e.g. cognitive-behavioural, cognitive analytic therapy, psychodynamic, and systemic), that continue to inform and influence clinical practice.

As you progress in your programme, the time devoted to the formally taught component in Year one with an intensive teaching block reducing through Years two and three as your own research and clinical practice provide the hands-on experience needed for registration to practice.

You will gain in-depth knowledge in the field of clinical psychology and contribute to the development of the mental health care services relating to the elderly or children and young adults from poor households.

In recognition of the challenging and, at times, demanding nature of the programme, your training is underpinned by a range of support structures.

You’ll have regular access to an Academic Advisor(a member of the core team) who’ll support your clinical, academic, research, personal and professional development.  You’ll also have regular contact with a Mentor, a qualified clinical psychologist working in the NHS who’ll help you navigate personal learning and career objectives. In addition there’ll be regular Personal and Professional Development (PPD) sessions where you’ll meet with the same group of colleagues to discuss and seek support for personal, ethical and professional issues. You’ll have support from a specialist DClinPsych. support librarian during the programme.

Candidates must apply through Clearing House – click the “Apply Now” button for instructions and full requirements (including Right to Work).

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for students who already have an honours degree in psychology or a conversion degree pass.

This programme is suitable for you if you want to develop your clinical, professional, academic and research skills further to doctoral level, while providing you with a high level of independence, and equipping you to practice competently as a qualified clinical psychologist in the NHS.

 

What you'll learn

The programme is organised within a series of teaching units covering the theoretical and research bases of clinical psychology including;

  • Adult, child and adolescent clinical psychology
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Clinical assessment methods
  • Neuropsychology
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Forensic clinical psychology
  • Global mental health and human rights
  • Behaviour, cognition and emotion in therapy

Accreditation

The programme leads to the award of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, conferring eligibility to apply for registration as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Accreditations in detail

Accreditations

The programme leads to the award of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, conferring eligibility to apply for registration as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

The programme begins with an introductory academic block of five weeks’ duration, designed to equip you with the basic skills necessary for your first placement experience.

Among the taught modules you’ll be studying are:

Addictions, Behaviours and Cognition, Human Rights, Human Sexuality, Family and System Therapies, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Learning Disabilities, Psychology of Older Adults,  Psychological Models and Theories, Psychopharmacology, Psychosis and Recovery, Third Wave Therapies.

Year One also introduces you to a range of methods and issues arising in clinical research, clinical skills and assessment, Mersey Care induction, and ethical and social issues.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Placement opportunity

This course offers a placement opportunity so you can combine your studies with practical experience with industry professionals. It is a great way to develop key employability skills and get a head start in your career with key industry partners. View more information on the course page.

Explore more about Careers and Employability at Liverpool.

Your experience

Our experts in the Department of Psychology connect the dots between the mind, brain, and human behaviour. And our students are immersed in this world-leading research from day one, whether beginning a psychology career, or looking to qualify as a professional psychologist. The department has links with many special interest groups/regional DCP faculties and other post-qualification activities throughout the North West.

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Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

An exciting place for postgraduate study

  • Internationally recognised qualifications with a wide range of programmes
  • Access to some of the best specialist units in the UK
  • World-leading excellence in research and research-connected teaching
  • The MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology is renowned worldwide and attracts a large number of international students and visiting speakers each year
  • Provides specialist training with taught and research components
  • Work alongside internationally-renowned academic researchers and experts in their field.

Careers and employability

Graduate from this programme and you’ll be eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status, allowing you to practise as a Clinical Psychologist within the NHS. The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme has an excellent record for employment of graduates.

 

 

Career planning

Three career coaches standing outside the Careers Studio

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

From education to employment

Two graduates in postgraduate robes.

We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.

Networking events

Postgraduate students hold a discussion while sat round a table in in the Liverpool Guild of Students.

You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.

Your future

Clinical Psychology is an expanding profession and graduates will have the opportunity to work within a variety of different settings within the NHS such as hospitals, local clinics and health centres and in community mental health teams.

