Course summary

First taught in 1959, this advanced practitioner programme is one of the longest established of its kind in the UK. The standard qualification for a career in clinical psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology makes you eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and chartered status with the British Psychological Society. You'll be trained to an advanced level in the use of psychological interventions across a variety of settings, and will gain competencies in the application of a range of therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, and other approaches. In addition to compulsory competencies in psychological therapies and clinical case management, you will also achieve advanced competencies in consultation and supervision, service development and governance and applied psychology research and evaluation. The programme is constantly updated to ensure it reflects current practice, and you’ll be taught by lecturers who, as practitioners, are able to convey the most up-to-date methods and theories. Thanks to our partnership with NHS Education for Scotland and a number of Scottish NHS boards, current arrangements are that you will be employed throughout your training as a trainee clinical psychologist. At least half of your training will be clinical practice-based and you will complete a number of clinical practice placements, usually within your employing NHS health board area, covering different specialities and service areas.