As you gain more experience in practice you may decide to specialise in a particular area of work, or progress to management. Some graduate decide to pursue careers that combine both leading research and clinical activity.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

Successful candidates are not required to pay course fees as they will be employed full-time by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust at Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Further information is available from Clearing House.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here


ANID Chile Scholarship

  • International students
  • Chile

Postgraduate taught and research students from Chile are eligible for this scholarship.

Chevening Scholarships

  • International students

The University, in partnership with Chevening, is delighted to offer this generous scholarship to students who are studying a master’s programme and who have future leadership potential. Please note that there is a fee cap applied to MBA programmes that requires applicants to cover any additional tuition costs over £18,000. You will still receive all additional allowances.

CONACYT Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

The University of Liverpool has an agreement with CONACYT to support postgraduate taught and research students from Mexico.

FIDERH Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

20% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate taught and research programmes. Must be Mexico national.

Fulbright Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US and another is available for a postgraduate research student to undertake a three to six month research stay from the US

FUNED Awards

  • International students
  • Mexico

Up to ten awards are available for Masters or Research students from Mexico in receipt of FUNED loans. The award gives students a 20% reduction in fees for all applications received.

Graduate Association Hong Kong & Tung Postgraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • China
  • Hong Kong

The University is able to offer competitive scholarships for both postgraduate taught master’s and research programmes.

HRM Princess Sirindhorn University of Liverpool Scholarship (Thailand)

  • International students
  • Thailand

The University is able to offer one award to a new postgraduate taught master’s student from Thailand.

The scholarship is open to all subjects offered as a one-year taught master’s programme.  However, priority will be given to those students who wish to study in a subject area associated with HRH Princess Sirindhorn such as science, IT, medicine, the arts, geography, history and languages.

JuventudEsGto Scholarship

  • International students
  • Mexico

Residents of State of Guanajuato, Mexico, wishing to study at postgraduate taught and research levels are eligible for this scholarship.

Marshall Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US to cover the cost of tuition fees. Another, to the value of £20,000, is available for Doctoral study visit: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship

  • International students
  • Turkey

Postgraduate taught and research students from Turkey are eligible for this scholarship, see the Turkish Ministry of Education website https://meb.gov.tr/ for more information.

University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s Programmes

  • International students

The three awards available cover full tuition fees, visas and support for accommodation and living expenses.

This scholarship is open to support people who have recognised status as either refugees or are under humanitarian protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention. This status must be held outside of the UK.

The scholarship is open for all postgraduate-taught programmes, excluding medicine, dentistry, veterinary and nursing.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

The University of Liverpool will award five University of Liverpool International College students, who achieve the highest academic excellence (minimum 75%) in their UoLIC Pre-Master’s programme, the prestigious UoLIC Excellence scholarship.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

University of Liverpool International College recipients of the Kaplan awards will receive the £3,000 Progression Impact Scholarship, deducted from first-year tuition fees, on successful progression to their UoL degree programme.

To be eligible for our Impact Progression Scholarships, students must apply for one of the Kaplan Impact Scholarships demonstrating their commitment to making an impact across issues of importance to the University and Kaplan. Themes include:

Sustainability
Women in STEM
Community
Career Focus (Employability)

Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship for China

  • International students
  • China

Details are:
1 (one) Full scholarship
2 (two) £10,000 scholarships
5 (five) £5,000 scholarships
10 (ten) £1,000 scholarships
All scholarships will be awarded after the formal registration at the University and will take the form of a fee waiver.

Please note: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarships or bursaries provided by the University.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

Postgraduate entry requirements

To join this programme, you must have a 2:1 honours degree, or above, or equivalent, as well as Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society and clinically relevant experience.

You must have the unrestricted right to reside, study, train and work in the UK.

Acceptance onto the programme will be subject to satisfactory health screening and criminal record checks.

International qualifications

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this DClinPsychol, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new application cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted on the website.

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Why Liverpool?

Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.

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Accommodation

To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.

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Fees and Finance

Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.

Changes to Doctor of Clinical Psychology DClinPsychol

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

23 March 2023: New postgraduate taught course pages

New course pages launched.